Double Bass Kay experts please chime in

[suegmc]

I recently purchased what appears to be a 1937 Kay Blond M-4, based on photos I have seen across the web. I do not see a Kay label on the inside, but instead a strange label has been placed possibly over it. I will post a photo of it. I did find a handwritten number inside, 1471 I think. I would love to hear if you think this really is a Kay and what the penciled number means. Also, which parts have been replaced. Thanks!

 

[Lee Moses]

No idea if that is a Kay, but that back is gorgeous.

 

[Ed S]

Looks like a Kay to me, but I'm far from expert. Steve will be along shortly.

Obviously the tailpiece, tailgut, and endpin are new. Gut strings are NOT! How do those strings sound?

 

[suegmc]

Looks like a Kay to me, but I'm far from expert. Steve will be along shortly.

Obviously the tailpiece, tailgut, and endpin are new. Gut strings are NOT! How do those strings sound?

Well, I am new to upright. The string height seems really high, but the G and D gut sound really awesome! I was able to tune all the strings, but the E is still pretty flat and so is the A (not as bad as the E). Is there a way to "revive" the E and A, or do I just need new strings for those?

 

[suegmc]

No idea if that is a Kay, but that back is gorgeous.

Thank you! It is really beautiful in person.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

I believe you've already properly ID'd this one as a '37 M-4. @Steven Ayres will probably confirm and no doubt add to, but the inlaid purfling around the border, but lack of it around the f-holes is one tell. That, and the serial number.

I couldn't tell from the pictures, but does it have a little ebony horseshoe at the button? Is the fingerboard ebony, or really dark rosewood?

Mostly, Congratulations & Compliments, that's a lovely bass!

*I will guess that it was made for export...

 

[suegmc]

Thank you! It does not have the ebony horshoe at the button. I have to admit it is hard to tell what the fretboard is because it gets lighter at the end, but I am thinking it is ebony as it is pretty dark everywhere else.

 

[Steven Ayres]

The primary spec difference between Maestro-series and Supreme-series instruments is the fingerboard wood: rosewood for M, ebony for S. The ebony 'horseshoe' heel cap is an S feature as well. Exception: The M-4 is the blonde version of the original M-1 Alvin Hawes, and early examples of either of these may have ebony or Brazilian rosewood boards. Looking at it from here it's hard to say definitively; Brazilian rosewood can be very dark, ebony can be less than black. But here's another tip: for most of its stringed instruments Kay consistently used the same wood for the tailpiece as the fingerboard. So unless the board has been changed, I expect it's rosewood.

 

[kinopah]

That thing is slick!!! Love my M-1B (which is far younger and less pristine). Hope you have a great time making music together!

 

[suegmc]

The primary spec difference between Maestro-series and Supreme-series instruments is the fingerboard wood: rosewood for M, ebony for S. The ebony 'horseshoe' heel cap is an S feature as well. Exception: The M-4 is the blonde version of the original M-1 Alvin Hawes, and early examples of either of these may have ebony or Brazilian rosewood boards. Looking at it from here it's hard to say definitively; Brazilian rosewood can be very dark, ebony can be less than black. But here's another tip: for most of its stringed instruments Kay consistently used the same wood for the tailpiece as the fingerboard. So unless the board has been changed, I expect it's rosewood.

Thanks! The tail piece does look more like rosewood. Either way it looks and sounds great. Is it correct to say it is an M-4 Alvin Hawes?

 

[suegmc]

That thing is slick!!! Love my M-1B (which is far younger and less pristine). Hope you have a great time making music together!

Thank you!

 

[suegmc]

I figured I should update my avatar to show my blonds.

 

[GretschWretch]

Looks to me like the bridge is off-center and needs to be moved toward the treble side. And you may want to consider making the bridge feet less thick. Lovely bass, though.

 

[suegmc]

Looks to me like the bridge is off-center and needs to be moved toward the treble side. And you may want to consider making the bridge feet less thick. Lovely bass, though.

Thank you. I moved the bridge some, if you look at the photo with my 2 electric basses, this was taken after I moved it.

 

[suegmc]

I believe you've already properly ID'd this one as a '37 M-4. @Steven Ayres will probably confirm and no doubt add to, but the inlaid purfling around the border, but lack of it around the f-holes is one tell. That, and the serial number.

I couldn't tell from the pictures, but does it have a little ebony horseshoe at the button? Is the fingerboard ebony, or really dark rosewood?

Mostly, Congratulations & Compliments, that's a lovely bass!

*I will guess that it was made for export...

Do you think it was made for export because of the strange label inside? I wonder why they would make one for export the first year they were made.

 

[Steven Ayres]

Is it correct to say it is an M-4 Alvin Hawes?

It's not wrong, though I have no examples of Kay using it as such. The specs are the same excepting the finish.

 

[Steven Ayres]

Do you think it was made for export because of the strange label inside? I wonder why they would make one for export the first year they were made.

That's not a Kay label, it was added later, why I can't say.

 

[james condino]

Replaced tailwire & endpin; tailwire not anchored in correct position. Get a spike cap for that endpin!

Tuning machine screws & washers replaced with non brass models (easy $2 fix).

Brazilian rosewood fingerboard.

Incredible curly maple veneers!

 

[suegmc]

Replaced tailwire & endpin; tailwire not anchored in correct position. Get a spike cap for that endpin!

Tuning machine screws & washers replaced with non brass models (easy $2 fix).

Brazilian rosewood fingerboard.

Incredible curly maple veneers!

Thanks! Where should the tailwire be anchored? Can you send a photo or diagram? A spike cap is a great idea! The fingerboard is in incredible condition. I am extremely happy with my new-to-me first upright bass!

 

[suegmc]

Replaced tailwire & endpin; tailwire not anchored in correct position. Get a spike cap for that endpin!

Tuning machine screws & washers replaced with non brass models (easy $2 fix).

Brazilian rosewood fingerboard.

Incredible curly maple veneers!

I just looked at the photos, and I think I see where it should be.