Kay V-335 Vintage

Basics are that this is an Epi Dot (same factory with a different headstock); Two humbuckers, two volume, two tone, stop tail, locking tuners, rosewood fretboard with laminated Maple top. I would like to see Gibson, Epi, and Kay would add a Master Volume control which I will have to pay to have done. I like to mix my pickups volume and tone and could then crank the volume a little more for the lead. It came with a few blemishes in the finish but the seller told me this up front.

The pickups on the guitar were set all the way down (very far from the strings). Once these were set to the correct specifications, it sounds as good as an Epi Dot would. Good for Blues, Jazz, and some retro rock. I am running this through a '65 twin (a real one) and it does a good job but nothing overwhelming in its sound.

I will have to ding 'em on set up. The action was a bit high and the pickups were set all the way down to the limit. This guitar is sold as having blemishes and it does. The first or second time I play it live, I will ding it myself because I always do so the blems didn't mean much to me.

Just got the guitar and have not gigged with it yet. I will carry a backup until it proves its worthiness. I am sure that the finish will show some wear very quickly. Remember that this is a very inexpensive Epi Dot. You can't build 'em and sell them for that price and have extensive reliability and durability.

Haven't had to use it yet because it is brand new.

I've been playing for a very long time. My first guitar was a Kay (yeah, I know Clapton's was also). I really hope this reformed Kay company does well. Their market niche is going to be the low end lookalikes and I hope they are successful. For you that have a hankering for a Gibson but are still getting started and don't have the cash, this might be your early choice. I have played a few 335s and the feel is real close. This guitar just lacks the polish and quality that you will find in a Gibson.