1950 Kay

larryj904 · #1 08-09-2007, 06:16 AM

Hello everyone--new to the site--i am looking at a 1950 Kay 1/2 size URB with a Bielsele pickup in good condition and was wondering if someone could tell me what's a fair price for it & is there a big price difference between 1/2 and 3/4 sizes!!!!!!!! Thanks

Silversorcerer · #2 08-09-2007, 09:51 AM

Which half are you going to buy?

bassplayer57 · #3 08-09-2007, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silversorcerer

Which half are you going to buy?

hehe! LOL!

larryj904 · #4 08-09-2007, 02:41 PM

Thanks for the funny answers knuckelheads!!!!!!!!!

mesmithnm · #5 08-09-2007, 03:44 PM

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

This has some info on values, although I don't see any references to half-size basses (or halves of basses, either)

Silversorcerer · #6 08-09-2007, 04:01 PM

Awe, that's easy! If a 3/4 goes for $2K, a half should be about $1333.00. Much abliged!

Seriously, those are kind of not in high demand, but not in big supply either. Offer 500 bucks and see what happens.

Any reason you want half a bass instead of a whole one, I mean 3/4 of one? Wait, Kay never made a 4/4 bass did they? So you're set on a Kay? Well OK. Cool basses. Don't worry, I have a 4/4 and people still look it and say, "What a nice cello...."

It all depends on the condition though. Look it over very carefully. Make sure the pegbox and neck join are solid and thump it all over to make sure it's not de-laminating anywhere. If it's all there, it's an OK bass for a few bucks.

MT Spaces · #7 08-09-2007, 04:03 PM

Hello LarryJ

.... for what it is worth, here is a 1/4 size Kay that sold in the TalkBass Classifieds ....
1953 Kay model H-10 1/4 size Bass
Now don't go to thinking that since yours is a 1/2 that it will be worth twice a 1/4 size

. Maybe .... maybe not.
Another person you might try e-mailing and asking about the value is Jerry Fretwell: http://www.fretwellbass.com/uprightbass.php?bassid=1 .
His e-mail address is on his website. He buys and sells a lot of Kays .... but mostly 3/4 sizes since that is the "norm." Good Luck.

Silversorcerer · #8 08-09-2007, 04:58 PM

More price trivia. A friend of mine recently picked up a very nice 1939 Kay 3/4 cello for $200 with an even nicer bow included.

larryj904 · #9 08-09-2007, 05:23 PM

Thanks Bob--those threads helped!!!!!!!!!!!