1960s Kay Archtop Hollowbody Electric Rubber Bridge Bass Conversion

Overview: This beaut started-off life as a typical, single-pickup, Kay archtop electric hollowbody guitar. I converted it over into a "pocket bass" with a rubber-saddle bridge which is a mod we've been doing to guitars for a while, now. This yields a pocket bass without the intonation issues typical of the style and with a cool, bouncy, upright-like attack and tonality. With the tone rolled-off they do a good Hofner impression, too. The neck on this guy is on the thinner/faster side for an old Kay which feels real nice in the hands.

Repairs included: I gave it a neck reset, Jacobi leveled and dressed the frets, and then I did the conversion work -- a new wiring harness (500k pots, 47 tone cap, Switchcraft jack), new bridge saddle with rubber topper, modded nut, modded headstock and 4 single tuners, new tailpiece design, and setup work. The pickup is also not original. I have a Duncan Lil 59 humbucker hiding under that cover as the original pickup's coil was damaged. This yields a lower-output (it acts a bit like a Danelectro bass), but smooth-sounding instrument with good definition and low noise. It's playing spot-on and ready to go, too.

• Weight: 5 lbs 0 oz
• Scale length: 25 3/4"
• Nut width: 1 5/8"
• Neck shape: medium D
• Board radius: 12"
• Depth at first fret: 0.93"
• Depth at seventh fret: 0.94"
• Body width: 15 5/8"
• Body depth: 3 3/4"
• Top wood: ply spruce
• Back & sides wood: ply maple
• Pickup: Duncan Lil '59 under vintage cover
• Bracing type: tonebar
• Bridge: rosewood adjustable
• Fretboard: rosewood
• Neck wood: poplar
• Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 100w-40w or close to it
• Truss rod: non-adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: wider/lower

Condition notes: The modifications noted above all apply. Aside from those, it has its originalk pickup housing/lifting mechanism, pickguard, bridge base, and control knobs. The finish has weather-check throughout and minor scuffs and scratches here and there.

It comes with: Sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: MULK