Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Kentucky KM 800 - Japan - (1985)

  1. #1

    Default Kentucky KM 800 - Japan - (1985)

    Hi everybody.
    This is Pier Luigi from Italy. I'm a newbie in the forum.
    I'm not a real mandolinist; just like many others I'm a guitarist who wants to play mandolin too.

    I got the opportunity to buy this one:
    https://www.mercatinomusicale.com/mm...id6431626.html

    I haven't found many informations on the net about this model.
    I would like to ask someone more skilled than me:
    - Is this model an all solid wood one?
    - When it comes to acoustic guitars, japanese instruments are usually pretty well crafted, even in the 80s. It must be better than any China made contemporary instrument (Kentucky KM 150 for instance). Can someone confirm this for this mandolin too?

    Thank you all in advance.

  2. #2
    Registered User Kirk Higgins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2020
    Location
    Halifax, Nova Scotia
    Posts
    100

    Default Re: Kentucky KM 800 - Japan - (1985)

    I own an 80’s Japanese made KM 650 which is a very good mandolin. I also owned an 84 KM Dawg that is a great mandolin.

    These mandolins definitely punch above their weight and are great value.

  3. #3

    Default Re: Kentucky KM 800 - Japan - (1985)

    That Dawg was “the one” that got away from me Kirk!
    Last edited by Aurora; Sep-08-2021 at 8:56pm.

  4. #4
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,874

    Default Re: Kentucky KM 800 - Japan - (1985)

    There is a lot of information about this model to be found in these threads. It also contains images of the original catalog page.

    User Flatrockhill posted this message with the catalog listing.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  5. The following members say thank you to MikeEdgerton for this post:


  6. #5

    Default Re: Kentucky KM 800 - Japan - (1985)

    Thank you so much.
    I tried the search field in the forum, but I must have used in the wrong way, I did not find anything.

    There no mention about solid woods, anyway in a $1150.00 mandolin I can take it for granted, I presume. Don't I?
    it's only mentioned in this more recent Saga Catalog 2005
    https://www.jedistar.com/pdf/saga/Sa...log_2005-6.pdf
    page 45
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	CCAT 2005.jpg 
Views:	120 
Size:	209.4 KB 
ID:	196208

  7. #6
    Registered User Kirk Higgins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2020
    Location
    Halifax, Nova Scotia
    Posts
    100

    Default Re: Kentucky KM 800 - Japan - (1985)

    On the KM 650 and the Km 800, the tops are carved solid spruce and the back and sides are described as deluxe solid maple. The back is solid but not carved. The KM 1000 and above also have carved backs.

  8. #7
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Ohio
    Posts
    1,322

    Default Re: Kentucky KM 800 - Japan - (1985)

    I have a KM805, it's a very nice but not "great" mandolin, it was well worth the $600 U.S I have in it. Top and back are solid wood, not laminate.

  9. #8

    Default Re: Kentucky KM 800 - Japan - (1985)

    Hi everybody.
    Here it is. Thank you for all your advices.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_20210926_005746.jpg 
Views:	121 
Size:	837.9 KB 
ID:	196525
    Anyone knows how to verify the year?
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_20210926_085755.jpg 
Views:	108 
Size:	358.2 KB 
ID:	196526

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •