Kent Guitar

Subject: Kent Guitar
From: Beer
Date: 16 Jan 05 - 09:36 PM

Have this Kent guitar from the late 60's. It's a pass me down. Does anyone have any information on this make?

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: Little Hawk
Date: 16 Jan 05 - 09:39 PM

They're notorious. Kent was a cheap make of guitar in the 60's and early 70's that sold in places like department stores. They were mostly pretty awful. However, yours may be a good one. Who knows? Have an experienced guitar person check it out and see.

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: catspaw49
Date: 16 Jan 05 - 10:23 PM

Ah yes.....Kent. My first "guitar" which was actually given to me. Hope yours is a lot better than mine was!!!! Mostly they various "offshore" builders witha Kent logo stuck on them. As I recall mine had a delightfully tacky metal tag that said KENT on the headstock.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: Mooh
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 08:04 AM

Bits and pieces of my first electric guitar (a Kent) still survive, like the string tree from the headstock, the bridge and tailpiece. The rest of it was utter crap, though the pickups had that cool low-end vibe and were extremely microphonic. Wood, glue, finish, and hardware were cheap and poorly assembled, but the guitars filled a definite market, and made me appreciate my first Telecaster all the more.

Unless it's in fantastic original condition, I can't imagine anyone other than a collector being very interested in it. But you never know, styles change and it might become the new hip axe.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From:
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 11:50 AM

Kent was my SECOND guitar, an upgrade from my Teasco? Del ray Mike

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 02:34 PM

Various people made Kents: if you have a Hagstrom Kent it is quite a decent electric guitar (think White Stripes) with the still-unequalled Hagstrom "King's neck" and trussrod, and not bereft of value. Check one of the Hagstrom sites and ask if someone has a "blue book" that will identify an electric Hagstrom from its serial number.

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: Beer
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 05:46 PM

Mine is an accoustic an actually has a good sound. But as I stated earlier mine is a pass me down. The Guitar I play is a Gibson J-45 Sunburst. 1954. Also have a fender accoustic. I'v tried the google search for Kent guitars but came up flat. Any suggestion? And thank you all for the feedback.

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 07:21 PM

Here's a link to a page with a picture of David Bowie playing a Hagstrom-made electric Kent.

Hagstrom fans

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: Mooh
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 09:55 PM

Wow, my Kent sure didn't feel like any Hagstrom, it was trash. Most Hagstroms I've known were very nice. Back in the 70s I lusted for a Hag, and a Gretsch White Penguin which sells now for more than I paid for my house.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,reaper of stirfe
Date: 17 Oct 06 - 05:18 PM

i'm currently purchasing a japaness two pickup kent and i love the sound mine has the btisih punk rock kinda sound, and she's in wikid condition. everything is orignal its alot better than the cheap ones made today.

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,Guest picker
Date: 18 May 07 - 10:43 PM

I still have my second guitar, which is a Kent (guyatone) from the 60's. It was given to me by my uncle (RIP). It is currently in pieces, refinishing, new electrics and hardware. It has always had good action and intonation is not so bad for a compensated bridge (also being replaced) Pick-ups very noisy, thinking about S.D. Mini HB's.

If anyone has that little cheesy metal headstock logo and will to part wit it, let me know.

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,Old Picker
Date: 29 Nov 07 - 11:43 AM

My first guitar in 1966 was a acoustic Kent that my folks found at a pawn shop for $30. It had the metal logo and I was too young to know how crappy it sounded.

My guitar teacher hated it (you couldn't tune it down the neck), but I couldn't afford to buy one of his Yamahas. Thanks goodness I finally got a Martin, 41 years later.

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: lefthanded guitar
Date: 29 Nov 07 - 02:52 PM

My first guitar was a Kent. Bought at Korvettes. I still have it. Keep meaning to use it as a travel and/or alternative tuned guitar. It was no great guitar, but sounded passably okay when I changed the strings. Action's pretty tough tho, not easy to play.

Well, no doubt it's not a prized guitar, but it's got nostalgic appeal, kinda like a Flexible Flyer. I just can't bear to part with it.

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 30 Nov 07 - 11:12 AM

Beer,
Sorry to post off topic, but all 1954 J45s were sunburst. If you had a 1954 natural finished J45 it would be a re-finish. The blonde version of a J45 is called a J50 and cost a bit more because the spruce had to be more attractive (although I have two friends who have J45s that have been refinished to look like a J50 and the spruce top looks fine to me)
I think the current J45s and J50s are different guitars, with the J45 being more expensive and coming in a sunburst or blonde top.

