Steve Swan Guitars Swan

Vintage American Plywood Basses


From their start in the late 1930s and ending in the late 1960s, plywood basses from the H.N. White Company and Kay have long been favorites for the gigging musician and are particularly sought after for players of Dixieland jazz, Bluegrass, Country, Early Rock 'n'Roll, and Blues musics. The King Moretone and American Standard lines from H.N. White and the various Kay models all have fans who will accept no substitute. I try to keep a representative stock of these instruments on the showroom floor and welcome qualified consignment instruments.

Coming soon: 1940s Epiphone B4 Blonde, 1943 Kay M-1
For more complete description or questions, please email steve_swan@earthlink.net or call (650) 515-1014.



1939 Kay M-1-W (6379)
A responsive and well-maintianed early Kay. Spruce ply top, Maple ply back and sides, Maple neck, Original Kluson tuners, Ebony nut, Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard and tailpiece saddle, Ebonized tailpiece with Kay decal, Despiau bridge with adjusters, Replacement endpin with 10 mm steel rod, Replacement tailpiece wire, Gorgeous red-maroon sunburst treatment. Gutsy, solid response to Spirocore strings. No breaks or major repairs, just some top and edge dings. With cover.
$2150


1940
American Standard (1124) 
Another great sounding prewar example of my personal favorite model vintage plywood doublebass. Plain figure Maple plywood top, back, and sides, Plain figure Maple neck, Original halfplate tuners, Replacement Ebony nut, fingerboard, Hill style tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, Replacement Gotz endpin, Original finish, Maple bridge with adjusters as part of Matt Bohn's restoration and complete setup. Dimensions are: Top length 44 1/4", Upper bout width 21", Middle bout width 15 5/8", Lower bout width 25 7/8", Depth at neck 6 1/4", Depth at upper bout bend 7 7/8", Depth at tail 8", String length 43 1/2". Other repairs by Matt Bohn: Rebuild neck block mortoise and neck heel, button graft, Extension of heel for more overstand and improved neck angle, New soundpost, reglue all loose seams, fill screw holes in neck block area. As with most prewar American Standards, this bass has an easy response and a huge voice with lots of support on the bottom end. Currently strung with Spirocore Weich for pizz play. I might string it with gut strings and use it as my primary outdoor performance bass this summer. With cover 
$2950

1947 American Standard (1741) Another fine example of my all-time favorite model U.S. made plywood bass. Maple laminate top, back, and sides, Maple neck, Original H. N. White halfplate tuners, Ebony nut and fingerboard, Ebonized white wood tailpiece, Gotz endpin, Non-adjustable maple bridge. Dimensions are: top length 44 1/4", Upper bout width 21", Middle bout width 15 5/8", Lower bout width 25 7/8", Depth at tail 8", Depth at upper bout bend 7 7/8", Depth at neck 6 1/4", String length 43 1/2". In fine condition, the voice has a very powerful "thump". With cover. $2750

1941 Blonde Epiphone B-4 (168)  This is the best sounding Epiphone bass that I've ever had in the shop. Flame figured laminate maple back and sides, Laminate spruce top, Two piece medium profile maple neck, Gold halfplate Kluson tuners, Ebony fingerboard, Replacement endpin, gorgeous golden lacquer finish. Dimensions are: Top length 42 1/4", Upper bout width 20", Middle bout width 14 3/4", Lower bout width 25 1/4", Depth at tail 7 3/4", Depth at upper bout bend 7", Depth at neck 6", String length 42". Very clean. Two small repaired puncture injuries to the sides. Recent setup and new soundpost by Mike Olivola. Huge voice with lots of tone color. An exceptional plywood bass. With cover. $3500

1954 Blonde King Mortone (2989) Another fine example of the rare blonde finish version. Spruce laminate top, Figured Maple laminate back and sides, Maple neck, Replacement German brass halfplate tuners, Replacement ebony fingerboard, Recent maple bridge with adjusters, Replacement tailpiece, Replacement Goetz endpin. This bass was well cared for and has little wear. The finish is bright and the blonde color is vivid. The bass is very responsive and has a full, throaty voice. With cover.

