Kentucky KM-675 problem and a question

[bdeene]

Hello,I am fairly new to the mandolin, coming over from the guitar side, and purchased a Kentucky KM-675 mando in February. There had been some issues with the finish on it before I bought it which the dealer (Elderly) fixed, but now the finish on the front is flaking off and while Elderly will refund my money, I am wondering what to get in it's stead. That particular model has been discontinued (does anyone know why? Is it because of the finish?) I'd like to spend less than $1000 and get a f-style.
My other question may be a bit naive, but I always felt this mando was excessively top heavy. Like, if I let go of it (while using a strap obviously) it does the old ZZ Top spin thing and the headstock swings down. I have never had this issue with a guitar. Yes, I understand guitars are much bigger, but still, shouldn't the instrument be better balanced than that? Is that just how mandolins are? Or is there a type of strap that would help correct that?

Any and all advice is appreciated. Thanks!

[George R. Lane]

Buy a used Kentucky KM1000, you'll be very happy.

[bdeene]

Why?

[colorado_al]

It is top heavy because it is an F style. You're going to have to spend a lot more on an F style to get one that is well balanced. All the extra weight at the scroll and headstock. If you want a good and properly weight balanced mandolin for under $1000, buy a used A style. My pick is an Eastman MD-505. If you must have a scroll, go with an Eastman MD-515. New for $1000, used for $700 or so. I like the sound of the Eastman better than Kentucky anyhow. I'm sure Elderly will have one you could trade into.
https://www.elderly.com/instruments/mandolin-family/mandolins/eastman-md515-classic-mandolin-case.htm

Edit- Ask and ye shall receive! A used Eastman MD515 just popped up on the classifieds for $650
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/113425#113425
Grab it before someone else does

Edit2- Also this JBovier F5 would be a great step up from the Kentucky 650. Seller is asking $550. I think that is an excellent Mando for the money.
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/113322#113322

[bdeene]

Thanks colorado Al for all that very helpful information. I'm going to Rudy's Music in NYC on Monday and I'll test drive an Eastman or two there, to see how they feel and sound. I have no experience with them but I'm open to checking them out.

[allenhopkins]

The "balance" question is related to where your strap's attached. Most F-style players hook the strap around the scroll, and wear the strap over one shoulder, the one of the picking hand. The weight distribution of most F-model mandolins makes this set-up "neck heavy," and you find yourself supporting the neck with your fretting hand. Nothing wrong with this set-up, and Bill Monroe did it that way so it must be the best way to do it (?!), but if you want the mandolin to stay in playing position when you take your hand off the neck, I'd say "hook the strap end to the headstock, and get a longer strap so it goes behind your neck."

Guitars are different (obviously); the body's bigger and heavier in relation to the neck, and even if you attach your strap at the neck heel, few guitarists wear the strap over just one shoulder -- most put it around the neck, over the shoulder of the fretting hand.

Regarding the suggestion of a KM-1000, you won't find a new one less than $1K. Most KM-1000 owners on the Cafe report satisfaction, but you're taking price jump of several hundred buxx above your budget. Assuming you stay with Kentucky, their only F-model that lists under $1K is the KM-650, (https://www.amazon.com/Kentucky-KM-650-Mandolin-Sunburst-Nitrocellulose/dp/B003N7OUTY) which is all solid wood, hand-carved, and available discounted for $750-800. For other brands, the Loar LM-700 (http://www.theloar.com/products/mandolins/mandolin-lm-700-vs) and the Eastman MD515 (https://www.eastmanguitars.com/mandolins-f-style-md515/?rq=MD515) can be found for under $1K.

Saga Instruments, who sell the Kentucky line of mandolins, do change models with some frequency. Their "600" series mandolins seem to have been their lowest-priced F-models, and doing a bit of a search in Cafe threads, reveals some quality control issues, but not a clear indication that the model was discontinued due to finish problems. Just the normal "churning" of models, IMHO.

[Bob Buckingham]

Find a good used Eastman. Check with the mandolin store they often have good deals on used mandolins.

[multidon]

I wanted to point out that Kentucky has the recently introduced KM606, along with the 650 and also the new 750 series, all F styles under 1000 dollars. I haven't played any of those, so not sure about sound. But Kentucky's reputation is solid, and any of those should be a good bet.

[CES]

For an inexpensive F style, check out Eastman 315 as well. I bought one to use as a beater, and it's a great sounding and well built box. And, I paid < $500 new. The tuners and tailpiece could be better, but the stock ones are functional...

[Loubrava]

Thanks colorado Al for all that very helpful information. I'm going to Rudy's Music in NYC on Monday and I'll test drive an Eastman or two there, to see how they feel and sound. I have no experience with them but I'm open to checking them out.

You got the right idea, if at all possible play before you buy is the way to go. If you like the sound of your Kentucky bring it and compare it the other mandos. some guys like the Eastman sound some guys like the Loar & others Kentucky we all have an opinion in your price range all of those mandos are comparable it's really just a matter of what you like there is no bad choice between any of those. You will get used too the way the F style hangs it bugged me a bit at first too. Good luck at the music store.
Lou

[pheffernan]

Buy a used Kentucky KM1000, you'll be very happy.

There's a 2015 Kentucky KM1000B that has been in the classifieds for some time asking $1100 O.B.O.

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/112052#112052

[dhergert]

Regarding balance, there is an add-on product called a Tone-Gard (http://www.tone-gard.com/), which is basically a metal cage which pressure fits on the back of the mandolin with soft padding and separates the back of the mandolin from the upper torso of the player, allowing the instrument to vibrate more freely. The concept is primarily to enhance tone and volume. The Tone-Gard can also easily and tool-lessly be removed if desired.

The weight of the Tone-Gard creates much better balance for the strapped F-style mandolin (as well as A-style mandolins) such that it doesn't tend to be top heavy anymore.

For those that care, the Tone-Gard itself also protects the back of the mandolin from belt and button scratches.

If you're really concerned about balance, this is an easy solution. And btw, balance is an issue with most F and A style (heel-strap-button) mandolins, this is not unique to just the less expensive models.

[bdeene]

Hey everyone,

Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply to my questions and even do some research for me. It was all very helpful. I was in NYC yesterday and stopped by a few guitar shops and finally found a couple of Eastmans at Rudy's Music. I tried them and fell in love with an MD815 which was way out of my budget but it sounded and felt the best...So now I am challenged/inspired/guilted to ramp up my playing quite a few notches. But it's all good! It's a beautiful instrument. Thanks again for all the help.

[colorado_al]

Hey everyone,

Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply to my questions and even do some research for me. It was all very helpful. I was in NYC yesterday and stopped by a few guitar shops and finally found a couple of Eastmans at Rudy's Music. I tried them and fell in love with an MD815 which was way out of my budget but it sounded and felt the best...So now I am challenged/inspired/guilted to ramp up my playing quite a few notches. But it's all good! It's a beautiful instrument. Thanks again for all the help.
Always great to see and play instruments that you might buy. It often leads to spending more than budgeted, but also usually leads to the best sounding instrument.
Congrats!