1950s Kay K-95 Electric Mandolin

Above, 2021 video -- below, 2026 video...

Update 2026: I'd sold this in 2021 but it's returned now (Jan 2026) for resale again. I just had to tune it up after it came out of the box -- it was still playing spot-on and is ready to go!

There weren't a ton of electric mandolins to choose from when this Kay was made back in the early '50s and I'm pretty sure this was the most affordable one you could find aside from slapping a DeArmond pickup on whatever mandolin you had around. Alternatives were Gibsons, Vegas, and Epiphones -- much pricier gear through and through.

This earlier version of their electric mando, with its "Thin Twin" blade-style single coil pickup, is definitely the one to have. The later, flat-box pickups just don't have the same sound quality to them -- they're a little, well... flat-sounding... whereas this is pretty dynamic and interesting.

It came to the shop in pretty decent shape, too, and only needed glorified setup work to make the most of it. Post-work it plays like a champ.

The body is ply throughout and, of course, press-arched to shape. Controls are mounted on a neat little sideplate and the jack, strangely-enough, is recessed at the endblock.

Repairs included: a fret level/dress, side dots install, cleaning, and setup.

• Body wood: ply spruce over ply maple
• Bridge: rosewood (replacement) adjustable
• Fretboard: rosewood
• Neck wood: maple or poplar
• Pickups: 1x "Thin Twin" single coil
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (fast)
• String gauges: 36w-10 in nickel or stainless steel
• Neck shape: medium C
• Board radius: flat
• Truss rod: non-adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: low/small
• Scale length: 14"
• Nut width: 1 1/8"
• Body width: 10 1/4"
• Body depth: 2 1/2"

Condition notes: it's missing its tailpiece cover and the bridge is non-original (but better than the original). The knobs are period Kay knobs but not the originals. There's usewear and mild scratching and finish wear throughout but overall it's in good shape. The neck shows evidence of plenty of loving years spent playing it. There are two non-original strap buttons installed.

It comes with: an original chip case.