Kay Jumbo Archtop Guitar L6093 - Dearmond 40 Pickup - Baritone Setup - 1960

I am relisting for sale my Kay Jumbo Archtop with Dearmond pickup, made sometime around 1960. The model number stamped inside reads L6093 8858. It is possible that 58 refers to the year it was made. But these guitars were made into the mid 1960's so it is more likely later than that.

Updates: Been playing this lately and forgot what a great Rock and Roll guitar it is. Strong clean tone when you crank up the amp. Two notes - 1) If you are close to the amp at the right (or wrong) angle the A string (in Baritone B tuning) might induce some feedback. 2) The lowest string (Top B) will sometimes fret out when you get to the highest fret (F#) as it hits the top of the Dearmond pickup. This could be adjusted but will leave that to you.

This guitar plays very well with good frets, straight neck and low action. The neck is quite playable, with a nut width of 1.75 inches. It truly is a Jumbo guitar with a 17.25 inch lower bout and nearly 3.75 inch depth. The length the guitar is 42 inches.

The scale is 27 inches and I have it set up as a baritone with 12-52 bronze strings tuned to B. It plays great this way with firm string action and a deep resonant sound. You can go to standard tuning with lighter strings if you wish though I think the beauty of this guitar is as a baritone.

The Dearmond Model 40 pickup is loud and clear with a resistance reading of 8.8.  It was on the guitar when I bought it and at some point was a replacement for another one. The model 40 was made from around 1957 until 1974 and originally had the amp cable soldered to the control box. This changed in 1967, when it became available with an input jack. This one had the soldered attached amp cable when I got it - I removed the cable and installed the input jack on the front, keeping the original Dearmond control box intact. I also added a ground wire, which connects the jack to the tailpiece - the white cloth covered wire is visible in some of the images.

The tuners are the original Klusons which are smooth and hold tune. Also included is the original tin Kay headstock logo, a real sign of the times.  I added the Stella bridge which allows for very low and playable action. The fretboard is maple and some of the clay inlays are missing. The frets are original and full. The shoulder strap peg is missing from the bottom.

The neck joint is solid and the guitar is in very good shape. There is some laminate chipping and some scratches. The laminate top and bottoms were separating in a few places when I got it so I carefully injection glued the areas, clamped them, and everything is sturdy and sealed. If you have a careful hand the trim could be repainted to cover where it has worn away over the years. I’ve left the cosmetic conditions the way they are.

This guitar takes a jumbo size case which would add considerably to the shipping and I don’t have. I’ll pack professionally and ship quickly.

Let me know if you have any questions.

I often have guitars from the 1960’s, which are my passion, for sale on my Reverb page. Feel free to check them out.