• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Kay basses... and other discontinued models

J

Joe Geni

Sep 19, 2020
22
11
#1
Hi all. I found a Kay K5922 bass from the 1960s in a shop. It is a fascinating instrument, hollow maple, lightweight, bright orange, jack is in the back of the body, and has a lot of tonal variety and a very woody, almost upright sound. It's a delight to play.

But... it doesn't exist anymore. Eg. the bridge is sui generis—literally a block of wood that would need surgery to alter the action. The scale is 30 7/8". What about when it needs a refret? What if a part needs replacing?

Does anyone out there have a Kay, or any vintage instrument that isn't made anymore, and if so how (apart from the obvious of taking good care of it) do you handle their irreplaceable qualities?

Thanks all.
 
#2
(As an aside, I would want the action to come down, and initially it appears the instrument would have to be permanently altered for that to happen, which seems bad. Any Kay owners who have had to change intonation over the years, I'd love to hear feedback.)
 
#3
Joe Geni said:
Hi all. I found a Kay K5922 bass from the 1960s in a shop. It is a fascinating instrument, hollow maple, lightweight, bright orange, jack is in the back of the body, and has a lot of tonal variety and a very woody, almost upright sound. It's a delight to play.

But... it doesn't exist anymore. Eg. the bridge is sui generis—literally a block of wood that would need surgery to alter the action. The scale is 30 7/8". What about when it needs a refret? What if a part needs replacing?

Does anyone out there have a Kay, or any vintage instrument that isn't made anymore, and if so how (apart from the obvious of taking good care of it) do you handle their irreplaceable qualities?

Thanks all.
Click to expand...
Joe Geni said:
(As an aside, I would want the action to come down, and initially it appears the instrument would have to be permanently altered for that to happen, which seems bad. Any Kay owners who have had to change intonation over the years, I'd love to hear feedback.)
Click to expand...
From what I see,
https://trcrandall.com/products/1960s-kay-k5922
since it is a bolt-on instrument, you can shim the neck, so that the action is lowered.
 
#4
Joe Geni said:
Hi all. I found a Kay K5922 bass from the 1960s in a shop. It is a fascinating instrument, hollow maple, lightweight, bright orange, jack is in the back of the body, and has a lot of tonal variety and a very woody, almost upright sound. It's a delight to play.

But... it doesn't exist anymore. Eg. the bridge is sui generis—literally a block of wood that would need surgery to alter the action. The scale is 30 7/8". What about when it needs a refret? What if a part needs replacing?

Does anyone out there have a Kay, or any vintage instrument that isn't made anymore, and if so how (apart from the obvious of taking good care of it) do you handle their irreplaceable qualities?

Thanks all.
Click to expand...

We Luthiers deal with this all the time: Repairing and rebuilding old unusual instruments which are long out of production. We have methods of repairing wear and damage, and if necessary, will make up new parts from scratch. We can try to keep it as original as possible, or modify it somewhat if you like. Our work isn't cheap, because it takes a lot of hours, but we can turn a funky old Kay into a solid player and useable bass.
 
  • Like
Reactions: deff, coy garcia, RSBBass and 1 other person
#5
What everyone else said.

I have purchased lots of vintage instruments, most of them online or over the phone without playing them first. Unless I'm buying from a reputable dealer, I expect hidden issues and take possible repair costs into account. I'm also on good terms with at least half a dozen luthiers in my area, including a couple who specialize in vintage restorations. They're highly specialized labor, and they charge as such, and they're worth every penny.

And yeah, adjusting the action on an old Kay shouldn't be particularly difficult unless the neck/truss rod is toast. I'd be mostly concerned with the frets, which probably weren't great when the bass left the factory.
 
#6
Also, restoring musical instruments can be an enjoyable and satisfying hobby. Most of the work isn't really that difficult, nor does it require a lot of tools and machinery. It mostly takes time. And you can be proud to play an interesting old bass that you personally brought back to life.

This old Kay might be a good project to start with.
 
#9
Picture, as requested. Early returns: difficult to describe, but the maple hollow body + pickup configuration + short scale = a versatile tone that is somewhere between a Hofner and a jazz bass. It plays well with effects too.
 

Attachments

  • IMG-5259.jpg
    IMG-5259.jpg
    945.8 KB · Views: 35
  • Like
Reactions: blacktocomm

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back