The Kay Guitar Company

Since 1890, Kay has been making instruments of the highest quality for both students and professionals

1,005 thoughts on “The Kay Guitar Company”

  1. Hollow Body SG?
    wes

    I just got a Kay hollowbody which looks like an SG. It has no model # and I cant find it anywere on the internet someone help me out.

  2. questions about heritage guitar 575
    massimo

    Hello!
    My name is Massimo from north Italy (Torino).

    I don’t speak english very well, but i try to explain the same…
    i’m searching for buy an heritage mod. 575 custom natural (equipagged whit 2 pick up)

    and i’m seriously intentioned to buy one by internet order.

    some question:

    1) have you one in stock? (time about delivery….)
    3) totally price (included vat, delivery,ecc..)

    thank in advance for your disponibility,
    i’m waiting for response.

    Best regards
    Massimo

  3. kay accoustic guitar
    gene black

    I have a Kay accoustic flat top guitar (6 string,) with the numbers L150 6100 and the name Sorkin inside. Can someone tell me anything about it ,such as when and where made and what it’s value might be?
    Thanks, Gene Black

    1. Re: 1960 fender strat by kay????
      Billin SC

      : Im thinking of buying one of theese ,are they any good? can anyone help?its a hard tail model

      Don’t look for an answer too soon here.. If you will notice, 99% of the threads have not been answered. I have been watching everyday for an answer to my thread. Don’t know who’s web page this is, but they are sure not on top of the posts..
      Bill in SC

  4. Kay KE-10 electric made in Taiwan
    Bill Bristow

    Everything is there and straight except it is missing the upper piece on the stop tailpiece. One of the tuners is loose feeling. Though there were no strings on it, I plugged it in and the pickups (some kind of metal single coil lookin’ things)seem to work. The neck seems to be agathis wood, Strat style headstock, ebony board, very straight, and nice vintage sized frets. I have been unable to get any info on it. Can anyone here tell me anything about it? Worth anything? Worth repairing?
    Thanks!!
    Bill in SC

  5. vintage kay guitar
    Tami

    I inherited a Kay aucustic guitar from my grandfather in 1972 he had the guitar for many years I am trying to find out the year it was made the serial number L3963 6858 can you help me? Is their a web site that I can look this up?

    1. Re: What do I have?
      glenn skinner

      : Have a Kay guitar, no model or s/n. Looks like a gibson L series. hollow body with cut outs. Any ideas? the logo is a K with a circle around the k

  6. KC-333 K-320 Musima/DDR-GDR Kay/Not U.S.A.
    Carsten Rothe

    Deutsch/English:

    Wer hatte Infos zu den Kay-Gitarrenbau bei Musima in Markneukirchen/DDR?
    (K-320, KC-333, andere./Seriennummerschlüssel.)
    Wer hat noch ein goldbedrucktes Schlagbrett für eine K-320?

    Who´s got information to the building of Kay guitars by Musima in Markneukirchen/GDR?
    (K-320, KC-333, other./Key of serial number.)
    Who´s got a golden printed pickguard for a K-320?

  7. kay gitar £2.85
    JACK ELLISON

    last week i bought an old kay acoustic guitar from a charity shop for £2.85! It was made in Korea and has the gold Kay logo on the headstock. It also has two distinct white birds on the black scratchplate. does anybody else have this guitar????? i have met only 1 other person online with this guitar and he does not have any info on it. any info would help loads

  8. Did Kay make armstrong guitars?
    John Coombs

    I have an old archtop with Armstrong logo on the headstock. There is a serial number 222 which can be seen thru the f-hole. Doe any one know about these???

  9. Kay Acoustic Guitar Style # K7000
    Meradith

    I have a well-used Kay acoustic guitar – style # K7000, and I suppose the serial number stamped inside is L9816. Does anyone know the approximate age of this guitar?

    1. Re: Kay Acoustic Guitar Style # K7000
      Dave

      : I have a well-used Kay acoustic guitar – style # K7000, and I suppose the serial number stamped inside is L9816. Does anyone know the approximate age of this guitar?

      I bought my K7000/L9270 when I was in college, around 1959-60.

