c.1955 Kay K-22 Jumbo Guitar

This is a big guitar. At 17 1/4" across and toting a 26" archtop-style scale, it's got plenty of oomph, warmth, and power. Who needs a bass? Though unlabeled, this is definitely a Kay-built instrument and features some rather nice craftsmanship. The neck is super-fast, you've got Gibson-style fret markers (albeit in pearloid here), and you have enough power to drown out that darn banjo player you wish you hadn't invited.

This lady has been through a lot and since receiving it I've reset the neck, cut a new saddle, and repaired a number of top cracks, as well as general setup and all that. It came without its pickguard so I've stuck on a newish typical black pickguard in its place.

Materials are choice, and not the least is this giant spruce top. The back is one-piece mahogany and the sides and neck are mahogany as well, all-solid woods throughout. Bridge and fretboard are rosewood and the guitar sports original Kluson tuners as well. It's ladder braced so you get that huge in-your-face direct tone with rumbling, grumbling bass. This thing sounds best strummed hard and would be excellent in a rockabilly or bluegrass setting.

Cool bound headstock... and talking of binding... it's all over: front, back, fretboard...

Tres cool pearloid fret markers. These came in stock on this model c.1955 or so, and this guitar features some design elements not seen on later versions of the same type, so my guess would be this is a c.1955-1959 guitar.

Action floats at 1/8"-3/16" at the 12th, perfect for the heavy strummer.


Bridge.


Bound soundhole.


...


Back.

One-piece mahogany back.

Original Kluson tuners.


Side.


Other side.

Bridge loads from the soundhole side then wraps over the top.

End pin area.