The km850

[bluegrasssboy]

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f64/bluegrasssboy/kentucky.jpg


I've just traded for an early 80s KM850. #It's a pretty nice looking mandolin. I haven't had a chance to see too many of the 80s Kentucky Fs, but how often was quilted maple used? # Anyone know what the difference between the 850 and the 1000. #This mandolin has a ebony fingerboard. Also has a fern with a rosewood veneer.

[jarhead122]

I really like that quilt! #It almost seems more like a flaming quilt. #Hey that could be the name of a band! #THE FLAMING QUILTS

[bluegrasssboy]

Hmm #yeah, sounds like a bunch of mad old ladies!. lol

Does any one have an old catalog that has the specs for the 850 and the 1000. #I'm just curious as to what the differences are. #This mando also has gold hardware as well. http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f64/bluegrasssboy/kentucky1.jpghttp://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f64/bluegrasssboy/kentucky2.jpg

[Desert Rose]

Thats not quilt

Quilt being soft maple, Japanese Kentuckys were NEVER EVER made with anything but sugar maple

Its just another gift of mother natures flame hard maple

Scott

[bluegrasssboy]

Hmm good point. #But I think most would call it quilted.

Toddhttp://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f64/bluegrasssboy/KM5.jpg

[Antlurz]

I'd certainly call it "different", with "beautiful" as a descriptor, but I'm with Scott about describing it as something other than "quilt"

Whatever you call it, I'd sure like to have a couple chunks of it on the shelf.

Ron

[bluegrasssboy]

It's interesting to note that in a 88/89 Saga catalog, the KM1000's list price is $200 less than the list price for the 850. $995 compared to $1195.

[doh-co]

I purchased a KM-850 in 1989 and still have the catalog. #The KM-1000 and KM-1500 were called master models and were said to be hand crafted by a master luthier. #The KM-850 was the top of the "regular" F-model mandolins and a lot fancier than the KM-1000.

[poopsidoo1]

Hey--my km850 is serial number 16785, (confirmed by Saga as having been mfg in 1985)and "The Kentucky" on the head stock, but the back is linear shaped flamed maple instead of that beautiful look you have. Enjoy!!

[Mt Man]

Hmm good point. #But I think most would call it quilted.

Toddhttp://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f64/bluegrasssboy/KM5.jpg

I don't know what to call it, but it's beautifull!

[Jim Nollman]

Here's my 1980's KM 850, #13734. I've had it re-fretted, and the fingerboard radiused and scooped. It's a keeper. Can anyone pin a year on that serial number?

The workmanship and the choice of woods are far nicer on my KM850 than on the two KM1000 I've seen from the same era. That doesn't make any sense from a marketing point of view, although someone else on this thread seems to be saying the same thing. I'd be curious how these 850's might compare (at least by wood choice and workmanship) with a KM1500 from that era.

Can anyone post some photos of a Japanese built 1980's KM1500?

A few weeks ago I got to test mine alongside a brand new KM1500. The workmanship is impeccable on both. However, once again, the wood choice and especially the sunburst on my 850 does seem easier on the eyes. Sound wise, mine may have a little more clarity on the high end, although truly, they both sounded great to my ears.
93370

Here's an old post regarding the various editions of the Japanese KMs.


The km-600,900,1000,1004,1500,km-dawg and the kh-1300 mandola was all hand built by sumi who makes mandos under his own name now.All the rest of the mandos such as km-160 km-180 km-250 and 250sc and km-380 km-500 km-700 km-750 km-800 km-850 was all built on assembly lines in a totally different shop.The reason the 850 was priced higher was because of the dress up factor as in fern inlay silver and gold plated hardware and the mother of pearl on the ebony fingerboard and the finest wood better than the 1000.The 1500 and 850 both are made with the finest choice woods and look excactly the same but the 1500 was hand carved by a luthier.