The McKay '59 Dot 335 is a recreation of the classic semi-hollowbody guitar that was originally designed over 50 years ago. McKay has done extensive research, R&D and practical testing to get it right and sees no reason to change the original design. He also sees no reason not to accept custom appointments like special fret sizes, pickup specifications or electronics. You will notice the McKay logo inlaid in pearl on the headstock and the headstock shape is unique to McKay guitars.
The laminated top and back are pressed with crisp, clear maple inner veneers and the outer show layers are light curly maple similar to those of the 1950s guitars. There is very high quality sitka spruce bracing hidden inside the body with a lightweight Michigan maple center block. The body is constructed like an acoustic guitar with mahogany kerfed lining and end block. McKay uses single binding on the top and back. The f holes are the perfect shape that is so familiar. It is all held together with old-fashioned "radio-glue." This all makes the guitars sound great!
When you play the '59 Dot 335 you will notice a silky smooth mahogany neck which can be made to your own specifications or to McKay's standard profile, copied from and old good one. The nut width is like a '59 at 1 11/16 inch wide. And here is something McKay considers really special! He uses old growth Brazilian rosewood for the fingerboard. It was imported before the embargo and is perfectly legal. McKay also has very high quality Indian rosewood if you prefer. There are celluloid dots of course. McKay uses a fret scale that he copied from an existing 1959 guitar, not a calculation. It is 24.75 inches in length from nut to saddle.
McKay uses single ring Kluson tuners and prefers Kluson ABR1 bridges and lightweight tailpieces for their high quality. These are standard. McKay does screw the tailpiece studs into long bushings that will never be seen but will add to the quality. The guitars are stringed with 10s or 11s, it's your choice. The guitars leave the shop perfectly intonated.
A bone nut is standard along with a 5-ply pickguard with the wide bevel as seen on the vintage guitars. Nitrocellulose lacquer that has very few plasticizers or additives is the finish of choice. You can choose to have a blonde, burst, cherry, black or custom color.
- Serial number: 83
- Body wood: 4 ply laminate
- Neck wood: mahogany
- Neck profile: 59
- Top wood: maple
- Fingerboard wood: rosewood
- Fingerboard inlays: cellulose dots
- Headstock veneer: holly
- Tuners: Kluson single ring
- Nut: bone
- Frets: med wide
- Bridge: Tune O Matic
- Truss rod: single acting
- Pickups: McKay PAF
- Electronics: 2 vol 2 tone
- Finish: black nitrocellulose
- Color: black
- Hardware color: nickel
- Case: TKL hard
- Weight: 8 Lbs