Up for sale is a late-1950s Kay-built hollowbody archtop electric guitar, dated February 1959 (“2-59A” factory stamp). This is a smaller-bodied, fully hollow vintage instrument likely produced for catalog or house-brand distribution, built in Chicago during Kay’s classic era.
It features a comfortable 15” lower bout width and a slim 2.75” body depth, making it lighter and more playable than many full-size archtops of the period.
This guitar delivers a warm, woody acoustic resonance paired with a raw, expressive electric tone from its single vintage-style pickup.
Features
- Late 1950s Kay-built hollowbody archtop (dated Feb 1959)
- Fully hollow construction with dual f-holes
- Single cutaway design
- Single black soapbar-style vintage pickup (Kay-era design)
- Floating wooden bridge with trapeze tailpiece
- Body-mounted controls (volume/tone)
- Approx. 15” body width / 2.75” depth
- Bolt-on neck construction
- Unbranded headstock (catalog/house-brand build)
- Upgraded Grover tuning machines (modern replacement for improved stability)
Condition
- Neck is straight and plays well
- Action is comfortable and guitar is fully playable
- Electronics function properly
- Upgraded Grover tuners hold tuning reliably
- Cosmetic wear consistent with age (light finish checking / minor dings)
- Non-original control knobs (Gibson-style replacements)
- Structurally solid with no major repairs or cracks noted
Tone & Playability
This guitar has a very “alive” hollowbody character—warm acoustic response with a slightly gritty, mid-forward electric voice. The single pickup delivers a raw, bluesy tone that works especially well for jazz, early rock, lo-fi, and slide playing.
Unplugged, it has a surprising amount of resonance for its size.
Why This Guitar
- Authentic late-1950s Chicago-built instrument
- Lightweight and comfortable 15” body size
- Rare single-pickup configuration
- Reliable modern Grover tuning upgrade
- Great player-grade vintage piece with character
- Ideal for blues, jazz, indie, and recording use
