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There's a thread up on the Talkbass Double Bass forum about the rescue of an old beaten-up "Pan American" string bass. The replies say these were made by the Kay Musical Instrument Company of Chicago, which made ply basses and cellos from 1937 through 1969 (They are now made by Englehardt-Link in Elk Grove Village, Illinois).

It's well known that Kay made basses for Sears, Gretch, and even American Standard. I've never seen or heard of a "Pan-American" made Kay but it's plausible.

Any of you with older Conn catalogs see any strings in them??

Alex F wrote: It's well known that Kay made basses for Sears, Gretch, and even American Standard. I've never seen or heard of a "Pan-American" made Kay but it's plausible.

Any of you with older Conn catalogs see any strings in them??

Is it true that the American Standard bass is made of white porcelin?

OldsRecording wrote:

Alex F wrote: It's well known that Kay made basses for Sears, Gretch, and even American Standard. I've never seen or heard of a "Pan-American" made Kay but it's plausible.

Any of you with older Conn catalogs see any strings in them??

Is it true that the American Standard bass is made of white porcelin?

Yup. It really supports the bottom end.

Conn also made an aluminum upright bass. Funky!

My string bass is a plywood Selmer, also made by Kay, in the '50s I think. Long time no play.

I'd gladly trade my mid-50s Kay for a metal bass fiddle. Vince Giordano has been using one for a couple years now, he sounds great on it. Talk about loud, with gut strings...

BTW, I've been using WeedWacker strings on mine for about 6 months. I'm not crazy about the E at all, but the others are amazing. I got the Clear w/ Kevlar core, rockabilly stylin'. Good slap sound, good all round sound except bowed, which is probably more my technique.