1948 Kay Bass

[Turnaround]

I friend wants to sell me his 1948 Kay quarter-size bass. Yes, quarter size. He's desperate for some cash, but I have no idea what the thing is worth.

I assume that a 1/4 bass is not particularly valuable. And this one is in fair condition. Cosmetically it's excellent, but the bridge needs replacement and the fboard will need resurfacing - it's got some bad grooves near the nut. I can do the work, so I am not concerned about how much it would cost to fix, just wondering what the bass might be worth.

I know it may be hard to put a value on it without seeing it. I would appreciate any idea on a ballpark though - I would like to help my friend, but I don't want to be stupid. Are these quarter-size instruments worth anything? I don't know at all being an electric bassist only.

[mrpc]

I'd buy it, if I were presented with a reasonable possibility. Don't see em that often. Great little boxes. Some of those are referred to as "Bass Cello" "Piccolo bass", "Chamber Bass" and so on. Maybe you should come up with a price and ask here what folks think!

[mesmithnm]

Check out http://www.kaybass.com/Kay%20HBass%20Models.htm

Quote from Roger's site

"Quarter Sized Basses:

S-3; M-3; S-10; H-10 Junior Bass

Probably less than 1000 manufactured and as of 3/17/2005 the average sale price has been around $500 although every once in awhile one of these basses sells for around $1000. The blonde basses bring at least a couple of hundred dollars more. Price is dependent on sound, condition, and demand in your area. Professional repairs do not hurt the value."


Also, the 1/4 size bass isn't the same thing as the "Cello bass"

Mark

[mrpc]

True, but some people DO call these little tykes cello basses, for lack of a better term. I guess the true "Kay Co. Cello Bass" is the one that Ray Brown used, and as as I recall reading, was passed over to Percy Heath. IAC the info on pricing these sounds right.

[Turnaround]

Thanks for the info. The owner decided the asking price was to be $650. More than I wanted to spend so I passed. He subsequently went around town and tried to flog it. He got one offer of one hundred dollars. Of course he didn't take it.

So now I have the loan of it for a while. Think I will offer $450 after I have played it enough to decide if I want a doghouse - albeit a diminutive one. I expect $450 is fair - it really needs a new bridge and a fingerboard dress.

[mrpc]

The last one that I passed on went straight to Tom Waits. (After I took it home for awhile and put used Thomasticks and "new" bridge on.) Funky little music shop wanted $900 for it, to much for me at the time. There's a snapshot of Greg Cohen playing it in the Studio in Tom's new "Orphan's" release.

[Turnaround]

Originally Posted by mrpc

I'd buy it, if I were presented with a reasonable possibility. Don't see em that often. Great little boxes. Some of those are referred to as "Bass Cello" "Piccolo bass", "Chamber Bass" and so on. Maybe you should come up with a price and ask here what folks think!

I think I will buy this bass. I can probably get it for $400 - no one in this area seems to be interested in it. I will need to plane the fingerboard, install a new bridge, install new strings and reset the post. The end pin is not right either, but I don't think that's a big deal.

What's the consensus - should I go for it?

[Jake deVilliers]

Well, I would, but then I've wanted one since I knew of their existence. I figured that if we had one around the house at least one of the kids would play it.

They are just so darn cute!

[Turnaround]

Thanks everyone - I bought it. And gosh it's been fun! I' ve done the fingerboard work, reshaped and lowered the bridge, refit the nut and reset the soundpost. And I've cleaned everything - It's amazing how much dirt can build up in 60 years.

I can hardly put the thing down. Thanks for your opinions/guidance.