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: kendall
Date: 30 Nov 07 - 07:31 PM

Junk

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,marko
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 06:08 AM

Hi Beer,
I'm Marko. Back in the the late 60's or early 70's my parents bought me an acoustic Kent as a birthday gift. It was bought al Rockland's in Montreal. I still have it but this one doesn't have the metal tag on the headstock...it's black with a white kent logo. Oh, this one was made in japan.

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,Tony
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 09:23 AM

I'm a collector of cheapo '60s guitars, because I love the tone and the microphonic screech. I usually take the bridge off and add something really GOOD, like a tune-o-matic or Gibson harmonica bridge, fix the intonation, adjust the truss rod and sometimes change the tuners. I've been wanting to get a three-pickup Kent for a long time, because Lou Reed and Sterling Morrison used them on the first Velvet Underground album (of course, Lou Reed and Sterling Morrison were desperately poor at the time)--I've already got my Silvertone 1484 to go with it. I don't know whether theirs was a Hagstrom-made Kent or not, though--I just know it was a three-pickup model made before 1967.

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,phill
Date: 16 Feb 08 - 02:37 AM

My second guitar was a Kent that was a solid body sunburst with 4 pickups that my parents bought in a St. Louis pawnshop in the mid 60's.

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,phill
Date: 17 Feb 08 - 11:47 PM

Tony, I am confused about your Hagstrom made Kent. I thought all Kent guitars were Japanese. Hagstrom was a Swedish company. My 3rd guitar was a Hagstrom III, and I can tell you there is no comparison as to the quality. Kent was terrible. Since you are a collector, I have my first guitar, A Danelectro U body. Have no idea exactly how old it is. Bought used in 63 or 64. What I've learned is that they were probably made in 56 to 58.

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,DAVE
Date: 20 Feb 08 - 03:40 PM

Do you know anything about kent basss's

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,dav ashton
Date: 31 Mar 08 - 09:11 PM

ive got a kent acoustic and its got a dove on the scratchplate, it looks like a copy of the gibson dove. i think its from the late 60s or early 70s. anyone knows any info email me please. [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,Nicholls
Date: 06 May 08 - 07:57 PM

Ironically , Bruce Springsteen said the first guitar he ever owned was a Kent .

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,Tom
Date: 15 May 08 - 09:05 PM

I've just bought a Kent amplifier from the '60's, which states "made in USA" on it... are they lying? Sounds great either way...

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,david
Date: 11 Jul 08 - 08:20 PM

I just bought a Kent, the body is crap but I though that I might make a project out of making it into a god guitar, better pickups and the works. Hey, it only cost 30 bucks.

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,phill
Date: 15 Jul 08 - 02:07 AM

david you must have too much time on your hands. Good guitar and Kent is a contradiction of terms.

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,dav ashton
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 08:54 AM

Does any1 know anythin by my kent guitar? its got a dove on the faceplate, it looks like a copy of the gibson dove. i think its from the late 60s or early 70s. Thanx

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,Thud72
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 08:37 AM

I found this link to a Kent site. http://www.geocities.com/kentking_2000/TheFabulousKentFrontPage.html Not much there but it mentions that Kent started to make copy guitars in 1970. I have a Hummingbird Acoustic copy that kinda fell into my lap. Since it is free, I am willing to put some new strings on it and see what it sounds like. Will keep you posted.

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,Big Dave
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 07:32 PM

I've got a Kent les paul copy 2 humbuckers very microphonic sounds very good action is GREAT!!! the body is crap (plywood)it ihas a tobaco burst finish looks cool sounds cool made in korea some are good most suck but if ya like it ya like it im not a brand name snob hell mine plays better than my strat

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,Josh
Date: 25 Nov 08 - 04:07 PM

I have a very early (1964-ish) Kent Polaris II. I don't see what any of you are talking about in terms of how "bad" it is. I love this guitar and I'd take it over any gibson or fender. It has a good clean tone, not perfect but good, it's growl is amazing (think Jack White's airline) and it has great sustain. The only real issue I have with it is the action which due to the hight of the bridge and no truss-rod is unable to be fixed, but in my opinion, if you're a good enough guitar player action is only a luxury not a necessity.

Always, all that said I'd like to learn more about it. I've found a good handful of information on kents, less information on polaris's, even less on polaris II's and nothing on polaris II's no. 6 (all have been no. 5) can anyone help me out? Does anyone else own one like this? thanks.

