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Long story short . . . I am in the process of doing a new album, and realized that I could probably use an f-hole mandolin; (both of my current mandolins are ovals). I am leaning towards looking into something in the Kentucky 750 series. Anybody own or have experience with these?
Thanks.
Why f-holes? I just watched some of your YouTune videos and the oval hole mandolins you have sound good. (Thanks for sharing those videos! I enjoyed them.)
The tunes that I am working on right now need a 'tighter sound . . . almost more of a 'chop'. The oval holes are great for melodic playing, but they just don't seem to be working for this batch of songs.
Oh - and since I am willing to bet that somebody will soon suggest that I save lots of money by getting an 'A' model, instead of an 'F' . . . . I am considering something from the Kentucky 250 series as well.
If you can financially justify the 750 series, go buy a 500 or 505, it'll be just *that* much more sound for about the same money. Prettier too
With you on different songs needing a different sound. Thus why I switch between my Collings and my Kentucky. The Collings performing better on softer melodic tunes
As for A style or F style, that is totally a personal preference. I find A styles to be not only better looking but more comfortable to play. Not to mention less parts sticking out to break. For me 2 points are the real lookers.
Take a look at this ham sandwich in the classifieds.
I personally prefer A's myself, but I have played a KM 750 and was very impressed. Outside of the Loar Signed Gibsons I played in the presence of Mr Gruhn himself, I've only ever liked the sound of a few specific F style instruments that I've played and the KM 750 was one of them!
That list:
1. Gilchrist F-jr
2. Silverangel (played in Carter's)
3. Kentucky KM 750
Good luck in you endeavor!
Is Mark Agnesi OK with you posting that?Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton
If they trademarked ham sandwich Allen Hopkins is going to be very angry :cool:
Nah, just honored to have contributed a useful (IMHO, anyway) phrase and concept to our ongoing discussions of "what mandolin should I buy?"Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton
For those unfamiliar, I was reacting to the threads where OP asks, "Should I buy the Eastman MD315 or the MD515?" -- and someone responds, "You should consider the Kentucky KM-500" or "Loar LM-600" or whatever non-Eastman mandolin the responders like.
I likened it to someone asking "What deli makes a good ham sandwich?" and getting responses like "You should buy a tuna melt" or "corned beef on 'wieck" or whatever other choice that doesn't respond to the question. My point of view is that we should first make an effort to respond to the inquiry as asked, and then wander off into what other mandolin we might suggest.
Of course, some ask for "other suggestions," and in that case, we can feel free to say that the String-O-Matic 9000-X is the hottest mandolin in the OP's price range (unless, of course, we're trying to sell the OP our String-O-Matic 9000-X, which is a real bow-wow that we've been trying to unload on CraigsList for six months).
Anyway, that's the story behind "ham sandwich," for those who find the reference obscure...
:)):cool:
MikeZito
My first mandolin is a KM-700, lots of chop.
Perhaps all first-time posters here should be introduced to the mandolin beyond all others that must not be named. Might as well set the bar high and unattainable!
Would that be the legendary (and seldom seen) Schmergel Devastor?Quote:
Originally Posted by Russ Donahue
The seldom scene had a devastator?!? (Unless you're referring to the knock offs, I believe it's spelled Shmergel, but I'm not a historian ;) )
Mike, I definitely like your approach-- you are looking for that certain sound that will work on your latest compositions. I have owned both vintage Kentucky's and a recent KM 1000. All three were tonally very pleasing. I agree though that most sound for the money would be the KM505, as often seen in Bluegrass Unlimited magazine. Good luck choosing, my friend.
I have a KM-756 that I am quite happy with