Guitar - General/Kay Jazz II Guitar

Advertisement

Expert: Jim Garber - 6/16/2009


Question
Hi:

I just purchased a Kay Jazz II, on Ebay (hasn't arrived yet). Unfortunately, it doesn't have the Kelvinator headstock; instead, it has the name "Clark"on the trussrod cover. Do you know anything about "Clark"?

link to auction page:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=1703...

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Bill Eagan

Answer
Hi Bill:
I don't know how much help I can be to you. Kay was a huge company and made many of its guitars available for sore labels. I would think that this might have been one of those. it looks pretty close to other Jazz IIs I have seen with the exception of the headstock and the different fretboard inlays.

Here are a couple of Jazz IIs for comparison:
http://www.folkwaymusic.com/images/instruments/electrics/jazz2_.jpg

http://www.ggjaguar.com/jazz2.jpg

You did well I would think -- and that one does look in good shape.

Jim

Guitar - General

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Jim Garber

Expertise

I can answer most questions on fretted instruments, my main area of expertise is in vintage mandolins, guitars and ukuleles. I also know some things about old banjos as well.

I can also answer some questions about mandolin technique and since there is no separate mandolin category, I figure they might be asked under guitar.

I have decided to no longer evaluate instruments -- it is very difficult without the instrument in hand. For guitars and some other American fretted instruments, I recommend the Vintage Guitar Price guide. Also, be aware that most insurance companies want written appraisals so my valuation would not work anyway.

It also truly helps if you can includes a clear photo of your instrument. I think the site will only allow for one photo, but you can email me additional ones to jimg@paperclipdesign.com. I will try to evaluate but there are times that it is impossible without the instrument in hand

NOTE: I have decided that I will mostly answer questions about vintage instruments, generally before 1940. You can send me questions about contemporary guitars, but most likely I will send them to the question pool if I feel that I cannot answer them without extensive research.

Experience

I have been buying, selling, collecting and playing old and antique instruments for over 30 years. My recent specialty has been in European mandolins and classical and Italian mandolin music.Organizations
Classical Mandolin Society of America, active participant on the Mandolin Cafe; Current active expert in the Antique instrument category at Allexperts.com

Organizations
Classical Mandolin Society of America, active participant on the Mandolin Cafe; Current active expert in the Antique instrument category at Allexperts.com

Publications
Guild of American Luthiers, Sing Out Magazine

Education/Credentials
BA, Brandeis University

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.