Double Bass 1938-39 Kay M-2 Army Model serial # 2422

[Red Rick]

Hi Folks, recently I acquired this old Kay. the serial # shows its a 1938-39? I was told the tailpieces for those years had stickers not the nickel colored raised Kay emblem I have. this bass has had & need again a neck repair. I'm in California. if you are a 1938-39 Kay M-2 owner and your bass is original, it would be great to see pictures. I'm just trying to date my bass, then the next project is the neck repair. Thanks! Rick

 

[Steven Ayres]

Your M-2 Army is from 1938, part of a fairly large military contract order that included a few for the Navy as well.

The original lacquer treatment for this model is a variant of the contemporary M-1 pattern, with additional contrast on the edges. This is #2411:

The standard M-2 started getting a tailpiece decal a little later, but the military versions never did. Ebonized rosewood was standard for fingerboard and tailpiece. Tuning plates were bright nickel with edge stampings and Kluson ID stamp, with brass gears and blacked pillow blocks. Edge purfling is also standard for M-2.

 

[210superair]

Doing the neck yourself? I'd be inclined to put a nice new ebony fb on that bad boy.... Tho some may think it folly.

 

[Red Rick]

Your M-2 Army is from 1938, part of a fairly large military contract order that included a few for the Navy as well.

The original lacquer treatment for this model is a variant of the contemporary M-1 pattern, with additional contrast on the edges. This is #2411:

View attachment 3686246 View attachment 3686248 View attachment 3686249

The standard M-2 started getting a tailpiece decal a little later, but the military versions never did. Ebonized rosewood was standard for fingerboard and tailpiece. Tuning plates were bright nickel with edge stampings and Kluson ID stamp, with brass gears and blacked pillow blocks. Edge purfling is also standard for M-2.

Hi Steven, This is the tailpiece for my 1939 M-2 Army. Can this be the original tailpiece from 1939? or is this a newer one that must have been replaced? Rick in Hayward, CA

 

[Steven Ayres]

If it's made of ebonized rosewood, the tailpiece could be original to the bass. I'm sure that the badge is not. That badge does not appear with regularity before #5300, and then only on the Supreme series until around #12700. And again, it's clear in the database that the military-labeled M-2s did not get any tailpiece decoration at the factory.

 

[Jacksparrowxxx]

Hi i opend the tread k bass information look there i m sorry my englisch is bad

 

[Older Younger]

So, I have #2421. I wonder if you’d mind measuring the height of your bridge? Mine has a shim under the fingerboard that has me scratching my head. Thanks

 

[Steven Ayres]

This sort of shim is not particularly unusual in the Kay world. It's a modification to increase overstand, raising the string height at the bridge, which changes the string break angle to capture more bridge movement in the sound table. With a proper setup it can help add volume and complexity to the instrument's voice.

I'm presuming that your bass is an M-2, does it also carry the Army designation? If you can share more photos I'll document it for the Registry.

 

[Older Younger]

This sort of shim is not particularly unusual in the Kay world. It's a modification to increase overstand, raising the string height at the bridge, which changes the string break angle to capture more bridge movement in the sound table. With a proper setup it can help add volume and complexity to the instrument's voice.

I'm presuming that your bass is an M-2, does it also carry the Army designation? If you can share more photos I'll document it for the Registry.

 

[Older Younger]

Thank you for the reply. It does say Army on the tag. I’ll get more pics after the neck is stable.