I've recently come into possession of this Kay double bass. It's seen better days, but I was trying to find out when it might have been made. I haven't found anything based off what I saw stamped on the inside. Just wondering if anyone might have an idea.
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Double Bass How old is this double bass?
- Thread starter djoertel
- Start date
There should be a paper KAY label inside the double bass that includes a serial number.
With that serial number you can go to Kay Serial-Number Reference - The Kay Bass and Cello Registry and lookup the production date.
With that serial number you can go to Kay Serial-Number Reference - The Kay Bass and Cello Registry and lookup the production date.
The last Kay I owned didn't have a paper label, but it did have the serial number stamped on the inside of the back. You might look for that, if no label.
Don posted a link up on this thread to a Kay serial number lookup site. I used that.
Earl
Supporting Member
The bridge is not centered. It needs to be moved toward the E string side a bit. It will sound and feel much better!
It's not clear from the photos, but there MIGHT be some sinking of the top.
If this is not the case, and if as it appears the neck is not broken, it certainly hasn't "seen better days". If it's mechanically sound, play the snot out of it and its best days may be yet to come.
If this is not the case, and if as it appears the neck is not broken, it certainly hasn't "seen better days". If it's mechanically sound, play the snot out of it and its best days may be yet to come.
Glad you found the serial number. At the website I posted above, you can also register your Kay if you wish.
And welcome to the TalkBass Double Bass section!
You have a Kay M-1 built in 1947. It's not unusual to find Kay basses without the Genuine Kay label, because the company made many for sale under other distributor brands, including Gretsch, Silvertone and others. (Up to '42 this was the company's primary distribution model.) These typically have no Kay badging; the tailpiece here is from another, later bass.
I hope this helps. All Kay bass and cello owners are invited to participate in The Kay Bass and Cello Registry at Kaybass.com.
I hope this helps. All Kay bass and cello owners are invited to participate in The Kay Bass and Cello Registry at Kaybass.com.
Any consensus as to what this one might be?
It was not legible until I used Google Photos to enhance, and (I believe) I'm seeing 10413 - which would make it 1943?
Attachments
Not very clear, but to me it looks like:
Model O-100B
Ser. No. 40413 (which would make it a '58)
But you could be right with 10413.
Model O-100B
Ser. No. 40413 (which would make it a '58)
But you could be right with 10413.
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It's 10413, which places it among other O-100s in '42. (The O-100s were all discontinued by '44.) I don't have history or photos on this one.
Here's a quick photo for you!
My dad purchased it for me ~ '76/7, but it wasn't playable at the time (I think this one was in pieces IIRC).
"Restored" to excellent playing condition around 2000 by Hank Bonham at the Double Bass Workshop in Madison WI.
Now that I'm "easing into retirement" I may be sneaking over from the "other side" a bit more often.
Can I add your name to the entry?Here's a quick photo for you!
My dad purchased it for me ~ '76/7, but it wasn't playable at the time (I think this one was in pieces IIRC).
"Restored" to excellent playing condition around 2000 by Hank Bonham at the Double Bass Workshop in Madison WI.
Now that I'm "easing into retirement" I may be sneaking over from the "other side" a bit more often.
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apropos to nothing, but I'm just sitting here thinking of the persons who assembled that instrument some random afternoon back in 1947, if they had any inkling in their imagination that the bass would still be intact and playable 77 years later. carry on.