Double Bass Kay soundpost

[Thumpie]

I've been looking at my newly acquired '47 Kay C -1.

I've noticed a circular wooden disc wedged between the sound post and the back. Is this normal? My other bass doesn't have this...

 

[Jake deVilliers]

That's a sound post reinforcement disc and was installed at the factory. No problem.

 

[rollcall]

my 41 king has the same thing.

 

[Thumpie]

Thanks!

I'm amazed at the helpfulness of this forum!

 

[drurb]

That's a sound post reinforcement disc and was installed at the factory. No problem.

Indeed, my '67 had it as well. IIRC, some very early Kays did not have them.

Edit: Seems Invalid Link Removed!

 

[uprightben]

The luthier I'm apprenticing under is currently building a bass with a very low arched back. instead of a brace across the sound post area, he's leaving a strip of thick maple, and on top of that strip he has glued a kay style maple patch where the sound post will sit. The idea is to get the flexability of a flat back while avoiding the problems created by cross grained braces. I guess that's pretty off topic, but hell, the OPs question has been answered.