Re-create the sounds of the early rock and blues masters with this reissue.

The K161 Kay Thin Twin electric guitar was originally introduced in 1952 and was known as the "Jimmy Reed" or "Howlin' Wolf" model. T-Bone Burnett played a Thin Twin to back up Robert Plant and Allison Krause at the 2009 Grammy Awards. The Thin Twin was the first guitar able to create that unique blues sound from the special Kay interior bracing that made the instrument a favorite among blues players as well as rockers of the '50s and '60s.

The Thin Twin got its name from its two blade pickups, known for their distinctive clean, sharp, sustaining sound. The Thin Twin's hollowbody chamber parallel bracing produces that gutsy, bluesy, raw sound, creating a clean natural distortion without feedback.

Kay Vintage Reissue Guitars Thin Twin Electric Guitar Includes:

• case

The Thin Twin guitar has the gutsy tone you've been looking for—order now.

Kay Vintage Reissue Guitars Thin Twin Electric Guitar Specifications:

• Body: Single-cutaway, tone-chambered, hollowbody acoustic with special feedback-resistant bracing.
• Back: Parabolic arched maple
• Sides: Maple
• Top: 3-ply flamed maple
• Purfling: Multi-ply checkerboard celluloid binding
• Neck: Set one-piece, straight-grained Canadian maple with single-ply binding
• Frets: 20 medium nickel-silver
• Inlays: 6 block pearloid
• Fingerboard: 26" scale rosewood fingerboard with 12" radius
• Tuning Machines: Vintage-style, 3 per side
• Bridge and Tailpiece: Chrome individual saddle-style mounted bridge with height adjustment thumbwheels and chrome trapeze tailpiece
• Top Nut: Bone
• Headstock: Original gold chevron displaying 3-D raised "Kel-von-a-tor" style emblem
• Finish Coat: High-gloss polyester protective polymer
  
  Electronics:
• Pickups: 2 chrome Thin Twin single-coil Blade pickups
• Controls: 2 volume, 2 tone, 3-way bat-style toggle selector
• Output jack: Side-mounted

Kay Vintage Reissue Guitars Thin Twin Electric Guitar

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Average of 4 User Ratings

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Surprisingly Good!

Posted by lifebehindglass from Los Angeles, CA on Jun 24, 2009

Experience w/product: I have used it

Reviewer's Background: Professional Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Indie Pop / Classic Rock

Had a chance to play one of these beasties at a local shop, and I was very pleasantly surprised. The guitar felt very well constructed, it was a little bit heavy, but overall it seemed to be built quite well, which is always a concern with import guitars. But the body was incredibly resonant, and even unplugged it sounded great. Surprisingly loud all by itself as well! Didn't have much time to mess with the pickup settings, but there seemed to be a good range of tones available. Having seen T-bone Burnett's performance, and now having played it, i gotta say... i really want one!

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Mojo Monster

Posted by Joey from NJ on Dec 31, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: 30 years

Reviewer's Play Style: Blues

I have had this for just about three weeks and I really like it. My primary guitar is a 52 Reissue Hot Rod Telecaster. Being a huge Jimmy Reed fan I had to have this. It sounds and feels great. Neck is thick but not too thick. Pickups are hot single coils. The guitar is made in China but I could not find any flwas worth mentioning.

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Great roots guitar

Posted by Indra57 from Decatur, IL on Dec 21, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Active Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Roots rock

I have the Kay Thin Twin in blonde. The guitar is beautifully finished, has a wonderfully finished neck and frets, and a distinctive tone. Right now I'm playing it through a Vox AC15, but will probably look for a Tweed amp at some point. The pickups are very distinctive tone-wise, and they are very low output. The other distinguishing characteristic is the sustain, mostly attributable to the body bracing. The only concerns - tuners feel cheap and there is a sheilding problem, noticable when static electricy builds up. Those of you with small hands, note that the 26" scale really does make a difference.

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Jimmy Reed's Guitar

Posted by Joey from New Jersey on Dec 12, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: 30 Years

Reviewer's Play Style: Blues, Country, Classic Rock

So I have had this guitar for about two weeks. I ordered it before they had them in stock so I got one from the first batch. Mine is blonde with the over the top pickguard. It is not perfect, but it plays much better than any vintage Kay. The frets are more vintage style than Jumbo. Is seem to be well put together. A few small finish flaws, no big deal. A USA made Gibson has them too. The pickguard does not lay flat. Made in China. Now the good news. It plays really, really well and it sounds very good through both my 57 Reissue Fender Amp and my Carr Hammerhead. Hot, gritty sound if you push the single coils hard. It is not a light guitar and I think that helps the tone. Very full, not thin. Very kool guitar! I would buy it again. The hard case is really nice.

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Kay Vintage Reissue Guitars Thin Twin Electric Guitar

Read 4 Reviews

Kay Vintage Reissue Guitars Thin Twin Electric Guitar

Read 4 Reviews