1960s Kay Speed Demon Hollowbody Rubber Bridge Electric Bass Conversion

Overview: I bought this Speed Demon off a local guy and immediately set about converting it into a rubber-saddle, electric bass. These have all the benefits of a pocket bass -- upright-like attack and tone, small form factor, and short reach -- without the intonation problems associated with the type and a little less sustain which gives them a bouncier, old-fashioned feel and sound.

The thin, hollowbody build on this guy and its classic looks give it a vintage vibe that's hard to beat. It has a little bit more of a chunky, typical Kay neck for the time -- so folks who like more of that "old school P-bass" feel will enjoy it a lot.

Repairs included: I gave it a level/dress of the frets, added side dots, fit a new wiring harness (500k pots and 47 tone cap w/Switchcraft jack), cleaned it up, fit a new saddle with a rubber top, finagled a new tailpiece for it, fit 4 single tuners at the headstock, and set it up. The pickup housing and riser are original but the pickup was damaged so I fit a new one under the cover -- it's one of those Duncan, bar-magnet, fancy "Stealth Tele" neck pickups meant to go under a pickguard so it's quite hot and punchy. It's playing spot-on and ready to go.

• Weight: 5 lbs 14 oz
• Scale length: 25 3/4"
• Nut width: 1 11/16"
• Neck shape: medium-deeper C/V
• Board radius: 10"
• Depth at first fret: 1.03"
• Depth at seventh fret: 1.04"
• Body width: 14 3/4"
• Body depth: 1 7/8"
• Body wood: ply maple
• Bridge: adjustable rosewood
• Fretboard: rosewood
• Neck wood: poplar
• Pickups: 1x single coil (high output)
• Action height at 12th fret: 3/32" bass to 1/16" treble (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 100w-40w or close to it
• Truss rod: adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: wide/medium

Condition notes: It has weather-check throughout the finish and a variety of small nicks, dings, scratches, and scuffs here and there all over. It's been modded per the above description but the bridge base, knobs, and pickup housing and riser are original.

It comes with: Sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: JW