Kentucky km-1000

[onaroll]

Hi All,

I have a chance to buy an 80's Kentucky Km-1000 for nearly the same purchase price of a new Kentucky Km-1000. #The older mandolin is in great shape. #Which mandolin do you suggest I purchase and why?

Thanks in advance http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif.

Kathryn

[blacksmith]

Kathryn,
Have you had a chance to try the new KM-1000?

[onaroll]

No, I haven't had a chance to play either instrument. There is a thread here that I've been following regarding the new KM-1000's and the comments have been very positive, so that's what caused me to consider both options.

Kathryn

[blacksmith]

Ah, ok, I was just curious where you managed to get a look at one this side of the border. I've talked to people at 12th Fret and Folkways (Guelph) and they seem a little reluctant to get them in stock, preferring to order the lower models first. I've been following the thread too and am anxious to get one in my hands.

[45ACP-GDLF5]

Go with the 80's model KM-1000! Chances are, if it is an early 80's model, it was built by Sumi, who is an excellent luthier and builder. He now builds Sumi mandolins that are sold at First Quality. My KM-1000 was built in July of 1980 and it has a great sound that has only gotten better over the years. The "new" KM-1000's are built in China now. They look good, but I can guarantee that they'll pale in comparison to the 80's built Kentuckys as far as sound and construction goes!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Red Englemann]

They look good, but I can guarantee that they'll pale in comparison to the 80's built Kentuckys as far as sound and construction goes!!

Have you made a head to head comparison? If not, at this point, it is just speculation on yout part.

IMHO, I would try the new ones out. The specs look good to me.

red

[Mike McCoy]

According to Desert Rose a member of the Cafe, Sumi worked with 3 other luthiers in Maruko Japan working on all the Kentucky Master Model mandolins until around '89 when the others left. Sumi continued on his own producing the KM1000 and KM1500 models. He quit making the KM1000 around '91 or'92 because of a lack of profit on that model but continued making the KM1500 and then finally closed out his Kentucky Mandolin days in '93 production.
I would try to pick both makes of KM1000's. If you cant get hold of the newer KM1000 I'm sure one of the Cafe members who have one would be more than happy to pick for you over the phone

[Eric F.]

I had an '87 KM-1000 that rocked. I just didn't need two f-hole mandos and I didn't like it as much as my Arches, so it now belongs to a Cafe member who is quite happy with it. If you can play the '80s one and you like it, my advice is to buy it. There will always be a market for it if you decide you want something else. The new ones may be just as good, but they are hard to find to try out.

[Tom F]

I have a '90 Sumi built Km-1000 if you want some info on it, send me an IM. #It is a nice mandolin.

[Soupy1957]

I'd owned a KM620-B, and loved it. Had my eye on the KM-1000 for quite some time, and didn't find one for sale. The best I could determine was that most places didn't have one, but then I saw THIS link and I guess you COULD get one from here if you wanted to (and "me" too, for that matter):

KM1000 (http://www.sagamusic.com/catalog/details.asp?ProductID=KM-1000)

-Soupy1957

[cooper4205]

Soupy-

I don't think you can order directly from Saga unless you're a dealer.

[Soupy1957]

Cooper4205: Good point. Didn't consider that.

-Soupy1957