      1. Re: Kay Acoustic Guitar Style # K7000
        Barry

        : : I have a well-used Kay acoustic guitar – style # K7000, and I suppose the serial number stamped inside is L9816. Does anyone know the approximate age of this guitar?

        : I bought my K7000/L9270 when I was in college, around 1959-60.

        My K7000 is s/n L9186- It was damaged when I found it (1981). I completley rebuilt it and this guitar plays and sounds excellent!

  10. kay L4096858 year ?
    nick

    i may be picking one of these up and need some info.
    any help would be great.
    -sunburst
    -no pickup
    -f holes
    -simple wood adjustable bridge
    -unlike most of the pics of kay’s i’ve seen, but i know very very little.
    ?
    thanks everyone

  11. L931 Electric Acoustic Kay, year?
    Brian

    I have an f-hole electric acoustic with 2 knobs, 1 square pickup, white screw on pickguard and the serial number inside of L931 6533 . The frets look like they are brass or gold plated.
    Any info is helpful. Thanks, Brian

  12. Kay pickup replacement
    Terry

    I have an old Kay archtop eletric probably around ’62. Single pickup shorted out. Can’t find anyone who will rewind. Does anyone know what I can replace with? They are so thin all the the modern stuff won’t fit. Any help would be appreciated

  13. 50's Kay Electric
    Nicholas

    I would like to identify my kay guitar. there are no #’s anywhere inside or out so I’ll describe it. Bound 5 point/bump headstock with inlaid Kay over a letter k in a shield or krest that is also inlaid, Kluson closed back tuners with nickle knobs, aluminum nut, rosewood fretboard with block inlay starting at 1st fret, double bound single cutaway 2 pickup 13" wide maple ply flamy blonde hollowbody with no f holes, the 2 tone & 2 volume knobs are white and look like bottlecaps. grey/white mother of toilet seat pickgaurd, rosewood bridge, chromed brass trapeze tailpiece and the switch knob is a 3/8" X 1" piece of aluminum. The pickups are known not to be original. I’ve had this guitar for a few years now, love it and just want to know what it is. In reading other posts it looks to be similar to a Barney Kessel Pro but without the Barney Kessel (I wish!) any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Nicholas

    1. Re: 50's Kay Electric
      bushmaster

      : I would like to identify my kay guitar. there are no #’s anywhere inside or out so I’ll describe it. Bound 5 point/bump headstock with inlaid Kay over a letter k in a shield or krest that is also inlaid, Kluson closed back tuners with nickle knobs, aluminum nut, rosewood fretboard with block inlay starting at 1st fret, double bound single cutaway 2 pickup 13" wide maple ply flamy blonde hollowbody with no f holes, the 2 tone & 2 volume knobs are white and look like bottlecaps. grey/white mother of toilet seat pickgaurd, rosewood bridge, chromed brass trapeze tailpiece and the switch knob is a 3/8" X 1" piece of aluminum. The pickups are known not to be original. I’ve had this guitar for a few years now, love it and just want to know what it is. In reading other posts it looks to be similar to a Barney Kessel Pro but without the Barney Kessel (I wish!) any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Nicholas

      You have a 54-56 Kay Pro model 1700-b It is the EXACT same model that the Kay executives took to the Chicago bar that the legendary Barney Kessel was playing at and with that guitar convinced him to endorse Kay. Exellent guitar and worth boucoup bux even with the mods

      1. Re: 50's Kay Electric
        Nicholas

        : : I would like to identify my kay guitar. there are no #’s anywhere inside or out so I’ll describe it. Bound 5 point/bump headstock with inlaid Kay over a letter k in a shield or krest that is also inlaid, Kluson closed back tuners with nickle knobs, aluminum nut, rosewood fretboard with block inlay starting at 1st fret, double bound single cutaway 2 pickup 13" wide maple ply flamy blonde hollowbody with no f holes, the 2 tone & 2 volume knobs are white and look like bottlecaps. grey/white mother of toilet seat pickgaurd, rosewood bridge, chromed brass trapeze tailpiece and the switch knob is a 3/8" X 1" piece of aluminum. The pickups are known not to be original. I’ve had this guitar for a few years now, love it and just want to know what it is. In reading other posts it looks to be similar to a Barney Kessel Pro but without the Barney Kessel (I wish!) any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Nicholas

        :
        : This sounds like a modified Kay 161 Jimmie Reed model. It was also called the Twin Thin because the original pick-ups looked like thin lipstick tube pick-ups. I have one and I love it!

