How to Identify Kay Guitar Archtop Models
The Kay Musical Instrument Company began manufacturing guitars in the 1930's. In addition to selling guitars under the "Kay" brand, the company also built instruments for Sears, Montgomery Ward, JC Penney and other department stores. While these were meant to serve as budget-priced entry-level instruments, interest in Airline, Sherwood, Penncrest and other Kay models has revived due to the influence of White Stripes and Racounteurs guitarist and songwriter Jack White, who has recorded many albums using his vintage Kay. Kay's line of archtop guitars is one of the most interesting to instrument collectors.
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Instructions
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Check the bridge of the guitar. Kay archtop guitars feature metal non-locking tremolo bridges.
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Make sure the guitar has only one volume and one tone knob, since Kay archtops have only one of each.
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Look at the pickguard. It should be white if the guitar is a Kay archtop.
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Count the number of frets on the guitar's neck. Kay archtops have 16 frets.
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Look at the head of the guitar. The legend should read "Kay."
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Tips & Warnings
Track down an image of a Kay archtop online while you are identifying your instrument. This will help to ensure that you know exactly what you are looking for.
References
Resources
- Mongel Guitars: The Story of Kay Guitars
- Uber Pro Audio: Jack White's Guitar Gear Rig and Equipment
- "Official Vintage Guitar Price Guide"; Alan Greenwood, et al.; 2006
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Comments
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Kay archtops have 19 frets...and don't always say Kay on the headstock, they also say Truetone, Airline and many others...Kay archtop guitars feature 2 knobs and metal non-locking tremolo bridges...Really? They don't. The guy who wrote this article is a moron, doesn't actually know anything and is just screwing with you.
