Figured I'd update this thread with a photo of my "new" Kay bass recently purchased and now enjoying the gig rotation:
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Kay bass guitars--who's playing them?
- Thread starter Mastermold
- Start date
Michael Rhodes sounds great on anything I've seen or heard him play. Been a fan since his days playing in The Nerve. One of my top 5 players. To keep post relevant, would love to have one of the Roger Fritz built Kay replicas (or even one of the offshore built ones or an original)
I've played one of the Chinese reissues and they're nice basses. The folks at the Kay Reissue company told me the parts for those are sourced here in the USA and then shipped to China for assembly, and that they are all made to Fritz' specs so they are quality basses and quality parts, just assembled where it can be done cheaper.
BassHappy
Supporting Member
I gotta say, I am with you Jimmy. Some of the oldie goldies are so nice, and even the re-issues strike a chord with me but yes, generally VERY pricey. A lot of the lines are so simple and elegant. I am proud that I started out on a (Kay) Old Kraftsman.
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Those oddball pickguards are the absolute coolest! Thx for the Kay porn, Rick!
BassHappy
Supporting Member
I don't claim to know the history but that pick guard thing was truly an "all" or "none" proposition.
Me too. I got one of those 60s K5920 speed bumps and it is such a joy to play, big fat tone, with surprising punch. I love the tone in that clip thoughh, thats something else. I probably play it slightly more than the more desirable K5965 (the later version of 162), though I love that too. And just for fun I got a K5920 too, Value Leader. It plays like a kids toy, but the sound is so cool and wobbly.
Conveniently one of my two most played upright basses is also a Kay ... 1938 M2.
Evidence below. Love these basses.
Just a Jazz Special to complete the set ... pref blonde. Oh how I wish...
Conveniently one of my two most played upright basses is also a Kay ... 1938 M2.
Evidence below. Love these basses.
Just a Jazz Special to complete the set ... pref blonde. Oh how I wish...
Tried this one out last week at Guitar Center.
The previous owner changed the pickup and the toggle switch wasn't working, but I was very impressed with the tone.
For $499 I don't thimk it will be there long.
The previous owner changed the pickup and the toggle switch wasn't working, but I was very impressed with the tone.
For $499 I don't thimk it will be there long.
I read Barney's biography. He didn't have nice things to say about his Kay model.
Been a while since I revisited this thread. Still playing and loving my Kays ...
I always like your unique vintage bass pics.....I'm still stopped at 1953......I've had family illness to deal with.
what do you have from 1954 (my birth year)
Had one for a spell. Fun bass, but didn't get played much. Sold it for what I paid for it (new).
