Kay Acoustic Info Needed

[dronevil]

Hi guys,

 

I'm a first time poster here but I was wondering if anyone might have some info on a vintage Kay archtop acoustic I ran across at a pawn shop. If I remember correctly it's a two tone sun or tobacco burst and has the classic "Kay" logo on the headstock (similar to this electric acoustic which also has the same pickguard: http://cgi.ebay.com/AMAZING-Vintage-1960s-KAY-Airline-Archtop-Electric-NR_W0QQitemZ230078657323QQihZ013QQcategoryZ2384QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) and the model number is L-9524. I've scoured the internet for any information but there's absolutely nothing, it's like a ghost. My uneducated assumption is that since it's similar to the electric acoustic I referred to, it's probably late '50's - early '60's era. But like I said, it's a complete assumption.

 

It's beat up a bit but it definitely has some character, I just think the store is asking way too much (surprise, surprise ). I may have some of the particulars wrong but I'll let you know as I'll be going into the city later this week and will take a look at it again. If there is any Kay guru's out there please enlighten me on the age, approx. going price etc. Thanks in advance!!!

[T.B.]

Welcome I'm not at all familiar with Kay guitars, but just doing a quick check, I came across these sites that may help you. The Kay Electric Archtop being sold on Ebay is really nice looking and sounds good. Please, let use know if you get the Kay at the pawn shop, we'll have a bunch of question later. Cheers

Trina


http://www.geocities.com/stereoscoptic/kay/index.html
http://www.provide.net/~cfh/other.html

[Roy]

Welcome.

I would recommend checking the angle of the neck before buying. It's an expensive fix. This thread explains how.

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1208287

Is your name Dr-on-evil, or Drone-vil?

[dronevil]

Thanks to both of you for the information, I really appreciate it! I know next to nothing about Kay guitars or checking the angle of the neck (I'm kind of a newbie....can you tell? ) so it was very helpful. I'll keep you updated on the situation although I might consider going with a similar Kay acoustic on ebay as the prices might be cheaper than the pawn shop. Who knows.

Is your name Dr-on-evil, or Drone-vil?

I guess the closest equivalent would be drone-evil. I swiped the name from a song by a Japanese band called Boris. They play a style of music known as drone (along with several other styles as well) that was influenced by bands like Earth and the Melvins. Although Boris and the title apply more to electric guitars than acoustics I always liked the song and the name....and the rest is history.

[dronevil]

Sorry to resurrect this long dead topic but I found a guitar on ebay that is identical to the one I'm considering buying. The model numbers are different but it's the splitting image. Same color, headstock, pickguard etc, etc. I've found a few that are similar but this is as close as it gets, I'd swear it's the same guitar. Hope this helps.

Here's the link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=008&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=180081082039&rd=1&rd=1

[Michael Martin]

I don't know Kays in general--there may be some really good ones. My first guitar was a Kay. Dull sound, clubby chunky neck, poor set-up (of course that last part is presumably adjustable). Because of that guitar, along with adolescent distractions in general, I didn't play much at all until I got another guitar later in my teens.

I guess it's alll just another argument for try-before-you-buy. Caveat emptor!

[guitarcapo]

Acoustic Kays convert to electrics pretty well on the cheap.

 

I bought this 40's Kay for for 100 bucks and added maybe 250.00 in parts to it.