Zounds !! Yet Another Newbie Plywood Kay Question

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Hello All,

I'm new to the double bass and TalkBass. I've been a guest lurker for the past 6 months and have learned so much from you all, especially the luthiers. Thanks for the great forums and all of the information!

I don't know if my question belongs in set-up and repair or strings or both but here goes ......

I recently acquired a real nice 1940 Kay 0-1 Orchestra Model (even included the original Kay bow in excellent condition). Right now it's at our rare Montana luthier's shop 140 miles away for a new adjustable bridge, fingerboard dressing, and set-up. I noticed that it did not have a back "reinforcement disk" under the soundpost like my 1964 Kay S-1 and other Kays that I have looked at.

Question: Is there supposed to be a "reinforcement disk" on models that old? If it was your bass, would you put one in? Does the disk attenuate any of the volume or tone of a Kay bass? (And please don't tell me to forget the disk and just get a Cleveland or Hawkes. I'm already thinking about that! Basses are hard to come by in these parts.) There is no evidence that the back is damaged or bulged or any sign that the existing soundpost changed the back panel (or front panel) at all. I suspect the old timer that originally owned it in Idaho always had gut strings on it but I'm not sure.

Speaking of strings ........ Next Related Question: If I run steel strings like Spirocore Orchestras (middle weight), will that stress out the neck joint or the back under the soundpost with no reinforcement disk? Amazingly the neck on this bass has never been broken off or repaired and I hope to keep it that way. Do you have a good string recommendation for this bass? It came with fairly new Corelli strings (not sure of the model number) but I haven't even got to try them out since the bridge that came on the bass was in the wrong place and poorly set up (lots of A and E string buzzes).

Any other suggestions are welcome! Sorry to run on but I would like to set this bass up one time correctly (like that is real possible, huh?) Right now I play mostly basic root-5 bluegrass and old time fiddle music but I also love the blues and jazz. Maybe some day I will (with the help of my teachers) be able to explore those genres. Thanks a bunch in advance.

[ctxbass]

Congratulations on your aquistion. Some of the older Kays have a great sound.

My '37 Kay has no disc under the soundpost and no bulge in the back. I'm not sure when they started using the disc, but I doubt it was added for tone. Maybe it was to make the basses a bit sturdier for school situations.

Steel strings should be no problem. I have Superflexibles on mine and they have just a bit less tension than the Spiro Orchestras.

[MollyKay]

The Big Sky state...another old Kay bass brought back to playable condition...good for you! My '37 Kay M-4 does not have the "sound post patch" but my '43 does, so the change must have happen between '40-'43. I asked this very same question to Jack at Upton bass and his reply was if it did not come with a sound post patch don't put one in. My '37 has more "boom" then my '43 and they are both strung with Thomastik S42W. My opinion on the sound post patch is, it was started after the 3 ply tops ('37-'40) went to 5 ply tops to help destribute the higher tension of steel strings. Both my '37 and '43 have no domes or bulges on the back so I think it is okay with or with out a sound post patch as long as you care for the bass with the proper conditions...50% humidity, no direct sun light and if it is too hot or cold in the car for Fido it is the same for your bass.

Good luck and enjoy your new old bass...I know us plywood lovers are way out numbered here, but I love old American made basses. They are a peice of our American history and one of the few "made in the USA" items I am very proud to own. I can't play roots music and bluegrass on a China bass...oh you can, but it just wrong.

Enjoy!