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Post subject: My new $12 project.
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 3:45 am
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Well, I'm on the wifi at work for starters, just sitting in the parking lot and connected, so I can't upload photos just yet. Image sharers are blocked here.

Anyways, I was at the thrift store last night getting clothes for my great grandma's funeral, when on the back wall I spot a battered SG copy... it's a Kent, a very early one. Matchstick neck, featherweight body, full, but lo-fi pickups (all electronics working, tested last night) and a lovely paper thin red lacquer on the body.

The tailpiece is mostly gone, the bridge is all there, the original pickguard has no cracking or fading, the body and headstock both have several chunks missing as well. The frets I'm guessing were replaced at one point, they're too clean for the age and condition of the guitar, plus the sides of the fretboard are very clean with minimal overhang. The fretboard and original inlays are in wonderful shape for the age.

All I need for it is a new set of tuners, a new tailpiece, a new nut, new strap holders, and a few small screws for the pg and a switch. It's a sweet little axe. I'll get some pictures up as soon as possible, like I said, I'm on work wifi.

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Post subject: Re: My new $12 project.
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 6:11 am
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After a bit of research, this is actually a 1961-1964 Kay K-2. It lacks a few aesthetic touches that later 60s and 70s models had. It also has the plastic bushings that were used in the early 60s models. I thought it was a Kent because I mixed my logos up. What a pleasant surprise, because I've always wanted a Kay, and for $12 too.

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Post subject: Re: My new $12 project.
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 7:58 am
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Nice find, Jim.
Keep us apprised of your progress.

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Post subject: Re: My new $12 project.
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 8:43 am
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I don't have a lot to sink into this, so I think I'm going to cannibalize this old Madeira acoustic I have for a few things, mainly the nut. It's a 3/side and about the same width. It may be a drop in replacement.

As for the tailpiece, it still holds strings, but there's no trem arm. It's a bigsby style vibrato.

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Post subject: Re: My new $12 project.
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 9:48 am
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Nevermind the cannibalism, I'm going to cut my own nut from some scrap metal I have at the shop. I've cut a blank already, now it's time for height adjustment, fitting, and cutting to size.

There's some purposeful side damage to the body, someone cut a slot in the lacquer to write their name 50 something years ago. I'm gonna file the sides smooth, then seal them with matrix bead sealer.

It's a guitar that's going to be gritty, functional, and ugly. I may as well carve F. U. C. K. into the side of it.

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Post subject: Re: My new $12 project.
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 9:55 am
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I also have access to some old springs and a few types of scrap brackets. I'm thinking I might use what's left of the trem and make a custom vibrato from car parts.

I have a few ideas going. I think I may even drill complete through the body and hook the springs in place with nuts and bolts. I don't want to spend money on this, I want to spend creativity.

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Post subject: Re: My new $12 project.
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 12:45 pm
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Post subject: Re: My new $12 project.
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 3:48 pm
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Buxom wrote:
Nevermind the cannibalism, I'm going to cut my own nut

Damn, you aussies are tough on yerself!

Anyhow, I like the SG shape; it gives easy reach also for those of us who thumb fret, and generally doesn't weigh a tonne. Good luck making that Kay play, mate!


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Post subject: Re: My new $12 project.
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 4:54 pm
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I ain't no aussie!

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Post subject: Re: My new $12 project.
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 5:59 pm
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Cool find James !

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Post subject: Re: My new $12 project.
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 6:14 pm
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Cool deal. 8) I love stuff like this. That will be interesting to see how this turns out.

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Post subject: Re: My new $12 project.
Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2016 1:18 pm
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Buxom wrote:
I ain't no aussie!

Oops, you're from down south, but not THAT far down south - my fault!
Chalk it up to old age :p


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Post subject: Re: My new $12 project.
Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2016 4:47 pm
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Jim Bob Bean
That guitar is so you son.

Hope you're damn well kiddo

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Post subject: Re: My new $12 project.
Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2016 4:48 pm
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PS the first electric I ever played was a Kay SG. A might beast that only real men could tame. I had no chance at 13 and only knowing an open D

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Post subject: Re: My new $12 project.
Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2016 12:54 am
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Good find, and looks to be a great project, James. Have fun with that.

FSB

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