1965 King Moretone
(4166)
A clean and well kept example of one of my favorite american plywood basses. Original halfplate tuners, Slim Maple neck, Violin corners, Intact original lacquer finish. Dimensions are: Top length 42 5/8", Upper bout width 19", Middle bout width 13 7/8", Lower bout width 25 1/8", Depth at tail 8", Depth at upper bout bend 8", Depth at neck 6 1/4", String length 43 1/2". Rich vintage voice. Very easy to play with Innovation strings. With cover. $2950


Epiphone B-4 (nsn)
Probably from the 1950s, this bass has seen a lot of use and has had some repairs, but is a fine festival and performance instrument. Laminated Maple back and sides, Laminated Spruce top, Maple neck, Kluson tuners, Ebony nut, Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard and tailpiece saddle, Maple tailpiece with "Epiphone" badge, Maple bridge, European endpin, Blonde lacquer finish. Dimensions are: Top length 42 1/4", Upper bout width 20", Middle bout width 14 3/4", Lower bout width 25 1/4", Depth at tail 7 3/4", Depth at upper bout bend 7", Depth at neck 6", String length 42". OLD REPAIRS include: The neck has had some repaired cracks and the edges have been repaired and reglued. RECENT REPAIRS by Micheal Olivola include: New Maple bridge and installation of a new endpin. The voice is solid and even down to the lowest notes. The consigning owner has not included a cover. $1950


1951
Kay M-1 (26547)
A fine sounding example of this postwar violin corner model. Plywood top, back , and sides, Maple neck, Original Kluson tuners, Brazilian Rosewood nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, Original endpin, Professionally made new bridge with adjusters. Edge wear and some dings. Strung with Eurosonic strings, this bass has a full tone and easy playing set. With light duty cover. On consignment. 
$2500

Previous offerings



 
1959
King Moretone Blonde (3844) 
A strong voiced example of one of the rare Blonde ("limed" or "pickled") finish examples made in the late 1950s. Maple ply back and sides, Spruce ply top, Maple neck, Original halfplate tuners, Original red hardwood nut and fingerboard,  Original black painted hardwood tailpiece with "King Moretone" decal, New Gotz aluminum shaft endpin, Recent Maple bridge with adjusters added as part of a complete setup, "King Moretone" decal in button area of the back, Original "Blonde" finish. A neck reset and slight repair of the button area give this bass a healthy solidity for every day gigging use. With Superflexible strings, this bass responds with a strong, insistent voice with plenty of cut. With cover. 



1960
Kay M-1 (42946)
An exceptionally good sounding example with a recent comprehensive setup by Gael McKeon. Ply top, back and sides, Maple neck, Original Kluson tuners, Brazilian Rosewood nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, New Maple bridge with adjusters by Gael McKeon, Carbon fiber endpin. The condition is quite good with light signs of play. Strung with Spirocore strings, this bass has a meaty voice with lots of volume. With cover.



1948 Kay O-1 (17679)
A good sounding postwar gamba shaped Kay in fine condition. Flame Maple laminate top, back, and sides, Maple neck, Black finish Kluson tuners, Brazilian Rosewood nut, original painted Maple fingerboard, New Despiau bridge fitted with adjusters, Original black painted tailpiece with "Kay" decal and original steel rod type wire, Wooden endpin, probably original to this bass, Dark sunburst finish. The edges are in fine shape, the neck has a well repaired crack through the heel. At standard setup height, the bridge stands 6 1/4" tall. Balanced voice and stronger low end than Kays from this era typically have. With cover.



