Kentucky 606 arrived in NZ

**mandolagirl** · Sep-21-2017, 10:46pm

Typically in New Zealand we read forum discussions about new instruments , and then it is a few months before the first samples arrive here.
. Six Kentucky 606 mandolin recently arrived in NZ. I was shown one, played it for half an hour - and bought it. I wouldn't normally buy an instrument so abruptly - can't afford to.... but I liked the neck shape, and the tone quality, and balance between strings ....and it was easily loud enough to play outside my favourite cafe. It is possible there may be variation between individual samples at this stage of production. But I certainly got a good one - and at a very reasonable price.
Neck and body are plain wood and the top has the craziest grain I have seen in a long time. Colouring is a bit uneven ; warm brown, not as dark as the photos in earlier posts.
None of which I care about! But it sounds good and it is a pleasure to play. It is also very neatly finished and NOT roughly sanded. And incidentally , the one i got has a radiussed ebony fingerboard. Congratulations Saga for making a really good basic model. I don't know where the other five have got to but you could ask Alistair.
Best wishes from Kiwiland.

**mandolinstew** · Sep-22-2017, 7:39am

Am amazed how good my 606 is.Every day it turns lighter,nice grain on top crazy grain on back.

**BrianWilliam** · Sep-22-2017, 8:59am

Sounds like you got a good one. Enjoy!

That said, "pics or it didn't happen" applies

**mandolinstew** · Sep-22-2017, 9:22am

Originally Posted by BrianWilliam

Sounds like you got a good one. Enjoy!

That said, "pics or it didn't happen" applies

Will supply plcs when fully lightened

**lflngpicker** · Sep-23-2017, 3:59pm

I just love Kentucky mandolins. Congrats and enjoy it for years!

**Pittsburgh Bill** · Sep-23-2017, 5:03pm

MAS just hit me. I usually do not like F style mandolins but something about the plainness (or crudeness) of the 606 appeals to me.
I will make up my mind once I have had the opportunity to actually see and play one.
I'm thinking the 606 may be a good replacement for my Eastman 305 which serves as my beater. The 305 has served me well but I am looking for a little more. If the 606 delivers at a sub $600.00 price point I may be inclined to bite in spite of the scrolls.

**chipotle** · Sep-23-2017, 5:26pm

I've been looking seriously at this model, though I've never actually seen one. Can anyone tell me the nut width on this? I like the simplicity of this, very bare bones.

**Franc Homier Lieu** · Sep-23-2017, 5:47pm

Originally Posted by Pittsburgh Bill

something about the plainness (or crudeness) of the 606 appeals to me.

My thoughts exactly.

Originally Posted by Pittsburgh Bill

I will make up my mind once I have had the opportunity to actually see and play one.

Yeah, I won't be buying one sight unseen, but as my current mandolin is a KM-150, after selling off my Flatiron and Weber (both great mandolins), I think I will be well disposed to the 606.

**Folkmusician.com** · Sep-23-2017, 7:29pm

For anyone interested, there was just a shipment of these. I canceled my orders, but other dealers should receive them any day.

**Pittsburgh Bill** · Sep-24-2017, 9:31am

[QUOTE=Pittsburgh Bill;1601930]MAS just hit me. I usually do not like F style mandolins but something about the plainness (or crudeness) of the 606 appeals to me.

I thought that I should add that to me the hallmark of a beater mandolin is one that sounds and plays well with structural integrity but WILL NOT RUIN YOUR DAY THE FIRST TIME IT GETS A DING. The 606 has that appeal to me.