Great Kays

groveofbass · #1 08-17-2009, 08:45 AM

I spent the day playing in Central Park yesterday with a sax trio. At one point another bass player came up to sit in and play my 1960's Kay. When he was done and I came back up to play he complimented the sound of the instrument and asked about its origin. He guessed it was an old bohemian bass. I told him "No, it American, and its only about 48 years old, and its a ply wood bass." He was surprised and then said that the top must at least be carved to get that sound. I corrected him again and said that the top is plywood too. Looks like once in a while you can find some really exceptional Kays out there!

Jsn · #2 08-17-2009, 10:04 AM

I share your enthusiasm for classic Kays, but I'm scratching my head at the notion that anyone could mistake a 60s model for an old bohemian. Is yours retrograded with hatpeg tuners, and is the plying not evident in the f-holes? I suspect someone was in the mood to pay you a compliment, and I would appreciate that in the spirit intended.

drurb · #3 08-17-2009, 11:04 AM

The player probably didn't understand that old Kays can, indeed, have a loud "thumping" sound that is well-suited to outdoor play. That's characteristic of many ply basses. It sounds like you have one of those "classic" Kays.

Jsn · #4 08-17-2009, 11:15 AM

That being said, let me compliment you still further. It's wonderful that you were playing in the park! When I lived in NYC I always enjoyed the impromptu artistic discoveries one could find while strolling there. That's the kind of thing a Kay excels at, also: fieldwork.

Gearhead43 · #5 08-17-2009, 11:43 AM

Some of the earliest Kays had carved scrolls and hatpeg tuners. There was one on Ebay recently, not sure if it's still up.

Jsn · #6 08-17-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearhead43

Some of the earliest Kays had carved scrolls and hatpeg tuners.

Yes, they did. My '37 has a carved scroll--at least it does on one side (the other side was sawed smoothly off, at some point and for some reason). But by the 60s, Kays were pretty recognizable as Kays.

groveofbass · #7 08-17-2009, 06:10 PM

I did eventually point out the plying to him. Something I have noticed however is how great the bass does sound outdoors. You eliminate and affect a room has on your sound and just hear the dry naked sound of the bass itself and its a surprisingly warm, balanced sound. And about playing in the park, its not as impromptu as you think. There's a whole scene of guys that make their living off of playing and selling their cd's in the parks. You could say it's their day job. And its also pretty competitive when it comes down to getting a good spot with a lot of foot traffic (especially that of tourists). Just yesterday i made $70 in 3 hours out there. I once made $100 in 4 hours.