Double Bass Mystery Kay M1B -

[billiard]

Hi everyone. I have a question please.
I have a mystery Kay M1B. The sticker has a handwritten serial number. However, there is no stamped ink of a serial number on the inside of the back like I've seen on every other Kay bass. The F holes look 50s to me, but the SN is a 4 digit which would make it prewar.
Here is a short video I just uploaded to YouTube. Any thoughts?

 

[Steven Ayres]

Based on your video I'll agree that M-1B is the likely model designation. This model was introduced in 1938 and remained in production till the end of the company in '69. Key features are viol corners, rosewood fingerboard, standard pinstriping, brass-finish tuning plates, blonde.

The inkstamped build number you're looking for did not come into use until about #10700. Before that the inspectors used pencil or ink to handwrite the build number.

If you can share a photo of the tag I can be more confident.

In examining thousands of photos of Kay basses, I have not detected any difference in the size of the f-holes other than on the few early high-end basses with binding there.

 

[billiard]

Thanks for the input. The tag has had severe water damage and is basically illegible. This bass has been put through it over time. Here's a picture.

 

[AGCurry]

If the label has "severe water damage," I have to wonder about the rest of it...

 

[billiard]

Like I said, it was ridden hard and put away wet. Has been in car wrecks, thrown into a tree, ridden in the rain on top of cars on tour, etc... It has been gone over by Randy Hunt (who is a badass and a pure gentleman) and is surprisingly healthy despite all of the wear and tear. It looks like a dog but sounds good.

 

[Ed S]

No idea about the bass, but have you ever considered a career as a videographer?

 

[billiard]

Yeah, is clearly my passion.

 

[eh_train]

Thanks for the input. The tag has had severe water damage and is basically illegible. This bass has been put through it over time. Here's a picture.

Not sure what that label is, or where it came from, but I doubt it was from the Kay factory...

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Does it read Bass Key?

 

[billiard]

Not sure what that label is, or where it came from, but I doubt it was from the Kay factory...

Is definitely a Kay. I think the picture is upside down. If you look at the corner, it faintly says Genuine Kay.

 

[billiard]

Does it read Bass Key?

Not sure I understand. Where are you talking about? On the tag? It says Huskey in all caps.

 

[eh_train]

Is definitely a Kay. I think the picture is upside down. If you look at the corner, it faintly says Genuine Kay.

It might be a Kay label. I've never seen that type of chicken scratch writing. Maybe it was done through the f-hole, with the top on??

 

[billiard]

It might be a Kay label. I've never seen that type of chicken scratch writing. Maybe it was done through the f-hole, with the top on??

Yeah. That's exactly what I think happened.

 

[Steven Ayres]

The tag has had severe water damage and is basically illegible.

My first hypothesis for this damage is mice. Water could certainly be a factor as well, but that doesn't chew off the edges. Yes, that's a Kay label.

Someone clearly tried to replace the number using a long pen through the fhole, I'm reading 5447 as the likeliest, which would make this bass from 1939.

I agree the other notation seems to be "HUSKEY," which in context could refer to Roy Huskey, father and son. Any known connection there?

 

[billiard]

My first hypothesis for this damage is mice. Water could certainly be a factor as well, but that doesn't chew off the edges. Yes, that's a Kay label.

Someone clearly tried to replace the number using a long pen through the fhole, I'm reading 5447 as the likeliest, which would make this bass from 1939.

I agree the other notation seems to be "HUSKEY," which in context could refer to Roy Huskey, father and son. Any known connection there?

It belonged to both of them and was purchased from Roy Jr.s son about 15 years ago. Was the touring bass for Bill Monroe and has been on countless albums. I'm just trying to identify if it is a pre war or from the 50s.

 

[Steven Ayres]

It belonged to both of them and was purchased from Roy Jr.s son about 15 years ago. Was the touring bass for Bill Monroe and has been on countless albums. I'm just trying to identify if it is a pre war or from the 50s.

That's great info for the history, if you have any more details I'll add it to the registry.

If that handwritten number means anything, this was built in '39, and the tailpiece is a later replacement. (The original badge would have been a decal.) That would make this the second-oldest M-1B in the registry. It could also be 6447 or perhaps 6449, either still just inside the 1939 bracket.

The next point of confirmation to check is the scroll volutes. The style on those changed in '52.

 

[billiard]

That's great info for the history, if you have any more details I'll add it to the registry.

If that handwritten number means anything, this was built in '39, and the tailpiece is a later replacement. (The original badge would have been a decal.) That would make this the second-oldest M-1B in the registry. It could also be 6447 or perhaps 6449, either still just inside the 1939 bracket.

The next point of confirmation to check is the scroll volutes. The style on those changed in '52.

When I get home, I'll upload pics of the headstock

 

[billiard]

So, here are some pictures of it. The tuners, headstock (has the glue on turns. One was not attached when purchased but has since been reattached.), tailpiece that came on it, and a cool sticker from Sho-Bud from when they repaired it after it was thrown into a tree in a car wreck.
I chatted with a guy named Kent Blanton who had a bunch of pictures of it from over the years. I don't have the pictures anymore because my phone went kaput. Maybe he will chime in on this thread if he wants.
I've been told by multiple sources that it is either "Blondie" or "Lester".

Randy Hunt did an amazing job about 6 months ago rebuilding the neck block. If in Nashville, Randy Hunt is your guy for fixing things like this.

Also, the original fingerboard has been replaced with a NOS Brazilian board that was also purchased from the family. Randy put it on as well. The old one was super thin and had about 1/4 cm deep grooves from the old redoray steel wrapped strings that they used back in the day. I have the old board somewhere. Sold the strings and sold the bridge.

 

[AGCurry]

It belonged to both of them and was purchased from Roy Jr.s son about 15 years ago. Was the touring bass for Bill Monroe and has been on countless albums. I'm just trying to identify if it is a pre war or from the 50s.

Wow!

 

[Steven Ayres]

So, here are some pictures of it.

Okay, this neck was definitely made between '52 and '66. If there's no evidence of a blue inkstamped build number somewhere near the label, this is probably an older body, built before '43, with a replacement neck.