Kay K78

This guitar is a cheap 3/4 size classical guitar no longer made by Kay. A current similar model is the 3/4 size K77 (steel string model). I would guess the guitar to be about 1998 or so. I bought it online from a charity for $7.35. New it was probably $50 or so (just a guess). The top is laminated, and is difficult to tell what wood it is. The body seems to be marginally supported (do not accidentally put on steel strings, or you might bend the soundboard). The shape of the body is the same as a jumbo, but it measures only 34" long, and is proportionally sized for the body and neck. The fretboard appears to be some kind of painted material--not rosewood or any other traditional fretboard material. The guitar is cheaply made, as would be expected for a guitar that could be purchased for under $100. The tuners are probably the best feature...they're not extremely poor quality, and actually seem to be the best quality feature on the entire guitar. The back and neck are painted a dark color (probably lacquer) to simulate mahogany, but there is no grain showing. The pickguard is a hard rubbery material covered with white film similar to 'contact paper'. It had steel strings on it when I bought it used, and it was obvious the soundboard was under excessive strain from this. The pick guard was inside the sound hole area, and when I removed the strings, the string nut fell off. This is a youth-sized guitar.

When I bought this guitar I only did so because I was going to make a floor lamp from it, but I decided to buy classical strings first, and fix it up to look decent first. After gluing the string nut back on, cleaning the body (good condition by the way), and then restringing it properly, I am amazed at the sweet sound this little guitar has. As is typical with classical strings, they're still stretching so I haven't been able to determine if it will stay in tune, but I suspect it will. I don't think I'm going to make a floor lamp from it...it has too sweet a sound.

It is actually quite easy to play. There are no adjustments that can be made, so what you get is what you get. However I am surprised to find that the action is really low and makes it easy to play. If this changes (if woods warp or other problems that may occur over time) it will become a floor lamp.

I don't think this guitar was made to last any time, but simply to provide a means for a youth or student to have a cheap instrument to learn on while they were deciding if they were serious enough to continue, without making a big commitment of a more expensive or well-made instrument.

Kay offers a 2-year warranty (to the original purchaser with proof of purchase) on their current K77, but there are no dealers who work on them (I probably could find a local luthier who would at least restring it with a chuckle). They must be sent to Kay (warranty info including address is on their current web site). It doesn't apply to this guitar.

I have been playing for 35 years, and I know a little bit about guitars but I'm sure there is much more that I don't know. In these years I've tried to be educated about them, although it has been much more difficult in recent years with all the shortcuts that manufacturers are taking to reduce cost and keep instruments affordable. I would be sad if this was stolen, simply because it sounds so nice, but I wouldn't be seeking to replace it...I probably wouldn't even claim it on an insurance claim. It simply wouldn't be worth it.