1960s Kay Upright Bass

[the elephant]

1966 Kay C-1
For Sale AS IS
$1000

It plays well enough for jazz work. The back needs to be replaced eventually but has not gotten any worse in the 20 years I have owned it. Someone replaced the machines with individual machines so the holes show. I used to have the original machines and will search for them. It is being sold AS IS but if I can find the original tuning machines I'll toss them in. The current ones work well and have large gears. Thomastik Spirocore Orchestra gauge strings installed. The fingerboard has been marked with half steps like frets by some kid. (This used to belong to a middle school band). The marks are not terrible and look like they are some sort of marker; it might come off with the correct solvent, but since I am not a luthier I do not know what that might be. It makes a nice sound and holds pitch well. Has a crappy, plastic French bow with fake horse hair, like a beginner would use. It has a paper-thin cover with handles, but I would not go so far as to call it a "gig bag" as there is absolutely no liner, just the shell. The bag has a bow pocket, an accessory pocket, and a large music pouch on the back. The endpin is typical for old Kays: it is a steel rod with reliefs for the thumb screw and the "spike" is fairly rounded. There is (or was) an end pin pad. The neck is good. The fingerboard is straight enough for what I did with the bass for many years. It is a beater, but a good gig axe. I loved playing it. I have not used it for several years, though, and we are missing house payments due to my wife's ongoing, pandemic-related job situation.

The finish is the same crapy, sunburst spray-paint-looking stuff that was applied at the factory that we all know and laugh about.

This is not something to be shipped. You have to meet me. It is a freaking DOUBLE BASS so don't come in a vehicle that cannot hold a DOUBLE BASS. This is a very decent jazz bass.

$1000 CASH and you have to meet me in Southaven, MS, Monroe, LA, Hammond, LA, or Livingston, AL. I cannot afford the gas to get any further.

Pics will be posted later when I can take them.

[bloke]

If you are some sort of yankee or semi-yankee and Wade tells me that you have paid for it, I’m willing to store it here at blokeplace for a couple of months until you can pick it up.
If you are disappointed in it, you still have to pick it up.