KAY - Kei Old Flat Mandolin Venetian Model

This is a genuine vintage mandolin, over 50 years old since its manufacture. The company is famous for Paul McCartney using their bass.
This model features the Venetian style design.
It has been overhauled and is ready to play, making it a rare model that rarely comes on the market, recommended for players and collectors.

Notes:
There are scratches consistent with its age, so please examine the photos and description carefully before considering.

Condition:
For this listing, I commissioned an overhaul from Matsushita Kobo, a long-established workshop in Harajuku. The string height at the 12th fret is ideally set at 2.5mm on the 1st string side and 2.7mm on the 4th string side.
While the tension feels strong, this results in maximum volume and rich overtones when strumming chords.

Given that it is likely over 50 years old since its manufacture,
it can be said to have a perfectly refined sound.

Although categorized as a so-called bizarre instrument, it has been restored to a very playable condition by a professional repairer.

Exterior:
The paint peeling on the right side of the body top is from a name sticker that was previously on the instrument, and this is from its removal.
The circular marks on the pickguard are from sticker residue.
The circular marks on the neck heel are original and not a modification.
According to Matsushita Kobo, these are marks from screws inserted for joint reinforcement.

Repairs performed: Fret replacement, neck end gluing, bridge adjustment, nut adjustment.

A guarantee seal from Kawase Gakki of Kanda is affixed to the case and the back of the headstock.

About KAY:
KAY began manufacturing mandolins in Chicago in the 1890s. In the 1930s, they gained prominence by selling a vast number of instruments through mail order, which was unusual at the time. However, in 1955, they were merged and absorbed by Harmony, and later further absorbed by Valco. Unfortunately, the brand disappeared by the 1970s. KAY released many string instruments with highly original appearances and structures in their original models, and it can be said that they are the origin of today's bizarre instrument scene.

Accessories: Hard case
String gauge: 10-34
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