Kay Deluxe Model K-160 Model Arch Top Hollow Body Electric Guitar, c. 1951, made in Chicago, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple back, mahogany sides, spruce top, laminated mahogany neck, black tolex chipboard case.
A very cool and distinctive early-1950's Kay, their fanciest Spanish electric guitar in 1951�the top of the two-guitar line! (You were offered a "Deluxe" or "Standard" version of essentially the same guitar). This is a non-cutaway 17" sunburst body with a triple-bound spruce top and a single large offset flat-coil pickup mounted near the neck. Grover tailpiece and huge (and very thick!) tortoise celluloid pickguard; interesting carved asymmetrical bridge base.
Bound rosewood fingerboard has slashed-block-and oval plastic inlay, headstock is beautiful tortoise celluloid engraved and painted with Kay script logo, "K" heraldic shield and lightning bolt.
HUGE chunky neck with center lamination. Early Kluson deluxe tuners with pearlescent buttons, Grover tailpiece, and large brown Bakelite radio-style knobs. An interesting and early Kay Deluxe Model electric with tons of character and a distinctive 'snarly' sound.
Overall length is 43 in. (109.2 cm.), 17 1/16 in. (43.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 5/8 in. (9.2 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 25 7/8 in. (657 mm.).
Well-preserved overall with some playwear; 100% original parts and finish. One higher fret has been replaced.
