(2)1950-60s (kay) Old Kraftsman solid body electrics

[jjboogy]

Just recently picked these two guitars up. Trying to gather more info about these guitars. From what I have found one is a "speed demon" and the other is a k-136? spring green & white mist.





If anyone can tell me more info on these guitars, age, models, value ect.. that would be greatly appricated!

[Spud1950]

I checked the Kay catalogs in the VintAxe collection. You are correct. The one pickup is a model K136 and two pickup is a K142 and the description does does refer to it as a Speed Demon. As far dating them, the collection has the 52,53 and 54 catalogs. They aren't in any of those. There's no 55 catalog, so the first catalog they appear in is the 56. The catalogs then jump to the 59 and they do not appear. I also checked the 1960 to make sure and they aren't in that one either. So, it would be pretty safe to say that these models are mid to late 50's. There's no way to date them to a specific year as Kay didn't have any sort of sequential serial number system. As far as value, you would have describe the condtion in more detail then can be seen from the pictures. Cosmetically they look to be in good but not all that great condition. Do all the electronics work? Do the tuners work well? You need to put fresh strings on them and see how good they are as far as playability. Warped necks? Fret buzz? They definately need a good cleaning!

[Mgeek]

Cool find! I love the fact they are all dusty and interesting looking

I'm guessing they were cheap?

[jjboogy]

Yeah I picked them up fairly cheap, I am just finishing cleaning them up and will post new pictures of them all cleaned up! They both plug in a play!! No electronic issues, necks are straiter than ever! They dont make them like th used to! Thats forsure, these things are solid! Should have some new picture in the next couple of days, just waiting on my strings.