Kay K161V Brochure
Thin Twin
Electric Guitar
Thin Twin
Electric Guitar
The K161 Kay Thin Twin electric guitar was originally
introduced in 1952 and was known as the “Jimmy Reed
or Howlin’ Wolf” model. The Thin Twin was the first
guitar to be able to create that unique blues sound
from the special interior Kay bracing which made this
instrument a favorite among blues players and both
emerging and famous rockers of the 50’s and 60’s. The
name “Thin Twin” referred to the two blade pickups,
providing a clean, sharp biting sustaining sound unlike any
instrument made. The Thin Twin’s hollow body chamber
parallel bracing produces that “Gutsy-Bluesy-Raw” sound,
creating a clean natural distortion without feedback.
The K162 Kay Electronic Bass Guitar. “It’s held like a guitar, played
like a guitar, but sounds like a Big Upright Double Bass”. The Kay
Pro Bass has the volume and bite of an electric guitar, but when
plucked softly, sounds like an upright bass. Solo and rhythm effects
are unlimited allowing color and tone open to your imagination.
Get that unique Chicago style jazzy blues sound from the semi-
hollow unique Kay body chamber design and single coiled blade
pickup. The special dual capacitor switch is used for putting the
bass into overdrive. When you flip the switch, it cuts the high
range and adds additional punch and deep tone of a Standup Bass.
The K162V Electric Bass Guitar includes a hardshell case to fit.
Pro Bass
Electric Guitar
Pro Bass
Electric Guitar
K161VB
K162CS
K161VCS
K162VB
K161VBK
K162VBK
About the Luthier
In addition to having managed Gibson’s Dobro manufacturing in Nashville,
Roger Fritz was the production supervisor for Gibson’s Bluegrass division.
Roger started Fritz Brothers Guitars, making custom-crafted, handmade
guitars for George Harrison, The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, and other top
musicians. Fritz discovered the unique sound of 1950s Kay guitars and basses
and crafted these exclusive Kay features into his own custom instruments.
Fritz Brothers Guitars has partnered with The Kay Guitar
Company to oversee the construction of the Kay Vintage Reissue Series. The
truss rod cover of both the K161 Twin Thin and K162 Pro Bass will display the
Roger Fritz signature. Fritz Brothers Guitars in Mendocino, California, is the sole
USA builder of the Custom Shop Limited Edition Kay Vintage Reissues.
Kay Kel-von-a-tor Vintage Releases
Kay Kel-von-a-tor Vintage Releases
Did You Know...
Kay, In 1928, Was the First American Guitar Company to Produce Electric Guitars!
Unique Kay Vintage Reissue Features
Colors Available: Blonde, Cherry Red Sunburst and Black
Body: Single cutaway, tone chambered, hollow body acoustic type, with special
feedback-resistant bracing. Parabolic arched maple back, maple sides,
3-ply curly maple top
Purfling: Multi-ply checkerboard celluloid binding
Neck: Set one-piece straight-grained Canadian Maple with single-ply binding, 20 medium
nickel-silver frets and 6 block pearloid inlays
Fingerboard: 26” scale rosewood fingerboard with 12” radius
Tuning Machines: Vintage style, 3 on a side
Bridge & Tailpiece: Chrome individual saddle style mounted bridge with height
adjustment thumbwheels and chrome trapeze tailpiece
Electronics: 2 chrome Thin Twin single coil blade pickups, individual volume controls,
2 individual tone controls, 3-way toggle selector with baseball bat style switch cap,
4 cupcake knobs, side mounted output jack
Pickguards: Black and Cherry Red Sunburst have single-ply cream color with crest logo
and the Blonde model has tiger stripe tortoise shell
Top Nut: Bone
Headstock: Original gold chevron displaying the 3-D raised “Kel-von-a-tor” style emblem
Finish Coat: High-gloss polyester protective polymer
Case: Hardshell custom fit case available at an additional charge
Unique Kay Vintage Reissue Electronic Pro Bass Features
Colors Available: Blonde, Cherry Red Sunburst and Black
Body: Single cutaway, tone chambered, hollow body acoustic type, with unique Kay
feedback-resistant bracing. Parabolic arched maple back, maple sides and
3-ply curly maple top
Purfling: Multi-ply black and white celluloid binding
Neck: Set one-piece Canadian Maple straight-grained neck, 20 jumbo
nickel-silver frets and small abalone dot fret position marker inlays
Fingerboard: 31” scale rosewood fingerboard with 12” radius
Tuning Machines: Vintage style, 2 per side, medium cloverleaf button
Bridge & Tailpiece: Stud mounted rosewood bridge with adjustment thumbwheels,
chrome trapeze tailpiece
Electronics: One chrome single coil blade pickup, Individual volume and tone controls,
a special tandem capacitor switch for cutting high frequency response, cupcake knobs
and side mounted output jack
Plates: Blonde and Cherry Red Sunburst have tiger stripe tortoise shell color pickup cover and
control cover plates. Black version has white pickup cover and control cover plates
Top Nut: Bone
Headstock: Original gold chevron displaying the 3-D raised “Kel-von-a-tor” style emblem.
Finish Coat: High-gloss polyester protective polymer
Case: Includes hardshell custom fit case at no charge
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