Difference between mm and km Kentucky mandolins?

[Poorolddirtfarmer]

What is the difference between a Kentucky km-805 and a mm-805? I can't seem to find out any info on the mm? Is it a lower end or higher end model? Or perhaps I'm reading the label wrong but it sure looks like a mm and not km - it is hand written in black ink - it says saga musical instrument - made in china! And how do the Breedlove made in bend or instruments compare to the Kentucky -
Thanks

[phiddlepicker]

Dunno...when I seach for a Kentucky MM-805, I get squat

[Mike Bunting]

The reason that you find nothing about them is that they don't make a model with that designation. They are all called KMxxx, probably because KM might stand of Kentuky mandolin.
http://www.sagamusic.com/products/show-mandolins.aspx?brand=kentucky

[phiddlepicker]

I wasn't sure. Having lived in other countries, I've seen instrument makers release models that were particular only to certain countries...when I read his post, I searched figuring MM...might be a Master Model designation I had just never seen. However as you say...I've never seen one with that designation and came up unk. Maybe the label is aged in a way that it looks like MM instead of KM.....or an employee aligned with da debbil wrote it up that way knowing it would spur mandolin madness among the cafe.:grin:

[Poorolddirtfarmer]

Here's a photo of the label - sure looks like a mm - but who knows -

[phiddlepicker]

Sure does....I'm goin with da debbil theory

[mandobassman]

Here's a photo of the label - sure looks like a mm - but who knows -

It's not. It's a poorly written KM. All of Kentucky's mandolins use a KM prefix.

[phiddlepicker]

Da debbil went down to Saga. He was lookin' for a soul to steal.
He was in a bind 'cause he was way behind. He was willing to make a deal
When he came across this young man scribin labels to complete the lot.
And the Devil jumped upon a hickory stump and said "Boy, let me tell you what."

"I bet you didn't know it, but I'm a mando label scriber, too.
And if you'd care to take a dare I'll make a bet with you.
Now you scribe pretty good labels, boy, but give da debbil his due.
I'll bet a sharpie of gold against your soul 'cause I think I'm better than you.":mandosmiley:

[Willie Poole]

I guess the Chinese have a hard time writing in English....I have a KM-900 and I can`t read all of the numbers in the serial number...I know it is a 2010 but can`t prove it by the number....

Willie

[Jim]

Looks like MM to me too, but my handwriting gets bad at times ( I'm in Medicine) and sometimes my brain gets a little ahead of my pen. I suspect it's that sort of a problem.

[OldSausage]

Well, look, there isn't an mm805, so it really says Km805. The End.

[phiddlepicker]

<inappropriate comments deleted>

[f5loar]

Look like KM to me but only because I know that is what it is suppose to be.

[phiddlepicker]

105991105992

the labels I googled aren't even hand written, and thus much clearer...the one KM-1000 currently on vintagemandolin.com is also has a typed label

I'm still thinkin da debbil is in on it

[phiddlepicker]

<inappropriate comments deleted>

[JeffD]

Look like KM to me but only because I know that is what it is suppose to be.

Yea its sloppy, but it is a K. No doubt. I would not have seen it unless I was looking, but once I do see it I can't see it any other way.

[allenhopkins]

<inappropriate comments deleted>

Which was weird, because he was Chinese, not Japanese…

Question to the OP: are you basing your screen name on the Tracy Schwarz song? And if so, is your head in the shape of a tread, but still you're not dead?

[Steve Ostrander]

It's a Kentucky Morgan Monroe MM-805. They only made one, and you have it! :)

[shortymack]

<inappropriate comments deleted>


Not a very nice brush you are painting with there.

[DataNick]

Not a very nice brush you are painting with there.

<inappropriate comments deleted>

[phiddlepicker]

Not a very nice brush you are painting with there.

<inappropriate comments deleted>

[phiddlepicker]

<inappropriate comments deleted>