Old Kay SS bass

rlm2112 · Post by **rlm2112** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 3:48 am

My dad bought this bass to re-sell, and he asked me to get it playable. I opened it up and checked the electronics. After fixing a few loose connections, it works fine electronically. The frets were a brown color that looked like paint, but it turns out they are actually brass. Anyone seen this before? I'm going to get strings for it tomorrow, and I could use some recommendations on what to get. It had flatwounds on it at some point. It definitely needs short scale strings though.

Some interesting things about it: It was a light(sonic?) blue originally judging by the color inside. It is basically hollow inside, except around the bridge and neck pocket. The jack is on the back

Anyone know anything about these, or how much they're worth?

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hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 4:58 am

what a shit place for an output jack.

rlm2112 · Post by **rlm2112** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 6:44 am

Ya, it sure is.

damienblair17 · Post by **damienblair17** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 7:57 am

I love that selector switch. Might be a fun bass to play, but I'd probably break it if I played too hard.

brainfur · Post by **brainfur** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 2:01 pm

it looks cool-- I don't think anybody's gonna buy it to play though. I think people collect these things?

holyCATS1415 · Post by **holyCATS1415** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 4:21 pm

with an angled cable that output jack would be fine. i would definitely play that thing.

George · Post by **George** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 4:49 pm

brainfur wrote:it looks cool-- I don't think anybody's gonna buy it to play though. I think people collect these things?

If I had the money my house would be lined with guitars like this.

Billy3000 · Post by **Billy3000** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 4:54 pm

I like that a lot! I've never seen another one like it! I agree that an angled tip cable would make that input jack a lot better. I only play with angle tip cables now anyway since I would always beak the straight tip cables at shows by bumping into things, or with my basses with side mount jacks I'd always bump them against me and break them. The angled tip cables never get in the way of anything.

Pacafeliz · Post by **Pacafeliz** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 7:58 pm

oh wow... best color. with binding.

oh YES.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 8:24 am

I'd buy that in a heartbeat if it's playable enough - maybe do an Baritone/VI conversion...

astrozombie · Post by **astrozombie** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 7:01 am

wheres the bridge? is that a cover?

Tweedhead · Post by **Tweedhead** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 2:44 am

My friend just bought a 1958 Airline f hole archtop that has brass frets. It's the only time I've seen it in person.
I bet those pickups sound great and give the bass a nice dirty sound. I'd definitely play it.
I'd recommend flat wound strings though because the brass frets are softer than other
metals used and you wouldn't want to wear them down.

Edit: that is, use flatwounds if the neck can handle the tension.