I've been away for a while. I've missed you heathens.
I have a story to tell here. Last year I spoke with a friend in southern Illinois about a guitar that he's had forever. It was an old, beat-up Kay acoustic. And when I say old, I mean old. It was a 1937 model. He had often talked about restoring it but, finally came to the conclusion that he would never get it done. He offered to sell it to me. He said he wanted to be sure he got it to someone who would restore it and play it.
I didn't know at the time that it would be the last conversation I ever had with my friend. A couple of weeks after I got this beat-up guitar in my hands I was informed that he had died. So, getting it restored was now not just an honor for me but, an obligation. One that I took seriously. The restoration is now complete and I will try to get a video recorded playing it in the next week or so.
I have attached a "before" and "after" picture. I think she looks rather splendid for 81 years old.
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45 comments (26 - 45)
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Beautiful. How was the neck? Does a guitar that old have a truss?
Sticks48
Level 9
Apr 10, 2018
3
Duke:
The neck was in really good shape. The dovetail joint where it connected to the body was destroyed and had to be reconstructed. Other than that, the neck was pretty solid and well constructed. Just needed the original frets smoothed and polished and the neck cleaned and buffed. The neck was like new.
Oh! My gosh...the guitar looks beautiful, how special... that I would imagine it is to play!
Freedompath
Level 9
Apr 10, 2018
2
Nice story! Can't say I've ever seen a configuration such as this.
Highway-Starr
Level 7
Apr 10, 2018
3
Oh my god (pardon the expression), she's beautiful!
Nottheonlyone
Level 7
Apr 10, 2018
2
The guitar was meant for you. Quite a beautiful instrument - I have one son who is professional muso - has a number of guitars. I've never heard of the Kay brand. Do you have a case for it? old things need extra TLC
Hobartian
Level 5
May 1, 2018
2
Awesome job! Beautiful guitar.
SeekingWisdom
Level 6
Apr 29, 2018
2
Duke:
Thanks!
That's a treasure. Question: Does that one have an arched back as well?
If it's genuinely from the 30s, that would be one made right after Kay hooked up with that violin company whose name I can't remember. I had a friend with an old Kay during my pickin' an' grinnin' phase, but it had a really weird body shape. Your finished product looks yummy. Nice work. How does it sound?
evidentialist
Level 8
Apr 10, 2018
2
Welcome back and my condolences on the loss of your friend.
OpposingOpposum
Level 9
Apr 10, 2018
2
So sad about your friend. Interesting timing, too! I love it!! Even if it’s sound was less than perfect...when it was held, it would be like a piece of history, that you wish was audible! Enjoy!
Freedompath
Level 9
Mar 18, 2019
1
Fantastic... I’m a vintage collector and love your story. My friend Bob died last week, I’ll be finishing the song we were working on in his honor with plenty of schtick, because he loved schtick
ArdentAtheist
Level 8
Apr 24, 2018
1
So sorry about your friend...
Christ in a sidecar, that is quite a story. All applauds to you.
Palindromeman
Level 7
Apr 21, 2018
1
Enjoy being online again!
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