Kay K-95 Hollow Body Electric Mandolin (1958)
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Kay K-95 Model Hollow Body Electric Mandolin (1958), made in Chicago, serial # L9117-418, brown sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body, laminated spruce top, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, black hard shell case.
It's not too often we rate a mandolin as "blues approved" but this one definitely qualifies! This electric Kay K-95 was made around 1958 (the pots are dated to the 44th week of '57) and carries the same basic pickup as the Jimmy Reed favored Kay Thin Twin. This chrome blade pickup is typical for Kay in the early to mid 50's, with the magnets and coil tone tucked away inside the body. The jack is in the conventional spot, but the and volume controls are mounted on the top rim of the body. The neck and body are typical kay, with single binding all around and a metal headstock logo. This is a cool and surprisingly good playing electric mandolin, not state of the art (even in 1958!) but with a cool and funky vibe.
Overall length is 27 7/8 in. (70.8 cm.), 10 1/2 in. (26.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm.) in depth at side. Scale length is 13 7/8 in. (352 mm.).
Overall this is a nice example of this fairly obscure 8-string creation showing some general light wear. The finish has minor dings and dents overall but no major wear, with one small binding repair on the bass side fingerboard extension. The neck is nice and straight, the original frets are in good shape. The original adjustable bridge has been cut down somewhat, and the instrument plays very well (for a Kay, at least). It retains all the original hardware, just the plastic buttons on the original Kluson Deluxe tuners have been replaced. This is a good solid budget electric mandolin with a cool and funky sound. Excellent - Condition.
It's not too often we rate a mandolin as "blues approved" but this one definitely qualifies! This electric Kay K-95 was made around 1958 (the pots are dated to the 44th week of '57) and carries the same basic pickup as the Jimmy Reed favored Kay Thin Twin. This chrome blade pickup is typical for Kay in the early to mid 50's, with the magnets and coil tone tucked away inside the body. The jack is in the conventional spot, but the and volume controls are mounted on the top rim of the body. The neck and body are typical kay, with single binding all around and a metal headstock logo. This is a cool and surprisingly good playing electric mandolin, not state of the art (even in 1958!) but with a cool and funky vibe.
Overall length is 27 7/8 in. (70.8 cm.), 10 1/2 in. (26.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm.) in depth at side. Scale length is 13 7/8 in. (352 mm.).
Overall this is a nice example of this fairly obscure 8-string creation showing some general light wear. The finish has minor dings and dents overall but no major wear, with one small binding repair on the bass side fingerboard extension. The neck is nice and straight, the original frets are in good shape. The original adjustable bridge has been cut down somewhat, and the instrument plays very well (for a Kay, at least). It retains all the original hardware, just the plastic buttons on the original Kluson Deluxe tuners have been replaced. This is a good solid budget electric mandolin with a cool and funky sound. Excellent - Condition.