[4] Despite the change in name badges and model numbers shortly after its introduction, the Kalamazoo K-101 and the Gibson G-101 are the same instrument.

[7] Other external features included an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) black plastic top,[4] a tri-colored plastic keyboard, color-coded rocker-switch tabs, and a vinyl fabric-covered plywood cabinet, drop panel, and lid, using an aqua-and-gray color scheme.

While superficially similar in appearance to many other combo organs in the 1960s such as the Farfisa Compact, it can easily be distinguished from competing models by identifying the cabinet colors.

[9] The expression pedal is required, as without it, the organ will make no sound (though this can be fixed by changing the internal wiring).

[14] Like other combo organs, the G-101 uses twelve individual tone generators with a frequency divider to create the other notes.

[15] The G-101 features strong and bright voices, which when combined with sustain, can cut through a mix to be the dominant instrument in a band.

[16] Like a Hammond, but unlike most combo organs, using the high voices such as Nazard 2⅔, the tones are duplicated as audio foldback.

[12] The "Repeat" feature sounds similar to tremolo, but uses a re-triggering circuit on the percussion board instead; the knob can be used to control its off/on and speed rate.

[11] This feature often faded in functionality because it used a photodetector which contained a neon bulb that could dim over time, but this is fixable by locating and installing an appropriate replacement part.

[11] The tones can be given additional attack (note-onset time) when the "Percussion" and "Staccato" tabs are selected, producing a piano-like "bounce".

[2] The most prominent user of the G-101 was The Doors' Ray Manzarek, who switched from the Vox Continental to the G-101 during the recording of Waiting for the Sun in 1968.

Don Preston used a G-101 with Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, and was seen playing one on the cover of his solo album Filters, Oscillators & Envelopes 1967–75.