NBD: 1966 Kay K5917 Bass

[Dark Horse]

She just arrived a little while ago… a 1966 Kay K5917 bass. I’ve wanted one of these for a long time. The speed bump pickup sounds awesome, almost “half upright, half electric”. Original case. The bass is in GREAT condition, and plays well. I’ll be setting it up for my personal taste in the next few days, after I order some low tension flats for it.

This bass is all kinds of cool

 

[Mastermold]

Looks great! Congrats!

 

[shadven]

Very cool! I am vintage all day long!

 

[Bassic_desires]

Beautiful.

 

[UNICORN BASS]

Saw one of these last night but couldn't get close to it. It was a dark natural with 2 pups, looked cool.

 

[2saddleslab]

Great condition AND w/ the case! That's a score, DH!

 

[andare]

Love everything about this, especially the case. Eat your heart out, Mono!

 

[Pdaddy1978]

That old beauty wants to start a garage band real bad.

 

[covermego]

More drooling here in NorCal..... Love it.
So..... underneath the bridge cover, does it look like this? I was all ready to change the bridge out to a 4 saddle, but knew the cover wouldn't work without re-engineering something. Anyway, I tweaked the limited adjustments just barely and intonation and action were almost spot-on! Win!
(BTW, Kay EB-100 "Tulip" style bass).

 

[carsonchilders]

Really fantastic pickup on these, it's the same as my Kay hollow body.

 

[GretschWretch]

O-KAY!!

 

[bass player 53]

I’ve had one of these Kay basses for many years. It gives good fundamentals, is very lightweight, and is very easy to play.

 

[Lowbrow]

YES! I’ve also got a real soft spot for single-speedbump Kays!

 

[joeLowB]

Dude!! What a find!! That's terrific...have fun dialing it in to your preferences, @Dark Horse !!!

 

[Dark Horse]

YES! I’ve also got a real soft spot for single-speedbump Kays!View attachment 7484868

Those are dang beautiful!!!

 

[Dark Horse]

I’ve had one of these Kay basses for many years. It gives good fundamentals, is very lightweight, and is very easy to play.

Gorgeous bass !

 

[Dark Horse]

More drooling here in NorCal..... Love it.
So..... underneath the bridge cover, does it look like this? I was all ready to change the bridge out to a 4 saddle, but knew the cover wouldn't work without re-engineering something. Anyway, I tweaked the limited adjustments just barely and intonation and action were almost spot-on! Win!
(BTW, Kay EB-100 "Tulip" style bass).
View attachment 7484734View attachment 7484735

I’ll add some pics when I get a chance to pull the bridge cover, probably when I get the new strings in.

 

[Lowbrow]

I’ll add some pics when I get a chance to pull the bridge cover, probably when I get the new strings in.

I’m not telling what might be under that cover - but you prob looked by now

 

[Lowbrow]

She just arrived a little while ago… a 1966 Kay K5917 bass. I’ve wanted one of these for a long time. The speed bump pickup sounds awesome, almost “half upright, half electric”. Original case. The bass is in GREAT condition, and plays well. I’ll be setting it up for my personal taste in the next few days, after I order some low tension flats for it.

This bass is all kinds of cool


View attachment 7484457View attachment 7484458

And also - I was flummoxed trying to unscrew the bottom strap button on my TrueTone and - thanks internet - it’s a plastic friction end pin. I mauled mine when I replaced the trapeze but it’s still a standard available doohicky

 

[bluesblaster]

My first bass, mine was red. replaced tuners with way to big schallers...hey, I was 15 and didnt want cheezy plastic ones, what would the girls think !

I sort wanted one again just to see if its what I remember but then again that was a very long time ago. Ive seen a couple for sale over the years and was tempted, I think my folks gave like $50 for mine. Eventually got traded for a beat up Gibson cause thats what Jack Bruce played, then to a Precision bass etc etc