View Full Version : Oval Hole Kentucky mandos
dorenac
Sep-17-2006, 6:26am
Years ago I passed on a chance to buy a Kentucky oval-hole F-4 style mandolin. #Now I would like to find either an A-style or F-style but can't remember any of the model numbers to search. #Does anyone recall what Kentucky made in oval-hole instruments? #Has anyone seen one in a while, I sure haven't.
Dorenac
Eric F.
Sep-17-2006, 11:03am
I used to have a Japanese-made Kentucky oval, 200SC I think was the model. It was an A style. Decent mandolin, but nothing to get excited about.
arbarnhart
Sep-17-2006, 3:17pm
The old days may have been different, but these days, Kentucky is Saga and Saga is (to the best of my knowledge) producing the kits that International Violin (IV if you go search for info on kits in the builder forum) now sells at pretty reasonable prices and they have an oval hole option.
I used to have a Kentucky 250sc that was real nice for the cost. It had a nice warm tone but didn't cut like an F hole mando.
Old Red
Sep-21-2006, 7:37pm
I have an F4 style KM-1000 that has a 1985 SN though I bought it new in 1995. #It has the neck joint at the 12th fret and an elevated fingerboard. #The peghead has a nice MOP flowerpot and "Kentucky" in MOP script. #It sounds pretty good, loud on the treble side #and with just a touch of the oval hole tubby sound on the bass side. #It's the only oval-hole KM-1000 I've ever seen, but I wouldn't be surprised if there are others. #Good luck in your search.
Andy
dorenac
Sep-24-2006, 6:45am
Thanks for everyone's input so far. I actually played the one I mentioned earlier, but can't for the life of me remember the model number. Does anyone know a site where the old Kentucky mandolin models are listed? It's been probably 15 or so years since I played it. Bernunzio had it for sale. I've emailed them about this issue but haven't had a response.