NBD 60’s Kay K-2b bass

[StereoPlayer]

Got this free from my daughter. Her ex boyfriend left it at her house. The only thing I see not original is one saddle screw. I haven’t plugged it in yet. I might even make into a piccolo bass. Scale measures 30 3/4 inches nut to saddles. No markings on the outside. Looks to be be a fun-ish winter project.

 

[Beej]

Your daughter's ex-boyfriend 'left it at her house', and now it's yours? So.... it's stolen then?

 

[StereoPlayer]

Your daughter's ex-boyfriend 'left it at her house', and now it's yours? So.... it's stolen then?

Apparently he didn’t want it anymore...

 

[Flamingo21]

Lucky you! It is a gorgeous thing to look at.

Unusual: there's no brand name?

 

[StereoPlayer]

Lucky you! It is a gorgeous thing to look at.

Unusual: there's no brand name?

Nothing. Looks like all the usual 60’s Japan basses I’ve ever seen.

 

[cdef]

Methinks it's a Kay K-2B.

 

[StereoPlayer]

Methinks it's a Kay K-2B.

Thank you. Kay made basses with no badge/name?

just googled it. It sure looks like it! But no evidence of ever having a name on the headstock or pickguard. Now I need a bridge cover!

 

[cdef]

... Kay made basses with no badge/name?

OEMs such as Kawai/Teisco would ship non-labeled instruments so that importers could stick their own badges on them in the warehouse.

 

[StereoPlayer]

On closer inspection...
The bridge cover missing.
Tug bar missing.
The fancy graphics is blacked out or removed. As seen in pic in OP.
One saddle screw replaced. One pickguard replaced with a slotted screw.
Possible missing arrow markers for the knobs.
No evidence of headstock badge or serial number aluminum badge under neckplate.

 

[nilorius]

The Brand ???

 

[StereoPlayer]

The Brand ???

It’s been identified as a Kay K-2b In a post above.

 

[Bassquest]

Nice!

 

[DJ Bebop]

The Brand ???

Maybe a Kay K-2B

 

[nilorius]

Maybe a Kay K-2B

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If it's Kay - it could be started from 1931 and it's really vintage instrument.

 

[StereoPlayer]

If it's Kay - it could be started from 1931 and it's really vintage instrument.

You’re thinking double basses there. This one is from the late 60’s, early 70’s

 

[Bleecker]

Killer looking bass! Plug 'er bro!

Weird how one pick guard goes over the other, maybe the one missing the tug bar can be removed...?

Nice freebie!

 

[TNCreature]

If it's Kay - it could be started from 1931 and it's really vintage instrument.

No.

 

[StereoPlayer]

Killer looking bass! Plug 'er bro!

Weird how one pick guard goes over the other, maybe the one missing the tug bar can be removed...?

Nice freebie!

It’s hard to see in the pictures, but the front pickguard is raised a little on purpose.

 

[DJ Bebop]

If it's Kay - it could be started from 1931 and it's really vintage instrument.

I have a Kay M-1 upright from the 40s. You must be thinking of that.
This looks more like late 60s early 70s

 

[nilorius]

No.

Why no? Do You think uprights were only made at that time?