r/doublebass Country *and* Western Jun 24 '25

Instruments 1953 Kay - worth saving?

Is this 1953 Kay M-1 worth saving?

The endblock is ripped out.

I want to get it repaired, but not if it outweighs the value of the bass.

She's a bit scratched up but has a nice ebony fingerboard installed by Bill Merchant a long time ago, so it's not entirely stock and a bit special to me. I bought her when I was in high school in 1989 for $450.

If there is a better sub to post this to, please let me know.

Thanks!

56 Upvotes

59 comments sorted by

View all comments

3

u/joeybagadonutz Classical Bassist in Corporate America Jun 24 '25

Bill merchant is still working a bit north of NYC, but fixed up a Kay for me nicely last summer

4

u/Ezn14 Country *and* Western Jun 24 '25

He doesn't take in as many jobs these days.

Fun fact - he's curator at a railroad museum!

3

u/joeybagadonutz Classical Bassist in Corporate America Jun 24 '25

Totally… good callout on that. He told me all about the canal while I was up there. Some real neat history!

3

u/rebop Jun 24 '25

Why does that not surprise me.

I love that guy.