Kentucky KM-850 Mandolin

[raycantu]

I just bought a Kentucky Mandolin KM-850...Does anyone know wher it was made or what year? I will post pictures in a while after I take some.

[TDMpicker]

The label inside has a serial number with the build date coded in. They are made in Asia.

[raycantu]

Mine says SAGA Musical Company
SO.San Francisco, Ca

Number 9544

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http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd244/flyrayfishing/IMG_0018.jpg

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http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd244/flyrayfishing/IMG_0022.jpg

[Ed Goist]

Congratulations. She's a beauty!

[Clement Barrera-Ng]

This is very nice indeed. The serial number seems to suggest that it may have been made in Japan, probably in the 80s. I seem to remember there was a time where the KM-850 was the top of the line Kentucky mandolins before they came out with the KM-1000 and KM-1500. Perhaps this is one of them. either way congrats on a wonderful new instrument.

[raycantu]

Thanks guys .....I just started playing about 2 weeks ago..I have always played guitar or and bass...20 years or so and jammed the other day with a freind that plays the mandolin as well and he taught me some chords and I am hooked now...This is my first Mandolin ever....I liked it because it plays very well and easy.What is somthing like this worth? I hope I did not get ripped off. I paid $300.00 for it with the square case it came with.

[Clement Barrera-Ng]

I hope I did not get ripped off. I paid $300.00 for it with the square case it came with.

I don't think you need to worry about that. Let's just say that I will gladly pay you double for the mandolin :) Even recent production model 850 are going for about twice what you paid for. And given that this is from the Japanese production era, the value may be even higher.

You got a very good deal indeed.

[Darren Bailey]

Congratulations on the purchase. I have a kentucky which I paid more for than you did for yours - it looks like you got a real bargain. beautiful instrument, hope you enjoy it (if not get in touch:)).

[Don Julin]

My first decent mandolin was a Kentucky km850 that I bought at Elderly in 1980. They were a new name on the scene then but have survived the test of time. Welcome to the Cafe.

[raycantu]

Thanks guys for all the help. How do you read the ser # as far as the year it was made.