Proud Kentucky Pickers - Let's see 'em!!

[Ken Olmstead]

Mine is not as high end as the others posted in this thread, but I received my km-172 last week, and have been enjoying it so far. Personally I prefer the look of oval hole A-style mandolins, but that's not to say I wouldn't love to own an F someday.

No picture at the moment to show, but there is a bear playing my 172 in my avatar.

I am waiting on that photo Drew!!

[Ken Olmstead]

My KM-1050 is in getting its first pro set-up and may be there a couple weeks. You folks gotta get me through this time with some more photos, playing my Taylor guitar is fine and all but I'm on a mandolin streak!! Not really feeling the electric mando these days...

[Bassaholic]

Pete, mine marks up easily as well. It doesn't take much of a bump to leave a scuff or dent. About what does a extension scoop cost? I really liked the way that looked. thanks.

[Pete Counter]

Pete, mine marks up easily as well. It doesn't take much of a bump to leave a scuff or dent. About what does a extension scoop cost? I really liked the way that looked. thanks.

I did it my own self so I dont know what is charged. Sorry.

[Ken Olmstead]

I did it my own self so I dont know what is charged. Sorry.

On my first KM-1000, my friend scooped the extension for me. I had to look away! LOL! Congrats on having the brass to do it yourself!!

[shortymack]

I got a chance to play my first KM Master models at NAMM last week. The KM 950 blew my socks off! Great mandos.

[Zissou Intern]

I have a KM1050 on the way to me. It should be here Thursday. I can hardly stand the wait. I owned a KM1000 back in '07 and just couldn't get a long with the narrow neck, small frets and flat board. I felt like I was playing in a ditch.

I "self scooped" the extension on the 1000. It was not at all difficult. I also added a speed neck and Cumberland Acoustic bridge. Fitting the bridge was the most harrowing. I didn't want to scratch the top. Some how, dragging a razor blade across the neck didn't bother me. I'll probably speed neck the 1050 as soon as it gets here... maybe a new bridge, too. We'll see.

[Jim Ferguson]

Here is my gorgeous KM1000.........LOVE IT!!!!!!

[Ken Olmstead]

Here is my gorgeous KM1000.........LOVE IT!!!!!!

Looking good Jim!!

[Tom Coletti]

A KM-750 that I used to have before I upgraded to a Breedlove FF.

--Tom

[Zissou Intern]

Jim's 1000 is a beauty. Ken's old 750 is begging for the hack saw Sam Bush cut off!

[Tom Coletti]

Ken's old 750 is begging for the hack saw Sam Bush cut off!

Yeah, the block-inlaid 750s were essentially the poor man's Sam Bush model. I haven't seen too many of them, though; only saw one in person (the one that I had) and a pre-production model in an online photo.

--Not Ken

[Ken Olmstead]

--Not Ken

I wouldn't claim that name either Tom, but I'll claim the mandolin!

[Zissou Intern]

My bad! But it's not so bad a name. It fits nicely between my last and first name.

[lflngpicker]

Mine is not in the class of those above, but she is a unique one-- not too many late 80's MIJ Kentucky KM-200s around. Solid spruce and solid mahogany. I had to do a slight bit of work on the action and she is playing and sounding great. Thanks to this forum, I knew what to look for in the price range I could afford.

[Andrew B. Carlson]

Here's mine.

[Ken Olmstead]

Mine is not in the class of those above, but she is a unique one-- not too many late 80's MIJ Kentucky KM-200s around. Solid spruce and solid mahogany. I had to do a slight bit of work on the action and she is playing and sounding great. Thanks to this forum, I knew what to look for in the price range I could afford.

Hmm MIJ and spruce/mahogany - nice machine you have there and a great pic!

Here's mine.

Seriously nice color on that one Andrew!!

I get mine back tomorrow!!

[Ken Olmstead]

I got mine back and while it plays and sounds great (almost) what I was afraid of has materialized. I was hoping to do with the original bridge but it will not quite go tall enough. I had the same issue on my last Kentucky KM1000. The bass side is still out of adjustment and needs to go a squeak higher for my tastes. Also, it just does not look very sturdy at the end of its adjustment.

Sooooo...I just ordered a CA Tall Boy so it should do the job! That is what I did on my last one and it was the final touch that that KM-1000 needed. Now do I install it myself like I did the last time, or just pay the man… hmmmm...

[sumibuilt]

(Psssst..look in the cafe classifieds)

[Andrew B. Carlson]

I got mine back and while it plays and sounds great (almost) what I was afraid of has materialized. I was hoping to do with the original bridge but it will not quite go tall enough. I had the same issue on my last Kentucky KM1000. The bass side is still out of adjustment and needs to go a squeak higher for my tastes. Also, it just does not look very sturdy at the end of its adjustment.

Sooooo...I just ordered a CA Tall Boy so it should do the job! That is what I did on my last one and it was the final touch that that KM-1000 needed. Now do I install it myself like I did the last time, or just pay the man… hmmmm...

Are you playing high action or something? I put a standard CA bridge on mine a couple weeks ago, and it worked great for height.

Oh yeah, and that km1500 in the classifieds is hurting my brain.

[Ken Olmstead]

Well, Alaska is fairly dry. It is common to have a "winter and summer" bridge for many acoustic instruments. While I keep mine well humidified, I think it still is a bit dry.

The "Tall Boy" is a bit of a misnomer. It only adds 3/32" to the height of the normal, 3/4" bridge. The original will work but I think I will like the CA a bit better is all. I will let you know. He sure did a great job on the frets and fingerboard and nut slots though. Perfect!!

[mrkrgr]

I have 2 a Chinese KM-700 and what I believe is a early 80's SN 207XX KM250S. I traded for the KM700 and paid 75 bucks for the KM250S, Its a little worse for wear but he price was right.

[MojoDaniels]

I took delivery of my KM-1500 Friday Feb 7th. I'm not sure if it is considered a 2013 or a 2014 but I waited all month for Saga to get some in. Robert at folkmusician.com Shipped it on to me after installing the LR Baggs Radius internally and the Cumberland Acoustics bridge.

I am already in love with this instrument. It plays so well. I can finally retire my Fender Fm63s (by retire I mean let the kids play with it). I am in love with his new Mandolin. I couldn't be happier with the feel and sound, though I must admit I am a bit envious of one or two of the real gems in this thread when it comes to detail in the wood. I think they are going a little heavy on the black in the sunburst these days.

[almeriastrings]

I think that looks great... nice wide-flame back. Lots of flame in the neck, too... what's the top like?

They do seem to have changed the 'bursts somewhat. This is my other KM-1000, built 2007:



I've noticed that with the 900's and 1500's too. They appear to have had more red in there a few years ago, with a less dense 'tobacco' type fade at the edges, and now they seem to have more black. Not sure when this changed, or if you still get the paler, reddish ones showing up?

[albeham]

Nice..but were are the other ones in the Kentucky line?

I will post me KM-630 soon....