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musical instrument details
1960s Kay Red Devil Vintage Hollowbody Electric Guitar Speed Demon w/ Bigsby
Estimated price for orientation: 949 $
Category: Electric Guitar
Class:
Description Dexterity: Right-Handed Model: Red Devil, Speed Demon String Configuration: 6 String MPN: Does Not Apply Brand: Kay Exact Year: 1960s Body Type: Hollow Country/Region of Manufacture: United States UPC: Does not apply
Up for sale, an early 1960's Kay Speed Demon "Red Devil" in excellent condition and in good working order. This is one of the rarest guitars in the Kay Speed Demon family, with a gorgeous transparent red nitro lacquer finish, double cutaway body, a pair of chrome topped Speed Bump pickups, and Kay's exclusive Bigsby B6 vibrato unit with gold Art Deco insert. This guitar is ready for the stage and studio, with a tone that is full and balanced, giving you plenty of sparkle on the top end and tight bass response. Everything from hollow twang to more complex jazz chords sounds great on this Kay! Professionally setup with comfortable, low action and a fresh set of nickel 11-50 strings, this Red Devil sounds as good as it looks.The neck has a chunky, no nonsense "baseball bat" C shaped profile with a Brazilian rosewood fretboard and triangular inlays that really catch the eye. Very straight and easy to play, the neck fills the palm and has a very solid feel without feeling stiff. The original frets are intact and have their full, original height, with well rounded crowns and virtually no wear. The nut measures 1 5/8" in width, and the scale length is 25 1/2". The headstock sports a clean "K" logo silkscreen, with Kay's distinct headstock shape and a set of stock Kluson deluxe single line tuning machines which still hold pitch well and turn smoothly with stock white plastic buttons.On the body, all of the electronics work as they should, with individual Volume and Tone controls for each pickup. The speed bump pickups have a full, jangly tone that has a nice focus and attack, thanks in no small part to the maple top and hollowbody construction. The floating rosewood bridge is original and pairs well with the vibrato tailpiece that works very smoothly with its original spring. For surfy warbles and moderately deep dives, this vibrato unit works well and returns to the original pitch with ease. The Kay pickguard is intact as well, with the company's iconic music stand logo, and this guard is in remarkable shape. As a testament to the incredible condition of this guitar, these pickguard graphics are typically completely worn away, and it's rare to see a guard this minty.
The finish is 100% original, with a deep, unfaded shade of red that really brings out the grain of the curly maple beneath it. The maple used on this Devil is also the most highly figured we've ever seen on this model, and the curly flames are highlighted by a finish that is particularly glossy and well preserved. Naturally, there are a few light finish scratches and nicks on the back of the body, but overall it'd be hard to find a cleaner Kay!A modern hardshell case is included.Please check out our shop "Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar" on the web, and feel free to call us directly with any questions at 206.399.8518.Shipping in the continental USA will be $55, fully insured and shipped via FedEx Ground. We will happily ship WORLDWIDE, but please contact us for an accurate international shipping quote before bidding or buying, as cost varies by buyer location.
International orders will be declared as “merchandise,” and the value of merchandise will be declared as the amount paid. We cannot declare anything as a gift or for a lesser value. No exceptions! The customer is responsible for all taxes and duty, which may be collected upon delivery.We do our best to describe all items with honesty and accuracy, but to be sure, please contact us with any questions or concerns prior to bidding or buying. We require payment within 48 hours of auction end. In the unlikely event of a return, buyer pays all shipping costs. Your positive feedback and five star ratings are very important to us, and we appreciate your communication in resolving any issues!
