Double Bass Kay Thin Model Basses

[truckplayer]

I've read that Kay made several thin model basses: S100, S5 and S6. Has anyone had any experiences with those basses? How is the sound and portability? What are the differences among the three models?

thanks

truckplayer

 

[Marcus Johnson]

Is this a "thinline" bass? I'm not familiar with the Kay versions (maybe, I played one :scowl:, not sure of the "brand"), but to me, it makes no sense, because it takes up the same footprint as a real bass, but has no acoustic properties at all. If you want a travel bass, you play an EUB or a DB that can be deconstructed. The body that makes it look like a bass from the front... it has no bearing on the sound of the instrument. Like a cardboard cutout bass.

I can't figure out why this would be something anyone would want to play.

 

[anonymous122511]

to me, it makes no sense, because it takes up the same footprint as a real bass, but has no acoustic properties at all.

How many thin basses have you played that you can make this sweeping pronouncement? Jake deVilliers was telling me recently about a thin bass for sale in Washington State. He's a guy whose opinion I trust and he said the thing sounded huge...like a cannon is how he described it if I recall correctly.

 

[arseniotall]

I heard a guy playing a thin old carved bass at Ronnie Scotts a couple years ago strung with guts. That thing sounded insanely good. Used a mic on it too. Maybe the lack of body helped him get alot of natural sound out of it with out the boom. Hell if i know. He did say that he only used it for gigs he had to catch the TUBE to get to.

 

[Marcus Johnson]

How many thin basses have you played that you can make this sweeping pronouncement? Jake deVilliers was telling me recently about a thin bass for sale in Washington State. He's a guy whose opinion I trust and he said the thing sounded huge...like a cannon is how he described it if I recall correctly.

Read the post, dude. Just trying to clarify. And try decaf.

PS.. I know Jake too.. and I trust him.

 

[Ric Vice]

I've read that Kay made several thin model basses: S100, S5 and S6. Has anyone had any experiences with those basses? How is the sound and portability? What are the differences among the three models?

thanks

truckplayer

Truckplayer,
I'm not familiar with the Kay's but I have played a Voight and Geiger instrument that belonged to a bassist here in St. Louis.
It was not only very thin but also a 5/8 ths size instrument. The big sound that came from that little bass was pretty amazing. Scott La Faro's Prescottt was a small instrument with very narrow ribs as well. Unusual for Prescotts.

Here's a link to pictures of the Voight and Geiger

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=66624&d=1187623019

Ric

 

[anonymous122511]

Read the post, dude. Just trying to clarify. And try decaf.

PS.. I know Jake too.. and I trust him.

Instead of being snarly why don't you just answer my question? It was a fair one. I'm not being unreasonable or looking for a fight so why be that way with me?

 

[Marcus Johnson]

Jeff. Read the post. Trying to see if we're talking about he same thing. Can't really make it any clearer than that.

 

[Jake deVilliers]

Hey guys, you're both cool with me!

Here's a link to Donna's bass for sale in our classifieds: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f144/sale-1962-thin-voit-geiger-$8500-786065/ , here's Jeremy's http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f210/*sold*-3-4-voight-geiger-pancake-bass-$8-000-a-357677/ .

Ron Shuffler (who's also a member here and a terrific bass player too!) has a Kay S-100 and said it sounded pretty good. That's not to say that ALL thin basses would sound like his... I can see the carved Wilfer 'Pancakes' sounding good because they were handmade by someone with skill and talent - the thin Kays, maybe not so much...

 

[Paul Warburton]

Instead of being snarly why don't you just answer my question? It was a fair one. I'm not being unreasonable or looking for a fight so why be that way with me?

Yeah, old Snarly Johnson. Hey, you'd be snarly too if you hada live in that hell hole he lives in, huh JACK?

BTW, us older persons call them skinny Kays, pre-war Kays and that's a fact.

 

[MollyKay]

This is a vintage ad from 1945 for the thin line Kay Basses models S-5 and S-6.

Read the caption for their description.

 

[jtlownds]

I previously owned a 1939 Selmer-Kay Slimline. Basically an S-5 but rebranded by Selmer. It was the best sounding Kay that I have ever heard, and was an absolute cannon. The 5 1/2" ribs certainly didn't take anything away from the sound.

 

[NWDwyer]

I have had my 1937 S-5 swingmaster for almost a year, and am amazed at the sound compared to full dimensioned basses. I have been told that the main reason for the smaller size was better portability, and can say that it really is easier to haul around. Had to put a cushion in the gig bag to fill it up.

The sound is very " 'cello-like" in the higher end of the range, and is actually louder than a friend's CCB at the bottom. All other aspects are similar to a full sized instrument, and some may find the size allows reaching around it a bit easier. All things considered, I would say that these are very worthwhile instruments although a bit hard to find.

I'm attaching a photo...

 

[Mike Goodbar]

I played in a bass section in which an elderly member played one of these. It was just easier for her to lug around. This particular bass did not emit much sound, unfortunately (though I should add that it was not set up very well).