Kay Bass Viol

Reproduction Kay tailpiece decals are now available! They are the '40's style and suit basses from 1938 to ~1949. They are easy to apply and really look great on the tailpiece. The original decals came in a variety of colours so the colour is a compromise between the bronze powder of some original decals and the plain yellow pigment of others.

Email: jake@thebassspa.com

Kay Basses have been an important part of musical history. Bill Monroe, Bob Wills, Hank Williams, Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, Mel Torme and Elvis all had Kays in their bands. Willie Dixon, Jack Bruce, Chubby Jackson and Ray Brown played them too.

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Kay Bass Production Variations

There are quite a few construction differences between the early Kays and the later ones and lots of variations even in the same year. Bear in mind that Kay bought their materials in lots from the supplier with the lowest bid and so there would be differences from batch to batch. The tops and backs were laminated from birch and poplar veneers, usually with maple on the outside of the backs and sides and spruce on the tops but I've seen plenty of Kays with birch exterior plies too.

The neck and heel blocks were mostly spruce but I've seen quite a few wartime basses with poplar blocks. Some of the wartime basses also came with poplar necks which aren't very stiff at all. They are also prone to cracking. They were keeping a close eye on the bottom line, rather than making art, so sometimes the wood wasn't very carefully chosen for the part. I've seen slab grain necks that warp quite easily and bass-bars cracked due to run-out. I've seen Kays with severely damaged tops from steel strings and tops that are pretty stiff.

I have a '38, a '39 , a '40 and a '50 here right now and all but the '40 have the sound post disc on the back.

The bass bars were made on a shaper jig and the shapes are very consistent but I’ve measured the bass bar placement (distance in from the bass f-hole) at distances from ¾” to 1 ¼”. That will really change the tone of the bass!

Some comparative thickness measurements from the Kay tops currently gracing the house:

- the original finish 1938 Kay is .197 at the treble f-hole, (13/64”)

- the refinished '39 is .227 (15/64”)

- the sunburst '39 top is .229 (15/64”)

- the refinished '50 is .226. Pretty close really to 15/64”

- the original finish '40 O – 1 is .248, just about ¼”

So be careful with how you string your early Kay. I wouldn't recommend anything heavier than Spirocore Weichs myself and guts, Velvets or Innovation Strings are a safer bet for Kays from the thirties and forties.