Kay Kay Kraft Style A Arch Top Mandolin , c. 1938

Kay Kay Kraft Style A Model Arch Top Mandolin, c. 1938, made in Chicago, sunburst lacquer with stenciling finish, mahogany body, spruce top; maple neck with ebonized fingerboard, original canvas case.

From the popular and distinctive 1930's KayKraft line comes this nicely made and fairly flashy "Venetian" mandolin. The F-hole top is decorated with an elaborate gold stencil, as is the Bakelite pickguard. The headstock is faced with pearloid, with the KayKraft logo gold-stenciled there. The tuners on this example are very early Kluson strips, indicating a build date of around 1938. This is s well preserved and complete 1930's depression era special, which was actually a fairly upscale and moderately expensive instrument (costing around $25.00) at the time. These Kay Kraft were quite popular in their day-they can often be seen in photographs of period jug and string bands-but not many have survived in as good condition as this one!
 
Overall length is 26 3/4 in. (67.9 cm.), 10 in. (25.4 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 14 in. (356 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/8 in. (29 mm.). Quite clean overall; some finish checking and there is loss to the stenciling on the pickguard but this is a very well preserved mandolin. Excellent Condition.

Item # 5331
 
This item has been sold.