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,Dash
Date: 25 Nov 08 - 05:58 PM

any body have the plastic bridge part from a 60's Kent Polaris or know where I could find one? It would be greatly appreciated!

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,wigg
Date: 07 Dec 08 - 09:59 AM

Kent resonator with suspension bridge action...no truss rod. Use it or slide, would like to lower the action BUT HOW???? Please help!!!

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 Dec 08 - 03:10 PM

Kent guitars were extremely useful for those scenes in movies where Elvis or Johnny Cash or some other guitar hero goes berserk and smashes his guitar into a thousand pieces to express his frustration with life. You can do this with a Kent and save yourself the crippling guilt of having ruined a perfectly good instrument in a moment of madness. In fact, it's sort of a favor to the world when you do this with a Kent. They're built pretty strong, so you can't hold back...just SMASH that thing up read good!

There's a wonderful scene in a small bistro in one of the Elvis movies where this obnoxious guy in a suit keeps laughing and talking loudly to his friends while Elvis is trying to play a song and Elvis finally loses it and goes over and smashes his guitar to pieces all over the guy's table. I feel sure they used a Kent in that scene. ;-) Well, I hope they did.

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,McAuley
Date: 27 Dec 08 - 07:10 PM

Don't trash all the Kents unless you've played them all. I've got a '66 Polaris I (one pickup, mid-body). You wouldn't want to play jazz on it but the pickup has this wonderful mid-tone with a sustain that reminds me of Waddy Wachtel playing on Jackson Browne's stuff (think "Running on Empty"). I can get that sound almost straight out of my amp with no overdrive pedal needed. The neck action is fine -- I had a luthier friend of mine adjust it. It still has the original plastic bridge, plastic knobs, and metal pick guard but I think I'm going to replace all that stuff (and keep the originals stowed away). The neck's a little thick for me, but then I'm used to Strats and PRS. It's not any thicker than a Les Paul.
It's a great "alternate" guitar for tuning down (maybe to Eb and popping some size 13s on it).

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: gnu
Date: 27 Dec 08 - 07:36 PM

I gave my first electric guitar, a Kent, to my nephew's lad years ago. Don't think he even plays now. So, I must see about getting it back. I gave it a wicked paint job when I was about 12 years old. It was so cool. Played a lotta a tunes on that old geetar.

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,en4cer
Date: 01 Apr 09 - 11:07 AM

I've got a Kent Bass that I bought for $25 used in 1976. looking to replace the headstock logo if anyones got a line on them???? Don't think I would ever let it go, not because its the best bass in the world, but it is pretty cool and nostalgic. Plays fine.

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Apr 09 - 11:40 PM

i just recieved a classical acoustib kent and l have no imformation at all it looks nice and has a sticker on the inside with no other marks of identification please help

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,mkschrimpsher
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 11:41 AM

My mother loved playing any thing with strings and she was very good at it. I think she was one of those pickers that just had the gift.
And she loved her Kent 12, string acoustic guitar. Man she could make that thing sing.Now she is gone but she left me with her Kent.
I hope I to can play it as good as she could. But I need to what year Kent was made and hope to find all the info on ti I can.
Now I found me a Kent 12,sting ele, Can some one out ther tell me some info on ti as well Model number 821 and below that is the numbers 3516. It is a sunburst,with to pick up's .It is a very nice playing guitar the action is sweet and so is the sound I love it .
I think it is a grate find. Can some one help me on some info
thanks for all.::MK

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,J Andrews
Date: 31 May 09 - 02:46 PM

I have a Kent 2 pu hollowbody 1965 or so i am looking to sell. It is in good general condition. missing one gromit for tuning spindle. Starburst finish. Original case inc. #551 Americana   
Kent Guitar Hollowbody 2pu

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,RANDY8874-4250
Date: 27 Jun 09 - 11:23 AM

I placed a bid on a 70,s era l p copy I have naver seen anything like it,where the volume and tone controls are they are on a pretty good sized plate,where the tone controls and volume controls are ther are at least two or three other black up and down swithes on it.I know nothing about this guitar it says fx doesn't work.If anybody knows anything about this guitar let me know and i will be forever in your debt.email me at [e-mail] thanx

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,k8ysk8y
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 08:08 AM

Hi guys.. I'm also someone who has just purchased a Kent with the dove and roses on the scratch plate!! so no replies yet?? Would be extremely lovely if someone could tell us anything about them..
Peace
Kat

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,Steve in Seattle
Date: 13 Aug 09 - 08:20 PM

I just found my mid-60s 2 pickup Kent solidbody in storage and I have to note that those dissing the Kent / Guyatone/ Teisco across the board are missing the point: not all the Kent's made from 1948-70 sound or play the same.
My 2 pup was a mojo monster that was well balanced and a pleasure to play. Very instant Jimmy Page with sustain for days.
I'm trying to find a Kent bridge or a replacement. Any ideas?

