Kay
The Kay guitar company's orgins date back to the 1890's, starting with the Groeschel Mandolin Company of Chicago, Illinois. The company's name was changed to "Stromberg-Voisinet" in 1921, and shortly afterwards, in 1923, Henry Kay "Hank" Kuhrmeyer (the origin of the name "Kay") joined the company and quickly worked his way up to the top. By 1928, Kuhrmeyer had bought the company and that same year the company started producing electric guitars and amps.
Things progressed, and by 1934, the company was officially known as the "Kay Musical Instrument Company". The company became larger and more successful over the years, leading to the addition of a new factory in Elk Grove Village, Illinois in 1964. But somehow by 1965, the company had hit rough times and was bought by Seeburg, a jukebox manufacturer that sold Kay to Valco in 1967.
Kay/Valco went out of business soon afterwards, and in 1969 its assets were auctioned off. Syl Weindling and Barry Hornstein of W.M.I. (the main importer of Teisco Del Rey products) purchased the Kay brand name during this time. As a result of this, the names "Teisco" and "Kay" were used on Teisco Del Rey guitars for a while in the early 70's. The company changed hands a few times since then and today there are currently budget, asian-manufactured products sold under the Kay brandname available.
Things progressed, and by 1934, the company was officially known as the "Kay Musical Instrument Company". The company became larger and more successful over the years, leading to the addition of a new factory in Elk Grove Village, Illinois in 1964. But somehow by 1965, the company had hit rough times and was bought by Seeburg, a jukebox manufacturer that sold Kay to Valco in 1967.
Kay/Valco went out of business soon afterwards, and in 1969 its assets were auctioned off. Syl Weindling and Barry Hornstein of W.M.I. (the main importer of Teisco Del Rey products) purchased the Kay brand name during this time. As a result of this, the names "Teisco" and "Kay" were used on Teisco Del Rey guitars for a while in the early 70's. The company changed hands a few times since then and today there are currently budget, asian-manufactured products sold under the Kay brandname available.
Vintage original Kay guitar pick package.
(Close-up of above)
1960s Kay vintage triangle white guitar pick
1960s nylon Kay vintage triangle red guitar pick
Beautiful 1970s 351 sized black Kay Nylon #2(shown at an angle to emphasize logo) Note the grooves on pick for better pick gripping!
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(reverse of pick at left showing '2' on back)
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Beautiful Vintage Blue Kay #2 Guitar Pick
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(reverse of pick at left showing #2)
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Extremely HTF Vintage Kay Clear Guitar Pick Labelled #1[light gauge]
Extremely HTF Vintage Kay Clear Guitar Pick Labelled #2[medium gauge]
Extremely HTF Vintage Kay Clear Guitar Pick Labelled #3[heavy gauge]
Extremely HTF Vintage Kay Clear Guitar Pick Labelled #4[heaviest gauge]
