Re: Kentucky KM-675 problem and a question
The "balance" question is related to where your strap's attached. Most F-style players hook the strap around the scroll, and wear the strap over one shoulder, the one of the picking hand. The weight distribution of most F-model mandolins makes this set-up "neck heavy," and you find yourself supporting the neck with your fretting hand. Nothing wrong with this set-up, and Bill Monroe did it that way so it must be the best way to do it (?!), but if you want the mandolin to stay in playing position when you take your hand off the neck, I'd say "hook the strap end to the headstock, and get a longer strap so it goes behind your neck."
Guitars are different (obviously); the body's bigger and heavier in relation to the neck, and even if you attach your strap at the neck heel, few guitarists wear the strap over just one shoulder -- most put it around the neck, over the shoulder of the fretting hand.
Regarding the suggestion of a KM-1000, you won't find a new one less than $1K. Most KM-1000 owners on the Cafe report satisfaction, but you're taking price jump of several hundred buxx above your budget. Assuming you stay with Kentucky, their only F-model that lists under $1K is the KM-650, which is all solid wood, hand-carved, and available discounted for $750-800. For other brands, the Loar LM-700 and the Eastman MD515 can be found for under $1K.
Saga Instruments, who sell the Kentucky line of mandolins, do change models with some frequency. Their "600" series mandolins seem to have been their lowest-priced F-models, and doing a bit of a search in Cafe threads, reveals some quality control issues, but not a clear indication that the model was discontinued due to finish problems. Just the normal "churning" of models, IMHO.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
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