        I have a jpeg of one like mine that someone is mistakenly calling a Barney Kessel Pro. If you want to see it to help me identify, email me at [email protected] and I will send a file attachment

      2. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... Mark
        Mark

        : I would like to identify my kay guitar. there are no #’s anywhere inside or out so I’ll describe it. Bound 5 point/bump headstock with inlaid Kay over a letter k in a shield or krest that is also inlaid, Kluson closed back tuners with nickle knobs, aluminum nut, rosewood fretboard with block inlay starting at 1st fret, double bound single cutaway 2 pickup 13" wide maple ply flamy blonde hollowbody with no f holes, the 2 tone & 2 volume knobs are white and look like bottlecaps. grey/white mother of toilet seat pickgaurd, rosewood bridge, chromed brass trapeze tailpiece and the switch knob is a 3/8" X 1" piece of aluminum. The pickups are known not to be original. I’ve had this guitar for a few years now, love it and just want to know what it is. In reading other posts it looks to be similar to a Barney Kessel Pro but without the Barney Kessel (I wish!) any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Nicholas

        This sounds like a modified Kay 161 Jimmie Reed model. It was also called the Twin Thin because the original pick-ups looked like thin lipstick tube pick-ups. I have one and I love it!

  14. I need help identifying my electric Kay guitar (I assume its vintage)
    Tess

    The guitar is all black, no pickguard, and the fretboard is black too. It says ‘KAY’ in a small circle at the head. The two pickups are attached to eachother. The overall quality is pretty low, I picked it up for $20 at a tag sale. The electric wiring is horrible and the action is huge on the high end of the neck. I’ve been searching this guitar for almost a year and still can’t find what it is. Please e-mail, do not respond.

  15. Kay L1793 6858
    Dave Sheffer

    This is an F-hole archtop Kay from the 50’s – 60’s. My grandfather owned it. Anybody know anything about it? Has a maple neck, open tuning keys, Kay sticker on headstock.

  16. Kay Blonde Archtop Acoustic Cutout 28
    TedInBrooklyn

    I have a Kay Blonde Archtop Acoustic Cutout 28 with serial number inside beginning with "L". Does anyone know whether this is worth fixing?

  17. Kay Pro Session Guitar
    Jim Fowler

    I have what I believe is a guitar manufactured by Kay and I would like to know its age, manufacturer and value. Stamped on the upper neck is "Pro Session by R. H. Sound Reserarch, Inc.". No serial number that I can find. I was told it was made for studio work. Please let me know any information you might have on it. Thanks, Jim Fowler

  18. K-400 American Heritage Series
    Fred

    I was wondering if anyone could tell me how much this guitar is worth?

    Description: It is a Kay Acoustic Guitar. American Heritage Series, Model K-400.

    1. Re: K-400 American Heritage Series
      Howie Kendrick

      : I was wondering if anyone could tell me how much this guitar is worth?

      : Description: It is a Kay Acoustic Guitar. American Heritage Series, Model K-400.

      Hi Fred, I also just got a K400 in the UK for £30, plywood top I think!, it has a double black pickguard with flower motif design and the K logo embossed on a label on the headstock, plastic bridge too. Has K400 on label in soundhole. I have no idea of the age etc or whether it is a cheap copy. Welcome infor on yours.

  19. Kay 100th Anniversary Limited Ed. Model 5100E - Help With Value Please
    Karen

    I have a Kay 100th Anniversary Acoustic with cutaway; Model 5100E and #3004 of 5000. I’d like to sell it but not sure of the value. Any suggestions?

