Kay K161-V Barney Kessel Artist Model Electric Guitar

This is a vintage Kay K161-V Barney Kessel Artist model electric guitar, dating from approximately 1957 to 1960. It features a full-sized archtop body with a single Florentine cutaway, finished in a classic two-tone sunburst. The guitar is notable for its 'K-up' logo on a white 'Kelvinator' style headstock with gold V-shaped chevron accents. The fretboard is rosewood with large rectangular mother-of-pearl block inlays. It is equipped with one 'Kleenex Box' style single-coil pickup in the neck position, a white pickguard featuring the Barney Kessel signature and a gold chevron logo, and two gold-toned control knobs for volume and tone. The bridge is a floating wooden base with a metal adjustable saddle, paired with a chrome trapeze-style tailpiece. Construction appears robust with multi-ply binding on the body and headstock. Condition-wise, the guitar shows signs of age-appropriate wear including some light scuffing on the body edges and minor oxidation on the metal hardware. The pickguard shows slight yellowing but remains intact. The sunburst finish retains a good gloss with minimal fading, and the overall structural integrity as viewed suggests a well-maintained instrument for its age. This model is a hallmark of Chicago-based Kay craftsmanship from the golden era of American guitar manufacturing.

Based on my visual examination of the images provided, I identify this as a genuine Kay K161-V Barney Kessel Artist Model, produced circa 1957-1960. This 'Kelvinator' headstock era is the most desirable period for Kay collectors. The body shows well-preserved multi-ply binding and the signature 'Kleenex Box' pickup appears original. The Sunburst finish retains its depth and the 'K-up' logo on the headstock shows no typical delamination. The presence of the original Barney Kessel signature pickguard—often lost or cracked—significantly bolsters the value. The market for high-end Chicago-made archtops is currently strong, particularly for models associated with the 'Artist' line. Comparables for the K161-V in excellent condition have recently realized between $4,000 and $6,500 at specialist auctions. The single-pickup configuration is prized for its jazz and blues resonance. However, there are significant limitations to a digital appraisal. I cannot assess the neck angle or the functionality of the truss rod, which are frequent issues with late 50s Kays. An in-person inspection is required to check for 'fret sprout,' internal bracing separation, and electronics integrity. For full authentication and valuation at the top of the range, I would require provenance documentation and a physical evaluation of the potentiometer codes to confirm the exact year of manufacture. A professional set-up and neck-reset status would be the primary factors determining if this piece reaches the $6,000 threshold.