Kay Musical Instruments began building guitars in the early 1930s including the classic K-161 Thin Twin used by bluesmen Howlin’ Wolf and Jimmy Reed. In the 1950s, Kay began building Silvertone’s for Sears, Airline’s for M. Wards, and subcontracted amplifier production to Valco. Reissues of the classic Kay’s have been readily available since 2008 and remain great guitars for the budget buyer.