Kentucky kh-dawg mandola

**MANDOLINMYSTER** · Apr-19-2012, 2:52pm

Hey gang, we all heard that fewer than 50 DAWG mandolins were made, I'm curoius how many KH-DAWG mandolas may have been built?...They are the A style body with the Monte headstock.

**Jim Garber** · Apr-19-2012, 3:54pm

I believe that a guitarist friend of mine who lives nearby has one -- at least I think it is a mandola but i recall that it was a Grand Artist style.

**f5loar** · Apr-19-2012, 8:32pm

Less than 25 and more than 10. Pretty rare to find one. They sold more of the H5 replica.

**MANDOLINMYSTER** · Apr-21-2012, 8:55am

Originally Posted by f5loar

Less than 25 and more than 10. Pretty rare to find one. They sold more of the H5 replica.

Those are some pretty low numbers, Thanks

**Desert Rose** · Apr-23-2012, 5:21am

As usual when these questions come Up I called Sumi today to get the answer from the horses mouth. This question made him pause and think longer than most when asking about Kentucky history and Goldstar history. He gave it some good thought.

Here is his answer

KH Dawg mandolas made at the Maruko shop total of 5 or at the most 6

H5 mandola at the MOST 20

Its interesting the acrylic plexyglass outline templates for these instruments, both body and neck are hanging on the wall to this day, same nail they have been on for two decades ( g ), same with the hand carved top and back made by Monteleone with date and signature on it of the Dawg mandolin to give to the Maruko shop as a guide to carving and bracing the top and back. Hanging on the same nail that its been on since my first visit in 89.

Hope this helps

Scott

**MANDOLINMYSTER** · Apr-23-2012, 2:21pm

Desert Rose,
5 or 6, that's some really low production. I had the opportunity to acquire one at what I thought was a very fair price. The thing is a monster. Its taking me a little bit of time to get used to the voicing and scale but with my limited mandola knowledge I think it sounds awesome. The workmanship is also very nice, if not excellent, oh and it sure looks happy sitting along side my KH-DAWG mandolin.
Thanks all

**mrmando** · Apr-23-2012, 2:44pm

Scott, did you happen to ask Sumi about the mandocellos while you were at it?

**Desert Rose** · Apr-24-2012, 8:53am

I believe I already know the answer to the mandocello question but Ill call tomorrow to get it fresh. Sumi made a few mandocellos a few years ago and had one at IBMA. He also made an A Dawg mandola about three years ago, Turtlehill Banjo has it now for sale.

Scott

**tryingtopick** · Jun-03-2012, 9:06am

Originally Posted by Desert Rose

I believe I already know the answer to the mandocello question but Ill call tomorrow to get it fresh. Sumi made a few mandocellos a few years ago and had one at IBMA. He also made an A Dawg mandola about three years ago, Turtlehill Banjo has it now for sale.

Scott

I was pleased to read this thread and learn of another Kentucky KH-DAWG instrument in the hands of a happy owner. I am priveleged to own two of these mandolas, and have become aquainted with one other KH-DAWG in addition to the instrument owned by Mandolinmyster.
By my count, that's four of "5 or 6" now accounted for. The serial numbers of these instruments do not run consecutively, though two instruments may have been from the same "batch", as they share the same prefix. I suspect the KH-DAWG models were manufactured in 1983 and 1984. Any more out there in the hands of Cafe members?

After an exhaustive and enjoyable search, I was able to acquire a Kentucky KK-4 mandocello. I also found record of a KK-4 offered for sale by Players Vintage Instruments in September of 2001. Mine may be the same KK-4; I do not know.

I am informed there were three of the KK-4 mandocellos made in the Maruko shop at the request of Mr. Grisman, and perhaps with Mr. Monteleone's guidance.

Thanks in advance, Desert Rose, for corresponding with Mr. Sumi and giving clarity to this matter.

**Henry Eagle** · Jun-07-2012, 1:35am

Interesting information. I had one of those KH-Dawgs until three years ago, but sold it to a friend over here in Germany. I wonder if he uses it much these days. This was a very fine instrument (with crackling tuner buttons, though), very good sounding and easy to play with a scale length in between Loars and Gils.

**Aehle** · Nov-19-2012, 2:34pm

Over the last few years, I have been keeping notes on the instruments that have popped up from the Maruko plant. I have documented 5 KH-Dawgs and a sixth one that I don't have a serial number for (it came up for sale on ebay a couple of months ago).
So, there are at least 6 out there, maybe 7 counting the one described in the previous post in Germany. Maybe I'm counting some of these twice but I do have 5 different serial numbers from 5 KH-Dawg's
Hope this helps.
Mike

**Aehle** · Nov-19-2012, 2:47pm

Interesting posts

**Ken_P** · Dec-10-2012, 3:34pm

I just got back from a trip to Mandolin Bros where they have one of these for sale right now - if you're in the market for a mandola it's an absolute steal. It was hanging on the wall next to a Collings 'dola and a Weber 'dola, both priced considerably higher, and I think the Kentucky was the nicest of the three.