The Kent model 540 (Polaris) was introduced in 1964 and made until around 1966. Model 540 had shaded mahogany finish and the otherwise identical model 1540 had red laquer finish. It was the entry level Kent solid body of the 1964=66 period. Kent described the 540 as follows:

"540 - SINGLE PICK-UP ELECTRIC With Steel T-Bar Neck Rods Priced for the teenage trade, with features expected only in the upper brackets! Beautifully shaped and finished double cut-away solid mahogany body with rounded edges. Speed-sensitive neck with double steel truss rod reinforcement. Rosewood fingerboard with 7 pearl position dots and white celluloid binding; white button nickel plated machines; heavy nickel silver frets; white rock-plastic adjustable bridge; etched, silver-colored, heavy metal, flat-finish pick- guard; super-sensitive magnetic pick-up with individual adjusting screw for each string; volume and tone controls; heavily nickel plated tail-piece; input jack. 37.5" long, 11.5” wide. Choice of 2 extremely highly polished finishes."