View Full Version : Kentucky km505?
well im really interested in the mandolin and i have only checked them out once or twice at yard sales.i have been looking all over for an instrument that would suit me...you name it ive looked for it lol! i think i finally found somthing i might be able to play just when i was aobout to give up on it all!
well heres my question:i have been looking at the km505 by kentucky,i really dont care about the whole scroll thing all my prioridys are is that it dosent sound terrable and that it will last me a while so i can play every day and learn a the basics for a few years before upgrading to somthing better.i was just wondering if anyone has had any previous experience with this particular instrument and the quality of its woods,sound,and durability as i said im not looking for anything that will last me forever but just somthing that dosent sound bad and can keep itself in tune fairly well...thank you for your time! its always appreciated http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
John Flynn
Jul-30-2007, 4:46pm
The KM-505 looks like a great deal. It's a new model, so I haven't had the opportunity to play one, but I have played a lot of thier "A" mandolins and they are a real value for the money. I know a local fiddler who is very good on both fiddle and mandolin. He gives mando lessons on a Kentucky A and also plays it at gigs. That instrument sounds great. The 505 is supposed to be a step up from thier other A's, so my guess is that model could take you a long way before you would need something better.
You do want to make sure that you get a good set up on any new mandolin, so I would advise either buying from a dealer who does that, or protect a little money in your budget to have a local luthier check it over.
hmm i dident know it was a newer model...i have looked at it a bit online on their site but as always every company wants their instruments to look like they are the best in the world...ill try and look around in my local music store for it and check out how it is constructed after i have learned a bit more about the main construction details besides facts about woods and truss rods
Stephen Perry
Jul-30-2007, 6:14pm
Excellent performance considering the modest price.
hmm really all i need is somthing that will last untill about 2010http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif then i can upgrade!
wichitamando
Jul-30-2007, 8:08pm
I was in a store the other day where the owner was praising the 505. I didn't play it, but it looked nice. I've got a 380 that I've been happy with.
hmm very cool i guess ill just have to wait a little while and get some more info when a few people have one,and about the km308,how is that model?about how long has it lasted and about how much do they cost...
(im probably getting kind of annoying with all the questions but the little online guide thig does say to ask as many questions as possible# ) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
Stephen Perry
Jul-30-2007, 8:25pm
Kentucky line includes older models built in their older facility. And newer models built in their new facility, limited availability. According to my Saga rep. I'm much more pleased with the newer ones. I'm not sure which are new, except the 505 and 1000. I've gotten one of each and like them.
wes14
Jul-30-2007, 10:48pm
by limited availability do you me theyre going to stop making them? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
mythicfish
Jul-30-2007, 11:51pm
"by limited availability do you me theyre going to stop making them?"
Eventually.
Stephen Perry
Jul-31-2007, 7:15am
They're back ordered like mad. That's limited availability. I can't call up and get one shipped. I have to wait.
I know three dealers who don't carry any of the lower-end Kentucky mandolins and all three have 505s on order. All were very impressed with the value.
Alex Orr
Jul-31-2007, 11:18am
hmm very cool i guess ill just have to wait a little while and get some more info when a few people have one,and about the km308,how is that model?about how long has it lasted and about how much do they cost...
(im probably getting kind of annoying with all the questions but the little online guide thig does say to ask as many questions as possible# ) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
I like my 380. I've had it for about eight months, which is also how long I've been playing. I find that when I've tried cross-picking up the neck it gets a litle dull sounding...there ain't much in the way of tone on the higher frets. Of course this doesn't bother me too much because cross-picking is both more advanced a skill than I care to work on consistently at the present and because it's a technique that really doesn't appeal all that much to me in the first place.
I've received several compliments on the mandolin from folks who had played a while and have nicer instruments. Maybe they were just being nice but they seemed genuinely impressed. Everyone has commented on how good the volume is for a lower-end mando...of course that may be a back-handed way of asking me to play quieter http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
I'm already GASing though and would love to get something with a richer tone and an easier feel. Alas, it will be a few years before there is enough money in my "Mando fund" for that to happen.
All that being said, it looks like the 505 is a better instrument for just a bit more dough, but it's also fairly close to the price you can find on a lot of used Eastmans, so take that into consideration.
hmm yes thats true for about 600 offline i can get an eastman
Siminole
Jul-31-2007, 5:15pm
I can't really comment on that particular Kentucky model, but I do have a KM675, which is a very nice sounding instrument and has been holding up well under a great deal of "unprofessional" use. All said, My impression is that in general Kentucky is producing an excellent instrument for the investment, but you will reach a point in time when you will desire to move up. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Steve L
Jul-31-2007, 5:27pm
I don't know the model, but a relatively new player has been coming to an Irish session I frequent with a Kentucky A model and I've been really impressed with the tone and volume he's getting. I haven't played it myself, but it sounds good.
DryBones
Jul-31-2007, 5:31pm
that thing looks an awful lot like the Eastman 505. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif
When the Kentucky 505 first came out I wanted one but couldn't find one. I ended up with a shopworn Eastman 505 for the same money. I still haven't had the chance to play the Kentucky 505 but that 174 catches my eye (and hopefully my ear).
It seems that the Kentucky line is undergoing some upgrades. The big issue now seems to be supply. They really do need to get these new mandolins out into the marketplace before the excitement dies off.