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. Re: Kay acoustic Guitar K-500 starter
      Ossie

      i have a K500 that my dad bought at a car boot sale in the mid 80’s, he paid 12 quid for it. beautiful guitar, just a pity that the top section of the scratchplate got knocked off somehow. mine appears to be a sort of "posh" version, as my best friend was so in love with it he spent 5 years trying to find himself one, his has a stuck-on scratchplate not screwed on, the binding is painted on rather than inlaid & the keys are metal not white & shaped.

      : I friend of mine as an old acoustic Kay guitar that has K-500 on the tag through the sound hole. Can anyone tell me
      : anthing about this guitar, year it was made, where it was made, it’s construction, it’s value, etc. Any information at all
      : will be more than we have now. Thanks, Ron Miller

    2. Re: Kay acoustic Guitar K-500 starter
      Scott Whitaker

      I have a Kay Acoustic K-500E that I bought new in 1990. It is considered the 100 year anniversary edition. It has a factory pick and I gave 400.00 for it then

      : I friend of mine as an old acoustic Kay guitar that has K-500 on the tag through the sound hole. Can anyone tell me
      : anthing about this guitar, year it was made, where it was made, it’s construction, it’s value, etc. Any information at all
      : will be more than we have now. Thanks, Ron Miller

      1. Re: Kay acoustic Guitar K-500 starter
        ben

        i have a K500 also. it needs work but still in pretty good condition and its for sale at £150.. any interest reply through this ad….thanx guys

      2. Re: Kay acoustic Guitar K-500 starter
        Karin

        I also have an old acoustic guitar with K-500 label through the soundhole. I would not say it is a starter guitar, it has a lovely tone and long sustain (as good as our vintage Framus). The deep lacquer and pearl insets also tell me it is a good quality instrument. High up inside appears to be the date 1981 I would really love to know more about it
        : I have a Kay Acoustic K-500E that I bought new in 1990. It is considered the 100 year anniversary edition. It has a factory pick and I gave 400.00 for it then

        : : I friend of mine as an old acoustic Kay guitar that has K-500 on the tag through the sound hole. Can anyone tell me
        : : anthing about this guitar, year it was made, where it was made, it’s construction, it’s value, etc. Any information at all
        : : will be more than we have now. Thanks, Ron Miller

      3. Re: Kay acoustic Guitar K-500 starter
        Lindsey Kinegak

        I also have a K500 starter that has the tag through the sound hole… I got it as a used gift, and the only thing I know about it was that the guy who bought it, bought it in 1990 i believe. I would also like to know more about it.

    3. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... Ron Miller
      Ron Miller

      I friend of mine as an old acoustic Kay guitar that has K-500 on the tag through the sound hole. Can anyone tell me
      anthing about this guitar, year it was made, where it was made, it’s construction, it’s value, etc. Any information at all
      will be more than we have now. Thanks, Ron Miller

      1. K500 Starter
        Anonymous

        Would like to know more about a recent purchase of This Great sounding K-500 Starter guitar made in Korea .
        it has great tone the tuning pegs have this great ornamental harp like design , the body is a dark Mahogany. very curious of age and worth.
        Thanks for any input

    1. Re: kay classic guitar
      Mel

      My dad has a classic guitar with "Model KLC 465" written on the inside of the guitar. Is it a Kay guitar? I can’t find anything on this guitar at all! I’d be grateful if you had any info on this guitar 🙂

    2. Re: kay classic guitar
      Thomas

      : Please share with me the age of mfgr of a classic kay guitar serial
      : number K7020. Could it be a collectors item? How many classics
      : did Kay make, or any other comment.
      : Thanks…francis

      The model, NOT serial number, is K7020 and mine was built in 1959, it’s nothing special, just a low priced halfway decent classical guitar.

    3. Re: kay classic guitar
      francis comeaux

      : Please share with me the age of mfgr of a classic kay guitar serial
      : number K7020. Could it be a collectors item? How many classics
      : did Kay make, or any other comment.
      : Thanks…francis

      1. Re: kay classic guitar
        daniel gonzalez

        : : Please share with me the age of mfgr of a classic kay guitar serial
        : : number K7020. Could it be a collectors item? How many classics
        : : did Kay make, or any other comment.
        : : Thanks…francis
        i have kay moldel k7010 can you please tell more about it thanks . daniel

      2. Re: kay classic guitar
        john

        : I have a Kay classic guitar of that number. I was wondering as to it’s current value. It tends to stay in tune forever and stil hs a fine sound.

