gitfiddler61 - Posted - 09/08/2015:  02:59:50

Looking for any info on this mandolin. I believe it's a Kay, possibly from the 30's.

It has brass Kluson tuners, stamped KLUSON MFG CHICAGO, ILL.

It needs the neck reset. missing the pickguard, but it does have the ferrules. single slot screws, disconnected F holes.

 

beegee - Posted - 09/22/2015:  18:38:52

Definitely a Kay. just re-set the neck and cleaned up a 1939 Venetian for a friend. It sounds amazing good and is fun to play. I changed the bridge to a Gibson compensated style. They used this headstock on their instruments up through the 40's until about 1950-51. this is an K-64 model Plywood top,back, sides.

Edited by - beegee on 09/22/2015 18:44:23

gitfiddler61 - Posted - 09/27/2015:  04:58:35

Thanks for the reply.

I was told by a reputable guitar store owner that this is a 1940's Kay. I have a luthier that said to reset the neck would cost $300 - $400 and that the mandolin isn't worth that much. He said he could shave the bridge to lower the action and make some other adjustments to correct the intonation. I removed the thumb wheels which helped. It lowered the action about 1/16". Thanks again.

Dan Gellert - Posted - 11/18/2015:  17:13:35

quote:

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Originally posted by beegee

 

Definitely a Kay. just re-set the neck and cleaned up a 1939 Venetian for a friend. It sounds amazing good and is fun to play. I changed the bridge to a Gibson compensated style. They used this headstock on their instruments up through the 40's until about 1950-51. this is an K-64 model Plywood top,back, sides.

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I was just given an oval-hole Del Oro-- very much the same thing as the Venetian, if I'm not mistaken...   It's in lovely shape, except for badly needing a neck reset. 

Any tips you might have regarding how to go about getting that neck joint loose would be most welcome!

This mandolin isn't mine, but it's the same model:

mandolincafe.com/forum/showthr...o-end-pin

thanks

mikehalloran - Posted - 01/09/2016:  22:56:06

This headstock was available on some Kay made mandolins through the end of the company in 1968. Stromberg-Voisonette used it before the company became Kay in 1930.