NBD - Kay content

Bijoux · #1 01-25-2013, 05:29 PM

I just got this Kay M-1 from 1952 if I'm not mistaken, ... the serial number is 304... something like that...
Anyway I was never a Kay fan, but this guy that works at this theater close by found this bass in the back in the basement and nobody claimed it so he sold it to me for $75!!!!!!!!!!!
I basically just cleaned a little put some new strings on it and I must say, this thing sound great.
There are no buzzes on the fingerboard. It's dressed nicely. Although the bridge doesn't have any adjusters, the string height is perfect. (you can fit a number 2 pencil under the G string at the end of the fingerboard, and the other strings are gradually higher than that). You can actually hook your fingers and the strings and pull they pretty hard and get a nice big sound.
I'll make a YouTube video.
Anyway, i don't know what to do with it.
it's really fun to play!
I might keep it for a while. Ideally I would like to find a good home for it. Somebody that can appreciate it. I kind of feel like I rescued the bass, so I don't wanna just get rid of it and sell to someone and later on find the bass in the same condition or worst.
anyway, it's kind of growing on me. I have it strung with Helicore Pizzicato just because I had a set laying around for over 10 years. I think I am going to try some Obligatos that I got laying somewhere. maybe that will give it a beefier sound and a nicer feel too.

KUNGfuSHERIFF · #2 01-25-2013, 05:37 PM

Skip the Oblis and go straight to gut, maybe with the Helicores on the bottom. That should sound and play great.

I'll give you your $75 back plus freight to NY any time you want. Great score there, sir.

Bijoux · #3 01-25-2013, 05:40 PM

I hear what you are saying, but guts are expensive, especially if I am not going to keep the bass for long...
I was wondering if Eurosonics would be an option...

tomshepp · #4 01-25-2013, 05:41 PM

$75.

You ain't kiddin' "GREAT SCORE"

KUNGfuSHERIFF · #5 01-25-2013, 06:00 PM

Never used Eurosonics, sorry, but I hear good things.

Phil Rowan · #6 01-25-2013, 06:05 PM

Pff, whatevz.. I got my Kay for free by way of a very generous donation from the church my family went to when I was in middle school (it'd been sitting there in a back room for ages). Granted, it needed a new neck and bridge, etc, so perhaps you win in terms of great deals. Seriously though, that's a bargain right there.. looks to be in very good shape. Congrats!!!

Phil Rowan · #7 01-25-2013, 06:07 PM

Bijoux, if you want to avoid the high cost of guts you could always spring for some Velvets (definitely keep an eye on the classifieds for both). And there's always Spiro Weich.

Bijoux · #8 01-25-2013, 06:22 PM

Yeap. I love Velvets! maybe I'll try that.

...so anyway, when the guys points me to the gig bag sitting on the corner I didn't even look inside! I just gave him the money and left!
the bag was hideous! it din't even make it to garage! i went straight to the dumpster. then I started to look at the bass and I was like rally impressed! I mean it loks like I just need to put it together and play!
anyway, I am not very experienced putting the soundpost in the right place so I'll have that done. The bass also has a patch where the soundpost goes on the back plate, which makes me wonder how long this thing was just sitting there in the basement... the patch looks very clean and probably recent... well I don't know...

Bijoux · #9 01-25-2013, 06:34 PM

Ok, so I just shot this quick video. Obviously I haven't had time to play the bass yet. I just got it! lol So it feels a little awkward. But it's a fun bass to play and I think we might become friends!

http://youtu.be/kWCQtIrKLyo

KUNGfuSHERIFF · #10 01-25-2013, 06:40 PM

Lots of later Kays had the reinforcing patch after steel strings became popular. Those thin plywood tops tended to collapse.

Fogducker · #11 01-25-2013, 07:13 PM

Put some Innovation Super Silvers on it. They're real gut like and the tension isn't too bad.

The small patch on the back is stock and gives you a pretty good idea where to go with the sound post too.

Fog

DC Bass · #12 01-25-2013, 07:29 PM

Congratulations on your acquisition!!! Your karma must be exceedingly good!

Eurosonics would be great, especially for the price- I bought a bass that had their light gauge A, D and G so I can't speak to the quality of the low E. The rest of the strings were GREAT in every regard to exclude arco. That said, Lezner guts aint too shabby, and relatively inexpensive to boot...sometimes you can score a used set for peanuts.

Namaste,

Joe

BHBassman · #13 01-26-2013, 03:12 AM

Congrats!!
I have an old blonde Kay strung with EPs. Used it last night on a quintet trad Jazz gig. Great sounding Bass. A bit beat up, but plays great w, ESP. With my pu.
Bought it from a bassist that had a picture with him playing it with Drummer Gene Krupa.
He had it with spirocores. Good sound. Wanted the gut sound from this bass.
Brought it to a repairman,new bridge, setup, etc.
The neck & headstock are both pinned & still sounds great.
Played a Kay with Galugalecki Gut strings that was also great sounding.

calypsocoral302 · #14 01-26-2013, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Rowan

And there's always Spiro Weich.

I agree with this statement. Spirocore low-tension is what I have strung on mine, with very pleasing results!

drurb · #15 01-27-2013, 09:15 AM

Excellent score! If it were me, I'd turn it right around for a hefty profit.

Akito · #16 01-27-2013, 10:08 PM

Sounds really good! Congrats man! I have been looking for something like this locally for the past two years with no luck. I just know there are folks around here with something similar in the basement!