1938 Kay K-52

$1,095.00

  • Year: 1938 (Circa)
  • Manufacturer: Kay
  • Model: K-52
  • Case: Hard
  • Color: Blond
  • Condition: Good
  • Description: During the mid 20th century Kay Musical Instrument Company was the largest manufacturer of guitars in the world. Kay dates from 1890 when it was the Groeschel Mandolin Company of Chicago. Henry Kay "Hank" Kuhmeyer joined the company in 1923. This Kay guitar most closely resembles a television series model K-52 circa 1938. It is a double f-hole non-cutaway archtop acoustic guitar with art Deco™ features. The unique headstock has a faux tortoise overlay with KAY and Deco™ notes in creme. Typically, the best woods were reserved for blonde finished guitar like this one. It's a surpisingly light guitar at only 4.8 pounds. The handcarved top is laminated spruce. Both front and back as well as the neck are bound in simulated tortoise. The two piece back and the sides are highly figured maple. Body depth is 3 1/2". Six dot and three diamond inlays are set in the rosewood fingerboard. The 26" scale neck is 1 11/16" at the nut and has 19 frets, 14 clear of the body. The vintage tuners are open back three in a row. The buttons on one side are grayish while they are cream on the other side. The gears are identical except they are brass on one side and nickel on the other. Non-original features include a one ply faux tortoise pickguard held by a bracket and two screws, an adjustable mahogany bridge with poles, a strap button at the butt of the instrument. A cool vintage DeArmond™ model 1000 Rhythm Chief pickup with red insert has been added to the Kay. The combination of a Kay acoustic guitar with a DeArmond™ pickup is reminiscent of the gear used by Elmore James, American blues guitarist. There are various ding and dents on the guitar, some discoloring and wear on the back of neck where it was frequently played, and slight separation at the back of the neck joint. The neck profile is a D shape. There is lots of life left in the frets. This is a playable guitar that offers great old school vibe. Jack White guitarist with the White Stripes has brought attention to the vintage Kay guitar. It comes with a plush hardshell case.