Double Bass Brand Newbie with a 1941 Kay M-1

[JerryW]

Texx,

I, like you, took a somewhat ill advised leap into buying a Kay bass without actually seeing and holding it. I live in an area away from major cities, so access to used uprights is nonexistant. I had a friend travelling to Chicago and at the last minute I saw an ad for a '51 C-1 Kay on the internet. A few poor pictures and one phone call later and I made the deal for my friend to pick it up. Mind you this was a while ago when the economy was better and prices for Kays were higher. Mine was $2500 with new high quality bag, stand, etc. Still way too much by todays prices.

He picked it up and it was what I expected, but when I brought it to a luthier to be set up for my use I was told the top needed to come off to stabilize the bridge area. $600 later it looked the same as when I brought it in, but you do what you gotta do. I put new strings on it and am building my own bridge with adjusters so it's an ongoing project.

Am I happy with it --- YES, I love it. Sure I've got too much money into it, but experience is expensive. Maybe some day I'll find a real deal on another bass and everything in the universe will come into equalibrium, but then again maybe not. Enjoy your Kay experience. I know I am.

Jerry

 

[Texx010]

Greetings everyone! I picked up my bass from Nick Lloyd Basses yesterday. Before I continue, here are some updated photos of my bass sitting in my new Hercules bass stand.

He installed a new soundpost and cut a new bridge with adjusters. The pickup he installed is a Fishman Full Circle Double Bass pickup.

He put in a new metal endpin, as the bass came with what amounted to a wooden stopper plug. I suppose adjustable endpins weren't used in those days. He installed a new tail wire.

Originally he was going to put on D'addario Helicore Hybrid strings, but when he strung them up he found that the tension was too tight. So instead he put on Corelli 370F strings.

I purchased a J. Dvorak French Bow from a fellow Talkbass member listed here:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=735683

The bow has been shipped and is due to arrive here tomorrow.

I have a teacher who teaches lessons at a local university on Tuesday afternoons and evenings. I had received a few different names as recommendations for teachers. The first one I contacted never returned my message, so I moved on to the next name who responded immediately.

The dimensions of my bass are as follows:

Full Height-- 72.5"
Body Height-- 44"
Scale Length-- 41 1/2"
Upper Bout-- 20"
Lower Bout-- 26 1/2"
Scroll to Shoulder-- 28 1/2"
Width at Nut-- 1 3/8"

I have been noodling around on it today. I am quite pleased to have it back. =)

 

[Downunderwonder]

Wow, she's a beauty, way to take over a lounge room!