Kays and the like..

[Charles Arms]

Originally Posted by Ron Lacey

. . . As long as the rest of the snake is not included I'm OK with it.

Having grown up in East Tennessee and had a few encounters with the Eastern Timber variety, I would have to whole-heartedly agree.

Cool bass though, I am eager to see it after having gotten the KS red carpet makeover.

[Bob Branstetter]

Back in the 1970's I owned and operated a full service violin shop. I had several old timer country fiddlers who were regular customers. I asked them about it and they said it changed the sound of the fiddle. I couldn't hear anything different when I was listening a few feet away, but up close, I could hear a funny sympathetic vibration coming from the fiddle. I can't imagine that you could possibly hear anything like that in bass though.

[Matthew Tucker]

My brother plays Kora and Mbira. Both these instruments have intentional rattly metal things attached that buzz when you play them.

[Ken Smith]

I just brought the Kay home today. The Neck repairs came out great as did the new Bridge. I will have pics done next week and update the web page.

We kept the original Fingerboard which limited the set-up job somewhat as compared to my Pedigree Orchestral Basses. Still, It sounds as good or better than most Kays I have played and plays much easier than most. I have a set of slightly used Permanents on the Bass now and they have a nice smooth tone. The soundpost was also replaced but we kept everything else original for those 'Kay buffs'.

With the G-string about 4mm at the end of the FB and the E-string about 8mm, the Bridge is 6 3/8" tall in the center. That in itself is a huge improvement over any un-modified Kay. This was the main reason I have the Neck Stand restored.

The Bass sounds smooth and deep with the Bow and nice and Punchy with Pizz.

[Ron Lacey]

But, does it still have the rattle?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Ron Lacey

But, does it still have the rattle?

I have the Rattle in a bag, in tact. It goes with the Bass but took it out. Not everyone like to play with Snakes..

[MattDenney]

Wow, I really really like this bass!! Not so sure about the rattle, but hey..
$2500 Ken? What is that shipped to the UK in £? It is very unlikely I would be able to get this for the fact that shipping will probably be unbelievably pricey, and there is no way I could possibly get over to the US.. hmm. Interesting anyway! I must look out for one in the UK!