Kentucky km505

**MASadict** · Jun-20-2007, 6:50pm

I have been looking for a Kentucky KM-505 and cannot locate one locally. From what I have seen it looks to be pretty well made with some nice finish at a very reasonable price. Has anyone had the opportunity to play one? How do you like it? Thanks.

**John Flynn** · Jun-20-2007, 7:35pm

From Cafe' member Rob Griffin in an earlier thread:

Originally Posted by

After reading the buzz about the new KM1000 and seeing the KM-505 mentioned in that thread, I decided to take a chance on the 505. I really sort of prefer a A style and I couldn't afford the KM-1000 anyway. I received my mandolin the middle of this week from Elderly. I am so impressed and happy with it. I've owned two different Eastman F style mandolins that I bought brand new in the last couple of years. This Kentucky sounds better right out of the box than either of the Eastmans #I've had. I still have one of the Eastmans, a 515, so I have been able to compare the Kentucky to it. The Kentucky has perhaps a little more volume and the tone is surprisingly richer or more full sounding. Even my wife could tell the difference.

The Kentucky has very nice flamed maple on the back sides and neck. Not as figured as the Eastman 505 in the classifieds that was mentioned but very nice wood. The fit and finish on the Kentucky is also very good. I would say on par with the Eastman's I've had. I wish the frets were a little taller on the Kentucky but the neck shape and size feels great and it plays very smooth.

I could not imagine that a mandolin at this price, $375, could be this good right out of the box. The only thing I've done is raise the bridge a couple of turns on the bass side and about one turn on the treble side. Even the strings that came on the Kentucky are usable, not like the very light gauge cheapies that usually come on inexpensive mandos.

I'm no expert and all of this is just my opinion but I am a happy Kentucky 505 owner.

Rob

**ed46464** · Jun-21-2007, 6:44am

Hello......

I bought a KM505 about a month ago from themandolinstore.com. #This is my first mandolin, I while I was at the mandolin store I had Dennis play different mandolins and I listened to them. #Dennis played two Eastman MD615's, a Kentucky KM805, the KM505, and a Gibson A9 from 2002.

Although the Gibson had the best sound, I didn't want to pay over $1000 from my first mandolin. #I was trying to decide between the 615 and the 805. #The 805 had a little better sound than the 615, so I was leaning towards it. #Then just for fun I had Dennis play the KM505 for me. #It surprised both of us by having the best sound. #So, I bought the 505. #I am so pleased with this mandolin. #It is very good looking and plays very nice as well. #I hope you find one of these fine mandolins.

Try calling themandolinstore.com so see when they will be getting another one in. #I picked mine up for $399 which included a Guardian hard-shell case.

**Stephen Perry** · Jun-22-2007, 9:34pm

They're quite nice. I have one in, haven't had a chance to poke around inside it, see if I like what's going on in there. Not as tight when new as the Eastman line. Eastman mandolins certainly take a while to open up. Comparisons are really best after instruments have been played in nicely. I get to see a wide range of instruments that simply haven't been played and are tight, but come to me for "fixing" - when all they need is playing!

Regardless, at the price it's hard to go wrong with the KM505. If I get a chance I'll post my observations on the interior/exterior etc of the KM505.