Documenting history as well as my experiences with repairing and restoring vintage guitars.

Home Top Ad

Image of a 1938 Chicago Musical Instrument Catalog showing primitive pickups  offered by Kay removed after threat of legal action by VintAxe...

1930s Kay Pickups

Image of a 1938 Chicago Musical Instrument Catalog showing primitive pickups 
offered by Kay removed after threat of legal action by VintAxe.com who 
claim they own the copyright to this Chicago Musical Instrument Catalog
This unit transforms any regular non-electric guitar, tenor guitar, mandolin, violin, cello, or bass into an electrical instrument, which may be played through the Kay amplifier. The unit consists of a pick-up, volume control, cord and plug. Easily fitted to instrument; does not damage instrument in any way.
TYPE H Converts any flat top instrument by placing point of unit against the bridge and fastening unit to instrument top by two small screws. Suitable for flat top guitars or mandolin, or for violins, cellos and basses. Price. complete with cord and plug $22.50
TYPE S Converts any adjustable bridge tenor guitar or mandolin by replacing the regular bridge with the unit, eliminating original bridge. One bridge top piece reversible for Spanish or Hawaiian guitar and one optional top piece for mandolin are supplied with unit. Price. complete with cord and plug  $22.50

About

These units were designed to mount onto a guitar and be removable and interchangeable like the later DeArmond pickups.

They don't surface much in my research but an interesting footnote in the history of Kay Musical Instruments

No comments: