I was lucky enough to score (for a graduation gift) a Kentucky KM-150 on ebay for about $215 with shipping and tax. It was in VG condition--not perfect but okay--partly disassembled, but the only thing missing was the tailpiece cover and I found one that only require a little bit of "pinching" to fit just fine. (They are not hard to find.)
I have, however, spent hours and hours and hours trying to attach the pickguard. I know it's not necessary, but it is a gift so I'd rather give it intact. The problem is the part of the attachment that supports the part of the pickguard over the mandolin. It is a U-shaped, chrome plated steel piece. You can see it if you do a Google search for
Chrome Plt Scratch Plate Pickguard Mounting Bracket Screw for Mandolin
The side piece is attached well to the side of the mandolin. The long screw fits through the hole on the top of the side piece on the side of the mandolin. (I've inserted it both ways -- the shorter threaded side goes closest to the edge.) The other end of the screw goes through two holes in the side of the U-shaped support bracket and the top of the U-shaped support bracket has a hole in the top so that the pickguard can be screwed into it. On paper this seems to be a good solution. (Describing in words makes it sound more complicated than it is. Again, you can refer to the picture.)
The problem, and it is a big problem, is that when everything is aligned---the U-shaped support bracket does not sit evenly on the mandolin top. Part of it hangs over the F-hole. Part of it doesn't make contact, and it raised the pickguard too high. I've tried making all kinds of adjustments but when the top of the pickguard is aligned with its proper hole, and the edge of the screw is aligned with the side of the mandolin, and the screw that goes through the pickguard to the bracket are all in place -- the bottom of the support bracket does not align and the top of the pickguard sticks up too high.
I thought maybe this isn't the correct attachment set up for this model of mandolin? I suppose I could just buy a new one for $20 since, if I pay myself $15/hour, I've probably put $60 worth of labor-hours into this on thing -- but then again, the new one might not fit either.
SOOOOOO -- first question: Is this the correct set up, especially the U-shaped bracket, for a Kentucky KM-150 mandolin? (I drove to a music store a half hour away to look under the pickguard to compare but they were "out of mandolins.")
Second question: If this is the correct equipment, is it supposed to be uneven on the mandolin, partly hanging over the edge of the F-hole
If you have access to a Kentucky KM 150 (or probably 140) you can likely answer this question in ten seconds....and when I attach it properly, I can give this to the "lucky" recipient!
Thanks,
Alan Spector
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.............maybe a Martin 000-28 and an F-hole Flatiron???.........
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