Do they still make Kay guitars?
Kay guitars are not currently in production. However, Kay also produced cellos and basses. Engelhardt-Link purchased the acoustic line of instruments from Kay. These are still being produced in Elk Grove Village, IL.
When did Kay guitars go out of business?
Kay Musical Instrument Company
| Type | Private (1890–1969) Brand (1969–present) |
|---|---|
| Defunct | 1968 |
| Fate | Company defunct in 1968; Brand acquired by W.M.I. in 1969 |
| Successor | Weiss Musical Instruments (1969-1980), The Kay Guitar Company (1980-present) |
| Key people | Sidney M. Katz Tony Blair |
Who made true tone guitars?
Kay
Truetone was a registered trademark for musical instruments owned by Western Auto Supply Company in Kansas City, Missouri since 1960s (or 1947?) until 1989. Kay Musical Instrument Company is known to have supplied its guitars to Western Auto.
When did Kay stop making basses?
Twice as many cellos were sold as basses. With production under the Kay name lasting until October of 1969, Kay likely produced less than 20,000 basses.
How do you date a Silvertone acoustic guitar?
Carefully separate the neck from the body of the guitar. Look for the serial number in the neck pocket. Read the serial number. The first two digits indicate what week of the year the guitar was made, and the last two digits indicate the year the instrument was made.
Who bought Gibson?
Gibson was owned by Norlin Corporation from 1969 to 1986. In 1986, the company was acquired by a group led by Henry Juszkiewicz and David H. Berryman. In November 2018, the company was acquired by a group of investors led by private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts.
Do old guitars sound better?
Older guitars often sound better than newer ones as they dry out over time which causes them to become harder leading to a more resonant tone with better sustain. The increase in age affects the tone more in acoustic guitars than electric ones.
Is my guitar classical or acoustic?
Although comparing body shape isn’t always the easiest way to tell apart the two, there is one key difference in construction that’s easy to spot: acoustic guitars usually have a scratch plate (the piece of plastic next to the sound hole that protects the body of the guitar while you play), and classical guitars do not …
What kind of instruments does Kay instruments make?
The company initially manufactured only traditional folk instruments such as mandolins, tenor guitars and banjos, but eventually grew to make a wide variety of stringed instruments, including violins, cellos, double basses and a variety of different types of guitars, including electric, classical, lap steel and semi-acoustic models.
Who are some famous people who play Kay guitars?
Kay Vintage Reissue guitars are masterpieces of art as well as fine musical instruments with a unique sound and feel you will not find with any other guitar. Kay Guitars have been played by some of the world’s most recognizable musicians. Taylor Swift, Paul McCartney, Elvis Presley, Eric Clapton, Dwayne Eddy, Barney Kessel….. the list goes on.
When did the Kay Musical Instrument Company dissolve?
In 1967, Kay was resold and merged with Valco, but dissolved in 1968 due to financial problems. The assets of Kay/Valco were auctioned off in 1969. The upright bass and cello lines were sold to Engelhardt-Link, a new company formed by a previous Valco member, which has continued production (see #Kay basses for details).
Who is the owner of the Kay Guitar Company?
In 1980, A.R. Enterprises (Tony Blair) purchased the Kay trademark. In 2008-2009, The “Kay Guitar Company” of California reissued 12 models of vintage Kay guitars and basses manufactured by Fritz Brothers Guitars. As of 2013, production and sales of these guitars have continued.