1st URB....Engelhardt vs. Kay

[stgmnobpf]

I'm looking for my first URB after ca. 30 years of EBG. My interest is in bluegrass and old-time (espc. Appalacian) music.

What are the relative merits of Engelhardt and Kay basses? Is the C-1 the instrument of choice for these genre? ...or the M-1, or S-9, etc...

What are the most common mallidies of well used Kays? Are Engelhardt replacement necks (or other parts) on Kays ill advised (or even possible)?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

[Bob Gollihur]

Originally posted by stgmnobpf
I'm looking for my first URB after ca. 30 years of EBG. My interest is in bluegrass and old-time (espc. Appalacian) music.

What are the relative merits of Engelhardt and Kay basses? Is the C-1 the instrument of choice for these genre? ...or the M-1, or S-9, etc...

What are the most common mallidies of well used Kays? Are Engelhardt replacement necks (or other parts) on Kays ill advised (or even possible)?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Any of the Engelhardts would be suitable for bluegrass, blues, etc.; the differences between the models revolve around maple, rosewood, and ebony fixtures (fingerboard) and different grades of wood, mostly selected for appearance, as you move up the model line. See http://www.bobthebassguy.com/engelhardt.html for details on each.

I've seen some pretty poor Kays of late that still command heavy prices- just because it is a Kay doesn't automatically make it a great bass; you have to be careful since repairs can be expensive. However, some old Kays can be quite a catch and be great sounding basses.

Things to look for are poor repairs (amateur, out of whack neck joints, etc.), a loose bass bar, etc. Your best bet is to have someone who knows basses check any prospects out.

Engelhardt or other replacement parts in a Kay shouldn't automatically disqualify it; there stuff is good quality.

Hope this helps.

[stgmnobpf]

Thanks, Bob.

I think I'll leave the vintage bass shopping for those who know the subject. Someday I'll probably have a 'vintage Englehardt'.

[bobaloo]

A little history: Kay went out of business in the 60's and Englehardt supposedly bought out all the molds, eqpt. etc. and made what is essentially a Kay copy. Roger Stowers has an excellent website on this. I tried some new Englehardts a couple of years ago and they were HORRIBLE! JUNK!! I found an old Kay that needed some work and still came out about the same price but with a good bluegrass bass. Keep Bluegrassin!

[dhosek]

Originally posted by bobaloo
A little history: Kay went out of business in the 60's and Englehardt supposedly bought out all the molds, eqpt. etc. and made what is essentially a Kay copy. Roger Stowers has an excellent website on this. I tried some new Englehardts a couple of years ago and they were HORRIBLE! JUNK!! I found an old Kay that needed some work and still came out about the same price but with a good bluegrass bass. Keep Bluegrassin!

It's all in the setup. When I bought my M-1, I tried too M-1s at different shops in Chicago. One was unplayable, the other sounded great. The difference was the setup work done at the shop.

-dh

[Hankie]

Engelhardts are really good basses to use for bluegrass or any style music you play. I have a EM-1. I had it set-up to my liking.... I love it. I also have a 51 Kay, C-1 .I have it set up just like the EM-1 and it sounds warmer because of it's age maybe??? I played as many Engelhardts as I could before I picked my EM-1. The construction ,the necks and woods used for the plys, for the tops and backs are all the same quality. the only differance between the ES-9 and the EM-1 are the finish and the ebony fittings vs Rosewood , they are the same bass in the production line. D

[larryj904]

with a biesele pickup--i'm told it is 1/2 size?-- did they make 1/2 size and what is a fair price for it--thanks

[Tejano Bass]

larryj904 - grab a flashlight & look inside through the "f"-hole at the label which should give you a model number as well as a serial number . . . take that info to: http://www.kaybass.com which should provide an answer(s) for ya . . .

[James Hart]

I love my EM-1.... plays and sounds as good as I can make it sound (I've only just started URB after 27 years on electric!)

[ctcruiser]

I have an ES-1 that I bought in 2005 and I think it sounds better than some of the Kays I have played in my luthier's shop. I guessed I lucked out!

Like everyone says on this board, you have to play the instrument before buying it. Don't buy on name alone.

Good luck!

[mefloyd]

Originally Posted by Bob Gollihur

See http://www.bobthebassguy.com/engelhardt.html for details on each.

Bob, this URL takes me to one of those "parked" web pages. Can you double-check it?

[mpoppitt]

Here is the right link:

http://www.gollihur.com/kkbass/engelhardt.html

[James Hart]

Originally Posted by mefloyd

Bob, this URL takes me to one of those "parked" web pages. Can you double-check it?

try that!
http://www.urbbob.com/engelhardt.html

Mine came way of another TBer bought from Bob in 2005.