Kay A-Style Mandolin 1950s (Interesting find)

[Petrus]

Just saw this on eBay tonight. I was unaware that Kay made mandos. For $160 it seems like a good deal. Actually, I hope someone does snatch it up quick before I make an impulse buy. I really need to reign in that little habit of mine.





http://www.ebay.com/itm/1950s-Vintag...item3387c2a0bc

I've got a Kay flattop guitar from the '60s, so the name caught my attention.

[Bill Snyder]

Old Kays are the topics of several threads on the Mandolin Cafe. They were never top line instruments and they are known to frequently have neck joint problems. The ones that garner the most attention are these in f-hole or oval hole.

FWIW you can even purchase brand new Kay mandolins, but of course they are Kays in name only since the original company went out of business decades ago.

[Petrus]

Thanks for the info. I wasn't expecting top-line for $160, but it still looks interesting, assuming it's playable. The whole point (to me) is that it's vintage ... I wouldn't be interested in a brand new one with just a Kay logo on it.

[multidon]

Notice the description says "Neck appears to have been reinforced with a screw at some point." Bad news. Just say no. This is not the way to fix a failing neck joint.

[bmac]

That is a lot of money for a Kay mando with a bad neck joint... They are very common on eBay so I would keep looking for a straight neck and a solid neck joint... More like $25 for one needing that kind of work. and only if you are willing to do the work yourself.

[Petrus]

Now, here's something you don't see everyday: 1915 Gibson Harp Guitar. Only $13,995!

[Jailboogie300]

kay mandolin in the 50s

[MikeZito]

I would buy that mandolin just for the headstock logo . . . WAY cool!

[MikeEdgerton]

The headstock logo is what has been dubbed the Kelvinator headstock. I should say that is one of the variations of the Kelvinator headstock. Some of the earlier ones are much more elaborate.

These come up quite often.

As Don has pointed out, the most common weakness in these things is the neck joint. For that much money you might to find one that hasn't failed.

[MikeEdgerton]

And, if you really like the headstock logo there's this:

https://reverb.com/au/item/2375220-r...ell-upbeat-etc

[allenhopkins]

Now, here's something you don't see everyday: 1915 Gibson Harp Guitar. Only $13,995!

Gibson U's are pretty rare, beautifully made, and -- despite (or because of) their weirdness -- extremely collectible. I'd say $14K's a bit over the line, but still...

Kay mandolins, on the other hand, are fairly common, structurally and acoustically questionable, and, if not "a dime a dozen," perhaps "$1,200 a dozen." With a wood-screw-repaired neck, I'd say $160's a bit over the line.

[Jailboogie300]

another picture