Here for sale is a extremely rare 1953 Kay TV-21 Upright Bass with what appears to be its original case. I know of only three of these basses to be documented, to my knowledge none were for sale. This bass isfully labeled and in factory condition with the exception of a decades-old professional nut area repair. It also has a new set Diaddario Helicore Hybrid strings. The bass has been blacklighted and it is original. Some people may know these were produced only in 1953 and they were not catalog but they were projected towards the television industry. I will attach a paragraph on the history of them here:
The TV model basses were produced in 1953 for the television industry. The reason for the special bass had to do with the reflection. The bright lights of the TV industry demanded special paint. For the TV models, the primer was a gray primer and then a flat paint usually gold-colored. They were two TV models, a TV-1 which had rosewood trimmings, and a TV-21 which had ebony trimmings. The TV basses were basically M-1 basses with a special paint job. Curly maple tops have been reported (while refinishing) as well as backs with larger reflecting surfaces. The paint on the TV-1 and TV-21 may be different and so far the pictures received do not show any purfling on either model.
I have saw photos from Johnny Cash's Grand Ole Opry debut And Marshall Grant was playing a TV-21 with the exception of it was a C-1 model . Other famous and notable TV models includes Bill Black's TV-1 which he played and recorded with Elvis with, which Paul McCartney currently owns. This particular TV-21 model features Brazilian rosewood trim that is the fingerboard and the tail piece, it plays and sounds extremely well, further set up would be a personal touch to the new buyer. I do have a video available for sound sample, I am asking $5599 cash or best reasonable offer In the Kentucky area. I would possibly entertain a trade of equal value or a trade with cash towards equal value for a Gibson Mastertone banjo or vintage Martin guitar, feel free to ask any questions,sold as is no returns.
The TV model basses were produced in 1953 for the television industry. The reason for the special bass had to do with the reflection. The bright lights of the TV industry demanded special paint. For the TV models, the primer was a gray primer and then a flat paint usually gold-colored. They were two TV models, a TV-1 which had rosewood trimmings, and a TV-21 which had ebony trimmings. The TV basses were basically M-1 basses with a special paint job. Curly maple tops have been reported (while refinishing) as well as backs with larger reflecting surfaces. The paint on the TV-1 and TV-21 may be different and so far the pictures received do not show any purfling on either model.
I have saw photos from Johnny Cash's Grand Ole Opry debut And Marshall Grant was playing a TV-21 with the exception of it was a C-1 model . Other famous and notable TV models includes Bill Black's TV-1 which he played and recorded with Elvis with, which Paul McCartney currently owns. This particular TV-21 model features Brazilian rosewood trim that is the fingerboard and the tail piece, it plays and sounds extremely well, further set up would be a personal touch to the new buyer. I do have a video available for sound sample, I am asking $5599 cash or best reasonable offer In the Kentucky area. I would possibly entertain a trade of equal value or a trade with cash towards equal value for a Gibson Mastertone banjo or vintage Martin guitar, feel free to ask any questions,sold as is no returns.
