View Full Version : Japanese Kentucky mandos
mando-in-kingwood
May-30-2004, 6:57pm
I have a early 90's KM-700. Any idea what type of finish was used on these mandos?
mandoJeremy
Jun-01-2004, 10:06am
Well, since no one replied to your question I will give my answer. I am pretty sure that the Kentuckys are all lacquer finishes but I could be wrong because I have seen some type of "hybrid" urethane on other Pac Rim mandos. I would still guess, however, that the Kentuckys are definitely nitro.
sunburst
Jun-01-2004, 6:25pm
My answere is:.... I don't know. I suspect it might be some sort of catalized varnish, but here is a link (http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Luthier/Technique/Finish/AcetoneFinishTest/acetonetest.html) to Frank Ford's method of finding out.
BigJoe
Jun-01-2004, 9:17pm
They are not likely nitro. Most are a poly finish. Nothing like dipping your mandolin in plastic. They are impervious to wear, but the tone does not improve much.
rhetoric
Jun-02-2004, 9:53am
The Kentucky Professional Series A models from the 250S and up (340, 350S, 380S, and some of the Fs) are made with a "traditional nitrocellulose finish" -- so I guess that means they aren't "dipped in plastic." The 100 levels may be. The rap on Pac-rim mandos is bad enough without the big boys at Gibson telling stories. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
Darryl Wolfe
Jun-02-2004, 11:15am
Rhetoric...maybe now, but not in the early 90's...they were poly
rhetoric
Jun-02-2004, 1:10pm
Fair enough!
Mike McCoy
Jun-02-2004, 6:27pm
A Frets September 1984 article says the Japanese Kentucky master model series which includes the KM600, KM900, KH600, KM1000, KM1500, KMDAWG and the KHDAWG have nitrocellulose lacquer finish.
Yeah I know my old Dawg and km1500 80's model was nitro no doubt about it. Probably the best jap mandolins ever built