Kentucky KM-5000 Bill Monroe Edition...

**Andrew B. Carlson** · Feb-19-2011, 12:48am

http://www.sagamusic.com/catalog/det...ductID=KM-5000

Discuss.

Details?

**Dave Weiss** · Feb-19-2011, 12:59am

Oughta be a dandy, they're darn sure are proud of it...

**Mike Bunting** · Feb-19-2011, 12:59am

What do you think of it? -)

**Andrew B. Carlson** · Feb-19-2011, 1:03am

Who can say for sure? The KM-1000 has it's fair share of fans, the new 1500 is every bit as good as the 1000 with more eye candy, but a $5k Kentucky? That's right in there with Gibby's now. They better have bright their A game. Maybe they're planning on the cache` of the 'Monroe' name and the limited-edition-ness (new word) of this new piece to sell it. I guess we wait for Big Joe to get one now eh?

**John Gass** · Feb-19-2011, 9:15am

Having played several KM1000 and KM1500's I would say this one is probably along those same lines. I really would like for it to have a varnish finish at that price point.

My main issue is that with Bill's picture, etc on it it almost become a novelty item for me.

Who know's though. Could be the greatest thing ever.

**adizz** · Feb-19-2011, 9:29am

They had one at spbgma. It's hard to judge in those rooms, but it seemed to be a step up from the km1000. But it wasnt in the ballpark price wise. It did look great though

**pjlama** · Feb-19-2011, 9:36am

Do you think this is licesnsed by his estate and if so who is/are the executors? I could see using something like this if a portion is going to charity (are they?) but posthumous signature instruments seem to be a money grab to me, Im not saying just saying.

**Don Grieser** · Feb-19-2011, 10:03am

There's a Monroe model at Gruhn's made by Crafters of Tennessee (Mark/Tut Taylor) that was licensed by James Monroe. I'd guess he's behind the Kentucky model too.

**sgarrity** · Feb-19-2011, 10:15am

Almost $5k for a lacquer Kentucky? That's just craziness!

**pjlama** · Feb-19-2011, 10:19am

Well I guess the business between a father and son is personal. Regarding the price it'll probably only street for 3k or so but thats a chunk for a pacrim.

**Jim Rowland** · Feb-19-2011, 10:25am

Don't like the "too even" sunbursting. Maybe I'm too picky but I think of myself as plucky.
Jim

**Rick Cadger** · Feb-19-2011, 10:27am

Much as I appreciate the quality and value of Kentucky's current higher-end mandolins, I have to say this seems a little nuts to me.

I'm not a fan of the headstock pic, and that price does seem way high for a Kentucky mandolin. What about it justifies the big tag? The pic and the 'limited edition' status?

There's a fair bit of marketing hype in the Saga text. :|

**Ed Goist** · Feb-19-2011, 10:30am

Purely from a marketing standpoint it has to be difficult to sell an Asian-made mandolin priced on par with comparable domestic models.
I would think that as soon as pricing gets close, the market tips sharply toward the domestic made mandolins.
I'm guessing this will be an issue for the Kentucky KM-5000 & the Northfield A-style models almost regardless of their quality.

**Willie** · Feb-19-2011, 11:14am

Don`t see how it could be any better than the original KM 1500`s....Lots of hype put out when they say it is a "Limited "edition"...I seen Martin go that way with some of their guitars so maybe it is a selling point for people that want to be just a collector....It`s not for me though, I don`t think it could be any better than the "The Loar"-700 series....

**Rick Schmidlin** · Feb-19-2011, 11:21am

Insane idea, no hide glue, no varnish????

And they have Bills mandolin research the right spec's.
GEEEEESH...

Its take real education to make a real replica.

When you get to that price you can get a great mandolin by one of today's finest builders like Collings and Weber.

**300win** · Feb-19-2011, 3:09pm

Sumi is a Pac-rim, right ? How much do they go for. I've read that the Kentucky's he had his hands on sell for a pretty good price. Maybe he's had his hands on these KM-5000s.

