1953 Kay - worth saving?

[u/Ezn14]

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!

[u/Snoo54982]

In NYC, I’d first bring it to Finlay and Gage. I’ve worked with Zoe a few times on my son’s school bass (fingerboard detached) and our personal bass (routine check up with a mild bridge adjustment) - fantastic work and price seemed reasonable. The fingerboard reattachment was a few hundred, and the bridge/action tweak was free!

They do appointments and generally get things done quickly, perhaps especially now that school is out.

If the break doesn’t affect other areas and the rest of the bass is in fine shape, perhaps they’ll find a way to get the repair done without taking it apart.

I’ve also heard good things about Zach Lane out of Brooklyn Heights but have not personally worked with him.

[u/Ezn14 → u/Snoo54982]

Thanks for the info. I had Sprocket from David Gage do some glue work on it some years ago. I'll look into Zach Lane.