|
|
Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 1433
Location: Right now? | A pretty blonde in the closet! Meet "Kay" ..
I wrote a few fellas today asking for some help with information about a guitar that was given to me many moons ago. It has been sitting in my closet ever since, with the exception of a recent visit to a guitar hospital for a little TLC and a neck fix.
MWoody was kind enough to provide some very good information to me as well as a few interesting links . I was very happy and pleasantly surprised to say the least. Here is the guitar, and what Mike found out for me. If anyone knows anything else, I'd appreciate it if you'd please fill me in. Here are a few quick photos (not very good but good enough for you to see it):
When Mike wrote me back, he informed me:
"Very interesting and not to be cast off too easily. I would post to get more opinions and locate an "Expert".
I think it is
The Upbeat.
Kay's less expensive alternative to the Barney Kessel Jazz Special. Single cutaway archtop, 17" wide, veneer maple body, rosewood fingerboard with pearloid block inlays starting at the 3rd fret, rosewood bridge, closed back individual Kluson tuners with metal buttons, large scalloped pickguard sometimes with silver sparkle, sunburst, blond or black finish. Available with 1 or 2 "Gold K" single coil pickup from 1957 to 1959. In late 1959, 3 pickup "ES-5" type model available. Made from 1957 to 1961. Full Kelvinator headstock from 1957 to 1960, half Kelvinator headstock in 1961.
You have...
- Full Kelvinator Peghead in Gold and Black
- Spruce Top
- Unbound F holes
- Single pickup
- Bound Fretboard with Block inlays
You may have the original Bridge and that pickup is missing the ring/cover, the Pickguard is not original but the case seems right.
And THEN the fabulous Mr. W. provided me with even MORE information in the links below:
Kay Info
Kay Blue Book Stuff
Even MORE Kay Stuff
This Link Made Me Extra Happy!
Extra pick up available
Hopefully, at some point, I'll be able to find the ring/cover for the pickup.
Thanks so much for your help, Woody, and to anyone else that might have more information.
:D
Willa |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | you gotta love that peghead. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 1433
Location: Right now? | you gotta love that peghead.
Yes! I do! I'd forgotten all about her, and one rare day when I was actually cleaning, I pulled her out ... when I opened the case well, you know! ;)
Willa |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | That peg-head just makes you wanna go down to the Roller-Rink and hang-out, don't it?
That is a beautiful old git-fiddle.
Although not original, I do like the clear pick-guard. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2008
Posts: 1455
Location: Texas | Wow Willa, that's a pretty nifty guitar to find just buried in your closet… and your "quick" photography looks better than most of my staged shots with a tripod…
…anyway, very interesting guitar, thanks for posting… |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 2791
Location: Atlanta, GA. | What a cool old guitar!!!
How can something like that just sit in a closet forgotten and ignored and.... nevermind.
I just remembered my original slothead sat in my closet for nearly 15 years! Oops :o |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | cool guitar.
it has some negatives.
single pickup, probably wrong pickguard, [probably had a mellita bridge and it is a kay.
positives cutaway, klusons, (I can tell from the top of the gears) kelvinator headstock, block inlays and it is a kay.
if ever interested in trading let me know |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2009
Posts: 686
Location: Route 66, just east of the Cadillac Ranch | Willa, what a great old guitar. She just screams VINTAGE (I'm assuming it's a she). So, how does she sound? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 766
Location: New Hampsha | Give her some time to answer - she probbaly tripped, fell over backward, etc. and cold-cocked herself again after posting.
:p |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2007
Posts: 166
Location: Veedersburg, Indiana | WOW!! A very cool guitar. I remember back in the 60's (yikes) I use to go into the music shops and lust after those old Kay guitars. I've never played one, but they do have a certain look. Enjoy. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Alpep says "if ever interested in trading let me know"...
Charlie, here's your Golden ticket!
It definately has that Vintage charisma and although short of being a "Barney Kessel" it looks to be in great shape and all of the "not-quite-rights" are totally reversible.
My guess is that the pots are scratchy and it would take about $100 via Paypal to get it right.
I told Willa to hang on to it until we had a "Rockabilly" in the White House and it would be worth a handsome sum. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by alan814:
I remember back in the 60's (yikes) I use to go into the music shops and lust after those old Kay guitars. Same here, except I think I saw 'em in the mid to late 50's.
Willa, that is really in great condition. SWEET! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 1433
Location: Right now? | Thanks guys, again, especially to Woody.
I actually like the clear pickguard, because it shows off the pretty face of the guitar, but if i see a glittery one or one of the other originals I would probably at least try to get it, in the event I re-sell or trade her.
I tried to photograph the headstock without a tripod holding the camera, that's why the shot's so bad ... those damn polkadots ... not easy with even the slightest shaky hand. The back looks just as good.
Woody, should I buy the extra pick up? Just in case? I was afraid to plug her into my Fender acousta sonic, which was injured when I tripped over it (my guitar was plugged into it and the 'pot', or whatever you guys call it broke off, dammit)! I just bought that amp, too. I feared sparks may have started flyin'!
;)
Willa |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Probably better to test it with a Taylor if you can borrow one...
I would work more on identifying what exact parts were stock on your guitar. There has to be an equivilent handful of Vintage Kay Guitar fans to match this body of Kaman Geeks.
Email Masters Keller, Templeman, Pepiak and Kaman and I'd wager a cold Root Beer they'd know who can give you all the knowledge you need. Then all you have to do is hunt for the parts.
Jargon Key:
Pots are Potentiometers or Volume/Tone knobs.
Pups are the PickUPs.
Jacks are the 1/4" mono or stereo input jacks you plug into.
TRCs are Truss Rod Covers.
Bouts are the upper and lower "sides" of the Top.
And I believe we have already discussed the Snot globs.
Kay made a lot of stuff over a long period of time but the key to dating this unit is the "Full Kelvinator" from 57-60 and the single Pup. My guess is that the Barney Kessel was the epitome in 1957 and they started cheaping out from that moment on. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2009
Posts: 335
Location: Reisterstown, Maryland | Woody says "test it on a Taylor" I love it!
Beautiful guitar, Willa. If you hold on to it, I'd love to play it at a gathering sometime.
Please take care of yourself, I thought I was bad at banging up myself but you outdo me, girl!
Anita |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 1017
Location: Budd Lake, NJ | Willa,
I'd sure love to get that one together with my Jazzey; lots of really good music waiting to happen with these two old girls!
Beautiful pictures--and they really capture the soul of the guitar.
Got any other closets that need cleaning out? ;) :D
--Karen |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | I don't think anyone has mentioned this yet but that sure looks like a Brazilian RW Fingerboard...
Very cool guitar!!!!!
Keep it!! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | What does a brazilian rosewood fingerboard look like |
|
| |
OT: A very pretty blonde in my closet ...