1960s Kay Speed Demon K5920 Pro Vintage Hollowbody Short Scale Bass Sunburst w/ Case
$1,399.99
$1,399.99
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Up for sale, a 1960s Kay “Speed Demon” K5920 Pro bass in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with a hardshell case. At the time of introduction of Leo Fender’s Precision Bass in 1951, Kay was the preeminent manufacturer of commercial-grade upright basses; as such, they (correctly) viewed the new electric market as both competition and opportunity, quickly becoming the second commercially successful electric bass manufacturer, with their own electric design hitting the market less than a year later. Produced circa 1964-65, this K5920 is the direct descendant of that original Kay Electric Bass, featuring arched thinline hollowbody construction, a centrally mounted “speed bump” pickup, 30 1/2“ scale length, and a golden Sunburst nitro lacquer finish highlighting the curly maple figuring on the top and back.
The hollowbody design results in a certain tonal breadth and bloom, and the bass is featherweight at 5lbs 14oz. The “speed bump” single coil pickup is one of the more interesting “off the beaten path” designs of the ‘60s, with a dry percussive cut and woody thump ideal for upright-esque tones. This Speed Demon K5920 benefits from a professional setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar, strung with 45-100 D’addario Chromes flatwounds and dialed in with comfortable action and accurate intonation.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Maple
-Shape: “Speed Demon” (Deep soft V), measuring .985” 1st fret, 1.015” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Brazilian rosewood, 7 ¼” radius
-Frets: Slender, refret, no wear
-Scale Length: 30 1/2”
-Nut: 1 1/2”, bone
-Headstock: Kay “plectrum” badge
-Tuners: Kluson open-back
Body Specs:
-Wood: Maple
-Pickups: “Speed bump” single coil
-Controls: Volume, Tone
-Hardware: Rosewood bridge, trapeze tailpiece
-Plastics: “Cupcake” knobs
-Factory Markings: P-prefix stamp (f hole)
The gloss golden shaded Sunburst nitro lacquer finish highlights the tight curly ripples of figuring in the maple on top and back, with a couple small dots of touch-up adjacent to the F hole, and a small doweled strap button mounting hole near the neck bolts. Cosmetic wear is limited to a bit of buckle rash central to the back and a few lesser nicks and scuffs. The lacquer gloss on the neck profile is clean and smooth.
A modern tweed hardsell case is included.
The hollowbody design results in a certain tonal breadth and bloom, and the bass is featherweight at 5lbs 14oz. The “speed bump” single coil pickup is one of the more interesting “off the beaten path” designs of the ‘60s, with a dry percussive cut and woody thump ideal for upright-esque tones. This Speed Demon K5920 benefits from a professional setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar, strung with 45-100 D’addario Chromes flatwounds and dialed in with comfortable action and accurate intonation.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Maple
-Shape: “Speed Demon” (Deep soft V), measuring .985” 1st fret, 1.015” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Brazilian rosewood, 7 ¼” radius
-Frets: Slender, refret, no wear
-Scale Length: 30 1/2”
-Nut: 1 1/2”, bone
-Headstock: Kay “plectrum” badge
-Tuners: Kluson open-back
Body Specs:
-Wood: Maple
-Pickups: “Speed bump” single coil
-Controls: Volume, Tone
-Hardware: Rosewood bridge, trapeze tailpiece
-Plastics: “Cupcake” knobs
-Factory Markings: P-prefix stamp (f hole)
The gloss golden shaded Sunburst nitro lacquer finish highlights the tight curly ripples of figuring in the maple on top and back, with a couple small dots of touch-up adjacent to the F hole, and a small doweled strap button mounting hole near the neck bolts. Cosmetic wear is limited to a bit of buckle rash central to the back and a few lesser nicks and scuffs. The lacquer gloss on the neck profile is clean and smooth.
A modern tweed hardsell case is included.
