I just found a kay on the street!

[McBass]

I have also heard this as being Essiet's claim to fame. I heard he ran down when he heard a neighboor screaming at the trash guys to stop.
How could anyone see something like a bass trunk on the street and not think that, at the very least, it's worth some money.
I never leave my bass anywhere, especially on the street. Not even in a locked car.
Who's D.E.?

[McBass]

Originally Posted by arto alho

MacBass, thanks for making me spit my coffee all over the keyboard.
R2

There was also a computer keyboard out on the curb. Let's make a deal.

[McBass]

Originally Posted by ctxbass

Nice find!
Kay serial #28241 would indicate a 1952 bass. Model C1 was the basic student level instrument. The reinforcement for the soundpost is standard on these. Engelhardt necks are available as replacements if you want to go that route (they are very skinny).

Thanks for the info. I figure it's definately worth putting back together. I'm torn between getting a stock replacement neck and carving a new block with a standard neck joint. Anyone have any experience retrofitting a dovetailed neck block?

[Mudfuzz]

Nice score. If it were me [and this is in NO way advise, just opion] I'd keep it kay.

[McBass]

Originally Posted by A M N

Nice score. If it were me [and this is in NO way advise, just opion] I'd keep it kay.

Yeah, but aren't those joints notoriously weak? Wouldn't I be asking for further trouble? It looks like it's going to need a new neck block regardless.

[Mudfuzz]

Originally Posted by McBass

It looks like it's going to need a new neck block regardless.

Well if the block needs work anyway, do what is best.

I'd sure like to see a picture.

[Paul Warburton]

I heard the Essiet one....I thought the D.E. was just Ed's way of trying giving the guy some privacy.

[McBass]

I'll try for pics later tonight.

[ArenW]

I've got a similar case, not quite as drastic but... I was in print media sales and out peddling an "Antique Special Section" for a newspaper around Hillsdale, MI. Being the optimist that I am, I checked with every shop I went into to see if they had seen a bass around. My last stop of the day paid off. The woman directed me to an "old man" who occasionally brought instruments in. I called him and he had two basses-a 51' Kay, and an aluminum bass, in his junk shed at home. He said he was getting ready to clean the shed out and everything was getting thrown out. I ended up buying the pair for $200! They both needed work but I was able to fix and sell the aluminum , and I still play the Kay.

I do have a question regarding the Kay-maybe someone here could help me out. It is a 1951 TV-1 model that was originally painted, very similar to a Les Paul gold top, in order to avoid reflecting in the studio cameras. Roger Stowers said that there were probably less than 50 made. Considering the low numbers, I would like to try and track down, who may have played it, what programs that it was played on etc... It has a stamp inside the body that says Torp's Music Center, which I believe was located in St. Paul, Minnesota. If anyone out there has any clues on the life of this thing, your help would be appreciated.