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,Jeff
Date: 28 Aug 09 - 08:37 AM

I have a kent acoustic that my wife's grand father used to play. He died and we were cleaning out his shed back in 02 and found it and a JB Player professional series electric. In the inside of the body of the Kent, there is a sticker that says Kent model # KF 240 and Made in Korea. It sounds OK. I keep it at work and play it when I get bored. It's been thru 3 deployments and if it gets banged up, no biggie.

I was shocked at how well the JB player sounded though. I had never heard of them. It looks like a strat and has 3 emg pickups. I couldn't imagine an 80 year old man playing it but he dealt in junk and I figured someone must have owed him money.

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,Jefferey
Date: 04 Sep 09 - 09:27 PM

I was recently left a Kent and cannot find anything on it at all, I see a bunch of different names for the models being batted around, but nothing on the one I have, it is a Kent Newport. If anyone has any information on this, I would appreciate it.

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,dav
Date: 18 Sep 09 - 07:44 AM

still no replies about the my or kats kent guitar with the dove and roses on the scratch plate?????
looked everywere n cant find any info on it?
mine needs re-stringin n needs new machine heads, is it worth doin or should i just buy a new acoustic?

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,Parker68
Date: 11 Nov 09 - 05:18 PM

I just found an acoustic Kent Model 3501. It has the number: 46.5.25 stamped on the bottom of the neck. The headstock has a pearl inlay with "Kent" in white. The neck also has pearl inlays. I found a website that listed the headstock pictures of vintage guitars and this one matched the line made in Japan in the 1960s. Any ideas?

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,Kent - Quality cues to look for?
Date: 25 Dec 09 - 03:48 PM

Sounds like the quality of Kent Guitars varies widely, since they were   built by assorted manufacturers.

Are there any simple visual cues that mark the better-made ones, or Japanese vs. Korean ones? For example:

a) Fender-style headstock with metal "K" logo

b) Gibson-style headstock with inlay script "Kent" logo

c) Kent made by Hagstrom models have ________

Thanks in advance for your help!

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,Rick C in Ct.
Date: 08 Feb 10 - 12:07 PM

I was "gifted" an old Kent last year after a freind heard I was trying to restore my old Ovation Balladeer. It has the inlay "Kent" logo in the headstock, a rosewood fretboard w/mother of pearl dots, an adjustable truss rod, an adjustable brass bridge saddle, and a beautifully bookmatched sound board. The action is about 2.5mm off the deck and rivals my strat. I opened one of the tuners (it was bent) and it is stamped "Japan"..so I know at least the tuners are pacific rim but can't find where it was actually made. With all the kent bashing I see in these posts I'm shocked at how well mine looks and plays...wouldn't give it up for nottin'! (model 3406...in case anyone is interested)

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Jun 10 - 02:18 PM

I recived a Kent solid body guitar from my grandfather. It has a polaris finish and it was made in japan. he said he bought it at a department store in the 60s. Its singe and optional double coil pickups give it a nice dirty and clean tone. It has a small body and a bridge thats not glued on. No truss rod or wammy bar.
Click this link for a picture
1960's Kent Guitar

Subject: RE: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,B Daniels
Date: 02 Jun 10 - 05:45 AM

IDing year of manufacture and other historic info on most of these old imports is liketrying to id old tupperware. Not gonna happen. You just have to enjoy the funky vibe for its own sake. My first electric was a Kent played through a very tired Barcus Berry amp. I don't remember much about it aside from it was cheap to buy, made the neccessary electric guitar sounds....when it worked. Wish Id applied myself more to learning the guitar way back then. Wish I had that old Kent back? Not so much.

Subject: Kent Guitar
From: GUEST,LEON
Date: 01 Jul 10 - 05:49 PM

HOLA, TENGO UNA GUITARRA ACUSTICA, MARCA KENT MODELO KF 240, HECHA EN COREA, ¿ALGUIEN ME PUEDE DECIR DE QUE AÃ'O ES, Y CUAL ES SU VALOR ACTUALMENTE?