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Double Bass Kay basses

#21
I also own a Lemur Jupiter and recommend it over pretty much anything else in its class. My understanding is that they designed for certain sonic characteristics and wound up with a bass that resembles an AS (at least visually). I really wanted an American Standard or a nice Kay, but couldn't find one that I liked. I bought the Jupiter after playing Kevin's bass and I've had no regrets at all.
 
#22
KStewart said:
Hi Steve,

that's my actual, personal Jupiter you are playing here. Glad you enjoyed playing it!

Since I got that bass a year ago, my '51 Kay gets no love anymore. Still a beautiful sounding bass (the Kay).... but not as beautiful AND boomy as the jupiter.
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Small world! Since you got that bass a year ago and the summer NAMM show was last July, did you loan the bass to Lemur for the show?

I did enjoy your bass and it got me thinking about gut strings again. While it was in the Lemur booth David Roe played it too and pulled off some nice slap riffs. I may actually have a video of that.

- Steve
 
#23
Steve Boisen said:
Small world! Since you got that bass a year ago and the summer NAMM show was last July, did you loan the bass to Lemur for the show?

I did enjoy your bass and it got me thinking about gut strings again. While it was in the Lemur booth David Roe played it too and pulled off some nice slap riffs. I may actually have a video of that.

- Steve
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Exactly. Loaned it to them (missed it badly) so they could have a bass with more of a 'Roots Music' set up, since it was Nashville and all. Glad I did! From my understanding, Dave bought one. I would love to see the video, if you can track it down. He is somewhat of a hero of mine....

Thanks btw, for posting the pic! :cool:
 
#25
shfpho said:
as a guitar player I'm aware that Kay acoustic guitars from that era are viewed as cheap down-market instruments that are not particularly good. Since I know next to nothing about basses, I was wondering if someone could clue me in about what makes old Kay basses desirable for playing bluegrass. My theory is that if their guitars were cheap and not particularly good (which has been the case with the few Kay guitars I've played at flea markets and garage sales) then it stands to reason that their other instrument lines would be similar.
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I'm not familiar with kay acoustic guitars really, but I have an old Kay Electric Bass that's an sg copy. And I love it. I got it for free, and was able to pluck the frets out of it, and fill in the gaps jaco-style because they weren't dug in the neck that deep. (even though there's conflicting views about whether jaco did that) It was made in taiwan, and after I replaced the original bridge with a fender bridge off of craigslist, it plays great. I've read other people dig em' too. Just throwing that out there. Even though it doesn't exactly pertain to your quote.
 

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