Kay Bass 1949-Worth it to buy it?

[TMask]

Hey I am looking for a new bass and noticed this, here's all the info I know. Is it a good buy? Also would anyone know whats up with the different color strings and such. Thanks.

"I'm selling my 1949 Kay C-1 Upright Bass. I hate to let it go but times are tough and I need the money. I bought this bass for 2 grand but since then it fell and the neck cracked and I had to have it repaired. It is a solid bass, plays great and sounds great. It has lots of scratches and some wood repairs look like they have been done to it, but nothing you wouldn't expect from a bass this old.

It is strung with very new Innovation Rockabilly E and A, and La Bella Supernyl D and G. The Serial number is in tact, and it still has it's original tag inside. Serial reads 20268 which puts it's production at 1949 from the Kay factory.

This bass is a classic, and a piece of history, but I need the money."

[PinkFloydDan]

I want it

[wineaux]

T,

You should play it to see how it sounds and feels.

You should have a luthier give it the once-over to see if it is structurally sound. That will give you some idea of repairs and/or setup work that it needs. That work plus cost of the bass is the real cost of the bass.

I wouldn't worry about the strings. A lot of cats mix and match, and that's what he's done, too. In time, you'll find your own string sound. But be warned: strings are expensive and the search for YOUR strings can be long!

[shadygrove]

Originally Posted by wineaux

T,

You should play it to see how it sounds and feels.

You should have a luthier give it the once-over to see if it is structurally sound. That will give you some idea of repairs and/or setup work that it needs. That work plus cost of the bass is the real cost of the bass.

I wouldn't worry about the strings. A lot of cats mix and match, and that's what he's done, too. In time, you'll find your own string sound. But be warned: strings are expensive and the search for YOUR strings can be long!

+1 to Wino's advice. Once you see it, hear it and find out how much it may cost for any repairs then you'll know if it's the bass for you or not. If it's a bass you've gotta have then it's a good buy. If you don't feel sure, keep shopping until you've played enough basses that when you play "the one" you are sure and don't have to ask if it's a good buy.

[TMask]

Where might I get a hold of a "luthier"? Because I dont really know what that means.

[400$Bass]

Originally Posted by TMask

Where might I get a hold of a "luthier"? Because I dont really know what that means.

A luthier (IPA: /ˈluːtɪə(r)/) is someone who makes or repairs stringed instruments. The word luthier comes from the French word luth which is French for "lute".

The craft of lutherie is commonly divided into two main categories: stringed instruments that are plucked or strummed, and stringed instruments that are bowed. While there is a nearly limitless variety of stringed instruments both historic and modern, from many places and cultures — the following lists give some examples of instruments in each category still in use today.[1]

In the first category are the: autoharp, banjo, bouzouki, charango, cittern, appalachian dulcimer, guitar, harp, kantele, kithara, kora, koto, lute, theorbo, archlute, angelique, torban, kobza, bandura, lyre, pipa, mandolin, oud, shamisen, sitar, ukulele, and veena.

In the second category are the: cello, crwth, double bass, erhu, fiddle, mouthbow, nyckelharpa, hurdy gurdy, rabab, rebec, sarangi, viol, viola, viola da braccio, viola d'amore, viola da gamba and violin.

Since bowed stringed instruments require a bow, this second category of luthier contains a subtype known as an "archetier", which is a French word for one who makes bows.[2] While the division of luthiers into two categories may seem arbitrary, there are those who are passionate about the difference between these categories.[3][4] For this reason, the remainder of this article will use the division for clarity and convenience.

Source: Wikipedia on Internet

[shadygrove]

Originally Posted by TMask

Where might I get a hold of a "luthier"? Because I dont really know what that means.

Here's a link to the luthier directory on Bob Gollihur's website...

http://www.gollihurmusic.com/luthiers.cfm

[Marcus Johnson]

Originally Posted by TMask

Where might I get a hold of a "luthier"? Because I dont really know what that means.

TMask... if you're looking for a luthier locally, one important thing to remember is to make sure that whichever luthier you contact is conversant in double bass luthiery. There are many different types of great instrument builders out there, as 400$ pointed out, and they can do amazing work on guitars, etc.... but many of them have absolutely no idea what makes a double bass tick.

[TMask]

So how do I get it checked out, does the luthier go there or do I have the seller take it to the luthier.

[wineaux]

T,

The ideal situation is for the seller to allow you to take the bass to a local luthier to be checked out. It's pretty common -- but not universal.