1944 Kay K-60 Catalog Excerpt Image Credit: VintAxe |
They are jumbo archtops meaning their lower bout measures around 17". They use quality woods like actual flamed maple for the necks, Brazilian Rosewood slab fretboards, and plenty of real pearl inlays. The tops are carved spruce with laminate flamed maple back and sides.
Expect quality hardware like open-back Kluson tuners with or without the stamped shafts. The tailpieces are also quality and quite ornate, I have not been able to discern who made those. Note the bridge on these instruments is a unique "ribbon" design which flares outward towards the tailpiece, on the bass side, and towards the neck, on the treble side. And the celluloid pickguard is incredibly thick too.
The K-62 is identical to the K-60 in nearly every way except that it is finished in a clear, natural lacquer instead of sunburst. It may or may not also have a painted stinger on the back of the headstock.
This model number may have been reused for Kay guitars with the antenna fretboard inlays but that instrument is not the focus of this article.
1944 Kay K-62 Catalog Excerpt Image Credit: VintAxe |
This model number may have been reused for Kay guitars with the antenna fretboard inlays but that instrument is not the focus of this article.
I think you have it backward; the K-60 and 62 nomenclature was reused for the model you discuss here, those with the antenna fretboards being the earlier version. Mine has the antenna inlays and is stamped "Oct 40." Apparently they subsequently changed the desige.
ReplyDelete