Double Bass Mystery Kay M1B -

[billiard]

Thanks again for the input.

The F holes to me scream early 50s due to their size. They just look larger than a 38' I used to have (the 38' was custom built for the army big band and was given to the bassist that used it when he retired. It was a 3 play top if I remember correctly. )
The patina matches on both the body and neck and is naturally worn. Looks to be a 5 ply top at the f holes.

 

[billiard]

Here are more photos for comparison. I was told the bass in this photo is Blondie. It has the same looking thin fingerboard that was replaced with the NOS one. It has the same wear on the neck heel and repaired crack, as well as the same staining of wear to the upper bout sides and edges. Whether it is Blondie or not, probably very few people would be able to confirm, so......
Bottom line is that it sounds good. Randy Hunt did an amazing job.

 

[Steven Ayres]

The F holes to me scream early 50s due to their size.

Again, the idea that Kay changed f-hole size at any point is not supported by evidence. They were cut using a standard jig, the same way throughout Kay production.

Below is a comparison group of M-1Bs #9603, 17432 and 45051.

 

[billiard]

You are probably right. I just see a slight difference in the holes on early 50s Kay's. Maybe I'm wrong.
Of those 3 pics you just posted, the middle one, to me, looks like the holes are slightly less slim than the outer 2 in the photo. That's to me at least. The middle ones just look fat. I've no other way to describe it.

SWEET RIDES you got there!!!!!

 

[Steven Ayres]

Here are more photos for comparison.

You apparently have a chain of custody to the family, that's as good as it gets for a known stage bass. But I should note that in the photo with Roy Jr the tuning plates are black, where yours are brass, the standard spec. That would mean someone replaced the replacements with essentially the same machines, which hints at yet more rough treatment, at least.

 

[billiard]

You apparently have a chain of custody to the family, that's as good as it gets for a known stage bass. But I should note that in the photo with Roy Jr the tuning plates are black, where yours are brass, the standard spec. That would mean someone replaced the replacements with essentially the same machines, which hints at yet more rough treatment, at least.

I believe that is just the shadowing of the photograph, but is possible. I highly doubt they would have changed the tuning plates. I wish I could see a high resolution photo of it. That side is missing screws as it is now. I'd like to be able to see more clearly in that old photo.
In any case. Back to the original question.
The neck is definitely 50s -60s and the body is in question?
Thanks again for all the info

 

[Steven Ayres]

The neck is definitely 50s -60s and the body is in question?

Again, if there's no evidence of a blue/black inkstamp number inside, the body is probably pre-'43. Without a clear original number there's really no way to authoritatively confirm its age. I don't expect the number written inside is random, however, and I've registered the instrument as #5447, with an asterisk, so to speak.

 

[billiard]

Cool man. Thanks for the help. I'll see if I can locate the old Army Bass SN#. Was a dark brown Gamba shape with a bookmatched tiger maple dark veneer back. It had the old school peg head tuners and sounded like a million bucks. The cat I sold it to took it back to Birmingham Alabama. It had a gunshot from a .38 to the bass side upper bout. The guy who sold it to me had had an argument and his girlfriend was apparently pretty mad.

I created KayBass.com btw. Forgot/didn't have the $ to renew. Congrats. Glad it is in good hands.

 

[billiard]

Also, if you'll dm your phone number or email, I'll send pics of the whole inside. Maybe you can see something I have missed on a stamp. There are however other things written on the inside that should not be made public. SS number etc. Private things. Out of courtesy to the family, do not publish that information or my photos please.

 

[Steven Ayres]

Out of courtesy to the family, do not publish that information or my photos please.

Copy that. I'll look forward to the photos: [email protected] or [email protected]. I welcome correspondence with any Kay owner, luthier or retailer.

 

[billiard]

Check gmail