Stromberg-Voisinet had primarily manufactured mandolins, tenor guitars, tenor banjos and 6-string guitars under its own brand as well as a large number of other brands, as Stromberg-Voisinet was an OEM supplier to many other manufacturers. Mid 1920s Stromberg-Voisinet Hawaiian theme Parlor Guitar from my collection Henry Kuhrmeyer, with no musical background, but was financially successful in the musical instrument business. The new company, вЂњKay Musical InstrumentsвЂќ was formally established in 1931 from the assets of Stromberg-Voisinet. In 1928, with help of an investor, bought the company. In 1923, Henry Kay Kuhrmeyer joined the company. Stromberg-Voisinet is particulary well-known among serious students of stringed instrument design for its unique вЂњVenetianвЂќ body shape, which was used for its mandolins, tenor guitars and 6-string guitars. The 1920s Stromberg-Voisinet instruments were very well made, given their inexpensive prices, and they generally had a unique designs to attract buyers. Like Regal, Harmony and most of their other competitors, Stromberg-Voisinet made relatively inexpensive instruments that were designed to be sold through catalogs. Stromberg-Voisinet was one of numerous companies that built musical instruments in Chicago in the early part of the 20th century. Stromberg-Voisinet was the Chicago company that became Kay around 1931. In 1921, the company was renamed to Stromberg-Voisinet. The Groeshel Mandolin Company was established in Chicago in 1890. The company lineage started with the Groeshel Mandolin Company. These are still being produced in Elk Grove Village, IL. Engelhardt-Link purchased the acoustic line of instruments from Kay. However, Kay also produced cellos and basses. Kay guitars are not currently in production. During the 1950s their electric guitars were competitors for the Silvertone and Danelectro guitars. They supplied guitars to Montgomery Wards and others. Kay was founded in 1931 by Henry вЂњKayвЂќ Kuhrmeyer.

Vintage kay guitar parts