My new (New to me) KM-800

[Bill Kammerzell]

Got this recently in a trade. A very trusting young lad mailed it to me. After about a day, I decided I liked it a lot, and I mailed him back a Hyalite. It is really in cherry condition. Quite well made also. I sent pictures and the serial number to Tony at Saga and he said early 1980's, Japan. With a set of Gibson Sam Bush Monel strings, it really projects and sustains nicely. Kid threw in a K&K with carpenter jack (still in the box) and a nice tone guard. I'll include some pictures. Its like it was never played. First mandolin I owned that had "dust bunnies" (my wife's description) inside. Just used a light application of air to remove the dust. It really shined up nicely. I'm happy with it. It was put together well. Did some basic checks after putting the new strings on. Intonation was satisfactory, as was the neck relief. I raised the action a little. I'll eventually bring it to Emory at Appalachain Bluegrass and let him go over it. Yay! A new toy!

[Randi Gormley]

very nice. congrats!

[Strad]

I have one just like it, I bought new in 86 I believe. Mine is also in "cherry" condition, I just haven't played it much over the years, but as you said it is a nice well built mando. Good choice to get it set up by Emory all the folks there at Appalacian are good people.

[Bill Kammerzell]

I have one just like it, I bought new in 86 I believe. Mine is also in "cherry" condition, I just haven't played it much over the years, but as you said it is a nice well built mando. Good choice to get it set up by Emory all the folks there at Appalacian are good people.

Interesting? So you bought it new around '86? The serial number on this is 15499. Is the serial number on the one you have anywhere in the vicinity of that?

[Denny Gies]

Wouldn't the dust bunnies sing in harmony when you played it?

[Willie Poole]

Willkamm, Do you ever go to the open mic/jam sessions in Severn at the VFW? My band is hosting the show today (Sat. the 25th) at 1 PM...

If you do go come up and introduce yourself...

Willie

[Bill Kammerzell]

Willkamm, Do you ever go to the open mic/jam sessions in Severn at the VFW? My band is hosting the show today (Sat. the 25th) at 1 PM...

If you do go come up and introduce yourself...

Willie

Won't be there today. Have a commitment. Is that every Saturday at 1PM?

[Bill Kammerzell]

Wouldn't the dust bunnies sing in harmony when you played it?

They have been evicted.

[Strad]

The serial number on mine is 14966, it came with a superior Loar style case and it came with a pick guard also. It's a very sharp looking mandolin, flamed back and the Bella voce inlay.

[lflngpicker]

I love these early Kentucky's and this KM800 is the premium mandolin of its time. You made a great find! Congratulations. Are you a member of the Kentucky Mandolin group?

[Bill Kammerzell]

The serial number on mine is 14966, it came with a superior Loar style case and it came with a pick guard also. It's a very sharp looking mandolin, flamed back and the Bella voce inlay.

The pick-guard is missing on mine. Same inlay, same flamed back. Tony at Saga said from 1983-93 these KM-800 models never changed a bit. The case that came with mine was one of those featherweight cases which the "The Loar" Asian models mostly came in. Don't think it was the original. The previous owner likely had the original case, as he said it came to him in a really beat up hard shell.