1965 Kingston Matador guitar

[ejs]

Greetings everyone!

I've had this guitar for about 10 years now, and have never played it since it needs a new nut and is missing its bridge. I have plugged a cord into the jack, and tapped on the pickups and both pass that signal when the switch is selected for them, and the pots function as well.

I've never actually seen another Kingston Matador model in all these years, and thought I would share here, and in hopes of finally seeing another, and/or finding out more information in general about it.





I've taken a dozen photos of this guitar, and uploaded them to my Flickr account here:



2 of the pots are clearly stamped 304-6518, making them Stackpole, made in the 18th week of 1965, while the other 2 show oxidation, but are obviously originals.

The jack is a Switchcraft.

Both pickups are stamped, on the underside, 051265.

Everything is original, except the top volume knob.

Also, at some point, the original owner added a metal pickguard above the pickups and bridge, for some reason, which I removed, but it left some marks that can still be seen.

If anyone has any info, photos, or possibly a correct bridge, please post.

Thanks!

[VintAxe]

Hi ejs.

Your guitar was built by Kay in 1966-67. The Airline version of your instrument was sold through Montgomery Wards department stores and was marketed as the "Big Horn". Here is a link to a picture of the Airline version.



The bridge is made of wood and sits on two brass posts that screw into the ferrules you have on you guitar. I had several of these Kays missing the bridge and had my luthier make up 3-4 of them as replacements. Unfortunately, I've used them all up.

[ejs]

Thanks for such a quick response and the link to the photo of the Airline.

I actually have the 2 posts for the bridge still in the guitar, if that wasn't clear.



I've always wondered what kind of bridge went on top of those.

Can you post a few closeups of your guitars with these bridges?
Possibly the dimensions?

Also, how much did your luthier charge to make a bridge?
What kind of wood did he make it from?

[Spud1950]

Darn it,VintAxe beat me to it as I was typing! It is a Kay made guitar. I'm also pretty sure some former owner added that Kingston badge to the headstock. The Kingston importing/distributing company sold rebranded Japanese and Korean made guitars, not Kays.

[VintAxe]

Hey ejs.

Good thing that you have the posts, I couldn't see them in the picture. I have a cousin of your Kay posted on my For Sale page. You can get a good look at one of the bridges my luthier made there.



I really don't remember what he charged but I think it was around $20 each. He had some Brazilian rosewood from an old marimba his dad bought in the 60's so the bridges were made of high quality wood. If you want, I can ask him to make some more; that way he can work from an original rather than your guy trying to cut based on dimensions. My guy is not always fast but he is good. I have a couple of guitars I need to give him and he has three of my guitars he needs to finish so it is probably time for me to give him a call.

PS. I didn't look at all your pictures originally. Spud is right, someone has just added both the Kingston and Matador badges. I suspect it was the same fella that added the pickguard.

[ejs]

Thanks for the photo of the bridge you had made.
I'll ask my luthier next week about making one, and see what he says, since I need to go to his shop anyway, and decide what I'll do then.

Having the wrong badges on this now explains why I was never able to locate another one, so thanks for that as well. I actually found a Matador acoustic on ebay this morning with this same style logo/badge, which was a first to see that too.

I'm not positive, but I think a previous owner may have painted this body at some point, because there's a bit of over spray on the fretboard, near the body, and the neck and headstock were painted too. The back of the body shows more orange/brown in color, while everywhere else is black and red.

Like I said, I've had it about 10 years and haven't ever played it, so I'd like to at least get it playable, within reasonable expense, and then decide what I'll do with it.

[VintAxe]

If you plan to have the bridge made here is some information that may help.

The bridge is 1/2 inch total height and 3/8 inch high at the shoulder.
The width is 7/16 of an inch.
The length is 4 3/4 inches.

You should probably take the post spacing from your guitar to make sure the bridge fits correctly.

Here are some pictures that might help you explain to you luthier what you want:

[ejs]

great. thanks so much.