Is this Kentucky Mandolin a good first buy?

[NoreasonTaco]

Hi all,

I'm looking to get my first Mandolin. After reading these forums, Kentucky looks like a good manufacturer to start with.

I am currently looking at this KM-250 on Craigslist:
https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/c...349825599.html

It seems to me like it's a nice mandolin at a reasonable price. But I have zero mandolin experience; do people here think it looks OK?

Thanks so much for the advice!

[EdHanrahan]

I'd jump on it! With the extras (gig bag, strap, stand, books) it looks like a bargain to me. A quick check shows KM-250's go for maybe $390 to $450 new w/o case so, at the very worst, you could sell it with no loss. More likely, it will be a good first instrument and, with any luck, become a long-time back-up/beach/beater instrument.

BTW, I have the gig bag shown in the ad for my fairly low-level Rover. It's nicely made and good for casual use, but certainly not protective enough for serious (think "airline") transport. That is, it'll prevent scratches but not much more... which should be fine for your current purposes.

Do check out Rob Meldrum's free on-line setup manual (PM to Café member Robster), as virtually all lower-line mandolins do need the final adjustments done on them. Such adjustment is far more critical on mandolin as compared to guitar because the size, and resultant tolerance, is so much smaller.

Enjoy!

[Bill Kammerzell]

That's a decent price. Had a KM-252. Same instrument I believe but a different finish. Radiused fingerboard and all hand carved solid wood. Can't go wrong at that price.

[NoreasonTaco]

OK.. I got it. Thanks for the advice! Hope to get my copy of the setup manual soon and start learning.

[colorado_al]

Nice! That was a really good price on that instrument.
Let us know if you have any questions with the setup.
Enjoy!