View Full Version : New Kentucky KM-1000s?
mcgroup53
Jul-03-2009, 11:14am
Anyone have any direct experience with the new Kentucky KM-1000s? How do they compare to the Eastman 815 Varnish? I think I'll be profiling Kentucky in the March 2010 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited if they're worth the editorial space.
Thanks,
Dave McCarty
contributing editor, BU, Mandolin Magazine
NuGrass
Jul-03-2009, 12:02pm
From trying the 2 of those I would say the KM1000 is a much superior instrument. Not only is it louder, it sounds fuller and I'm not a fan of the Varnish finish. Too much crazing happens for me.
f5loar
Jul-03-2009, 1:07pm
Not sure if price is exactly the same or not but the KM1000 is way better then the 815 and I own several of both.
The 815 gets the job done and would stand up in most any professional setting but the KM1000 has a better look, a more Loar like sound and feel. Quality good on both but the KM 1000 a tad better. So if the KM1000 is a few hundred dollars more it's worth it.
mandopaul
Jul-03-2009, 4:42pm
F5 Loar, how do you think the KM1000 compares to Weber Bitterroot, a different animal altogether or comparable?
f5loar
Jul-03-2009, 4:55pm
Never have had the privlage of getting a Bitterroot or any Weber into my hands. I heard they are very nice and would be if Bruch Weber still has anything to do with building them. I didn't think they were in the 815/1000 price range.
I do like mine. However as a "newer" player, my opinion may be suspect. I will say that having a lot of years, over 30, with fretted instruments, the workmanship, playability, and tone are very, very good. I have had opportunity to play a few upper end Eastmans, and I like this one better.
But again, I certainly don't have the credibility some others do.
Dave, wouldn't you have to get one in your hands first anyway to write an article about it? Wanna borrow mine? It's a blackface.
BRaySims
Jul-03-2009, 8:59pm
The first mando I purchased 6 years ago was a '95 Gibson A5. The second was a new Eastman 615 classic finish. My latest, about 2 months ago, was a new KM 1000. My wife, a piano player and organist for over 40 years, preferred the sound and tone of the Eastman over the Gibson...I eventually sold the Gibson. I am personally liking the sound and tone of the Kentuck over the Eastman.
A personal like is the neck, that stays thin up to the heel. My smaller sized hands really likes this. The Eastman's neck gradually gets thicker closer to the heel. My hand was continually tiring out on me after sessions and practices, now I know why.
I have my own personal string likings as everyone else, have a bone bridge saddle on it now and still playing with the bridge height to find that sweet spot, I think I am very close. It is breaking in very nicely.
Sorry I can't give you a testimony from a "long-time picker" but from the jams and other opportunities to play and hear...I'm really liking my Kentuck.
The nitro-cellulose finish seems a little thin, but I like 'em with a used look, and right now I am using it a lot.
Now with that and $1.75 you can buy a small ~o)
Ray in Ok
jan281969
Jul-04-2009, 1:14pm
In comparison with any other mandolin I could not really say.However I played one in 2 or 3 Jam sessions and found it to be favrable in playability and piercing volume without being abrasive.Highly recomend them(giving some are bound to be better than others).
Ken Olmstead
Jul-04-2009, 4:53pm
I was very enthusiastic about the one I had. I did this comparison video on youtube to see how it compared to my Weber Fern. It held its own quite well I think! Fit, finish and playability were all there in spades. I felt that in a year or so of playing the chop would have come in a lot but the cutting treble was already there! Ultimately I let it go, but in the world of reasonably priced mandolins, it is an extremely respectable offering!! There are a couple threads on the cafe that would be worth researching as well. Oh, and compared to an Eastman 515, it was a "bluegrassier" sounding instrument if that makes any sence. My father-in-laws eastman has a more modern sound.
Oh, the Kentucky is first on the video.
mandopaul
Jul-04-2009, 8:52pm
Ken, nice playing - i left you a PM
Alex Orr
Jul-05-2009, 9:54am
Nice A-B of the two mandos there Ken. The Kentucky sounds a little thinner, especially on the lower strings where it has more jangle and less punch, but overall it does compare pretty favorably with the Weber.
I'm sorry.. i cant tell which one is w hich from looking --- is the kentucky the first one or the second one? I like the second one better, whichever one that is
Good playing btw
Ken Olmstead
Jul-05-2009, 10:31pm
I'm sorry.. i cant tell which one is w hich from looking --- is the kentucky the first one or the second one? I like the second one better, whichever one that is
Good playing btw
The Kentucky is first. The Weber is one fine sounding mandolin!
Rick Cadger
Jul-06-2009, 7:52am
The KM-1000 is a very nice mandolin. I had one on trial for a couple of days and really liked it. Unfortunately, budget and my impatience in not wanting to wait for a red spruce top to open up meant I bought something else instead.
If I had to make that decision again I think I would go for the KM-1000. I kicked myself more than once for not buying it first time around.
I currently gig with a KM-505 - an A-style of similar quality, but lacking the red spruce and a couple of the 1000's flourishes. Kentucky certainly do produce a respectable mandolin these days.
If I win the lottery or get a big work bonus then I'll certainly revisit the KM-1000.