Description
| Dexterity: | Right-Handed | Model: | Red Devil, Speed Demon |
| String Configuration: | 6 String | MPN: | Does Not Apply |
| Brand: | Kay | Exact Year: | 1960s |
| Body Type: | Hollow | Country/Region of Manufacture: | United States |
| UPC: | Does not apply |
Up for sale, an early 1960's Kay Speed Demon "Red Devil" in excellent condition and in good working order. This is one of the rarest guitars in the Kay Speed Demon family, with a gorgeous transparent red nitro lacquer finish, double cutaway body, a pair of chrome topped Speed Bump pickups, and Kay's exclusive Bigsby B6 vibrato unit with gold Art Deco insert. This guitar is ready for the stage and studio, with a tone that is full and balanced, giving you plenty of sparkle on the top end and tight bass response. Everything from hollow twang to more complex jazz chords sounds great on this Kay! Professionally setup with comfortable, low action and a fresh set of nickel 11-50 strings, this Red Devil sounds as good as it looks.The neck has a chunky, no nonsense "baseball bat" C shaped profile with a Brazilian rosewood fretboard and triangular inlays that really catch the eye. Very straight and easy to play, the neck fills the palm and has a very solid feel without feeling stiff. The original frets are intact and have their full, original height, with well rounded crowns and virtually no wear. The nut measures 1 5/8" in width, and the scale length is 25 1/2". The headstock sports a clean "K" logo silkscreen, with Kay's distinct headstock shape and a set of stock Kluson deluxe single line tuning machines which still hold pitch well and turn smoothly with stock white plastic buttons.On the body, all of the electronics work as they should, with individual Volume and Tone controls for each pickup. The speed bump pickups have a full, jangly tone that has a nice focus and attack, thanks in no small part to the maple top and hollowbody construction. The floating rosewood bridge is original and pairs well with the vibrato tailpiece that works very smoothly with its original spring. For surfy warbles and moderately deep dives, this vibrato unit works well and returns to the original pitch with ease. The Kay pickguard is intact as well, with the company's iconic music stand logo, and this guard is in remarkable shape. As a testament to the incredible condition of this guitar, these pickguard graphics are typically completely worn away, and it's rare to see a guard this minty.
The finish is 100% original, with a deep, unfaded shade of red that really brings out the grain of the curly maple beneath it. The maple used on this Devil is also the most highly figured we've ever seen on this model, and the curly flames are highlighted by a finish that is particularly glossy and well preserved. Naturally, there are a few light finish scratches and nicks on the back of the body, but overall it'd be hard to find a cleaner Kay!A modern hardshell case is included.
The finish is 100% original, with a deep, unfaded shade of red that really brings out the grain of the curly maple beneath it. The maple used on this Devil is also the most highly figured we've ever seen on this model, and the curly flames are highlighted by a finish that is particularly glossy and well preserved. Naturally, there are a few light finish scratches and nicks on the back of the body, but overall it'd be hard to find a cleaner Kay!A modern hardshell case is included.
Please check out our shop "Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar" on the web, and feel free to call us directly with any questions at 206.399.8518.Shipping in the continental USA will be $55, fully insured and shipped via FedEx Ground. We will happily ship WORLDWIDE, but please contact us for an accurate international shipping quote before bidding or buying, as cost varies by buyer location.
International orders will be declared as “merchandise,” and the value of merchandise will be declared as the amount paid. We cannot declare anything as a gift or for a lesser value. No exceptions! The customer is responsible for all taxes and duty, which may be collected upon delivery.We do our best to describe all items with honesty and accuracy, but to be sure, please contact us with any questions or concerns prior to bidding or buying. We require payment within 48 hours of auction end. In the unlikely event of a return, buyer pays all shipping costs. Your positive feedback and five star ratings are very important to us, and we appreciate your communication in resolving any issues!
International orders will be declared as “merchandise,” and the value of merchandise will be declared as the amount paid. We cannot declare anything as a gift or for a lesser value. No exceptions! The customer is responsible for all taxes and duty, which may be collected upon delivery.We do our best to describe all items with honesty and accuracy, but to be sure, please contact us with any questions or concerns prior to bidding or buying. We require payment within 48 hours of auction end. In the unlikely event of a return, buyer pays all shipping costs. Your positive feedback and five star ratings are very important to us, and we appreciate your communication in resolving any issues!