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Thread: Super Rare 1980's Kentucky KH-600 Mandola

  1. #1
    Registered User Eric Davis's Avatar
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    Default 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!
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    Eric Davis

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    Registered User Eric Davis's Avatar
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    Default Re: Super Rare 1980's Kentucky KH-600 Mandola

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uNXj1XEmdXg
    Here's a link to a sound clip.
    Eric Davis

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    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default 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!

  4. #4
    Mike Aehle Aehle's Avatar
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    Default 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.
    Mike

    2009 Duff F5
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    1984 Kentucky KH-1300, 1983 Kentucky KH-Dawg
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  5. #5
    Registered User Eric Davis's Avatar
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    Default 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.
    Eric Davis

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    Registered User Eric Davis's Avatar
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    Default 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.
    Eric Davis

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    Mike Aehle Aehle's Avatar
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    Default Re: Super Rare 1980's Kentucky KH-600 Mandola

    Quote Originally Posted by Eric Davis View Post
    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.
    Mike

    2009 Duff F5
    2009 BRW MA-H2 (A5)
    2008 BRW FT-MS (F5)
    2001 Gibson Master Model, Derrington signed
    1984 Kentucky KH-1300, 1983 Kentucky KH-Dawg
    1915 Gibson F2

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    Registered User Eric Davis's Avatar
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    Default 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.
    Eric Davis

    2010 Gilchrist 5JR Mandolin
    2016 Weber Gallatin F-style Octave Mandolin

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    Registered User 40bpm's Avatar
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    Default 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:
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    [note to self] Burst not thy brother's bubble ~ unk

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  12. #10
    Registered User Eric Davis's Avatar
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    Default 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!
    Eric Davis

    2010 Gilchrist 5JR Mandolin
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    40bpm 

  14. #11
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    Default 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
    Last edited by Mandolin Cafe; Nov-25-2017 at 9:48pm. Reason: serial number removed by request

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  16. #12
    Registered User Eric Davis's Avatar
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    Default 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!
    Eric Davis

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  17. #13
    Registered User Glassweb's Avatar
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    Default Re: Super Rare 1980's Kentucky KH-600 Mandola

    Quote Originally Posted by Eric Davis View Post
    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!

  18. #14
    Registered User Eric Davis's Avatar
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    Default Re: Super Rare 1980's Kentucky KH-600 Mandola

    Very true! Especially true with these 80's Master Models.
    Eric Davis

    2010 Gilchrist 5JR Mandolin
    2016 Weber Gallatin F-style Octave Mandolin

  19. #15
    Mike Aehle Aehle's Avatar
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    Default 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!

  20. #16
    Registered User Eric Davis's Avatar
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    Default Re: Super Rare 1980's Kentucky KH-600 Mandola

    I did! Looks like a nice one.
    Eric Davis

    2010 Gilchrist 5JR Mandolin
    2016 Weber Gallatin F-style Octave Mandolin

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