Double Bass Off topic Kay cello

[layrepairs]

I haven't asked a question in a while and I know this is somewhat off topic but I'm sure someone here has done many old Kay cellos.
I've been slowly fixing school teaching instruments that are beyond hope for the repair cost - usually basses but this one is a 1947 Kay cello.

That's new to me but as far as I can tell it is constructed exactly like it is a micro Kay bass.
The inner tag says model 55 1/2 and the neck/heel was nearly off when I got it.

It also had many ply problems (now repaired) but is basically intact except for the old/odd neck repairs.

So my question: Someone added a wedge on the lower part of the neck heel that is almost opposite of what I might expect. It lowered the finger board offset a lot and increased the string length. I've seen the front crushing over the years at the bridge and broken neck foots requiring a wedge in the other direction. This wedge is thick and actually removed the Kay like indent on the foot. There were actually added shims on the sides too. Clearly, this repair gave out over the years. I guess it is also possible the neck is not original but it is certainly very close (Kay like fingerboard, not broken, etc) and all the other parts look original too.

So, should I cut out the old wedge and try to refit it, leave it as is with the longer string length (~3/8 inch), add new shims on the sides, do the horrible screw to hold it in place, etc?

My feeling from the bridge is it is way to low because of the wedge angle, thicker at the rear (see the pic) and that I should remove all the old work.

Thanks much for any help or suggestions.

 

[mmoehring]

A couple answers: Kay cellos are very common. We had a bunch in the middle school I used to teach at. They strangely played very well. From the pictures it looks as if someone had done a neck reset. If you feel confident fixing this yourself: I see shims on the sides of the heel and behind the heel. If the neck was hard to get out of the mortise, all you might need to do is clean up the heel and add thin shims to each side and slowly plane/ trim them away until you get a tight fit. Also be sure to size the heel before gluing.

 

[layrepairs]

Thank you. I can certainly make new shims to make it fit side to side again.
I guess if the old neck reset still seems off, just take off the old work.

 

[layrepairs]

Thank you. I can certainly make new shims to make it fit side to side again.
I guess if the old neck reset still seems off, just take off the old work.

A couple answers: Kay cellos are very common. We had a bunch in the middle school I used to teach at. They strangely played very well. From the pictures it looks as if someone had done a neck reset. If you feel confident fixing this yourself: I see shims on the sides of the heel and behind the heel. If the neck was hard to get out of the mortise, all you might need to do is clean up the heel and add thin shims to each side and slowly plane/ trim them away until you get a tight fit. Also be sure to size the heel before gluing.

I think it is good for some small student next year. It's not pretty but it its one more instrument than they had before, maybe a road warrior appeal.
Thanks for the help.

Thank you. I can certainly make new shims to make it fit side to side again.
I guess if the old neck reset still seems off, just take off the old work.

I think it is good for some small student next year. It's not pretty but it its one more instrument than they had before, maybe a road warrior appeal.
Thanks for the help.

A couple answers: Kay cellos are very common. We had a bunch in the middle school I used to teach at. They strangely played very well. From the pictures it looks as if someone had done a neck reset. If you feel confident fixing this yourself: I see shims on the sides of the heel and behind the heel. If the neck was hard to get out of the mortise, all you might need to do is clean up the heel and add thin shims to each side and slowly plane/ trim them away until you get a tight fit. Also be sure to size the heel before gluing.

A couple answers: Kay cellos are very common. We had a bunch in the middle school I used to teach at. They strangely played very well. From the pictures it looks as if someone had done a neck reset. If you feel confident fixing this yourself: I see shims on the sides of the heel and behind the heel. If the neck was hard to get out of the mortise, all you might need to do is clean up the heel and add thin shims to each side and slowly plane/ trim them away until you get a tight fit. Also be sure to size the heel before gluing.