Late 1930s Custom Kraft acoustic archtop...

[Retroman1969]

I spotted one at an antique shop today while killing time.
It was complete, original, and in pretty decent condition with no cracks, repairs or sinking. It had a prominently arched top and back almost like a carved guitar.
It was probably made by Harmony or Kay, and I know it was probably a cheapie and nothing special, but it peaked my interest and had some cool period touches.
The shop owner had $320 on it but said he would take $200.
I don't know what real world value is on these or if they're decent players.
One thing I didn't care for was that it appeared to have no truss rod in the neck, although the action was good, and the neck looked straight as an arrow.
Can anyone provide any info on these? The net provides very little.
Thank you!

I pulled these pics from the Internet. The guitar I'm looking at is a carbon copy of the one below.

[Retroman1969]

PS: i inspected it pretty carefully, but The reason I didn't try to play it was that the strings were old and rusty, so I was afraid if I tried to adjust the bridge and tune it up they would just break.

[customxke]

No truss rod. Stringing it up with big flat wounds might lead to some heart burn.

[oldane]

Originally Posted by customxke

No truss rod. Stringing it up with big flat wounds might lead to some heart burn.

Maybe not so. Guitar strings from that time was always what we would call at least medium and often heavy. Many cheaper guitars didn't have adjustable truss rods, but many did in fact have metal rods built into the neck. I have an older Gretsch New Yorker, and it doesn't have an adjustable truss rod either, but it takes D'Addario Chromes 13-56 (bronze - or Chromes when I had a floating pickup on it) without problems. At one time I also had 14 and 18 on it for the two highest strings, still no problems.

I would think it would be safe to begin with 12-52 and if the neck doesn't bow significantly, then one could go on to 13-56 if one wishes.

[WhoisLevang]

It's a "Kay" from Saint Louie!Kay History

[Retroman1969]

Thank you for adding a little info and insight.
Yeah, I'd probably go round wounds 12-53ish, so hopefully the lack of an adjustable rod wouldn't be an issue if the neck is straight to begin with.
Of course, something like this wouldn't be a "go-to" guitar. More of a curiosity, but not wall art either. It would have to be comfortably playable.
So do you guys think $200 is reasonable for it?
Thanks again...

[WhoisLevang]

Old Harmony archtop

GUITAR ACOUSTIC KAY

AFTER I stopped looking for one of these and found my Robelli Manhattan.... (edit- much better result anyway!)

Now, on Ebay, they go higher than the one you are looking at...