Tag: Kay

Selmer Kay Bass Gallery, S-10 Thin Body, 1937

Dave Anderson 5th November 2022
Here's studio pictures of the restored Selmer Kay Bass Viol, the thin-ribbed deluxe S-10 model from the dawn of Kay Bass! We set out to not over-restore or "candy coat" this historic example, leaving its cool checked patina while returning structural health and playability to as-new. Learn more about this Selmer Kay bass restoration HERE The Selmer Kay S-10 was a narrow-body Kay briefly produced for Selmer, the band instrument company known for brass and woodwinds.  In addition to being a thinline instrument, the S-10 model has the full complement of ornament. The ¾ sized blonde basses sported a carved…

Selmer Kay Bass Restoration, S-10 Thin Body, 1937

Dave Anderson 5th November 2022
This Selmer Kay restoration began with some fact finding: Selmer Kay? Kay thin body? These early deluxe version Kays are some of the rarest. We've serviced vast multitudes of Kays and haven't seen a Selmer Kay even for a string change. In fact, our friends at the Kay Bass Registry haven't seen one either! We were excited to work on this example in need of restoration. More Kay history HERE. The bass was in rough structural shape. A broken bass bar lead to a partially collapsed top and back and badly deformed ff-holes. This was a perfect candidate for relamination…

Kays, Kays, Kays! Come and Get Your Red Hot Kay Bass!

Dave Anderson 1st November 2018
Sometimes it feels like we've seen every single Kay bass on the face of the Earth come through here - turns out, we're not even close!  BUT, with the market bouncing back on the value of Kays, the really good ones are coming out of hiding.  Add to that, with so many on the market (and most in poor condition), we only accept the exceptional ones. If the classic, mid-20th-Century hot-rod vibe of the original Kay Bass Viol still pulls at your heartstrings, we have something for you. Four examples of premium Kay history: a prime early example, a blonde…

Upton Bass String Instrumental Co.

159 Packer Road Mystic, CT 06355

Hours: Tues. - Sat. 10AM - 6PM


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