1960s Kay Electric Mandolin (4-String Mod)

I do really like old Kay electric mandolins -- they're hip and sound nice when they're properly adjusted and the pickups don't seem to have the usual crippling string-to-string balance problems of many emandos. I've modified this one to a 4-string emando after the usual repairs were done as I wanted it to be a little "more fun" than the usual 8-string variety.

I have a huge soft spot for 4-string emandos, myself, as you can get some of the "8-string" sound with a bit of chorus thrown on your signal if you want it but when strung-down to 4-string format the instrument can suddenly pursue all sorts of genres an 8-string might have trouble moving-around in.

Plus, you know -- at the gig, it's a heck of a lot less to keep in tune!

Repairs included: a neck reset, fret level/dress, bridge compensation, mod to 4-string (fill headstock holes, fit different tuners, mod nut and bridge saddle, etc.), cleaning, and setup work.

Weight: 2 lbs 9 oz

Scale length: 14"

Nut width: 1 1/8"

Neck shape: medium C/D

Board radius: flat

Body width: 10 3/8"

Body depth: 2 1/2"

Body wood: ply spruce over ply birch

Bridge: rosewood adjustable

Fretboard: rosewood

Neck wood: poplar

Pickups: 1x single coil (bar magnet)

Action height at 12th fret: 1/16” overall (fast, spot-on)
String gauges: 36w, 26w, 15, 11 (nickel-wound)

Truss rod: non-adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium-wide

Condition notes: aside from the mods to 4-string and some strap buttons, it's original throughout. It's also more-or-less clean-ish with only mild-medium wear and tear to the finish throughout. When I reset the neck I also added a "keeper bolt" hidden in the heel -- so there is a small darker patch on the back of the heel from where I fit that and filled it.

It comes with: an original chip case.

Consignor tag: JW