        1. Re: kay classic guitar
          sylvain ste-croix

          : : I have a Kay classic guitar of that number. I was wondering as to it’s current value. It tends to stay in tune forever and stil hs a fine sound.
          im not sur for the number serie 700 year 1890

        2. Re: kay classic guitar info
          scott

          i have a Kay k7020 Classic guitar. Strictly speaking, it’s my Father’s. He bought it new in Boston in the late 50s for THIRTY-FIVE DOLLARS! He claims that was a lot of money then.

          I just googled the k7020 model number to try to find some info, and this discussion thread was all that turned up. it’s a great guitar as far as i can tell, and various more experienced musicians than i have looked pretty excited by it. who know’s what it’s worth? i’d just keep it if you like nylon string guitars at all. otherwise, hmm. i might like another one.

    4. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... francis comeaux
      francis comeaux

      Please share with me the age of mfgr of a classic kay guitar serial
      number K7020. Could it be a collectors item? How many classics
      did Kay make, or any other comment.
      Thanks…francis

    1. Re: We love Kay Guitars
      RICHARD ATKINSON

      just got an old 1930’s kay with lyre shaped sound hole, whats it worth? what model is it……? where can i find out any info on this darn thing….its in mint condition, and i dont believe its ever had strings on it….help!!!
      Rich

      1. Kay 1930's Lyre sound hole guitar
        larry

        Hi did you every find anything out about the Lyre sound hole guitar by Kay? I just got one and know nothing about it. Whats it worth? Where is the serial number located? I can’t find it . It says” Kay musical inst. co.” with a large K on the head stock. The guy I got it from said it was a 1938 0r 1939 but he knew very little about it. If you can help me with any info it would be very helpful. THANKS LARRY

      2. 1930's Kay Guitar/Lyre Sound Hole
        Larry

        My mother had one of the 1930’s Kay Guitar/Lyre Sound Hole.
        It had a black/antique tan colored sunburst finish.
        If anybody knows where I can get one, please e-mail me.

        Thanks

  1. vintage Kay guitar
    waylon

    Dear sir,
    I recently purchased a vintage guitar from a local dealer. I beleve it is a kay guitar but there is no name on the guitar but there is a serial number inside. I do not have a picture currently scanned of the guitar but i can give you a brief description of it. i would appreciate any information you could give me about my vintage guitar.
    Thank you
    Waylon

    Desciption : light cherry color, two F-holes, one small round hole small pick guard, serial # 3421H14031/2

    1. Re: vintage Kay guitar
      Paul (via moderator)

      That is, if it’s an semi acoustic.

      : Dear sir,
      : I recently purchased a vintage guitar from a local dealer. I beleve it is a kay guitar but there is no name on the guitar but there is a serial number inside. I do not have a picture currently scanned of the guitar but i can give you a brief description of it. i would appreciate any information you could give me about my vintage guitar.
      : Thank you
      : Waylon

      : Desciption : light cherry color, two F-holes, one small round hole small pick guard, serial # 3421H14031/2

    2. Re: vintage Kay guitar
      Paul

      What do the pot meters say?
      Like a serial or something like it.
      If so, please mail me, I maybe be capable of giving you the manufacturer and an approx. date of "birth".

      Greetz Paul

  2. ur bass's suck
    nikkie

    ok…well i got this bass right..and from the tension that the stupid bridge was putting on the head..the head snapped .not like in 2…but like…part of it just snapped…like a big crack .and the same is happening with the neck..where the neck goes into the head…it wont let the bass stay in tune…so it sucks…

    1. Re: ur bass's suck
      Paul (via moderator)

      No, it doesn’t suck, it can’t….
      But any way, because I’m the proud owner of an great electric Kay guitar with original custom paint (white bleu, yeah…) I know some important facts about it.
      Kay guitars are notorious for having bad neck sets and broken truss rod systems. Usually, this can be corrected by a good repair person for around $150 to $200.
      And of course cince Kay guitars are old, they’re more vulnerable than new guitars. So handle it with care, just like you would to someone you love. (not literally)

      Anyway, I hope you understand why the guitar is in such a shape.

      Greetz, Paul

      (for pics about my own guitar mail me)

    2. Re: ur bass's suck
      Zac

      Well Nikki, The bass "sucks" because it is old. The kay company went out of buisness in the late 1960’s. Personally I own a Kay electric AND IT KICKS BUTT!

    3. Re: ur bass's suck
      Zac

      : ok…well i got this bass right…and i am stupid right…and from the tension that the stupid bridge was putting on the head..the head snapped .not like in 2…but like…part of it just snapped…like a big crack .and the same is happening with the neck..where the neck goes into the head…it wont let the bass stay in tune…so it sucks…

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