**Bernie Daniel** · Feb-19-2011, 6:41pm

It seems to me like Detroit marketing 101. Take your standard Chevy add special grill, wheels and tail lights, fancy paint scheme, better upholstery and floor mats, padded steering wheel, and then stick on the Caddy badges. Raise the price and see what happens.

I think who ever wants one of them with Monroe on the headstock should buy one before the rush

But except for the part about selecting special wood what is different about this mandolin from a KM-1500?

Even worse that was Detroit 30 years ago -- today a Caddy really is a something more special than a Chevy -- BMW still can't figure out how to get an M5 V10 around Hockenheim ring faster than a Caddy CTS Super V! Bit OT there.

**Rick Cadger** · Feb-19-2011, 7:37pm

Originally Posted by Ed Goist

Purely from a marketing standpoint it has to be difficult to sell an Asian-made mandolin priced on par with comparable domestic models.
I would think that as soon as pricing gets close, the market tips sharply toward the domestic made mandolins.
I'm guessing this will be an issue for the Kentucky KM-5000 & the Northfield A-style models almost regardless of their quality.

I pretty much agree, except I think Northfield may manage to be an exception. If they are sharp enough with the marketing materials and testimonials they have (the Steffey vid, for example) then they may be able to put daylight between themselves and any Asian manufacturer I can think of.

Northfield are marketing in the right way, but they're being too quiet about it. They need more of the same. Really pretty aggressive, but built on substance rather than hype. The Saga marketing for this new model seems, from that linked blurb, to be just their usual stuff. Saga really should employ a better marketing director - Or if the one they have is any good, he/she should make more of an effort with the mandos.

Kentucky's success so far is down to quality, price and good PR by the dealers. Saga's own marketing is weak.

**mandolin tony** · Feb-19-2011, 9:14pm

for that kind of money I can get a nice new or used Gibson or Weber they got to be crazy.I would buy a Gibson Jam master before I buy that & put the rest of the money in the bank.I like Bill Monroe but not on the head stock of my mandolin,drop the picture of Bill & lower the price to 2 grand & maybe they will sell a few.

**Jim Broyles** · Feb-19-2011, 9:39pm

I think it's butt-ugly. I really don't like the Monroe portrait inlay and the sunburst looks like an amateur job. No, thanks.

**Bernie Daniel** · Feb-19-2011, 9:40pm

Originally Posted by Rick Cadger

I pretty much agree, except I think Northfield may manage to be an exception. If they are sharp enough with the marketing materials and testimonials they have (the Steffey vid, for example) then they may be able to put daylight between themselves and any Asian manufacturer I can think of.....

Do you know what Northfield is doing differently in terms of the building process that is getting them out in front of other better Asian marques like Kentucky or Eastman in terms of quality?

**Don Grieser** · Feb-20-2011, 12:43am

Except Steffey's playing a Henderson now in all reports by people seeing his recent shows.

**billkilpatrick** · Feb-20-2011, 1:36am

i'm sure the chairman's photo-inlay will let a hundred flowers blossom

**Ivan Kelsall** · Feb-20-2011, 2:11am

I posted on this yesterday,but deleted my post as i thought that maybe i was being a bit 'negative' about it.To reiterate my post,personally, i don't like the instrument. The Monroe inlay is tacky to say the least (IMHO), & a simple MOP truss rod cover,engraved 'Monroe Edition' would have been far nicer. If i want an image of Bill Monroe,i'll have one in a picture frame please. It almost reduces the status of the instrument to a Bill Monroe Commemorative 'wall hanger' . A 'take' on the original 'flower pot' inlay would have been nice as well. I also don't care for the 'too open' scroll. It's also a lot of cash to stump up for a'' not too good looking'' Mandolin,
Ivan

**blueron** · Feb-20-2011, 2:24am

I'm with Ivan on this. It's about as cool a tribute as putting his picture on a box of breakfast cereal, and no more genuine a tribute than that. The image of Mr Monroe on the headstock is pure tackiness, in bad taste, and a blatant marketing tool. I think it is horrible.

I also think they'll sell rather a lot of them, because the near-worship of the man is well-proven, if a touch baffling to this non-believer. Maximum respect to his musical legacy, but this tacky thing is just ridiculous.

rm