Kentucky or Michael Kelly [Archive]

rnfuller

Aug-25-2004, 5:42am

I am new to mandolin, and have been looking at a couple of beginner packages at Folk of the Wood. The two that interest me are the package with the Kentucky 630 and the Michael Kelly Solid. If you had these choices, which one would you choose?

I will be ordering one of these (or an alternative by Friday)

Thanks!

rnfuller

Aug-25-2004, 7:28am

44 views and no one has an opinion?

Tig

Aug-25-2004, 7:43am

I think you will find supporters of both MKs and Kentuckys on this board. If it were me, I would go for the MK. It is all solid wood, has a scooped fingerboard, better tuners, and IMHO is just cooler looking.

fatt-dad

Aug-25-2004, 9:47am

From my non-statistical review of the Cafe posts, the MK's seem to have a good reputation. It seems much of the luster has fallen from the Kentucky line (not that I have any direct experience with the Chinese Kentucky mandolins. I notice that you have ruled out Epiphone. I also notice that you have ruled out used Flatiron A-model mandolins. By far your best deal would be buying a used Flatiron A-model (like a performer), which would be in the under $1,000.00 range. It would be a real mandolin, keep its value and likely the only mandolin you would ever need - not that you wouldn't buy more - ha.

If you are considering the MKs, you may want to look at the selection at www.gruhn.com You can call over there and talk to Billy, who can steer you to a one that you will like. He is pretty straight on the tone, playability, and overall impression of their mandolins. You may also want to look at their used collection.

Good luck.

Lee

Aug-25-2004, 2:50pm

If you must buy new and want the scroll consider the blacktop Rover at Gruhn's. They have two but the blacktop one was much better in all respects. For $375.00 it blew me away (and $375 mandolins don't blow me away). In a dark room you might like the more expensive MK or Kentucky better; but I wouldn't bet money on it after playing this one particular Rover. And with the money you save now, you'll be that much closer to purchasing your first fine mandolin.

Lee

Aug-25-2004, 3:01pm

Update; the blacktop Rover is gone; maybe. Gruhn's advertises two "dark mahogany" ones now. In the spring when I was there the other one was more like a sunburst. So maybe one of these "dark mahogany" ones is the one that floored me for the price. I really think it had more going for it than most of the MK's on the wall. If Rover radiused the fretboard for another $80, I'd buy it for hazardous duty.

flairbzzt

Aug-25-2004, 7:23pm

Be sure to look at Morgan Monroe vs. both of these, particularly their higher end models like the mms-5 (just under $1,000). Looks and sounds great-loud and crisp-rings nicely.

jim_n_virginia

Aug-25-2004, 8:28pm

I wouldn't get either one, for that kind of money I would start looking for a American made Flatiron, Mid- Missouri, Rigel A, Weber or find a unknown custom builder.

You can get even better deals if you buy used. Scour eBay and Mando Cafe classifieds. Good deals happen all the time.
good luck

thistle3585

Aug-25-2004, 9:04pm

If you are choosing between the two, I would suggest the MK. It has better hardware, a better nut and the extension is already scooped. From what I've seen MK's have been finished much better than any Kentucky I've seen out of China. My only suggestion would be to shop around other stores. Or look for a better used model for the same money.

Philip Halcomb

Aug-25-2004, 10:38pm

Also, great deals do come around too. Last week in the Classifieds there was a chap selling an Gibson A-9 which is a good mando, with all kinds of instructional material videos, books, you name it. It went for $700 bucks I believe. If I had the cash on hand at the moment I would've snatched that one up.... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

rnfuller

Aug-26-2004, 6:52am

Thanks to everyone for your responses. I went to several stores in this part of the country, and after much searching was able to find 3 mandolins!

I just ordered the MK Solid this morning. I figured for the money what did I have to lose. The place I ordered from has a 100% trade-up guarantee.

Thanks all!

