Kay

Kay K5920 Single Pickup Thinline Bass Sunburst, 1962

On September 15, 2022 /

The Kay K5920 Speed Demon hollowbody electric bass was one of the Kay company’s many instruments aimed at beginner to semi-pro players. In the late 1950’s when these basses appeared, advertising campaigns were still focused on convincing upright bass players to switch to electric. Kay guitars and basses were frequently found in the hands of Blues artists.

Vintage

Price: $1,850.00 CAD

❌SOLD❌ Gretsch Model 35 Archtop Guitar Sunburst, 1933

On October 21, 2021 /

The Gretsch Model 35 American Orchestra archtop guitar appeared in 1933 and was built until 1940, when it was replaced by the Synchromatic line and the model 30. The Model 35 features a solid carved Spruce top with small-size F holes. Maple is used for the sides and back, Flamed Maple for the neck and Ebony for the fingerboard and bridge. The Gretsch logo is a Banner style using an engraved pearlescent plastic – rather like a drum covering.

Vintage

Price: $2,250.00 CAD

This instrument has sold

❌SOLD❌National Model 1008 Console 8 String Steel White, 1961

On April 14, 2020 /

From the early 1930s until the rise of Rock ‘n Roll, steel guitars like this National Model 1008 Console 8 were very popular, and for novice players, often their first instrument. In fact, the very first production electric guitars were Electric Hawaiian steel models, and the first of those was almost certainly the 1932 Ro-Pat-In Steel. Ro-Pat-In quickly improved their name to ‘Rickenbacher’ and soon also introduced the very rare 1935 ‘Ken Roberts’ guitar, arguably the first production Electric Spanish style guitar. Rickenbacker at this time was also building metal parts for both National and DoBro.

Vintage

Price: $650.00 CAD

This instrument has sold

SOLD!!! Oahu Style 71K Hawaiian Squareneck Guitar, 1935

On April 6, 2020 /

Built during the mid 1930s, the Oahu Style 71K Hawaiian square neck guitar expressed the popularity of Hawaiian music and steel guitar. Oahu was perfectly placed as they were also a major music publisher. This Oahu Style 71K Hawaiian square neck was likely built by Kay around 1935, and features a solid Spruce top, X-braced, with laminate Maple for the sides and back. The neck is Mahogany, with Rosewood used for the bridge and the bound fingerboard. The finish is Sunburst, executed in nitrocellulose lacquer, and sports an elaborate gold-coloured, stencil design on the top.

Vintage

Price: $1,599.99 CAD

This instrument has sold

❌SOLD❌ Kay Old Kraftsman Red Devil K592 Thinline Electric Red, 1962

On January 23, 2020 /

Here is a very cool piece from 1962 – a Kay Old Kraftsman Red Devil model K592, the top of the Speed Demon line, built for the Spiegel catalog and direct mail company. This model was built between 1962 and 1965. Kay began in 1931 as the successor to the Stromberg-Voisinet, which was itself the 1921 successor to the Groeschel company, founded in 1890. Based in Chicago, Illinois, for a time Kay was one of the largest instrument builders in the USA, and supplied many catalog companies and department stores.

Vintage

Price: $850.00 CAD

This instrument has sold

❌SOLD❌ SS Stewart Flat Top Acoustic Guitar Sunburst, 1932

On November 19, 2018 /

Built around 1932, this SS Stewart flat top acoustic guitar was one of thousands made in Chicago as players moved away from banjos and towards guitars. The venerable SS Stewart brand started before the turn of the century as a premiere banjo maker. Following Stewart’s death, the brand changed hands and by the 1930s was built by Chicago Musical Instruments, who also made Harmony and Kay guitars.

Vintage

Price: $1,150.00 CAD

This instrument has sold