Decisions

[Shawn Charniga]

Melissa,

Not to clash with our host, but should you decide to abandon the baby Kay I have a lead for you if you're willing to buy blind through the mail.

A luthier I know in Massachusetts named Mark Leue told me recently he lucked into a few unusual, small Shen basses he was selling for $1100. This batch was mistakenly made with a small 5/8 body and a 42" 3/4 neck. That could be the best of both worlds -- enough string length to get a good sound mated to a manageable body.

These basses have solid wood tops and sides so they would require more care than a battle-axe Kay. Just a thought.

SC

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Shawn Charniga

Melissa,

Not to clash with our host, but should you decide to abandon the baby Kay I have a lead for you if you're willing to buy blind through the mail.

A luthier I know in Massachusetts named Mark Leue told me recently he lucked into a few unusual, small Shen basses he was selling for $1100. This batch was mistakenly made with a small 5/8 body and a 42" 3/4 neck. That could be the best of both worlds -- enough string length to get a good sound mated to a manageable body.

These basses have solid wood tops and sides so they would require more care than a battle-axe Kay. Just a thought.

SC

Personally, I think a 42" string length would be a challenge for her to play. Playing in the lower positions, a 42" bass takes some stretch to play in tune. I have played some basses of mine that are 41 1/4 and down to 40 1/2" and those are quite a bit easier to play. On the other hand, I think for her use and height, the 1/2 size Kay would be easier and more fun to play. If this Shen was under a 41" length, I would say it's a possibility. I think a 1/2 Kay is probably between 37-39" length but I am not sure.

[Shawn Charniga]

Her H-10 is basically the same as an M-3, which has a mensure of just over 35". That model is basically a 1/4 neck on a 1/2 body (if I remember correctly) and the few that I've played do not put out much sound. I was wrong about the mensure on the Shen -- it's actually 40.5". Here's a link to the model I was talking about. This one is sold but Mark may still have one.

http://www.uptonbass.com/Shen-SB190-...s-Double-Bass/

[Melissa Washburn]

Ken,
Thank you for the input after looking at the pictures. Did you mean fix or restore? I am thinking you meant to just fix the instrument. I just measured the string length and it is 34.5". When you guys are referring to the size of the bass and what would be good for me are you just referring to the body? It is 62" from top to bottom. I think we are going to make the repairs on it. And see how she does. I would love to restore. A big piece of laminate broke off the other night moving it. We'll see. I do appreciate your help. I may have to come by your shop someday when I am on a layover or a road trip to the NE to see my family...I drive right up I-78 to get home. Thank you!

[Melissa Washburn]

Shawn,
Thank you as well for your help. At this point I won't buy an instrument sight unseen. I am one who has to touch, play and hear the instrument before I make a commitment. There are a lot of beautiful instruments out there. I have one that I will play until the right one comes along. I do love the Kay I have and want to get it playable. We'll see from there!

Thank you again!

[Melissa Washburn]

Ken I did forget to mention why I jumped in and grabbed this Kay without keeping my head about me (looking it over thoroughly). A gentleman who owns a music shop nearby has a Brother who somehow came across the Kay. Both Brothers are champion banjo & guitar players so they've been all over the south playing music. The one with a music shop has played on the Opry stage and says he remembers that bass living at the Opry years ago. How true this is I don't know. There were no papers with the instrument and I was told it lived in a closet for the last 20 years until the woman who had it at the time died. So being a lover of country and bluegrass I got excited about this instruments past home. But unfortunately to have something I could play once I got it home was not the reality I was faced with and the luthier that I brought it to here in town responded by asking me if I could get my money back. I was crushed but it was then that my sweetheart found the Corelli and we decided to see if we could fix the Kay in the meantime so that I could play it. That's my story of the Kay!

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Melissa Washburn

Ken I did forget to mention why I jumped in and grabbed this Kay without keeping my head about me (looking it over thoroughly). A gentleman who owns a music shop nearby has a Brother who somehow came across the Kay. Both Brothers are champion banjo & guitar players so they've been all over the south playing music. The one with a music shop has played on the Opry stage and says he remembers that bass living at the Opry years ago. How true this is I don't know. There were no papers with the instrument and I was told it lived in a closet for the last 20 years until the woman who had it at the time died. So being a lover of country and bluegrass I got excited about this instruments past home. But unfortunately to have something I could play once I got it home was not the reality I was faced with and the luthier that I brought it to here in town responded by asking me if I could get my money back. I was crushed but it was then that my sweetheart found the Corelli and we decided to see if we could fix the Kay in the meantime so that I could play it. That's my story of the Kay!

Well, it sounds like the Kay deserves to be played again in healthy condition. The costs to repair today are way more than the old Kay's once sold for but that's the same story with all old instruments. If you like how it feels as far as size, string length and body fit and the sound from what you can tell is what you like, then get an estimate of two from the guys that specialize in Kay basses and play it.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Melissa Washburn

Ken,
Thank you for the input after looking at the pictures. Did you mean fix or restore? I am thinking you meant to just fix the instrument. I just measured the string length and it is 34.5". When you guys are referring to the size of the bass and what would be good for me are you just referring to the body? It is 62" from top to bottom. I think we are going to make the repairs on it. And see how she does. I would love to restore. A big piece of laminate broke off the other night moving it. We'll see. I do appreciate your help. I may have to come by your shop someday when I am on a layover or a road trip to the NE to see my family...I drive right up I-78 to get home. Thank you!

Ok, you have something like a 1/4 sized bass. Jerry Fretwell might be able to help you or the other name mentioned. Fix or restore to some mean the same. Keeping it mostly originally is to restore. That includes fixing it as well. For a plywood bass, you have a fraction of the work and expense of a carved bass. Restoring old basses, non-plywood can cost as much as a car. I have been there so I know. Contact Jerry. This bass you have is a similar scale in playing to a bass guitar. Enjoy it.