Article: Saga Introduces Redesigned Deluxe Kentucky F-Models

**Mandolin Cafe** · Dec-05-2016, 5:15pm

You can view the page at http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/co...tucky-F-Models

**Mandolin Cafe** · Dec-05-2016, 5:41pm

Because we know someone will ask: we don't have suggested retail prices and they weren't offered with the news release but pretty sure a few dealers hanging out here will know.

**Folkmusician.com** · Dec-05-2016, 5:54pm

Thanks for the news Scott!

These four mandolins retail for $1295 each. Of course street prices will be a bit lower.

I have personally seen the KM-750 (sunburst) and KM-756 (brown), and they are very nice. A good upgrade over previous Kentucky F-models with the exception of the KM-1000 and higher.

**Petrus** · Dec-05-2016, 8:51pm

A varnish option would be nice. One just hopes that lacquer ain't overly thick.

**Ivan Kelsall** · Dec-06-2016, 4:14am

I know that it's purely a matter of preference,but it would have been nice to have had a bound headstock just to finish them off. Other than that,they do seem to be a very nice mandolin,
Ivan

**DataNick** · Dec-06-2016, 4:51am

They look to be an interesting option at that price point. If one were considering an acquisition, I would suggest customizing the order with an ebony bridge like a full contact CA. I wonder about the lacquer finish as well.

**Willie Poole** · Dec-06-2016, 1:25pm

It would seem that at these prices those new mandolins will be made at factories other than where the KM-900`s through the KM-1500`s are made, so are they really an upgrade or just the same as always with different color schemes to choose from?

Willie

**Bob Buckingham** · Dec-07-2016, 12:33pm

Will they go with heavier frets and cast tailpieces?

**mandroid** · Dec-08-2016, 1:49pm

OK So what were the Design changes ?, the Press release gives no details,

structural or just Finish shading, trim details?

of course people will want to know... is the sound better? ..

**Darren Bailey** · Dec-10-2016, 2:17pm

Originally Posted by Ivan Kelsall

I know that it's purely a matter of preference,but it would have been nice to have had a bound headstock just to finish them off. Other than that,they do seem to be a very nice mandolin,
Ivan

I may be wrong Ivan, but the head stock on my 630 appears to have paint rather than actual binding. Perhaps someone can confirm one way or another.

**Lorenzo LaRue** · Dec-10-2016, 11:55pm

I'm confused as to what is new about these mandos. Isn't it that they are just trying to sell more cheap, uninspiring tools. It just seems like so much nothing. Even the Breedloves sound so much better than any Kentucky below their 1000 model. And maybe I'm just too jaded.

**jimmy powells** · Jan-11-2017, 6:09pm

I agree with Ivan. A bound neck never looks right without the head stock being bound. Also I'd have preferred a short, scooped normal shape fingerboard extension. I've never liked this shape but that's just me.
The non sunburst brown shaded top looks unappealing.

**DavidKOS** · Jan-12-2017, 8:18am

Originally Posted by jimmy powells

Also I'd have preferred a short, scooped normal shape fingerboard extension. I've never liked this shape but that's just me.
.

Well, at least no one will need to do a "Florida-ectomy" on these mandolins - Saga knows their target market.

**ninarizzo** · May-27-2023, 1:25pm

Originally Posted by Mandolin Cafe

Because we know someone will ask: we don't have suggested retail prices and they weren't offered with the news release but pretty sure a few dealers hanging out here will know.

I recently bought a mint condition Kentucky KM-751 for 400.00 with gator case. It has a very sweet sound but not a lot of punch - I'm considering putting a CA full contact bridge on it. Worth the expense? When I bought my KM-270 on ebay - it already had the CA bridge and it seems like it's louder than the 751. What do you think?