Kay Kay Kraft Venetian Style B Model Arch Top Acoustic Guitar, c. 1930, made in Chicago, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body, spruce top; mahogany neck with ebonized fingerboard, original black chipboard case.
An exceptionally fine example of the early Kay line of asymmetrical bodied round hole archtops, built just as the country was sliding inth the Great Depression. This very attractive maple-bodied guitar was in the middle model of the 3-guitar line, with an original price $35.00. The Style "B" is somewhat fancier than the common style A, and much rarer as well. The guitar sports a triple bound Cremona sunburst top, back and sides with the black celluloid layer outermost. The shaded figured maple back and sides are particularly attractive on this guitar.
The bolt on adjustable neck is secured internally with a huge wing nut on neck block, which actually works quite well for setting the action although it was a short-lived feature. Very rare original Grover 2-tab banjo tuners with celluloid buttons are another unusual early feature of this instrument. The multi bound rosewood fingerboard has slotted diamond inlays, while the headstock is faced with white pearloid and trimmed with a gold-painted engraved "Kay Kraft" logo and edge decoration. Original trapeze tailpiece and solid one-piece bridge. A very well-made and attractive instrument, this early Style B shows more care and attention to detail than later '30's examples, and is as fine an example of this model as one is likely to find.
Overall length is 38 7/8 in. (98.7 cm.), 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 9/16 in. (9 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 1/2 in. (648 mm.). Width of nut is 1 7/8 in. (48 mm.). A beautifully original guitar; no repairs or modifications, very little wear overall. The only noticeable defect is the fingerboard binding is somewhat shrunken giving the edge of the board a slightly scalloped feel. Straight neck, no fretwear-Simply the best preserved example of a Kay Kraft we have ever had, with an extremely fine original SSC. Overall Excellent + Condition.
