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1952-56 Silvertone 1354/Kay Aristocrat Blonde Archtop Guitar
Estimated price for orientation: 1 195 $
Category: Electric Guitars
Class:
Description Condition: Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition Brand: Kay Features: Engraved Headstock/Pick Guard Body Color: Blonde Model Year: '52-'56 Body Type: Hollow Soundboard Style: Archtop Model: 1354 Size: 17" String Configuration: 5 String Items Included: Hard Shell Case Dexterity: Right-Handed Country/Region of Manufacture: United States Body Material: Spruce
Straight from the era of Marilyn Monroe comes this big curvy blonde!This is essentially a Kay Aristocrat, sold through Sears between '52-'56, under the Silvertone 1354 name. I'm leaning more toward '52, as this guitar has the "trident" fretboard inlays. Later models came with split rectangle inlay. This fully hollow, carved archtop was the big gun in its day, with a single pickup, cutaway, engraved headstock and pickguard with celluloid bound body, neck and f-holes. It's 17 1/4" wide. The sides are 3 1/2" and the neck is 1 5/8" wide at the nut. From the top of the bridge to the peak of the back, I'd guess it's around 5" thick. She's a BIG girl that's built for comfort.Like most Kays from this era, the neck will one day need a reset. I've had the guitar for more than ten years, and it hasn't affected the playability. The neck is clubby, as was common in the day but is surprisingly comfortable.As far as I can tell, this is all original, except for the tuners. I don't think this guitar originally came with split posts, but I could be wrong. Luckily this wasn't bored out to accommodate Schallers or Grovers along the way. You can put new or vintage Klusons on there without a problem.But the scroll bridge, knobs, tailpiece and pickguard are right on and it comes with a non-original, but very nice hard shell case. Yes, it has it's share of dings and marks all over it, but it still looks better than Marilyn's looked in years. Don't be afraid to make a reasonable offer!Buyer pays ACTUAL shipping cost. Estimate at $100? Any balance will be returned to buyer.
Description
| Condition: | Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition | Brand: | Kay |
| Features: | Engraved Headstock/Pick Guard | Body Color: | Blonde |
| Model Year: | '52-'56 | Body Type: | Hollow |
| Soundboard Style: | Archtop | Model: | 1354 |
| Size: | 17" | String Configuration: | 5 String |
| Items Included: | Hard Shell Case | Dexterity: | Right-Handed |
| Country/Region of Manufacture: | United States | Body Material: | Spruce |
Straight from the era of Marilyn Monroe comes this big curvy blonde!This is essentially a Kay Aristocrat, sold through Sears between '52-'56, under the Silvertone 1354 name. I'm leaning more toward '52, as this guitar has the "trident" fretboard inlays. Later models came with split rectangle inlay. This fully hollow, carved archtop was the big gun in its day, with a single pickup, cutaway, engraved headstock and pickguard with celluloid bound body, neck and f-holes. It's 17 1/4" wide. The sides are 3 1/2" and the neck is 1 5/8" wide at the nut. From the top of the bridge to the peak of the back, I'd guess it's around 5" thick. She's a BIG girl that's built for comfort.Like most Kays from this era, the neck will one day need a reset. I've had the guitar for more than ten years, and it hasn't affected the playability. The neck is clubby, as was common in the day but is surprisingly comfortable.As far as I can tell, this is all original, except for the tuners. I don't think this guitar originally came with split posts, but I could be wrong. Luckily this wasn't bored out to accommodate Schallers or Grovers along the way. You can put new or vintage Klusons on there without a problem.But the scroll bridge, knobs, tailpiece and pickguard are right on and it comes with a non-original, but very nice hard shell case. Yes, it has it's share of dings and marks all over it, but it still looks better than Marilyn's looked in years. Don't be afraid to make a reasonable offer!Buyer pays ACTUAL shipping cost. Estimate at $100? Any balance will be returned to buyer.