Anyone recording with an old "Kay" guitar?

[TheRigaletto]

I just came back from Counting Crows and the guitarist looked like he used an old Kay for one song. I've seen one in a few in studios but was never sure of the year or model.

Anyone own one or use one? If so what year and model?

[Acoustic Cloud]

yes. My first guitar, 1974. You realize they were all pretty much budget-student type guitars, right? Just like the original Dannys, Broncos, duo-sonics, etc.

If he played one, its a cool "pawnshop prize" thing to whip out and bust a tune with. None of them really have a good recording sound. They are just cool, because they are old and cheap, and have survived!

[thenoiseflower]

O/T
A buddy of mine tracked a band where the bass player was playin into an old Kay bass amp, that sht sounded killer, I want one

Ive seen some REALLY Beautiful Kay guitars too..

[gwailoh]

If you're into retro offbrand guitars, check out Eastwood: http://www.myrareguitars.com/Eastwood.html. They make repro Airlines, Univoxes, Supros, and other wacky stuff, as well as some interesting originals. I have a Delta-6 electric resophonic model which I like very much.

[blackbox]

definitely. funky gtrs make for the best recordings. character for days. Record your Kay acou with a 57 and run it thru an 1176 ..voila..instant electric guitar.

[max cooper]

I used to use an old Kay branded as a Silvertone. It's a pretty common one. It's black, one cutaway, two F-holes, Bigsby vibrato. I love the sound of that guitar.

[carival]

I have been playing the same gig once or twice a month for about 12 years with some pals. The drummer, is also a really super engineer. We both have studios, so all we do is talk about gear and such over good draft beers. I have about 40 great classic vintage guitars and 40 great amps from the 50s and 60s, so I often will bring different stuff to these little "hole in the wall" original music bars, as my drummer friend loves to critique the combinations. A while ago, I picked up an old single cutaway, two pickup, hollow body Kay for $200 from a friend who owns a local guitar shop. I leave a Peavy delta blues amp (also paid $200)in the back of my pick up truck always as a spare. One night I was feeling lazy, so I just used the Peavy with my new/old Kay. Drummer says, "what is that thing, it sounds unbelieveable". The next night, I brought a 1953 telecaster and a 1960s vox ac30. Drummer says, "that sounds great, I miss the Kay and the Peavy." My favorite secret weapons for recording interesting, cool guitar sounds are cheapo Kay, Supro, Teisco, Harmony, Dano, etc. guitars and little amps.

[TheRigaletto]

yea thats why I was wanting a kay, just to get that very random haunting acoustic sound

[Tapeworm]

An in-law relative of mine gave me an "Old Kraftsman" guitar which I believe was made by Kay. He said it was sitting around for years in the corner of a room collecting dust. I think it's from the late fifties. 1 pickup. It sounds great.

[gtichy]

Kay made lots of nice guitars - the Jimmy Reed Model....

any the various barney kessels are my favorites...

I have some kay Barney K...pickups. they're called kleenex pickups because of the way they look. Yet another guitar project that never happened - I wonder what I'll do with them.