Kay Fans: Vintage Reissue Guitars Now in Shops, Vintage Catalogs on Website

[Kay Vintage]

Just a note to TGPers that the Kay Guitar Company is reissuing some of our “Gold Line” models from the 1950s and 1960s.

This includes the Jimmy Reed Thin Twin (http://www.kayvintagereissue.com/index.html), the Jazz II, the Upbeats, and the Barney Kessel signature models. Also, we’re putting out the Pro Bass (http://www.kayvintagereissue.com/index.html)and the Jazz Bass.

As per Kay tradition, we try to keep the quality up and the cost down. All models were spec’d out by Roger Fritz of Fritz Bros (http://www.fritzbrothersguitars.com/)to stay as close to the original as possible, but with some nods to modern construction (like truss rods and fixed bridges). The pricing on our guitars is a little more than some other "retro" axes you might compare it to, but I think you get a lot of instrument for your money with us. Plus, it's a lot less than an original Kay! So far, everyone has been impressed by the build quality, playability, and tone.

See our dealer list (http://www.kayvintagereissue.com/dealers.html)for availability in your area.

Also, we just posted a bunch of our old catalogs (http://www.kayvintagereissue.com/downloads.html)on our website and you’re welcome to take a look.

www.kayvintagereissue.com (http://www.kayvintagereissue.com/)

Thanks. You can contact me directly if you have any questions.

Wally Marx Jr.
Kay Vintage Reissue Guitars



http://www.gbase.com/files/store_images/gear/2223403/p2_ugxv5g0tg_so.jpg

[Csgband]

Do you know of any reviews of the thin twin of is there a place to try them in New York City.
Thanks, Chris

[Kay Vintage]

Chris--

Here is a link to our website where we have a copy of the Guitar Player review of the Thin Twin (http://www.kayvintagereissue.com/page03.html). GP liked it a lot.

We are working right now in setting up our (extremely cool) Manhattan dealer. When they are taking shipment, I will certainly post. If you have a Brooklyn recommendation, let me know.

You can also stay up to date on our facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kay-Vintage-Reissue-Guitars/154986115708?ref=nf).

Thanks,

Wally Marx Jr.
Kay Vintage Reissue Guitars

[newking70]

cool, when can we expect the barney kessel model?

[Kay Vintage]

The Kessels will be late next year. We're only in the early stages of that project--and we have to get it absolutely, positively correct in all ways.

Thanks,

Wally Marx Jr.
Kay Vintage Reissue Guitars

[wreckfan]

When will the Jazz II be out ?

[Kay Vintage]

I just had a production sample of that in my office about three weeks ago. It needed some tweaks, so they are supposed to be sending me a corrected sample soon. I'd be hoping to see the Jazz II by early Dec.

It's an amazing guitar. I have a couple of protos and the play, look, and sound great.

There are some good Jazz II photos on our Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kay-Vintage-Reissue-Guitars/154986115708?ref=nf).

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kay-Vintage-Reissue-Guitars/154986115708?ref=nf


Thanks,

Wally Marx Jr.

[wreckfan]

Thanks !! Nice !!

[jaydawg76]

How about reissuing the K136?

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/jaydawg76/Kay%20K136/IMG_7518.jpg

[Kay Vintage]

Sweet. How does that thing sound?

[SteveStevens]

Did I read the specs for this right? Is it really a 26" scale length? What about the depth of the neck...chunky? And finally, any Canadian dealers?


Steve

[sanhozay]

Did I read the specs for this right? Is it really a 26" scale length?

Please Lord, make it be a typo! :worried

[Kay Vintage]

You read it right, 26".

I'm a Tele player (25.5"), a Gibson lover (24 3/4"), and a Gretsch fan (24.5"). When I first joined up with Kay I was really concerned--how can you play a 26" scale guitar? Chords? Bends?

To be honest, the first time or two that I played I found myself slightly missing some reaches, mostly with my pinkie. I found bending easy, though, and very quickly it all felt normal.

That was on the Thin Twin. When we got the production sample for the Jazz II, I played it and called up Roger Fritz, our designer and luthier, to tell him how easy the guitar was to play. I said I assume it's 24 3/4", but nope, he told me it was 26". Bottom line, my personal experience has been that 26" is very playable.

The depth of the neck is similar to a Gibson. Roger shaved it down from the original "baseball bat plus" size of the originals. The old ones had a huge neck mostly to compensate for not having a truss rod. Our new ones have a dual-action rod that allows us to use a more modern neck. Again, very playable.