1952
King Moretone (2120)   
A rich sounding instrument with a few specification upgrades for better sound and playability. Maple ply back and sides, Spruce ply top, Maple neck, Original halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, Painted hardwood tailpiece saddle, Replacement Ebony fingerboard installed by Mike Olivola many years ago, Epiphone Maple tailpiece with braided cable attachment, Carbon Graphite endpin, Maple bridge without adjusters made by A.C. Muller, Leather side bumpers, Original dark brown lacquer finish. Dimensions are: Top length 42 5/8", Upper bout width 19", Middle bout width 13 7/8", Lower bout width 25 1/8", Depth at tail 8", Depth at upper bout bend 8", Depth at neck 6 1/4", String length 43 1/2". In fine general condition, this bass responds to Spirocore weich strings with a clear, cutting voice or to Innovation strings with a warm, penetrating voice with plenty of "thump". With cover.



1940
Kay Orchestra, O-100 (7935)           
Kay's prewar fancier version of a C-1. Spruce ply top, Maple ply back and sides, Maple neck with the fuller profile used on most Orchestra models, Chrome Kluson tuners, Replacement nut, Replacement ebony fingeboard, Nicely cut replacement bridge, Replacement tailpiece, Replacement endpin, Original shaded "flame" figure in back and sides, Double painted purfling lines. Nicely repaired clean volute crack. Overall nice condition and very little edge wear. This bass has a solid voice with good projection. With cover.      

1940
King Moretone (886)
A fine sounding example with the upgrade improvements that really make a difference. Flame figure Maple ply back and sides, Spruce ply top, Flame figure Maple neck, Replacement Rubner tuners, Replacement Ebony fingerboard, High quality Maple bridge with adjusters, Dyed Maple tailpiece, Replacement Gotz endpin, some finish work. Jeff Sahs reworked the fingerboard and bridge to a jazz pizz configuration that plays very easily. Strong, even voice with a penetrating quality that is great for playing in a jazz group. With TKL cover.                        



1962
American Standard (2757)              
This is the famous (or infamous) "Bruce Lee" American Standard that Mike Olivola has retrofit with an old Czech or German neck from the 1920s. Maple ply top, back, and sides, Old maple neck, halfplate hatpeg tuners, New ebony nut and fingerboard, Maple Epiphone tailpiece, new maple bridge and soundpost, Gotz endpin, original body finish except for red and black "Bruce Lee" painting on back, standard body dimensions, new shorter string length of 42 1/2". All work done by Mike Olivola. With significantly better overstand and projection than with an original neck, this is one powerhouse plywood doublebass. Played pizz with Spirocore weich strings, the responsive is absolutely amazing. With cover.                           



1960 Kay M-3 1/2 size (42258) A healthy 1/2 size Kay with a beautiful Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard and tailpiece. Black Kluson tuners, Brazilian Rosewood nut, Maple bridge with no adjusters, Original tailpiece hardware and endpin. Dimensions are: Top length 36 3/4", Upper bout width 17", Middle bout width 12 3/8", Lower bout width 22", Depth at neck 6 1/8", Depth at upper bout bend 6 7/8", Depth at tail 7 3/8", String length 35 1/4". Strung with Spirocore mittel strings, this bass works well for small people or intimate livingroom play. With original canvas cover.



1967
Kay C-1 (55820)              
A near mint example of Kay's most popular doublebass model. Ply top, back, and sides, Black Kluson tuners, Rosewood nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, Original endpin, Handsome looking Panpi bridge with adjusters made by a San Jose luthier, Medium brown finish, Outfitted with a mixed set of Helicore and Spirocore strings. Dimensions are: Top length 43 1/2", Upper bout width 20 1/4", Center bout width 14 3/4", Lower bout width 26 1/2", Depth at neck 6 5/8", Depth at upper bout bend 7 5/8", Depth at tail 8", String length 41 1/2". Surprisingly rich voice for an instrument that has been played so little in the last 43 years. With cover.    



1939 American Standard 500
(year unknown, no serial number)
This model is consistently my favorite vintage American plywood bass. They are hard to find and have gotten very popular in the last few years. This bass came to me in rough shape, having been a rockabilly instrument and then a knockaround dixieland bass for several years. Dimensions are: Top length 44", Upper bout width 21", Center bout width 15 5/8", Lower bout width 25 5/8", Depth at tail 7 7/8", Depth at upper bout bend 7 7/8", Depth at neck 6 5/8", String length 43 1/4". The body and neck had been refinished a translucent black, the fingebaord had been planed down to almost nothing, and the top plate and neck block were coming unglued. The original tuners are straight and work quite well. I had Matt Bohn work his magic on it, installing a new ebony fingerboard, making a new adjustable bridge, installing a used Gotz endpin, and regluing all of the loose parts. The ebony fingerboard gives the bass a very solid sound as well as a little more width and more depth to the neck profile. This is a magnificent sounding example. With cover.




