A beautiful Kay model 'N2' archtop acoustic jazz guitar, made in USA (Chicago).
 
This guitars dates from precisely 1957-59, owing to the headstock shape and decal style, so it was produced very much within the 'Golden Period' of USA guitar manufacture.
 
The N2 was a middle-market archtop, constructed of pressed laminate and finished in a 'Faux Flame' Sunburst. This constituted Kay spraying a 'flame' pattern, to emulate the appearance of a highly flamed maple top.
 
This guitar is in excellent condition for a 50s archtop, free of any breaks, replaced parts or significant wear. Kay opted to paint on a faux 'binding' for a higher-end feel, some of which has started to fade with age.
 
The neck angle is rather good and means that the guitar's action can be lowered to a comfortable modern standard. As a result, the guitar has a great action and is playable up the board.
 
These models were produced without electronics to keep costs down - personally I feel it would do really well if fitted with a Dearmond, or similar.
 
These models were unique for featuring a maple fretboard, rather than the usual rosewood. The inlays are actually very dark tortoiseshell, rather than black. The bridge is further the matching maple/lightwood variation used by kay.
 
These models did not have an adjustable truss rod - though they were steel reinforced, meaning the neck is straight and playing well.
 
Super lightweight, with a great sound owing to a solid construction and the excellent build quality of Kay's Chicago plant.
 
A fully-playable and original 50s American-made archtop guitar, priced very competitively to its higher-end contemporaries.