- Kay Kelvinator Model - KingofKay's
Like Gibson & Martin Guitar, Kay's biggest selling guitar models were the Archtops; Solid body and Semi-hollow body model guitars. Kay also produced moderately-priced banjos, mandolins and resonators. Kay owned the Chicago Blues Harmonica Company and some notable players used their guitars and amplifiers such as: Jack White & the White Stripes, Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton. This is the list of Kay Acoustic & Electric Guitars models.
Kay Vintage Model Barney Kessel Archtop- Barney Kessel Jazz Guitars
- The Barney Kessel Pro Electric Guitar- This was a single cutaway 13 in. Archtop electric guitar with a maple (veneer) body, spruce top, no f holes and had 1 or 2 single coil Gold K pickups. The Barney Kessel signature was on the pick guard. Available from 1957-61.
- The Barney Kessel Artist- It was a single cutaway arch top 15 ½ in. wide. It had the maple veneer body, spruce top with the f-holes and was available from 1957-61.
- The Barney Kessel Jazz Special Guitar- This guitar competed with the Gibson L-5CES Guitar. It was a single cutaway, 17 in. wide with the maple veneer, f-holes and 1 or 2 single coil pickups. Available from1957 to 1961, it also had the Kelvinator peg head, chrome metal bridge and chrome Grover Imperial tuners, with a sunburst or blonde finish.
The Kelvinator Acoustic & Electric Model Guitars
- The Upbeat Jazz Guitar- Was an inexpensive alternative to the Jazz Special. It was 17 in. single cutaway arch top; it had a rosewood bridge and fingerboard and was available from 1957 to 1959. The ES-5 model had 3 pickups; available from 1957-61.
- K-161- The Jimmy Reed or Howlin Wolf Model was 15 in. wide single cutaway, flat top semi-hollow model guitar and was available from 1952-1960.
Flattop Acoustics to Compete With Gibson and Martin
- K-11 Was the acoustic Archtop that competed with the Gibson L-7C acoustic guitar and was available from 1953-59.
- K-21 Was the acoustic Archtop that competed with the Gibson L-5C. It had a maple body and was available from 1953-59.
- K-27 Flattop- Was the same size of the Gibson J-200. It came with the full Kelvinator Headstock and was available from 1952-63.
- K-23- Flattop Guitar also competed with the Gibson J-200, but it came with Half Kelvinator headstock. The guitar was available from 1952-63.
- K-22 Flattop Guitar- Was the same size as the Gibson L-200. It came with a mahogany body and was available from 1952-63.
- Kay professional Cutaway Flattop- It was the same size as the Gibson L-200. It had a small screwed-on pickguard and was available from 1955-59.
For most collectors today, the biggest problem or complaint with these guitars is the neck. The guitar was built with bad truss rod systems. They just did not hold up. In order to work properly, they need the neck set by a Professional. Today the Kay Company makes an assortment of Musical Instruments.
Besides Acoustic and Electric Guitars Kay makes different models of Banjos, Violins, Bass Guitars Resonator Guitars, Guitar Amps and Accessories. They also sell Vintage Reissue Guitars like the 1952 Kay 161 Thin Twin “Jimmy Reed” or “Howlin Wolf” Model. T- Bone Burnett played this axe to back up Robert Plant and Allison Krause at the 2009 Grammy Awards. This Twin is known for its clear, distinctive, bluesy raw sound. The Kay Guitars were a unique instrument and the company continues that tradition.
Reference
Fretland.com/ Kay Vintage Reissued Guitars
Vintage Guitar Information- http://home.provide.net/~cfh/index.html
King of K's. com
Jim Galloway - Professional Musician/Published Songwriter for 30 yrs. With over 200 Articles in Recording/Music Buisness/ Resources/Vintage Instruments
