Kay Kraftsman 3/4 Upright Bass 1945 B-385 Chubby Jackson model aka Switch Master Pickup SE Michigan

   
        Here we have a very fine and rare 1 owner purchased new in 1945 Kraftsman-Kay B-385 3/4 Upright Bass in Honey Blond finish.   This is the same exact model as the Kay Switch Master except for the Kraftsman label.  Same bass.  Same serial number dating method.
        The bass is in amazing condition for being about 77 years old.  The instrument is set up to the tee most recently by Michigan's own Jeff Branch.  Google him.  Jeff has been a friend for over 45 years.  We have done a lot of business together and I send him restorations & repairs on my vintage instruments that only he can do.  He is a miracle worker.  So I just spoke to Jeff and he remembers setting the bass up a few years ago for the music dealer I am selling this bass for. 

     This bass was a 5 string originally and was converted very nicely at some point to a 4 string.  The fretboard is the 'original' ebony board and in great condition being slightly narrowed for the 4 strings.  The bridge is the original ebony bridge as is the horseshoe 1/2 circle binding on the back of the neck joint.  The neck is the same exact width on the original 5 string as the 4 string from this era.  Only the fretboard is different.
         The instrument is very clean and has mostly light honest wear thruout as you can see in the many pictures.  Very well taken care of over the decades with no cracks. 
Any past repairs I do not see and can not verify.
         Very well set up and plays with ease having a perfect medium playing action and a superb deep projecting TONE.

Comes with a new heavy duty stand and a
very nice padded Knilling gig bag as pictured.

SN#12715 on the paper label as well as ink stamped on the body next to the label.

         Research and what I have been told is that Kraftsman was made by the same Co. as Kay but was distributed through Mongomery Wards & Spiegal, wheras Kay name was distributed by Sears.  Same product with different label. 

IN BUSINESS for 36 YEARS!!
50 YEARS of VINTAGE EXPERIENCE!
MICHIGAN GUITAR SHOW PROMOTORS
Since 1989!
Brick and mortar to the end!

SHOP RETAIL HOURS: WED-SAT: 11:30-6:00
 by APPOINTMENT so call first. 1-248-546-7447

I do a lot of out of town and special
appointments on Sundays.

Gordy's Music
3341 Hilton Rd.
1 MILE EAST of 10 MILE and Woodward Ave.
on the corner next to the Shell Station
Ferndale, Michigan, 48220
I am 15 minutes north of downtown Detroit
1/2 mile from I-75 off 1-696

3 summers ago we sold 35 pieces to the movie set of Bill & Teds Most Excellent Adventure 'Face the Music'! with Keanu Reeves.
  Lot's of guitars, amplifiers, rack gear, they wanted a lot of stuff with LOTS of KNOBS!!

We just did another movie bit last fall in a film called 'Miracle in Detroit'
starring Smokey Robinson. Our shop had a 15 minute scene in that movie
on the Lifetime channel last November 28th. and it ran through Xmas day!

Check out our list of celebrities serviced over the past 36 years on our website.