1940 Kay S-51

magyarw · #1 07-10-2008, 08:35 AM

I have a 1940s Kay S-51 five string, #8094 that I would like to sell. I am not an upright player but in 2001 I came across the instrument at an old instrument repair shop that was going out of business. I salvaged the bass and had it repaired and converted to a Lefty (sorry!). The bass also has a Realist pickup and a French bow.
The Repairs and Modifications:
Along the bottom of one side of the bass, the back had separated form the side and the laminate was damaged (see picture). The bass was glued back together but the laminate was not repaired. The luthier made a new bridge and nut for the bass to convert it to lefty. I do not know if he modified the inside of the bass. The bass also has a small hole that was drilled at the bridge end of the fingerboard to attach an old pickup.
With the modifications and some cosmetic damage I am not sure if there would even be any interest in this instrument? I know that in good condition these are desirable instruments but I am posting this add in hopes that someone can give me an idea of the value of the instrument in its condition. I really enjoy the instrument but I don’t have much time to play it, and I could really use some money. Please give me any advice you might have about this instrument.
Thanks.
If this is the wrong place for this posting I apologize but I am new to the forum.

Pictures
http://www.wesmagyar.com/bass

Tejano Bass · #2 07-10-2008, 09:59 AM

. . . look into the inside of the bass through the "f" holes & determine if the sound post is set closest to the (lefty) G or E side

Also, what is your asking price, please?

Thanks,

Johnny Atomic · #3 07-10-2008, 09:59 AM

Price?

High C or Low B?

magyarw · #4 07-10-2008, 12:05 PM

The bass is strung with a low B.
The sound post is closer to the B side as it is strung now, so if you are looking at the front of the bass it is towards the right side.
Based on other instruments of this type my asking price is $2,700. I have no idea what shipping costs would be. If you are willing to pick it up that would be great. I live in Denver CO, USA. Please let me know if you have other questions or if you would like more images.
Thanks.

Gearhead43 · #5 07-17-2008, 06:25 PM

So you just had the bass strung as a lefty, but the sound post and bass bar were not swapped? If the sound post is on the low B side, then it is still in the original right handed configuration internally.

Price seems high considering that the bass was not kept in original condition and would need to be re-converted back to a right handed bass for most players. The delamination would be expensive to have fixed also.

Phil Rowan · #6 07-17-2008, 10:01 PM

If a sound post is on the wrong side, wouldn't that cause the upper part of one of the f-holes to cave in? When I first got my Kay, it was in pretty rough shape, and one of the f-holes was caving in for this very reason.

Jake deVilliers · #7 07-17-2008, 11:51 PM

Whoa Phil, the soundpost is on the correct side, the bass is strung left-handed.

boylebass · #8 07-18-2008, 07:26 AM

The description above indicates that the sound post is on the right as you look at the bass. That's standard setup for a right handed bass. That's not a suprise... If a true 'conversion' was performed it would require the top to be removed to move the bassbar {which is now a 'treblebar'}. Gosh, while the top's off, let's fix this pesky mess on the lower bout, doncha think?

While these basses are desirable (I wouldn't mind having one- I've got too many basses already- what's one more?!), I don't think you'll get $2.7K in it's present condition. Here's a site that might be able to give you some helpful direction-
http://www.fretwellbass.com/uprightbass.php?bassid=1
They've got more K's than I've ever seen in one place.

Phil Rowan · #9 07-18-2008, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

Whoa Phil, the soundpost is on the correct side, the bass is strung left-handed.

I thought the sound post would be on the other side if it were converted to a lefty (as boylebass stated above). It makes sense that mine caved in because the sound post was under the E string, and there wasn't much to withstand all the pressure of the D and especially G.

Jake deVilliers · #10 07-21-2008, 01:26 PM

The sound post and bass bar work as a team - you can't move one without the other, and the OP said the top hadn't been off, ergo.....

Phil Rowan · #11 07-21-2008, 01:48 PM

Ooooooh, I got pwned!

Jake deVilliers · #12 07-21-2008, 02:45 PM

Ouch!