KAY SPEED DEMON GUITAR

[GoodKnight]

First post here as my true interest is in vintage drums.
However, I'm trying to get some info on a vintage guitar I saw recently at a local sale. I'm considering purchasing it as a Christmas gift for a good friend of mine.

The guitar's being advertised as a "Vintage Kay Speed Demon" from the 50s or 60s. It "appears to be" in excellent condition, at least cosmetically. The gentleman selling it claims that it's also functionally extremely sound.

I've got two questions, if I may:

1. Is there a definitive way that I can tell "visually" whether this item is indeed the make and model as advertised?;

2. What would be considered a "fair market price" for this guitar?

3. Are there any "critical questions" I should get answered prior to a possible purchase?

THANKS IN ADVANCE for your time and your help!

[VintAxe]

Hi GoodKnight,

As for you first question, you just need to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of this model. There should be plenty of pictures on the web of Kay Speed Demons. I think there are probably also a few pictures posted on this forum, just do a forum search.

As for price, I would say something between $400-$500 for a Speed Demon in excellent condition with case.

Here's one on eBay with a replacement neck for $425 which I think is a bit high given the neck is not original. The replacement pickguard is less of a big deal since the old pickguard plastic tends to deteriorate over time and the original guards fall off. Make sure the guitar you are looking at has the original Kluson tuners.



These old Speed Demons are nice and midrangy besides being a load of fun to play.

[cheepaxes]

If have access to someone who knows what to look for when guitar shoppong, it would be best to bring him/her along. The list of things to check would be the same for this guitar as any other electric. It would include (off the top of my head):

Is the neck straight? If not does it have an adjustable truss rod that could be used to make it straight?

Are the frets worn?

Do the strings buzz when hit fairly hard? Check every fret on every string all the way up the neck.

Does it have all its parts? Look for common missing parts like like missing grommets where the tuner shaft goes through the neck.

Do the electronics seem to work? Can you get a signal from both pickups? Are the volume and/ or tone controls scratchy? Does the pickup switch work?

On the web there are probably better descriptions of what to look for when guitar shopping.

Good luck,

-Scott

[Spud1950]

There were a few different variations of it over the years. Here's some examples on the Google image search.



Value will depend on condition, the number of the pickups,1,2,or 3 and which variation of Speed Demon it is. Earlier models with Speed Bump type pickups are more desirable and command higher prices then the later models with the rectangular ones with the pole pieces.

Speed Bump pickups.



Later style pickups



Best thing to do is to have a look at it, compare it to the pictures and let us know which style it is, the true condition, and what the seller is asking for it. That would be better info to go on as far as determining if the asking price is fair or not.

Edit- Here's a nice one on Craig's List. The price is a bit high. $450-$475 would seem more realistic to me.

[GoodKnight]

THANKS for the quick responses and the information provided. I truly appreciate it. I'll be having a closer look at the guitar this Sunday.

I do know that the current owner originally was offering it for $500 but has now lowered his asking price to $350 FIRM.

He claims that it's been stored away in its case for the last 30 years or so.

Thanks to you I've got a pretty good idea of what I should be looking for as well as what questions to ask.

THANKS AGAIN for your help!