Description
This is a Kay K161 (Thin Twin: Jimmy Reed model), natural front and back with black sides, semi-hollow body, electric guitar made by Kay of Chicago, IL circa1955. The “Thin Twin” models were offered between 1953 and 1960 in the Kay catalogs. The 1953-57 models had the tortoise-shell style pickguard. The 1958-1960 models have the black pickguard. So this guitar is from the earlier run. The earliest models had the engraved Kay crest. This is simplified design with the raised logo hence the circa 1955 date estimate. Its nickname comes from the two very thin pickups. The guitar is regularly referred to as the Jimmy Reed model since he frequently used it. It comes with an original two-tone case which is in very good condition. (Please note: this listing has been completely revised and updated. An errant description was here for a while. Apologies for that, it is now corrected.)
GENERAL INFO/CONDITION:
The guitar is 100% original and in very good condition. It shows some wear, scratches, and dings from the last 70 years (or so) of use but overall it’s in nice playing shape. It has a beautiful, finely flamed, curly maple body with mahogany sides. The pickups give a great Country/Folk/Blues/Jazz range with the neck being full sounding and the bridge gritty and more twangy. It includes the original hard shell case.Description from VintageSilvertones.com
TUNERS/HEADSTOCK:
Kluson Deluxe tuners with white plastic knobs. Natural, darker, wood-stained headstock with raised Kay logo (presumably made of plastic with a chrome coating that looks silver.) There are two very small splits at the top of the headstock. But it does not affect playability or tuning. These Klusons tuned up very nicely.Description from VintageSilvertones.com
NECK:
Glued-on, fully bound rosewood fretboard, 19 frets. It has mother of pearl block inlays for fret markers. The action is fast. The string height at the 12th fret is 0.069 inches. The neck is straight (very slight relief) and has never been reset or reglued. There’s no fret buzz anywhere on the neck. The black, back of the neck has very minor playing wear nearest the headstock and there’s two small nicks.The brass frets are in good shape with lots of life left.
PICKUPS:
Two single coil pickups that are super strong with giant magnets driving them beneath the pickguard. There’s a 3 position slider switch for neck, bridge or both pickups. It has individual tone and volume controls for each pickup. The tone difference between the neck and bridge pickup is pretty significant. The bridge has a nice twangy, raw tone with a hint of tremolo. And the neck pickup is very full and rich sounding. It is quite a beautiful sound. Together they really are about halfway between the two tones. The middle position might work for someone seeking a unique tone in the Country/Folk-ish range. But I can’t help but think the neck tone will work great for Alternative music of any genre…maybe not Death Metal ;-).Description from VintageSilvertones.com
The Dimensions are:
Overall length: 41″Description from VintageSilvertones.com
Body width: 15″
Body thickness: 2.75″ (w/neck 3.126:)Description from VintageSilvertones.com
Scale: 25 7/8″Description from VintageSilvertones.com
Width of the nut: 1.71″
String height at 12th fret: 0.069″Description from VintageSilvertones.com
Here’s the original description from the 1957 Kay catalog:Description from VintageSilvertones.com
Try a “Thin Twin” and see Kay design enhance performance and playing ability. New super thin auditorium size is only 2 3/4″ deep. The slim, thin “Speed Demon” neck (see inside page), twin adjustable pickups, 3-way selector switch and other features tell you that this Spanish electric sets the pace in quality and value.Description from VintageSilvertones.com
Full professional 25 3/4″ scale. Wolf LEKTRO-MAGNETIC flat wire wound strings. Smoothly hand-rubbed and pollished.Description from VintageSilvertones.com
K161 Blonde Curly Maple top and back with Dark Mahogany sides… $175.00
161C Plush lined Keratol case with accessory compartment… $21.60escription from VintageSilvertones.com
