kentucky km 805 mandolin

[ollaimh]

has any one played a kentucky km 805 mandolin? what are they like? do they come in a white face very often? what's the tone like? were they made both in china and japan and which are better? that sort of detail? help?

[lflngpicker]

I had one. Very much like the Sam Bush Gibson. I should have kept it. The tone was very nice for under 1,000. Well built.

[jim1966]

how do they compare to 1050?

[LadysSolo]

I've never played a 1050, but I own an 805. It sounds good, not in the class of Pava or Weber or Collings, but it is good for the price. It stays in tune well, and seems well-made.

[Br1ck]

To my ears 800 and below Kentuckys sound very similar, 900 and above very much better. You have to spend another thousand dollars to best a master series Kentucky. Just don't play a Northfield F 5S.

It is a shame there are not more places you can try the entire line of Kentuckys and see for yourself. The lower end of the Kentucky line, and Eastman too, is very good. You start paying for pretty the farther up you go. Pick up a 900 or better Kentucky and you hear a big sonic improvement.

[rcc56]

has any one played a kentucky km 805 mandolin? do they come in a white face very often?

I have never heard of a Kentucky mandolin of any kind with a white finish.

[ollaimh]

I have never heard of a Kentucky mandolin of any kind with a white finish.

turns out it was refinished so i guess that nixes that idea

[jim1966]

i have a choice between 805 or 700 any opinions please

[rcc56]

i have a choice between 805 or 700 any opinions please

If possible, try to play both of them instead of letting us make guesses from computer keyboards many miles away without the mandolins in our hands.

[jim1966]

i can't try them hence the reason im asking people that may have.