Need information about Kentucky KM800

**banjoboy** · Dec-12-2008, 11:15am

My father in-law has a Kentucky KM800 that he purchased in 1984. I know that Kentucky mandolins are now made in China and that at some point they were made in Japan. The sticker in his says San Francisco. Does anybody out there have any information about the mandolins that were made back in the early 80's. What might his mandolin be worth? Thanks for any help.

**Gail Hester** · Dec-12-2008, 11:56am

Your mandolin seems to be worth about $600 based on recent sales of 80s KM 800s. Retail for a new one is about $1200 with a street price of about $800. The older ones would be more attractive to a lot of people because the quality is generally perceived to be better on the ones made in Japan.

“KENTUCKY KM-800 "BELLA VOCE" F-MANDOLIN
This fine mandolin features carved figured maple back & sides, carved spruce top, maple neck w/ adjustable truss rod & 29-fret extended rosewood fingerboard, ornate "bella Voce " pattern inlays in fingerboard and headstock, bound top, back, neck & headstock, nickel hardware, gloss sunburst nitrocellulose lacquer finish and adjustable ebony bridge. “

**Gail Hester** · Dec-12-2008, 2:33pm

Hey Kent, I didn't realize it was you. Welcome to the mandolin cafe and I hope you're having fun with your new Eastman. We'll keep it a secret around here that you're an awesome banjo player.