1961
King Moretone 3/4 (4325)
An extremely clean example that came from the second owner. All laminated body construction, Outer Spruce ply on top, Maple neck, Gold color engraved H.N. white tuners, Black painted mystery wood fingerboard, Bridge adjusters added, Black painted Maple tailpiece with "King" decal, Added Gotz endpin, "King" decal on upper back just below the button. Dimensions are: Top length 43 5/8", Upper bout width 19", Middle bout width 14 1/4", Lower bout width 25 1/8", Depth at tail 8", Depth at upper bout bend 7 7/8", Depth at neck 6 1/2", String length 43 1/4". The only repair was to the button area. It looks like the bass once fell sideways in its cover a long time ago and knocked the neck joint loose and tore the button area a little. The old repair was done very cleanly and the neck is as solid as it can be. This bass came in strung with Spirocore orchestra guage strings and the bridge adjuster wound up pretty high for arco work. I like it set somewhat lower and strung with Obligato strings. With the long string length, this bass would also be a good gut-strung instrument for vintage jazz, blues, country, etc. Balanced voice with a really comfortable neck profile. This is certainly the cleanest King Moretone bass that I've ever seen in person and in terms of volume and tone it eats every Kay that I've ever played for breakfast. With cover.




Late 1942 Kay Orhcestra Model (0-100 10376)

The Orchestra model was a gamba shaped upgrade from the C-1 with nicer finish and a thicker Brazilian Rosewood board. All-plywood top, back and sides, maple neck with original Kluson tuners, No scroll breaks, One well-repaired heel break, Flame painted on the back of the neck is so realistic that I was fooled until I looked at the worn part, bridge with Matt Bohn installed adjusters, replacement german endpin that really works, original Kay tailpiece had an ugly output jack hole, so I replaced with a beautiful Brazilian Rosewood example from the 1950s that is missing the "Kay" badge, Braided tailpiece wire replaces the stupid metal tailpiece rod with cap nuts. I had Jeff Sahs install the endpin, plane the fingerboard, reshape the bridge top, and install the tailgut wire. All of the expected top and back dings and scuffs with all of the usual edge wear. What a big, authoritative sound! I've had it strung with Pfitzner gut strings, Eurosonic Ultra Lights, but Helicore Hybrids made this bass the king of the bluegrass jam session last night. With cover. Just in time for bluegrass festival season.




1938
Kay C-1 (2153)
From the 2nd year of Kay's manufacturing of basses, this instrument is remarkable in having had not scroll or neck breaks ever! All plywood construction, Chrome plated Kluson tuners, Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard, Brazilian Rosewood tailpiece with braided cable replacing the awful original threaded solid steel wire, German replacement endpin, New bridge with adjusters by Matt Bohn. Matt Bohn reglued the loose fingerboard and gave it a good dressing. There were a few loose places in the top and back plates that Matt reglued. This bass is very healthy and was played for over 35 years in Dixieland jazz bands by its last owner. I have it strung with Helicore Hybrid strings for versatility. With cover.




1953
Kay C-1 (29585)
The former owner had the neck repaired after a heel break by increasing the angle that it presents to the body and having a maple shim installed under the replacement ebony fingerboard. The formerly skinny standard Kay neck profile has been modified to a slightly deeper and a wider configuration that is more conventional to European basses. I really like the feel of it. The scroll is unbroken and the body is in good shape. The original black Kluson tuners work well, though there is a little rust on the plates.The replacement endpin comes from Eastman, the tailpiece is a Wittner, and the bridge is a tall, slim example made by Dominic Zuchowicz. The neck was profiled by Alex Friedman and the final setup performed by Matt Bohn. This bass has a big, penetrating sound. With cover.



Photo
Ca. 1952 American Standard 7/8 (swell back) Orchestral Model
All Plywood construction. 43 1/2" body length. Gamba corners, brass halfplate tuners, slim neck profile. 43 1/4" string length. Brazillian Rosewood fingerboard painted black (original). Dyed maple tailpiece. Adjustable bridge. Dowel type endpin. Upper bout width 21". C bout width 15 1/2". Lower bout width 25 3/4". Side depth is 8" at tail, 7 3/4" at upper bout crease and 6 1/4" at neck. Currently strung with gut strings for vintage sound. Wide C bout and upper bout allow for big low end tone. Excellent overall condition, this is the cleanest example that I've seen. This is the same model played by Brian Bagdonas of the Portland, Oregon oldtime group The Foghorn String Band. With free cover.



Used
Epiphone
B4 3/4 Swellback
Ca. 1940s
Swellback gamba shape plywood body, Brass halfplate tuners, Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard, Flame maple tailpiece, 41" string length, 43" body length, Upper bout 19-1/2", C bout 14-1/2", Lower bout 25-1/2", Body depth at tail 7-5/8", Body depth at upper bout 7-1/4", Body depth at neck 6-1/2". Repaired top at bass leg of bridge, repaired neck joint. Big vintage Kay-style sound. Strung with Helicore Hybrids. With padded cover.



Photo
1943 Kay M-1 (11167)
Plywood body, Maple neck, Original Kluson tuners, Original Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard, Original bonized tailpiece with Kay decal, Original sunburst lacquer finish. dimensions are: Top length: 44", Upper bout width 19 3/4", Center bout width 15", Lower bout width 26 1/2", Depth at tail: 7 7/8", Depth at upper bout bend: 7 1/2", Depth at neck: 6 7/8". The finish condition is quite good and chip-free for a longtime gigging bass. The tailpiece has had a flexible tailwire installed. The fingerboard was planed a few years ago. A new bridge with adjusters has been fit as the old bridge had warped beyond redemption. The one cosmetic flaw is a radial drying check in the bass side of the neck that runs the length of the Maple neck blank. The owner reports that the neck check has been completely stable in the 12 years that he has owned this bass. The bass plays easily and the response is quick. With blue center zip Glaesel canvas cover. On consignment.



1965 Kay C-1 (51964)
All laminate body construction, Black Kluson halfplate tuners, Rosewood fingerboard. Upgrades and changes include: Adjustable bridge, Rosewood tailpiece, New German endpin. Dimensionsare: String loength 41 1/2", Body length 43 1/2", Upper bout width 20 1/4", Center bout width 14 3/4", Lower bout width 26 1/2", Tail depth 8", Depth at upper bout bend 7 5/8", Depth at neck 6 5/8". Jeff Sahs performed the refurbishing of loose plates, finish nicks, strengthened the old neck joint repair, planed the fingerboard, and added adjusters and recontoured the 5 year old bridge. The bass is responsive and has a good arco response as well as the usual Kay pizz sound. With free cover.



1950s Epiphone B-4
Blonde Finish Beautiful flame figured Maple plywood back and sides, Close grained Spruce plywood top, Two-piece Maple neck, Gold plated Kluson halfplate tuners, Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard, Flame Maple tailpiece with Epiphone emblem badge, Wooden dowel type original endpin (3 differnet dowels), Adjustable bridge, Side dots added to fingerboard, Inlaid purfling on top and back. Dimensions are: Top length 44", Lower bout width 25 3/4", Center bout width 15", Upper bout width 19 7/8", Depth at tail 7 3/4", Depth at upper bout bend 7 5/8", Depth at neck 6 1/2", String length 41 3/4". Some rough edges and top areas from 5 decades of playing. No dowels, neck heel crack or scroll breaks at nut. The top of the scroll was broken off and reglued at some point. The voice is rich and full. This bass is very easy to play. It has spent the last several years playing jazz and it has a very pleasing tone. With cover.


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