1950s Kay Size 5 Parlor/Terz Guitar

Overview: I've had this same model in the shop a number of times and there's actually a second one upstairs we're working-on for a customer, too. This is a cute, size 5 (or "terz") mini guitar made by Kay and the styling appears to suggest either very late '40s manufacture or early '50s. They made this model into the early '50s as I recall. While the sound of these is not stunning, the portability, cool factory, nice neck, and general style are excellent to have.

Tone: It's boxy and chunky with emphasis on mids (in standard tuning). I have restrung/retuned these for terz (G to G) and quart (A to A) and Nashville (octave-above on the EADG strings) tunings for various musicians and I honestly like the alternate tunings better on these as the chime of higher-pitched voicings is what wins-out on a guitar this small, but standard tuning does have a certain chunky goodness to it that's pretty fun (especially behind a mic for studio work).

Feel: The neck's got a bigger, medium-full C shape to it and a Gibson-y 10" radius to the board. It's got a narrower nut width but because of the neck's cut it doesn't feel narrow.

Interesting features: The tortoise trim is cool -- the translucent pickguard is cool -- and the cheese-tastic Kay logo at the headstock is aces as well. It's a nice-looking guitar and solidly-built, so it would, perhaps, make a nice take-anywhere, tour-with-it sort-of box.

Repairs included: It's had a neck reset, fret level/dress, new (custom made) bridge installed, new bone saddle fit, and general setup work done. Jose and I tag-teamed this one. It's ready to go and playing like a champ.

• Weight: 3 lbs 2 oz
• Scale length: 21 5/8"
• Nut width: 1 5/8"
• Neck shape: medium-full C
• Board radius: 10"
• Body width: 11"
• Body depth: 3 5/8"
• Top wood: solid spruce
• Back & sides wood: mahogany ply (I believe)
• Bracing type: ladder
• Bridge: rosewood
• Fretboard: rosewood
• Neck wood: poplar
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 54w-12 lights
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: medium-wider

Condition notes: It's pretty-clean for one of these but does have average usewear/light scratching here and there throughout. The finish is all weather-checked but still glows nicely. The bridge, saddle, and pins are replacements but it's otherwise original. It even has original Kluson strip tuners!

It comes with: I believe it has a chip case upstairs.

Consignor tag: DDNL