    1. Kay guitars arch top elect.
      beauty button

      : I have an arch top elect. Kay guitar that i have has since i was a boy. I lear haw to play it when i was eleven years old, Now i am sixty five, and i would like to know the value of it. the numbers on the inside are K32 6306. It still plays, but the finish is very poor. It is very old looking, is sunburst, and has painted on "inlay". i would like to know what year it is from and how much it is worth

    2. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... Garrett
      Garrett

      I have an acoustic Kay that has a long triangular(tin?)headstock logo. The guitar has a set neck, a 3 screw white pickgaurd with a little K on it, a red fret board, plank style round white tipped tuning keys, a tailpeice with a K and lines on it, It is very old looking, is sunburst, and has painted on "inlay". i would like to know what year it is from and how much it is worth

  20. k32 FO was played with patsy cline on her last kansas city visit
    Walter

    If anyone has an idea of what i am talking about could you maybe let me know a little mord about it. Thanks

    1. Re: k32 FO
      Walter

      : This guitar was played in kansas city by a guy nemed Foster he played it with Patsy Cline on her last trip here. If anyone has an idea of what i am talking about could you maybe let me know a little mord about it. Thanks

      1. Re: k32 FO
        Jimi (via moderator)

        (Originally posted 06:22:26 6/16/06)

        Hey Jimi, those lyrics are weird, try this man;

        Well, I stand up next to a mountain,
        Chop it down with the edge of my nose.
        Well, I pick up all the pieces of cheese and make a sandwich,
        Might even just eat one of those.
        PS Drop the wah-wah solo, it’s way too seventies porn movie. Oh wait, I don’t remember the 70’s, I was dead throughout the whole decade.

        Meanwhile, you think barbs are bad? You should try heroin, it kills me man!

        1. Re: k32 FO
          Jimi

          Hey Janis, meet you down there, oh s**t! I forgot , I’m dead.Don’t take any more barbs man.
          Well, I stand up next to a mountain,
          Chop it down with the edge of my hand.
          Well, I think of all the pieces on bacon I ever ate,
          Might even raise just a little hand.

  21. kay L3012 acoustic
    PaulaAnn

    kay
    L3012
    acoustic J I -8N-2P-7 1925 1910 Need price on this guitar. in excellent condtion, playable usable in case.. only used a few times.. please email me with any information yo have, or a website with were the info is,
    Thank you

    1. Re: Old Kay Guitar Value?
      richard pearson

      could you tell me the value of a kay electric guitar serial number wo. 20381 made in korea around 1979 to 1980

        1. Kay electric guitar WO. 20381
          Heather

          I am looking for some information and potential value of this guitar.
          It is black and hasPearl shell inserts up along the bridge.

    2. Re: Old Kay Guitar Value? the
      MITCHELL ZDANCZEWICZ

      the number in the guitar L6171
      : Does anybody know how much it could be worth??

      i want to play it like do all my others

    3. Re: Old Kay Guitar Value?
      Mike S

      one of my dads friend had given me this old kay guitar and i know nothing about it other then its a k-2T made in japan. i was wonderin what the value of this guitar was. one in good condition.

    4. Re: Old Kay Guitar Value?
      paul

      i have had a old kay starter series dont know what year it is it is red 6 string two knobs with numbers on it can som one tell me what it is worth

    5. Re: Old Kay Guitar Value?
      Stewart Burns

      I have a Japanese SG copy which I think is a Kay K2, but it does have subtle differences from the one in the 1970’s Kay catalog (available through http://www.vintaxe.com – select information then catalog >Kay is under American Guitar). Don’t know if it has a serial number couldn’t find one. I estimate late 60’s early 70’s. I paid GBP £31 for it on Ebay, but would have gone to about £40 – if that’s any help

    6. Re: Old Kay Guitar Value?
      Irene Gagne

      : I came across an Kay guitar that is at least 50 or 60 years old there is a number inside thats hard to read but from what I can see it’s K6721 or 4 can’t really make out if it’s a 1 or a 4
      : Does anybody know how much it could be worth??

    7. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... Marty K
      Marty K

      I came across an Kay guitar that is at least 40 years old. I have a serial number: 90930121 model number: k2
      Does anybody know how much it could be worth??

      1. Ols K starter/junior 6 string guitar
        Venom

        It was bought by my grandma with the old value green stamps back guessing 1935-1945 era In very good shape! Any one by chance know ball park of the value?

