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KAY JUMBO acoustic guitar - 1960s vintage USA - K8160 - BIG 17" - very nice!
$ 208.56
- Description
- Size Guide
Description
Vintage Kay model K8160 jumbo acoustic guitar, a classic 1960s American made Kay.The guitar is in great condition with typical minor wear due to age.
The guitar is fully playable. This is NOT a wall-hanger or a project, it is ready to rock! If you're familiar with old Kays, it will play as it should and sound exactly as you would imagine: warm, woody and bluesy.
And loud, very loud.
This jumbo is BIG! A full 17" wide at the lower bout. A killer that's perfect for banging out Louie Louie chords all night at full volume.
T
he metal headstock logo is missing. It was once electrified with a soundhole pickup and still has a disconnected jack installed on the side. It also has a top strap button added and signs of an old neck heel repair that was carefully and neatly done. Other than these minor flaws, it is nice and clean.
If you're not familiar with vintage Kays, please don't expect super low action, perfect intonation and modern feel. That's just how they are and how they always were, even when new. These are not instruments for delicate fingerpicking or playing high up the neck, they are meant to be played hard and accepted as "close enough for rock 'n' roll". They are perfect for blues, folk and rockabilly.
You WANT heavier strings at medium action on these things, in order to dig into those open chords and drive that heavy booming rhythm.
They also do NOT have an adjustable truss rod like modern guitars. The neck is quite straight on this one, but they are never perfect and require a bit more patience. If that's not good enough, then maybe you'll be happier with something more modern. But if you accept these old Chicago budget catalog guitars for what they are, you're going to love it!
I have it strung from the top at the tailpiece in order to increase the string break angle over the bridge for better tone. Of course, like any old guitar, I'm sure it can benefit from new strings and a setup to dial it in perfectly. I have gone over it when I first got it, cleaned it, oiled the machine heads and adjusted everything, but it has been a while. I'll leave the detailing and and all the other fun stuff to the new owner.
Dimensions:
42" tall
17" wide at lower bout
4" body depth
1 11/16" approximate nut width
The last pic shows the jumbo together with a parlor and auditorium sized Kays. This is just for size reference, the other two guitars have already been sold.
Sold AS IS, no returns. Any questions - just ask!
No case. Will be very carefully packed.
I always pack guitars as if I was shipping them to myself. And you get FREE SHIPPING anywhere in USA!
No international shipping on this one, sorry. It is just too big for most international package size limits.
See my other listings for more vintage guitars and other fun stuff!