1960s Kay Rubber-Bridge Electric Bass Conversion

Overview: This cute thing is a Kay-made, all-ply, no-frills, bolt-on neck, student guitar that Jose modded over into a rubber-bridge pocket bass. The scale is short, the slotted headstock looks killer, it's lightweight and portable, and it has lovingly-cheeseball looks and great sound.

Interesting features: The rubber-saddle setup makes intonation a lot better on these super-short-scale basses and also gives it that round, fundamental, attack-oriented tone -- it has a lot of the character of an upright -- and the lipstick pickup (with its transparent sort-of sound) is a perfect match for that. It has a fresh bone nut and we've been recycling old Strat whammy claws as tailpieces for these of late. When possible (as seen on this one), we have been using adjustable rubber bridge setups so you can dial-in the action to your taste, too.

Repairs included: It got a level/dress of the frets, a pickup and wiring harness install, bridge made and fit, new bone nut, side dots, new tailpiece installed, tuners modified, cleaning, and setup work. Jose did all of it. It's playing spot-on and is ready to go!

• Weight: 4 lbs 9 oz
• Scale length: 24 1/4"
• Nut width: 1 11/16"
• Neck shape: medium-bigger V
• Board radius: flat
• Depth at first fret: 61/64"
• Depth at seventh fret: 63/64"
• Body width: 13 1/2"
• Body depth: 3"
• Body wood: ply birch
• Bridge: adjustable posts, steel bass, rubber saddle
• Fretboard: colored maple or similar
• Neck wood: poplar
• Pickups: 1x lipstick single coil, Alnico magnet
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16” overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: D'Addario nickel bass 95w-40w or similar
• Truss rod: non-adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: medium/lower

Condition notes: It has some scuffs, scratches, and wear here and there but really does not look bad at all considering its age. There's a "bridge shadow" from the old, bolt-on bridge that was on it and, of course, things have been modded quite a bit, though Jose reused everything that could be.

It comes with: Sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: JSRR