Kay and Kay Kraft guitars

Kay was founded in 1890 as the Groehsl Company. The name was changed to Stromberg-Voisinet in 1921. They made the Mayflower line of guitars, banjos and mandolins. In 1930 they began the Kay-kraft line, named after Henry Kay Kuhrmeyer (company secretary-treasurer).

In 1931 the company was renamed KayKraft when Henry became President of the firm. Henry sold the company in 1955 to Sid Katz, former manager of Harmony’s service department. Katz sold the company to the Seeburg Jukebox Company in 1965. In 1967 the company was sold again, to Valco, makers of National, Dobro and Supro. By 1969 the company closed.

Other brands they are associated with are: Airline and Sherwood for Montgomery Wards, Old Kraftsmen guitars for Spiegel, Silvertone for Sears. [Source: Banjo Hangout forum ].

Their own budget line was Kamico

www.kaybass.com/

littlebrotherblues.com/Gear/Kay-Bolt-Ons-1930s/index.html

see Kay guitar brand origins by Nat Adams.

Dating these guitars

Guitar HQ

Reference books

50’S CoolKay Guitars

See Valco

1st headstock image courtesy of Chris Rice, Gear Page forum

2nd headstock Retrofret

1958 Catalog Page

see KayBass

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