1930s Kay Kraft Syle A 2-Point Archtop Guitar

Overview: I worked on this one back in 2017 for my buddy Steve. He's finally decided to part with it (his loss!) as it just hasn't gotten play at his studio in some time. It's a great-sounding guitar with a decidedly "gypsy-jazz" or "bluesbox" flavor depending on picking style. I've kept the gypsy-jazz silverplated-copper strings on it because it sounds perfect with them... punchy and raucous and aggressive when you lean into it!

All that said, this is a '30s Kay Kraft archtop of the "middle of the road" type -- a 14-fretter with ladder-bracing and an all-ply build -- top, back, and sides -- lightweight and with the "adjustable neck angle" gizmo as a factory option. I refretted it, as I recall, when I first worked on it and set it up with an adjustable bridge (for ease of use) and "locked" the neck in one position. That was good sense as it's stayed stable ever since and all we needed to do was adjust the wheels and wipe it down to get the setup dialed-in perfectly after it came back after so many years.

What's not "middle of the road" about this example is the sheer love that has been put into this guitar. Look at that gloriously-destroyed finish, the rippling-wonk of the celluloid pickguard, the beastliness of the pickwear ands arm-resting wear! To top it off, it still has remains of the original gold decalcomania artwork on the lower-bout. I love it.

Repairs included: This time around -- just fitting of the pickguard and some mild setup work. Previously, a refret, cleaning, new bridge install, and setup work. It's playing bang-on and ready to go.

• Weight: 3 lbs 15 oz
• Scale length: 24 5/8"
• Nut width: 1 23/32"
• Neck shape: medium soft V
• Board radius: ~6"
• Depth at first fret: 0.82"
• Depth at seventh fret: 097"
• Body width: 14 1/4"
• Body depth: 3 5/8"
• Top wood: ply spruce
• Back & sides wood: ply mahogany
• Bracing type: ladder
• Bridge: adjustable rosewood
• Fretboard: rosewood
• Neck wood: mahogany
• Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 46w-10 gypsy-jazz (I suggest 50w-11 max on these)
• Truss rod: non-adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: medium modern (refretted)

Condition notes: As noted, the finish is destroyed in so many good ways -- all obvious in the pics -- and just from healthy, honest use. The frets are new. The bridge is new. The neck has been "locked" in position with a keeper bolt below the original "adjuster bolt" at the neckblock's inside. This guitar is extremely lucky, too, having a nice and straight neck. Many of these old Kay Krafts require board removal and a new truss rod install of some sort because they warp up the wazoo. This one had big-enough rods installed to keep it nice and straight right from the factory.

It comes with: Sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: SSCH