I'm working on a Canadian dealer right now. Should have an answer this week for Toronto/Montreal markets.

Any more questions most welcome. Thanks!

Wally Marx Jr.
Kay Vintage Reissue Guitars

[229someday]

Hey Wally, nice to see Kay on TGP. I'm still hoping to buy a Thin Twin reissue case for my original Thin Twin. Maybe someday?

Mike in Tucson

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa271/229someday/Kay/DSC_1815.jpg

[Kay Vintage]

Sweet axe, Mike, very sweet! I'm still holding out hope that we can get your friend Mike to start stocking....

[SteveStevens]

For Montreal, Moog Audio or Boutique Tone, perhaps? Or one of the mainstream stores like Steve's?

Steve

[GA19RVT]

Hey Wally, nice to see Kay on TGP. I'm still hoping to buy a Thin Twin reissue case for my original Thin Twin. Maybe someday?

Mike in Tucson

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa271/229someday/Kay/DSC_1815.jpg

Sweet!

[snakehips81]

Hi there !

I'm brand new to this forum and was searching all about Kay guitars (vintage ones) and have heard a while back about the new Kay / Fritz brand.

As it looks like someone from this company is around on this forum, any chance of reissue-ing Kay guitars with this headstock :

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f390/snakehips82/Kayavatar.jpg

And specifically, this dreadnought acoustic :

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f390/snakehips82/Colne20077.jpg

I'm still trying to find WHEN this guitar was made - I suspect late 1940's to early 1950's. Defining features of this guitar, apart from the rare headstock inlay design, are the truss-rod adjustment access in the neck heel, large bridge with bridge-pins in a curve (rather than standard line) and "high-end" Kluson Super tuners.

Searching on eBay (and online US guitar stores) for nearly 10 years for this particular model, my one is the ONLY other one I have EVER found/seen (other than the one that belonged to my blues guitar hero, Elmore James).

I have seen about 8 or 9 (maximum) huge jumbo acoustics by Kay with this same headstock - while searching ebay for the least 10 years - so I can say fairly certainly it is a rare model/headstock - but it looks great none-the-less.


Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Richard Snakehips O'Donnell
Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.

[Kay Vintage]

Not Snakehips Dudanski, eh?

Anyhow, nice guitar Richard. I love the headstock and the DeArmond. I just wrote some information for Premier Guitar magazine on those great pickups. The two best resources for identifying old Kay guitars are 1) the Kay Vintage Reissue website where we have posted all sorts of old catalogs (http://www.kayvintagereissue.com/downloads.html) and 2) Guitar Stories Volume 2 by Michael Wright. The book is hard to find, but if you dig enough you should turn up something. If I had to guess I'd say your guitar was from the mid-'50s.

We are not planning on reissuing any acoustics right now, but who knows what the future will bring?

Hope this helps. Sincerely,

Wally Marx Jr.
Kay Vintage Reissue

[snakehips81]

Hi there !

No, not Dudanski !!
I'm an O'Donnell !!

Many thanks for your reply about the Kay dreadnought acoustic.

Looking at your "reprinted" Kay catalogues, it appears the "jumbo" version (K-27 Professional) of my dreadnought is in the 1953 catalogue.
Is there any Kay catalogues prior to 1953 that you could "publish" ?

The catalogues make reference to these Kays having U-shaped rods in the neck. Do you know if that is the same thing as the neck/truss adjusting thing in the heel of my guitar - or something different - perhaps later/earlier ?

I just love the Rhythm Chief pickups.
Please, do you have any info as to when the Rhythm Chief Model 1000 was first available to the public ???
I have been trying to find out for years as it would help solve a puzzle for me as to what pickups my favourite blues guitarist (Elmore James) was using in his 1952+53 recordings. Someone told me that the Rhythm Chief didn't appear to Dec 1953 - and this really stumps my theory about Elmore James using one, for his Jan 1952 recordings with Ike Turner on piano !!
Plus, if he wasn't using that pickup, I still have to work out what he was using ! Thing is, his recordings from that period REALLY sound like a Rhythm Chief pickup.

Would love to see that article of yours.

All the best,

Richard Snakehips O'Donnell

[6ringing]

Elmore was using the FHC dearmond. The 1000 rhythm cheif didn't come out until 1954 (or dec. 53).

[andrewsbing]

I'm looking for a vintage K136 or K125. Anyone have one they could part with?

How about reissuing the K136?

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/jaydawg76/Kay%20K136/IMG_7518.jpg

[IPLAYLOUD]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll92/IPLAYLOUDGUITARS/DSC00274.jpg