      2. k guitar
        Anonymous

        i bought a guitar off a friend whose grand father play some 40-50 yrs ago. it has a K on it and a model # 41 inside. the pick guard has birds(seaguls or doves on it) the k seems to have like a circle around plate with k in the middle. anyone know what this is and who made it? Value?..thanks

  22. Kay Electric Hollow Body from 60s? Guitar, have pics, need model
    Luke

    I just listed my Kay Electric hollow body guitar on ebay, and have been getting asked for what model it is. I couldnt find the model number on the guitar anywhere. I believe its from the 60s. Here’s the link to the ebay auction(there’s lots of photos I took on there of it): http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7380396049

    Any help would be greatly appreciates, thanks, Luke.

  23. Kay acoustic belonged to deceased father
    Terry

    I’m trying to find info about this old Kay I found in dad’s attic.The guitar needs some work that I plan to do myself.I would like to know it’s age and where I may find needed parts.The only numbers I can find are L8 697 6889,any info would be great.Thanx-T

    1. Re: OLD KAY GUITAR
      tom moore

      this a smaller body L-586 sun burst with white painted pick guard with music note design ihave put a new set of grover tuners crome plus crome tail piece roller bridge whats its value please help thank you vintage age some light scratches but still looksgood thank you

      1. Re: OLD KAY GUITAR
        E Morgan

        I have a old guitar it has serial number k-70180 I think -do you know anything about this or where I can find something on it – it looks old

    2. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... DAVE
      DAVE

      I HAVE A OLD KAY GUITAR, NUMBER ON THE INSIDE IS L3646 AND UNDER THAT NUMBER THERE IS ANOTHER ONE, NUMBER IS N-3. NO MUSIC STORE IN THERE KAY BOOKS CAN LOCATE THIS GUITAR. CAN YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT I HAVE. E-MAIL ADDRESS IS [email protected]
      THANKS LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING SOMETHING

      1. value of old kay 6 string
        Anonymous

        I have an old Kay acoustic guitar I have no idea its value if any I cant find anything about and the only thing I can find to identify it further is an N15 stamp on the inside. Can anyone help me.

      2. Model KG310
        Diane

        I have the opportunity to purchase a used guitar but have no idea of its worth. The seller wants me to make an offer but I don’t want to rob her or myself. The Model # is KG310.

  24. Kay electric bas cutaway, circa 1960's
    Steve

    What is the value of good condition Kay electric bass cutaway and, where is the model/serial number, other information on the guitar? Thanks much.

    Steve

    1. Re: Kay electric bas cutaway, circa 1960's
      Peter Alef

      : What is the value of good condition Kay electric bass cutaway and, where is the model/serial number, other information on the guitar? Thanks much.

      : Peter

    1. Re: 1930's Custom Kraft lespaul copy (Kay Kraft guitar line)
      Clint Searcy

      This guitar is a 1960’s catalog guitar. It was likely made by Kay for Sears or Montgomery Ward. The solid body electric spanish style guitar didn’t exist until the late 40’s. The Gibson Les Paul that this guitar is modled after didn’t exist until 1952.
      But it’s still a cool old guitar. Fix it up and play it.

      1. Re: 1930's Custom Kraft lespaul copy (Kay Kraft guitar line)
        Jon

        I have one of these, the Midnight special edition, purchased in about 1988 in London for around 200 pounds ($400). I was told it was an old catalogue guitar that blues singers liked to use, probably because it was relatively cheap at the time. It’s lovely looking, and still sounds OK.

        There’s more info on this line here: http://www.vintageguitar.com/features/brands/details.asp?AID=2455

      2. Re: 1930's Custom Kraft lespaul copy (Kay Kraft guitar line)
        Sam Schrage

        My friend brought this guitar over today (so I could clean it) that is the exact same as this one (as far as I could tell). The only difference is that the colors are inverted (i.e. the pickguard is black and the body is white). I had never seen one of these before, and my friend had no idea what it was.

        Any idea how much it might be worth if I fixed it up? It’s still got all knobs, tuners, ect. The only thing is that it’s got a few minor scratches. Email me if you might know the value .

