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NDBD 1948 Kay M1


spencer.b
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I've been after an american ply bass for a while now as I've been getting more and more into bluegrass and blues, i've been thinking about importing an an american standard or kay but have been a bit daunted by the shipping/duty etc so when this came up on ebay I thought f*** it i'll have it, It's got cordes lamberts an underwood, a well fitted adjustable bridge and massive stupid hardcase. The bass is very battered , the edges are pretty bad and have had a few dodgy filler repairs but theres no soundpost cracks or anything to scary, it looks like the neck hasn't been broken although that seems unlikely and it does look like its been reset so maybe it has but it seems structually sound with no rattles or buzzes, so not a bargain and it's in worse nick than the pictures suggested but tbh it's worn look for me goes with a bass that is synonymous with the sound of rural america ( and urban too really, chicago blues and all)

Anyway the sound, I wasn't sure if the sound I love on the old records was down to only strings, recording techniques etc but hallelujah it's got the sound, it's not detailed complex or refined but it's got that big warm woody thump
I used on a jazz trio gig playing acoustic and it was fine , not as detailed or resonant as my lott bryant but it had a propulsive thump when walking, then on tue I played on a blues/new orleans gig and it was perfect even through the underwood and house ashdown, a set up I'd normally turn my nose up at. Can't wait to get some proper guts on it and experiment with mics, pickups and that whole never ending nightmare

here's a recording of my friend playing a 30s kay C, what a sound and what a player
[url="http://impossiblearkrecords.bandcamp.com/album/once-in-a-while"]http://impossibleark...once-in-a-while[/url]

now if only i could slap mine like cousin jake
[url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfeeLgHvROA"]https://www.youtube....h?v=qfeeLgHvROA[/url]

anyone else on basschat got a kay[attachment=178323:20141211_133329.jpg]

Edited by spencer.b
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I was watching this on E-Bay and might have gone for it had it been a summer sale (why am I always skint around this time of year?) I'm glad its gone to someone who's gonna appreciate it and It did look like it had mojo in abundance. The Chord Lamberts and Underwood would be the perfect combination for this type of bass, lots of the US Rockabilly/Bluegrass players use this combination. Good luck, she's a beauty!

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