Martin Jonas

Aug-26-2004, 7:54am

If you are choosing between the two, I would suggest the MK. #It has better hardware, a better nut and the extension is already scooped. #From what I've seen MK's have been finished much better than any Kentucky I've seen out of China.
I note that rnfuller has now ordered an MK, so this may be irrelevant to him now. However, I think it's worth noting that the comparison between Kentuckys and MKs is a bit skewed, because all MKs are F-style, but Kentucky has the 380s, which is an all-solid-wood A-style. They are constructed and finished just as good (or not, as it may be) as their upper-range F-style, and sound just as good (or not, as it may be), but are much cheaper than any F-style from either manufacturer, at around $250. So, when you're talking value for money, I'd say that the Kentucky 380s beats both of the others. I bought one for my mother, and it's really a very nice mandolin at that price.

Martin

Greenmando

Sep-02-2004, 10:43am

[quote=thistle3585,Aug. 25 2004, 23:04]#However, I think it's worth noting that the comparison between Kentuckys and MKs is a bit skewed, because all MKs are F-style, but Kentucky has the 380s, which is an all-solid-wood A-style. #
Actually MK does make several A style mandolins (http://www.michaelkellyguitars.com/mandolins/astyle/) Tracy sold a few on ebay even back in 2001.

I sold my MK and bought a A-9 outright here in the classifieds. The MK was a good value when I bought it new for $300. For their current retail price I would suggest looking at American made A's.

wannabethile

Sep-02-2004, 4:44pm

i would definitely go with the MK. man, i played one the other day and i was really impressed! it was MUCH better than my expectations had set the bar at. i wish i had a chance to start out on a mando that nice.

dixiecreek

Sep-02-2004, 7:41pm

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

wannabethile

Sep-03-2004, 12:05am

what is that face for sweetie? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

Martin Jonas

Sep-03-2004, 3:56am

Actually MK does make several A style mandolins (http://www.michaelkellyguitars.com/mandolins/astyle/) Tracy sold a few on ebay even back in 2001.
I never knew that. All the MKs that I've seen in catalogues or mentioned here on the Cafe have been F-styles. Thanks for the info.

Martin

rnfuller

Sep-03-2004, 5:25am

Well, I ended up with the MK Legacy Deluxe model instead of the Legacy Solid. Great service from Mickey at Folk of the Wood.

The mandolin is beautiful and the sound is great. Great woody chop sound. I am very pleased with my purchase and now just need to learn to play!

Thanks for all the comments

John Zimm

Sep-03-2004, 6:11am

rnfuller,

I am sure your new MK will treat you well. I have had a Firefly Flame for about a year now and I really love it. It sounded great to begin with and it is sounding better the more I play it. I learned how to play mando on a laminated Alvarez that seemed to sound worse the more I played it, so you are starting out with a much better instrument than I did. For many of us, the MK is all the mandolin we'll ever need.

-John.

mandonewbie

Sep-03-2004, 7:34am

Congrats Mfuller!....Hope you enjoy it as much as I do....I started just a couple of months ago, but I am so addicted, I just don't pick up the guitar anymore....I carry my mando with me everywher....you never know when you're gonna get a few minutes to pick.......... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

johnsmusic

Sep-03-2004, 9:21am

John Zimm

Sep-03-2004, 9:43am

Actually, I just received one of the new Michael Kelly A Oval hole mandolins in Antique Amberburst. Decent little A, especially for the price. John http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif
Can I ask, how much are they charging for the MK A's? I wouldn't mind getting one some day if they aren't too expensive.

-John.

johnsmusic

Sep-03-2004, 11:17am

List is about $599, but I can do better. Contact me off of the board. johnsmusic52@hotmail.com http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

dixiecreek

Sep-03-2004, 8:45pm

what is that face for sweetie? #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
nothin'. you're just cute. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

wannabethile

Sep-03-2004, 8:52pm

*looks around behind himself* are you talkin to me?! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

jasona

Sep-03-2004, 11:34pm

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

grandmainger

Sep-03-2004, 11:56pm

what is that face for sweetie? #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
nothin'. #you're just cute. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Oy! Get a room you two ! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif