“Definitely the Best Guitar Player in this World, or any other World.” George Harrison- The Beatles “When Listening to His Records My Jaw Dropped, I was Awe Struck” B.B. King “Incredible, just Amazing Nobody can Play Guitar like that!” John lennon
Artist’s quotes about BARNEY KESSEL Kay Guitar reissues the 1956 Barney Kessel Signature Jazz model Electrics 63 years later BARNEY KESSEL - A JAZZ LEGEND "The Greatest American Guitarist" as rated by John Lennon, George Harrison, Pete Townshend and Jimi Hendrix. Barney Kessel’s innovation in jazz guitar playing in the 50’s gave rise to the 60’s Exploding Pop Scene.
Barney Kessel’s guitar playing can be heard in the Beach Boy’s monster hits, The Righteous Brothers "You've Lost That Loving Feeling", Sonny and Cher's "I Got You Babe" and The Monkees "I'm A Believer".
Barney Kessel was the “guitar player” in recording sessions with Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, Connie Francis, Ike & Tina Turner, Dinah Washington, Bobby Darin, etc.
In 1956 Barney Kessel and Kay Guitar Company created 3 new professional electric jazz guitars. Barney Kessel developed only 3 Gold Series Signature models: the sizes were the 13 inch “Pro”, the 15 1/2 inch “Artist” and the 17 inch “Jazz Special”. Though Barney over the years was associated with a some other guitar compa- nies, he put his signature only on Kay Guitars. Each model was unique and were quite “art deco” for the era. All 3 Kessel models used a full headstock overlay on the crown with a Gold “K” logo, often referred to as a “Kelvonator” headstock (reminiscent of Kelvinator refrigerators of the era). Barney could often be seen playing his Kay “Artist” model in recordings and using a “Jazz Special” on hit television show “Johnny Staccato: Television’s Jazz Detective”
60 years later and 3 years in development Kay Guitar Company has announced the 2019 reissuing of these instruments in Barney Kessel’s honor. Kay Guitar has the “exclusive” right, to produce these instruments with Barney Kessel Signature endorsement on the pick guard. It has taken years of research, design and development of new molds to produce this truly remarkable playing instrument. Kay retooled the parts that were unique to these models such as the Gold “K” Kleenex Box pickups, the neoclassic trapeze tailpiece, the reflector “radio knobs” , the Lucite signature pick guard, special finger inlays and crowned with the full headstock chevron , complete with gold dots on a white luncheonette overlay. The reissue design is in keeping with the original warm tone of the 1950’s models but upgraded to a faster slimmer 24 3/4” scale neck. All instruments are available with a custom form fitted vintage reissue cream colored deluxe hard shell case. Pro-user discounted price starts at $788 (case extra). The 3 Signature Barney Kessel models are: K1700V "Pro" 13” Wide Electric Guitar (Black, Tobacco Sunburst, Blonde)-for Singer/Songwriters K6700V “Artist”15 1/2” Wide Electric Guitar (Tobacco Sunburst, Blonde)-for Combo/Ensembles K8700V “Jazz Special”17” Wide Electric Guitar (Tobacco Sunburst, Blonde) -for Jazz/Blues/Solos
K1700VBK K6700VB K8700VTS Barney Kessel “Pro” Barney Kessel “Artist” Barney Kessel “Jazz Special” Jet Black Natural Blonde Tobacco Sunburst
www.kayvintagereissue.com For additional info: Tony Blair [email protected] Kay Vintage Reissue, LLC PO Box 8798 Newport Beach, CA 92658 949-752-0050