Kay bass

pfactor2 · #1 11-16-2009, 05:15 PM

Taking poll on recommendations on strings that may make my Kay sound warmer with more sustain. Or am I kidding myself?

**Francois Blais** · #2 11-16-2009, 07:26 PM

What strings did you try so far?

Jake deVilliers · #3 11-16-2009, 08:04 PM

Yeah, what he said. Warmth isn't usually a problem with Kays, its treble/articulation.

pfactor2 · #4 11-16-2009, 08:36 PM

hellicore orch. is the only brand i have tried

abaguer · #5 11-16-2009, 11:08 PM

I've had Garbo E, or Spiro E, Anima A and D, Oliv G (when having to play arco), otherwise Golden Spiral or Goldentone (wrapped gut) G when not playing arco.
It's super warm and robust with this combination. Have tried tons of strings over years and I like this setup because it's old school sounding. I go back and forth between the Spiro E and Garbo E. The string to string balance is really good with Garbo on bottom, but the E string speaks a little more when bowing when it's got the Spiro on bottom.

Jonny Mah · #6 11-17-2009, 05:10 AM

I've got a C1, and it's the only upright I've ever owned. I think the first thing you should consider is putting an ebony fingerboard on the bass. It's a little expensive, but it really opens up the sound and gets rid of some of that rosewood 'ping' that is characteristic of some kays. For strings, I've had really good luck with Obligatos. I recently switched to Evah Pirazzi Weichs and I'm enjoying them too, but they may be too 'gut like' for what you're after.
All the best.

**BLDavis** · #7 11-17-2009, 05:20 AM

My C1 sounded best to my ear with Spirecores. I tried Tomastic, Labella, Helacore and a few others but the SC's really brought out the best in my bass.

pfactor2 · #8 11-17-2009, 05:37 AM

the ping is exactly what I dont like, considering new fingerboard, was a little concerned about the all original for resale ,but leaning towards it though, not buying carved anytime soon.

Bobby King · #9 11-17-2009, 07:14 AM

Going for "warmer" and "more sustain" can be kind of opposite goals. Gut and "gut-like" strings are usually warmer, but with less sustain. Some synthetics, like Evah and Obligato can give you some of both, but it depends on the bass. Spirocores are one of the most widely used strings, they have very good sustain, and if you can put up with a few weeks of brightness, they will develop warmth, plus they last for years. I recently played a Kay with Spiros that sounded great. Helicore Orch. is a good arco string, and not bad for pizz on some basses, but will probably lack sustain, especially on a plywood bass. On a good quality bass, gut can give you warmth and sustain. On a Kay, they'll give you some nice punch, but not much sustain.

They fact is you'll have to experiment and spend $$. I'd get a set of Spiros and wear them in.

mapleleafbass · #10 11-21-2009, 06:58 AM

Try the D'Addario Hybrids, or gut...

wayne holmes · #11 11-21-2009, 12:12 PM

IMHO-you are not kidding yourself at all. I am wondering if you have a high quality bridge on your Kay. If not, I would put a high quality French or German made bridge with adjusters on it, then I would try evah pirazzi, Spirocore, or Obligato strings. My guess is that the best result would be for you to take it to a bass luthier and get a new set-up with new sound post, maybe a lighter tailpiece and wire, new bridge and strings-The sound post probably needs changed if it still has the original which many kays do. This would make the post - what- at least 40 years old. There are many Kays that still have the original post in them. Changing the post would be a good idea, but make sure that well seasoned(25 years or so)spruce is used-Or you could use some other strong hardwood. Also, finely sand the top part of the post where it fits against the top plate. Again, you are not kidding yourself. Most luthiers love to take an old Kay, remove the factory stuff and bring it to life with a new set up- good luck- I hope that you will let us know what you did and how it turned out.

Jonny Mah · #12 11-22-2009, 05:45 AM

I agree with Wayne Holmes. The shop I've been going to with my Kay (Heinl in Toronto) always gets a kick out of my bass when I bring it in for the next modification. They've done all the work on it for the last 13 years, and are largely responsible for it sounding so great now.
If you want to hear how a modified Kay sounds (and how you're most certainly NOT kidding yourself) you can check out my myspace page (www.myspace.com/jonmaharaj). If I'm not mistaken I'm using Obligatos on all of the sound clips.
I'd never even consider getting rid of my Kay. It's a real work horse, and IMHO it sounds amazing.
I hope it works out.

Fletcher Lanning · #13 11-22-2009, 06:19 AM

I own a Kay as well. I play it every day and absolutely love it, but what is it about the Kays that is so great? There are tons of plywood basses from that era that sound terrible or fell apart in the intervening years. Why are Kay bases so ubiquitous?

drurb · #14 11-22-2009, 09:18 AM

I agree with Wayne as well, except that I know of no reason that a sound post should be replaced because of its age, per se. My C-1 had been modified and retained its original post for decades.

As for strings, the only really bad result I ever had was when I tried low-tension, smaller diameter strings once. Bad idea. The best strings I ever had on my Kay (for classical, jazz, etc.) were the Lycons. If I still had my C-1, I'd probably throw on Spirocores as has been suggested here.

As for Flanning's question, well, Kays were, in general, built like tanks (except for those pesky necks and joints) and were manufactured in large volume.

MollyKay · #15 11-22-2009, 02:42 PM

I echo what drub said…Kay’s are workhorses as they were mostly built for student music programs where they suffered great abuse. They do age well with some TLC. Many great bass players started out on Kay’s in their high school music programs so there is a bit of wonder lust about connecting with your youth. And as drub said there were more Kay basses made then Epiphone, American Standards and King Basses combined. They seem to be more readily available…BUT…there are less and less really pristine ones left.

We have been successful with Spiro weich, Doms solo and Gamut guts. We are restoring a 1942 Kay S-9 and I think this bass is going to get Velvet Garbo’s. I have wanted to try a set I bought two years ago but have not found a bass that really sings with these strings…the experiment continues.

Best of luck with your Kay!