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K5965

1959
Not on view
On loan to The Met
This work of art is currently on loan to the museum.
Introduced by Kay in 1952, one year after Fender released the Precision bass, the K5965 attempts to get closer to an upright bass sound than the Precision. The instrument has a hollow body and a switch that removes treble frequencies to create a darker, warmer tone. Known as a singer, guitarist, and pianist, Sheryl Crow learned to play bass later in her career and now frequently composes and performs with the instrument. She used this bass to record her 1998 hit “My Favorite Mistake” and appeared with it in the song’s video.

Technical Description:
Flat top hollow body; laminated maple body and neck, rosewood fingerboard; 30 3/4 in. scale; sunburst finish with three-ply white and black binding; set neck with no fingerboard inlays; headstock with celluloid tortoiseshell veneer and raised chrome-plated Kay logo; one blade-style single-coil pickup, high-cut toggle switch, volume and tone controls; rosewood bridge, nickel and chrome tailpiece, tuners, and pickup cover, tortoiseshell celluloid control surface and pickup mount, plastic knobs

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: K5965
  • Artist: Kay Musical Instrument Company (American, 1931–1969)
  • Artist: Sheryl Crow
  • Date: 1959
  • Medium: Maple, rosewood, metal, chrome, plastic, celluloid
  • Dimensions: Length: 44 1/2 in. (113 cm)
    Width: 15 in. (38.1 cm)
    Depth: 2 3/4 in. (7 cm)
    Weight: 6-7 lbs.
  • Classification: Chordophone-Lute-plucked-fretted
  • Credit Line: Courtesy Sheryl Crow
  • Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments