Kentucky km-700

[cheesecutter]

I have a Kentucky km-700 serial #21990. I'm trying to find out when and where it was made if at all possible. I contacted Saga but they don't seem to want to write back.

Would anyone have a clue where I could find out some info.
By the way this is my first post.

~cheesecutter~

[Desert Rose]

Dont be to hard on Saga, they are a big company set up to have a dealer and distributor network. They like Fender and Gibson (not counting Charlie and Big Joe) and other companies are not geared to answer customer questions of a non business nature.

That being said if its a new 700 its made in China by a man I know and have worked with named Mr. You. He has a fairly long history for his age in Korean and Chinese mandolin making, its his passion.

Scott

[cheesecutter]

Thanks for feedback, I bought it 2 yrs. ago and believe the previous owner had it for 4 or 5 yrs it hadn't been opened up, but since i've had it its opened up nicely with the help of upgrades (bridge, tailpeice, tuners, radius fingerboard,lrg frets) and a whole lot of play'in. I'm think'in its korean. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[fatt-dad]

Sometimes those 5-digit serial numbers are unique to the Japanese mandolins. I have a Korean Kentucky that has a serial number that is much longer (like maybe 7 or 8 digits). What I do not know is when they moved from Japan to Korea, but I would expect it was more than 7 years ago.

f-d

[Mike McCoy]

Cheesecutter,
From the serial # I'd say it was a Japanese built Kentucky from the 90's. Production went to Korea after '93 I believe.
Does it have 2 or 3 screws in the truss rod cover? The Japanese have 2 the Korean's 3.
Mike

[cheesecutter]

M. McCoy,
The cover has 2 screws, the workmanship is very good (Binding,finish and all) not at all sloppy, I believe she sat around in her early years but now she gets worked pretty hard. I haven't found a low to middle of the road axe that adds up to her. Thanks for the info.

Does anyone else have a kentuck with a similar serial # or thoughts. I'd really like to try and track this down alittle more if I can.

[Gail Hester]

Cheesecutter, I owned a Kentucky KM700 and sold it a couple of years ago. They were rare and since I couldn’t find any information on it I had it appraised. I’ve been looking for that to pass on to you but I can’t find it and I can't remember the serial number but here’s what I remember. KM700s were made in Korea and only in 1996. They listed for $1600 but usually sold for $900 or less. Here’s a picture of the one I had and I have more pics if you want. I talked to Saga back then and they confirmed this information and stated that there was some interest in making more of them. I don’t think they ever did and the KM750 is a different animal. Hope this helps.

-Chuck Hester

[Desert Rose]

If its that age and Korean its likely made at the Won Young factory, I believe

Scott

[toodim]

I just bought a used Kentucky KM-700 and the serial number is pretty close to yours. It is 21503. The truss rod cover has 2 screws. The instrument is finished very nicely and it is a loud instrument. I also would like to know the age and if it was really made in Japan. Meanwhile, I will just enjoy it.


I have a Kentucky km-700 serial #21990. I'm trying to find out when and where it was made if at all possible. I contacted Saga but they don't seem to want to write back.

Would anyone have a clue where I could find out some info.
By the way this is my first post.

~cheesecutter~