D'Addario Strings for Old Kay Bass?

[DavyR]

I bought an old Kay bass that has a 31" scale and 4 tuners on one side.
I want to try D'Addario Half-Rounds and Chromes on the bass but need to know the following for both the Short and Medium Scale sets.
1) The total length of the "G" string so it can reach the far tuner post (4 on one side!)
2) The playable length from ball end to silk, or tapering
Can anyone, who uses these strings, measure and let me know?
D'Addario has not been able to provide the correct measurements!
Thanks!

[DavyR]

I received a response from D’Addario concerning what string scale set to use for so-called short scale basses. By ‘Taper’ or ‘taper length’ they mean the length from the inner edge of the ball end to where the taper, if any, begins. Interesting, when I apply the measurements my so-called short scaled Hofners, and this old short scaled Kay bass, will ALL require Medium Scale D’Addario Strings Sets and NOT Short Scale Set Strings! Their Short Scale Sets must be for VERY short scale basses. FYI.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All string lengths are wound & trimmed at 48”.
The variable is the taper length, but this length is the same for all strings of that scale length (chromes, half rounds, whichever).

Please refer to this chart:

Scale Lengths
Short = 32” Taper
Medium = 34” Taper
Long = 36 ¼” Taper
Super Long = 38” Taper

Please also do the following to insure you need short scale for your bass.
1) Mark the lowest pitched string (while on your bass) at the nut with a marker.
2) Remove the string
3) Measure the distance from the inner edge of the ball end the mark you just made.
4) Record this length and refer to the chart above.

That measurement will insure that you are using the correct string for your bass. Hope this information is what you were looking for.

[woodyng]

hi,david! i would love to see a pic of your kay bass if you get the chance? there are quite a few different models out there,is yours a solid or hollow body?

[DavyR]

hi,david! i would love to see a pic of your kay bass if you get the chance? there are quite a few different models out there,is yours a solid or hollow body?

Suppose to be a 1966. Don't know the model.

[ricaddic]

How many out actually have one of these basses, when the reissues came out about a year agao, it caught my attention but to date havent come across one to be able to play it and see if its something I would like and purchase,any insight would be gratefully appreciated, I am a man that haveing a vast variety of basses to play.

[just_bassics]

hi,david! i would love to see a pic of your kay bass if you get the chance? there are quite a few different models out there,is yours a solid or hollow body?

kay1.jpg

Sweet!

[johnallg]

hi,david! i would love to see a pic of your kay bass if you get the chance? there are quite a few different models out there,is yours a solid or hollow body?

kay1.jpg

David, beautiful. Will it intonate? I ask because I have an old Kay from the 60's (looks a lot like a Les Paul body) with the same bridge and tail on it but I can't get it back far enough to get it on key. The strings keep popping out of the bridge slots.

[DavyR]

hi,david! i would love to see a pic of your kay bass if you get the chance? there are quite a few different models out there,is yours a solid or hollow body?

kay1.jpg

David, beautiful. Will it intonate? I ask because I have an old Kay from the 60's (looks a lot like a Les Paul body) with the same bridge and tail on it but I can't get it back far enough to get it on key. The strings keep popping out of the bridge slots.

I had to move the bridge about 3/8" closer to the tail than as seen in the picture to intonate it. It seems to be in. They were cheap basses in the day. Temperature sensitive too! So is my Harmony H22. But, fun toys. I wouldn't consider it an all night 3 set working bass, but, who knows. It could use a slight neck adjustment. As you know, if you have too much relief in the neck then the bridge will naturally have to be moved back to compensate, so, maybe that's what's happening with your Kay. If your strings are popping out of the bridge slots it could be many things including how hard you're playing, the depth of the slots, the strings' gauge, tension and break angles, etc. You'll need to play around with it.

Woodyng! It's hollow body with a true 'f'' hole.

[DavyR]

How many out actually have one of these basses, when the reissues came out about a year agao, it caught my attention but to date havent come across one to be able to play it and see if its something I would like and purchase,any insight would be gratefully appreciated, I am a man that haveing a vast variety of basses to play.

If you are talking about that new reissue Kay Pro Bass classic K162, I can't find them in music stores either. I saw a rockabilly band using one and it sounded fine. Sharp looking too! For only $800 they've got to be worth it!

[ricaddic]

How many out actually have one of these basses, when the reissues came out about a year agao, it caught my attention but to date havent come across one to be able to play it and see if its something I would like and purchase,any insight would be gratefully appreciated, I am a man that haveing a vast variety of basses to play.

If you are talking about that new reissue Kay Pro Bass classic K162, I can't find them in music stores either. I saw a rockabilly band using one and it sounded fine. Sharp looking too! For only $800 they've got to be worth it!

Musiciansfriend has them and I seen a couple other places, but yea like you said havent been able to find one in a store to test drive so to speak, but thanks for you input. stay safe "HAPPY RICKEN"

[johnallg]

David, beautiful. Will it intonate? I ask because I have an old Kay from the 60's (looks a lot like a Les Paul body) with the same bridge and tail on it but I can't get it back far enough to get it on key. The strings keep popping out of the bridge slots.

I had to move the bridge about 3/8" closer to the tail than as seen in the picture to intonate it. It seems to be in. They were cheap basses in the day. Temperature sensitive too! So is my Harmony H22. But, fun toys. I wouldn't consider it an all night 3 set working bass, but, who knows. It could use a slight neck adjustment. As you know, if you have too much relief in the neck then the bridge will naturally have to be moved back to compensate, so, maybe that's what's happening with your Kay. If your strings are popping out of the bridge slots it could be many things including how hard you're playing, the depth of the slots, the strings' gauge, tension and break angles, etc. You'll need to play around with it.

The neck is flat - the frets were pulled before I got it. I have cut the bridge notches deeper, but with the bridge back enough to be in at the 12th fret position, the angle of where the notches are to the string anchor point is so sharp the E and G want to jump out. Not a real big problem as the bass has been stripped, stained with walnut stain, sealed with polyurathane (brushed!), and the worst of it? The headstock was broken off when I saved it from the dumpster back in 1974. It also needs a tuner ferule. But dang if it doesn't play in tune and thump like a champ with the lipstick pickup on it. I even have period strings on it - a set of Black Diamond black nylon wound flats on it from 1970. It's best feature? Why checkered binding, of course!

[DavyR]

The neck is flat - the frets were pulled before I got it. I have cut the bridge notches deeper, but with the bridge back enough to be in at the 12th fret position, the angle of where the notches are to the string anchor point is so sharp the E and G want to jump out. Not a real big problem as the bass has been stripped, stained with walnut stain, sealed with polyurathane (brushed!), and the worst of it? The headstock was broken off when I saved it from the dumpster back in 1974. It also needs a tuner ferule. But dang if it doesn't play in tune and thump like a champ with the lipstick pickup on it. I even have period strings on it - a set of Black Diamond black nylon wound flats on it from 1970. It's best feature? Why checkered binding, of course!

Still a cool old battle axe. Can you post a pic? Thanks for the details. Good stuff. (Love this site, Gentlemen!)

[jingle_jangle]

David, beautiful. Will it intonate? I ask because I have an old Kay from the 60's (looks a lot like a Les Paul body) with the same bridge and tail on it but I can't get it back far enough to get it on key. The strings keep popping out of the bridge slots.

I had to move the bridge about 3/8" closer to the tail than as seen in the picture to intonate it. It seems to be in. They were cheap basses in the day. Temperature sensitive too! So is my Harmony H22. But, fun toys. I wouldn't consider it an all night 3 set working bass, but, who knows. It could use a slight neck adjustment. As you know, if you have too much relief in the neck then the bridge will naturally have to be moved back to compensate, so, maybe that's what's happening with your Kay. If your strings are popping out of the bridge slots it could be many things including how hard you're playing, the depth of the slots, the strings' gauge, tension and break angles, etc. You'll need to play around with it.

The neck is flat - the frets were pulled before I got it. I have cut the bridge notches deeper, but with the bridge back enough to be in at the 12th fret position, the angle of where the notches are to the string anchor point is so sharp the E and G want to jump out. Not a real big problem as the bass has been stripped, stained with walnut stain, sealed with polyurathane (brushed!), and the worst of it? The headstock was broken off when I saved it from the dumpster back in 1974. It also needs a tuner ferule. But dang if it doesn't play in tune and thump like a champ with the lipstick pickup on it. I even have period strings on it - a set of Black Diamond black nylon wound flats on it from 1970. It's best feature? Why checkered binding, of course!

If it's the pic you posted, that's a "speed bump" pickup, not a lipstick. It has a fatter and some say harsher sound but of course a stronger output than a lipstick.

This is a trip down memory lane...the bassist in my first band, back in '65, had an identical instrument. He also had a very, very cool Kay 720 bass amp, which was covered in beige and brown Tolex and had quite a space age look.

We were in Chicago, where Kay stuff was made (amp was for Kay by Valco), and the local music store was near the Kay factory, so they were pushing them pretty hard.

Oh, he played it with a felt pick!

[DavyR]

If it's the pic you posted, that's a "speed bump" pickup, not a lipstick. It has a fatter and some say harsher sound but of course a stronger output than a lipstick.

This is a trip down memory lane...the bassist in my first band, back in '65, had an identical instrument. He also had a very, very cool Kay 720 bass amp, which was covered in beige and brown Tolex and had quite a space age look.

We were in Chicago, where Kay stuff was made (amp was for Kay by Valco), and the local music store was near the Kay factory, so they were pushing them pretty hard.

Oh, he played it with a felt pick!

Cool Kay bass amp! Yeah, my Kay is the brown 1966 bass shown above with the 'speed bump' pickup. Yeah, you nailed it! The 'speed bump' is somewhat fat but also harsh. Kay basses were know to be played by the old blues guys from Chicago. Makes sense that Kays were made there and used there! In those days with simple 3 or 4 chord songs a bassist could just hang around the first 5 frets on the bottom 3 strings and do it all! Simple, solid and effective for the song. No need for high tech strings, pickups, amps, etc. LOL!

[jingle_jangle]

In those days with simple 3 or 4 chord songs a bassist could just hang around the first 5 frets on the bottom 3 strings and do it all!

These days, too...