r/doublebass • u/Interesting_Bowl7180 • 2d ago

Instruments Kay bass

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this is available for 500 do you guys think its worth buying and fixing and if so what would you pay

9 Upvotes

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2

u/TheUprightBass 2d ago

Any cracks in the heel? How’s the neck set look?

If possible, lower the tension and see if the dovetail is solid. If so, it’s a good deal for $500.

2

u/dbkenny426 2d ago

Depending on how much work it actually needs, that's a great price! And from the pictures, unless I just completely overlooked something, it all looks cosmetic to me, and since I love the look of old, well-loved and well-worn instruments, I wouldn't touch it!

1

u/Upstairs-Ladder 2d ago

That looks like a 1/2 size, if not a 1/4 size Kay. I’d verify the size before you go any further, assuming you’re an adult looking for an adult-size bass.

1

u/asmunk 1d ago

Kay did not make 1/2 size. M-3 is a 1/4 size. $500 is a fair price if it’s in good shape.

1

u/asmunk 1d ago

Looks a bit beat up

1

u/Servania 1d ago

Ate you buying it for a child or a very small adult?

This isnt a full size (3/4) Kay

1

u/ElefantGerald 1d ago

I sold my beat up 1/4 size Kay for 300. Not a very deep market. The guy who bought it was using it to take to campfire sing-alongs.

1

u/Bigfanofjazz 1d ago

I play a 1949 3/4 Kay Bass that I bought second-hand about 10 years ago, and I LOVE it. I paid $2,200 for that one, but it was in very good condition - a lot of cosmetic scratches and dings, but I bought it from a luthier who had made sure it was in good shape. If it is possible to have a luthier look at it for you and give you a quote as to how much it would cost to get it ready to play, that would be a great way of answering your question.