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Super Rare 1980's Kentucky KH-600 Mandola
I recently purchased a super rare Kentucky KH-600 mandola that was made during the early 1980's and it sounds fantastic! I have never seen another one, however, and I was curious if anyone else has one and how your experience has been with it. The only information I've been able to dig up so far is a page from an old Kentucky catalog that features the KH-600 and a mention of the model in the Frets article from the early 80's saying they were made in the Maruko plant. If you have had experience with a KH-1300 and KH-DAWG, feel free to post pictures and discuss those as well. Thanks!
Re: Super Rare 1980's Kentucky KH-600 Mandola
Re: Super Rare 1980's Kentucky KH-600 Mandola
Very Kool horn! Sounds great to me, I'd have to have a pickguard installed if I had her, I've got a complex, I just have to have a guard or can't play too well, I'm not a pinky planter, just a mental thing. Makes me want to get a mandola, Nice pickin!
Re: Super Rare 1980's Kentucky KH-600 Mandola
Congratulations on your KH-600. Yes, the instruments from the Maruko plant are well built and sound great. I have both a KH-1300 and a KH-Dawg. The both sound fantastic and have a similar sound.
Nice picking.
Re: Super Rare 1980's Kentucky KH-600 Mandola
Thanks bluegrasser78! Yeah, I think a loar-style A-5 (but mandola sized) pick guard would look pretty good on it. This is my first mandola and I'm loving it.
Re: Super Rare 1980's Kentucky KH-600 Mandola
Thanks Aehle. I'm jealous that you have both a 1300 and a KH-DAWG! What gauge strings work the best for you on them? Right now I have D'Addario EJ 76s on mine and they seem to be working good.
Re: Super Rare 1980's Kentucky KH-600 Mandola
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Originally Posted by
Eric Davis
Thanks Aehle. I'm jealous that you have both a 1300 and a KH-DAWG! What gauge strings work the best for you on them? Right now I have D'Addario EJ 76s on mine and they seem to be working good.
I've always used J76's, they seem to work with well on these mandola's and the scale.
I had the KH-1300 in the classifieds last spring but no nibbles. A couple of years ago one sold with in a couple of hours for $4,000 that wasn't as nice as mine. I don't really need two mandola's and thought i would keep the KH-Dawg only because it has had some repairs and would be more difficult to sell. They both sound and play very similar.
Re: Super Rare 1980's Kentucky KH-600 Mandola
Got it. I'm surprised the 1300 didn't sell. These Kentucky mandolas are the real deal.
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Re: Super Rare 1980's Kentucky KH-600 Mandola
I'm the lucky owner of a Dawg 'dola from his private collection. It's in near perfect condition and is a pleasure to play.
There's info on the web about the Dawg mandos - I don't know the legality of posting them here.
Here's my Dawg 'dola:
Re: Super Rare 1980's Kentucky KH-600 Mandola
That's a nice looking KH-DAWG, 40bpm! Thanks for the pictures. Nice to see another one of these nice mandolas in western Washington!
Re: Super Rare 1980's Kentucky KH-600 Mandola
Hi Eric, I purchased my first Made in Japan Kentucky Master Model instrument about 20 years ago and went on a mission to acquire at least one of each model crafted in the Maruko factory. I purchased the only other KH-600 'dola I have come across in 2013. I noticed your instrument for sale a few months back and it is one serial number from mine... Like yours, my example is resonant and plays well, retaining proper geometry after only 30 years! I have never been able to locate a case to fit it properly. These can be great instruments. You play well. Keep it up. Best, Sam
Re: Super Rare 1980's Kentucky KH-600 Mandola
Hi Sam, thank you for sharing about your KH-600; I now know there is at least one more out there! I'm also glad to hear that yours is holding up strong and still sounding good after 30 years. I am surprised that a standard A-model mandola case will not fit it. Are they a slightly different body shape than a normal A-style? If you have any pictures, would you mind uploading some? We would love to see it! Thanks again!
Re: Super Rare 1980's Kentucky KH-600 Mandola
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Eric Davis
Got it. I'm surprised the 1300 didn't sell. These Kentucky mandolas are the real deal.
A lot of what Kentucky has offered is "the real deal"... sometimes surprisingly so!
Re: Super Rare 1980's Kentucky KH-600 Mandola
Very true! Especially true with these 80's Master Models.
Re: Super Rare 1980's Kentucky KH-600 Mandola
Did you see the KM-1500 that just hit the classifieds yesterday? That’s a great price!
Re: Super Rare 1980's Kentucky KH-600 Mandola
I did! Looks like a nice one.