    1. Re: Kay string bass
      Jay Mau

      : I have a Kay string bass, Model M-1-W, serial 6101. Does anyone know another about this, such as year of manufacturer and/or value?

      I have a blonde kay serial #m1-B 26158 and also a kay 5 string serial #39090. Do you know how I can find a value of these?

  25. L4 K30 5830 Kay????? Need some help.
    Karen

    Hi everybody! I’ve got a guitar, somebody said it’s a "Kay". From these numbers, can anybody tell? Also, it’s age & possible value?

    Thanks!

    1. Re: L4 K30 5830 Kay????? Need some help.
      Dwayne Fowler

      : Hi everybody! I’ve got a guitar, somebody said it’s a "Kay". From these numbers, can anybody tell? Also, it’s age & possible value?

      : Thanks!

      I have a kay K30-5830 Does anyone know its value?

  26. star*ter series # k301
    butch

    some elderly woman gave me this guitar as a tip. it was her late husbands. i need to know the year it was made. it is in super good shape. she was throwing it away, and i can’t see any one throwing out a musical instrument.( ah-hem, i’m a drummer,but i still appreciate a good guitar!)

  27. Holiday acoustic guitar
    Richard Welch

    I picked up a nice little Holiday acoustic f-hole archtop guitar at an auction today. It appears to be in excellent condition except for a broken pickguard (which I need to replace), but I can’t find any information about these guitars. It strongly resembles a Kay, but there is no Kay emblem anywhere on it. Who made them, when, were they made for a mail order company, etc? Can anyone help me with information about these guitars?

    1. Re: Holiday acoustic guitar
      axeman

      : I picked up a nice little Holiday acoustic f-hole archtop guitar at an auction today. It appears to be in excellent condition except for a broken pickguard (which I need to replace), but I can’t find any information about these guitars. It strongly resembles a Kay, but there is no Kay emblem anywhere on it. Who made them, when, were they made for a mail order company, etc? Can anyone help me with information about these guitars?

      I, too am looking for information on Holiday guitars. I got one of their acoustics from a now-closed guitar shop in New Albany, Indiana, formerly known as the music parlor. The proprietor said he’d heard very few Holiday acoustics were made, something like 67 of them. It is a very nice instrument. The machine heads were crapola, so I put some good ones on it, but the rest is original. The bridge is like Ovation’s where there are no pins and the strings feed in from the rear. The fretboard is dual radiused, flat at the nut and noticeably tighter radiused at the body. Mine has numbers, but one digit is illegible. It’s either mahogany or Brazilian rosewood neck, back & sides, with a maple(?) top. It’s for sale complete with case to the first $500 offered.

    2. Re: Holiday acoustic guitar
      ebenezerX

      ever have any luck finding anything out about HOLIDAY guitars? My son was given a HOLIDAY electric. Pretty solid little guitar and it says "MADE IN U.S.A." as well as "HOLIDAY" on the headstock.
      thanks!

  28. Kay Strat - anyone else got one?
    John Kogel

    Mine is a sunburst finish over heavy mahogany plywood, with a blonde fret board that’s not quite maple. Pickups have yellowed with age. I love this guitar.

    1. Re: Kay Strat - anyone else got one?
      ross polley

      ive got a kay strat guitar

      its all gray (including headstock)with black pickups. the neck is finished and glossed. it dosent work but will be soon (hopefully). e-mail me cuz i need to know more about this strange guitar.

      thanx
      -Ross

      1. Re: Kay Strat - anyone else got one?
        DEN

        Hello I have one cherry sunburst maple neck old tuners this guitar is mint from the 60 70 era Heavy Bolt on. taiwan. could be worth $$$$$$$$ or 149.00 I don’t know I’ve played guitar for over 20 years. I think it’s a 1962 replica just amazing. I have pix ??? I’m speachless

  29. Old single cutaway pear shaped hole auditorium size
    Ric Weide

    I had a Kay blond top, single cutaway, with a pear-shaped sound hole, and was auditorium size(large) with a deArmond pickup and a jack on the lower body. I had to sell in back in the sixties (Terrible). It was the best sounding accoustic guitar I have ever heard. I got it for my 13th birthday and loved it. (economics! ugh) Let me know if you see it and take a picture.

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