Kay bass serial number

[Hammertime3]

Has anyone on here ever seen a Kay bass with the model and serial number written directly on the wood (inside the bass naturally) as opposed to the customary "Kay bass viol" sticker that usually appears on these basses. Like, they ran out of stickers on the date of manufacture and just wrote the model number and serial number on the inside of the back where the sticker would normally appear. Trying to identify a bass as a Kay or something else.

Thanx..

[sXeMike]

it could happen. The serial numbers were normally written directly on the wood and on a label. The label could have fallen off. or, like you said, might not have been there in the first place.

[punkozuna]

+1. It's very common. Kay used to sell rebadged basses and I believe that they often didn't have labels. Plus the labels can certainly fall off.

[gprigge]

My 1949 has the serial number on the tag, and written on the wood near the tag.

[Jake deVilliers]

Originally Posted by Hammertime3

Has anyone on here ever seen a Kay bass with the model and serial number written directly on the wood (inside the bass naturally) as opposed to the customary "Kay bass viol" sticker that usually appears on these basses. Like, they ran out of stickers on the date of manufacture and just wrote the model number and serial number on the inside of the back where the sticker would normally appear. Trying to identify a bass as a Kay or something else.

Thanx..

The instruments all had serial numbers assigned as soon as assembly began, so the serial number was written inside in pencil (often red) long before the label was applied.

I've never seen a Kay instrument without a penciled serial number though they can be buried under layers of dirt!

[Thumpie]

My '47 C-1 has the serial and model number stamped directly on the wood.

[MollyKay]

To the best of my understanding…Kay used pencil serial numbers along with the paper label until around the early 1940’s. My 1943 Kay M1 has machine stamped numbers where as my 1937’s, 1939, 1941 and 1942 are penciled in. I have seen many Kay’s that have no paper labels and most likely never did. The Kay basses sold at department stores like Sears & Roebucks and Montgomery Wards had no paper label, no tailpiece decal and no stamped Kay scrip on the back of the scroll at the base in that coin size flat spot. But they did have a serial number either penciled in or machine stamped in black ink or blue ink.

If you are trying to ID a Kay bass with a four digit pencil number most likely it is a pre-war bass…or it could be something else like a King or AS bass. They also have early numbers penciled inside. The exception is Epiphone. Epiphone did not pencil in their numbers, all their serial numbers are die stamped at one of three places depending on age and city of manufacturing.

Good luck with the adventure. Finding the identity of a bass is a fun thing…enjoy!

[fdeck]

My 1961 has a paper label plus a serial number stamped on with what appears to be a rubber stamp, next to the paper label.

[GM60466]

My tag and written match

[tomshepp]

Label and pencil on my 39'

[Hammertime3]

Thumpie..you have a PM...

[donn]

Taking your description literally, both serial number and model appear (hand) written on the back of Hammertime3's bass. That would not be so common, I gather?

What's the model?

[Hammertime3]

Model is C-l. I now have seen the bass and the model and serial number appear to have been stamped or stenciled onto the wood. There is no sticker..it appears to be stamped like "Thumpie's" "47 and this one is '48. Probably that's how they did it in those few years.

Thanx for the input, guys....

[MollyKay]

Originally Posted by Hammertime3

Model is C-l. I now have seen the bass and the model and serial number appear to have been stamped or stenciled onto the wood.

Just like this...

This is my 1947 Kay C-1 named Sanford. There is no paper label, just the stamped serial number and model number.

[Hammertime3]

Yep..just like that except on this one the "C-1" is directly to the left of the serial number. Guess it's just how the guy felt the day he applied the numbers. BTW, that is the only thing on the bass that identifies it as a Kay, at least in writing.

[MollyKay]

Originally Posted by Hammertime3

Yep..just like that except on this one the "C-1" is directly to the left of the serial number. That is the only thing on the bass that identifies it as a Kay, at least in writing.

That is why mystery basses are so much fun. You have to know where to look for the clues.

[PaulKing]

Originally Posted by MollyKay

To the best of my understanding…Kay used pencil serial numbers along with the paper label until around the early 1940’s. My 1943 Kay M1 has machine stamped numbers where as my 1937’s, 1939, 1941 and 1942 are penciled in. I have seen many Kay’s that have no paper labels and most likely never did. The Kay basses sold at department stores like Sears & Roebucks and Montgomery Wards had no paper label, no tailpiece decal and no stamped Kay scrip on the back of the scroll at the base in that coin size flat spot. But they did have a serial number either penciled in or machine stamped in black ink or blue ink.

If you are trying to ID a Kay bass with a four digit pencil number most likely it is a pre-war bass…or it could be something else like a King or AS bass. They also have early numbers penciled inside. The exception is Epiphone. Epiphone did not pencil in their numbers, all their serial numbers are die stamped at one of three places depending on age and city of manufacturing.

Good luck with the adventure. Finding the identity of a bass is a fun thing…enjoy!

Goddamit Mollykay I wish you'd be a bit more specific in your posts.

[jolasa]

My 1940 O-100 Kay bass (Orchestra Model) has the original label, but I cannot find any stamp or handwritten serial number anywhere else on the instrument, inside or outside.

It is a sweet sounding instrument!

[MollyKay]

Most likely it is penciled in very lightly, maybe a ¼” high. Years of dirt and patina can easily cover the number. Take a long handle brush and swish around the E side FF hole. Shine a really bright light through the other FF hole…there’s a number there. It just needs uncovered. I’ve done this several times and squeal with delight when I find the serial number.

Good Luck!

[Monkey]

My '45 Kay has a stamped serial number, but no model number or paper label. It also has no emblem on the tailpiece or the "K" on the back of the scroll, so maybe it was one of the Sears or Montgomery Wards models.