older vs. newer Kentucky KM-630

**theCOOP** · Feb-08-2011, 9:09am

There is a KM-630 F-style available locally but it is one of the older one with the fingerboard tongue extension and the more basic looking neck joint than what they currently offer.

Does anyone know, are these a pressed top of a carved top (mechanically or otherwise)?

Are these older models as good as or worse, or better than the newer models?

Any other help would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Coop

**300win** · Feb-08-2011, 9:30am

Coop, only thing I can say is I had one about '04-'05. It was I think a laminated maybe pressed top, really can't say for sure. I did not keep it long as it was not very good, soundwise or playing wise. Of course that was only one, others of those might be good ones. I've had only one other Kentucky, a Km-250s a model, had a chocolate color, and although not having much volume, it did have a really sweet tone and played like butter, actually one of the best playing mandolins I've owned, on a par playing wise as my A9 Gibson I own now, both noted very similar the necks action and fretboard felt very close to each other. I do know there are some great sounding Kentuckys out there, some are very, very good. I would not mind having a KM 1000 or 1500, and if I ever ran into one of the old ones built in Japan at a good price it would be hard to turn down as I have heard a couple of those personaly.

**theCOOP** · Feb-08-2011, 9:47am

(oops! the new offering doesn't seem to have the improved (F5 style?) neck joint)

I've got an email out to Saga about this, looking for specifics on the construction. The specs on the new model as listed by Saga say that (the new one) is a solid top.

If it's not at all graduated, it can't be any better than the orange KM-162 I had briefly. Very dull sounding, like a wooden plank. Mind you, I didn't check the action or intonation or anything, because due to blemishes in the finish, I returned it to the dealer almost immediately.

This KM-630 is like new and offered (in Canadian $) for about 1/2 the American list price, and otherwise 1/3 the cost of the car I am also considering.

If it's no better than my KM-150, which is a solid/pressed top, then there's no sense in purchasing it just to have an F style.

**Folkmusician.com** · Feb-08-2011, 9:51am

The older KM-630 should be a solid top with laminated back and sides. The latest versions are all solid and much nicer all around.
I would also prefer a late Korean version to an early Chinese version. The quality went downhill when they first moved production to China. They eventually improved and surpassed the Korean versions.

I wouldn't expect it to sound better than your KM-150.

**300win** · Feb-08-2011, 9:57am

The one I had was made in China I do remember that. although I do not know the year it was made I did buy it new, well in a trade on another instrument, and that was in 2004. As you said about the other one which you sent back, the one I had sounded like a plank. I only played it a few times then got rid of it. The KM 250s I had was made in Japan, it was a nice mandolin.

**theCOOP** · Feb-08-2011, 10:08am

Originally Posted by 300win

As you said about the other one which you sent back, the one I had sounded like a plank. I only played it a few times then got rid of it.

It seems now the orange KM-162 which I mentioned, has:

•Solid, hand-carved and graduated spruce tops
•Solid, hand-carved flamed maple back and sides
•New vintage-style body shape

I'm pretty sure mine wasn't graduated.

I really wish they'd change the model numbers when they change the mandolin. One is obviously not the same as the other. Change the mandolin, change the model number and leave the old one up as "discontinued" for reference...or archive it and the running changes.

**theCOOP** · Feb-12-2011, 7:51am

Well, I reluctantly passed on this one. It's snowing here today and this mandolin is about an hour and a half away. But assuming it is no better than my KM-150, there's no sense.

Here's a pic of it anyway. Note the pick-guard mount...not the one they've used for a bit. Perhaps it's Korean, like my Korean Epiphone MM-30 with the same mount. It does have a better bridge than my KM-150 does.

EDIT: confirmed as Chinese.

**backwoodsborn10** · Feb-12-2011, 1:30pm

had a ky 700.very sweet sounding mandolin and playing.just ain't got the volume and bark. for a practice mandolin it would of been fine. just not for jamming without amplification. good luck!

**robert.najlis** · Feb-12-2011, 1:48pm

I had a Kentucky 630s, made in China. I did not like it much, but the person I sold it to seemed quite happy with it. So I guess it all depends...

**CES** · Feb-12-2011, 2:30pm

Robert's assessment is spot on in my (much more limited than his) experience. My first mandolin was a KM 675-S that I bought based on recommendations made on their Korean made models. Mine, unfortunately, was built the first year after their move to China and came with some major issues, mostly with the neck/fretboard. My mandolin sounds decent and has nice chop/volume, but isn't close to the build quality of the more recent Chinese offerings. I've recently played on a newer 630 which was pretty good, and a 505 that was also pretty decent. So, yeah, older as in Korean or Japanese eras may be better, older Chinese era not so much.

In looking to upgrade from my 675 (which is now my beater, though I rarely pull it out) I ultimately ended up with a Silverangel econo model mandolin and have been extremely happy with it so far. I know it doesn't have the scroll, but it's light years ahead in playability and tone...got it barely used for about 900 USD.