1935 Kay OAHU Natural, Excellent, Soft, $450.00

OAHU Kay Concert-size Guitar c. 1935 |$450 | In the 1920s and 1930s OAHU Publishing Co. had a really big impact in getting guitars in the hands of young players. Many thousands of guitar lessons were sold through the publishing company, which of course, meant a guitar on which to play the music. The bulk of these 'student' guitars were made by the Kay factory in Chicago, and most were made from cheaper materials like birch, with painted adornment rather than actual inlaid purfling.

This example, although unmarked, is most likely a Kay-made-for-OAHU instrument, since it shares commonalities with those type guitars. These include the head stock shape, the bracing and overall fit and finish.

It differs from the basic student model in that it has a close-grained and bound spruce top, and a bound back. The best part is that the sides and back are maple, with the back being a very figured 'tiger' maple, unusual for any guitar of this ilk. The fingerboard is Brazilian rosewood. The bridge appears original and likely also Brazilian, with a fret wire saddle. Nut, tuners and the bulk of the bridge pins appear original, too. The pickguard is a replacement. There are no other evident past repairs, and none needed. There are nicks and dings from age and use.

The neck measures 1 3/4" across at the nut, and is carved in a 'V' shape. Scale length is 24 1/4", a short scale for easy picking. The body measures 13 1/8" across at the lower bout, ladder braced, and 3 3/4" deep at the end pin. Action measures ~ 7/64" at the 12th fret.

The guitar is pleasant sounding in a ladder-braced, boxy way, but the maple allows for a certain presence and sustain. A cool little finger picker made from quality materials.

Comes with a soft case.

Check the sound clip.