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Thread: Opinions on Skip Kelley-Kentucky in classified

  1. #1
    Registered Plec Offender Mickey King's Avatar
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    Default Opinions on Skip Kelley-Kentucky in classified

    This Mando appears to have a lot of potential. My question is what would be the long term value of this instrument over time. Mandomutt is not sure what model Kentucky is was but you can tell it’s not a 1000 or above due to no “The Kentucky” on the headstock. He says it compares well to a Northfield or my Collings MT so it could be a sleeper.
    https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/131685#131685
    Mickey

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  2. #2
    Future Mandolinist
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    Default Re: Opinions on Skip Kelley-Kentucky in classified

    I can't recall ever seeing that exact inlay on a Kentucky before, but based on the binding and the script for "Kentucky" I'm thinking it may have been a 90's KM700. Certainly it is something from that approximate time period. It may well be a good player, it was certainly done by a good luthier. I actually considered buying this mandolin but what really tuned me off was the weird coloring applied to the top. Not the brown color so much, but the stripe pattern. I think that may put off other buyers as well.

  3. #3
    Registered Plec Offender Mickey King's Avatar
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    Default Re: Opinions on Skip Kelley-Kentucky in classified

    I’m don’t care for the stripes either. Figure I might could live with it if the sound AND the price is right. I also would prefer it had medium frets instead of the standard skinnies.
    Last edited by Mickey King; Nov-29-2018 at 12:46am. Reason: Added content

  4. #4
    Kelley Mandolins Skip Kelley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Opinions on Skip Kelley-Kentucky in classified

    Guys, just to clarify a few things, the top is curly redwood. It’s not striped and the frets are medium frets.

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    Registered User Lane Pryce's Avatar
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    Default Re: Opinions on Skip Kelley-Kentucky in classified

    There you go Mickey. Lp
    J.Lane Pryce

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    Registered User ferrousgeek's Avatar
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    Default Re: Opinions on Skip Kelley-Kentucky in classified

    Quote Originally Posted by Skip Kelley View Post
    Guys, just to clarify a few things, the top is curly redwood. It’s not striped and the frets are medium frets.
    Skip, what finish did you use on the top?

  9. #7
    Kelley Mandolins Skip Kelley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Opinions on Skip Kelley-Kentucky in classified

    Quote Originally Posted by ferrousgeek View Post
    Skip, what finish did you use on the top?
    Oil varnish.

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  11. #8
    Registered Plec Offender Mickey King's Avatar
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    Default Re: Opinions on Skip Kelley-Kentucky in classified

    Quote Originally Posted by Skip Kelley View Post
    Guys, just to clarify a few things, the top is curly redwood. It’s not striped and the frets are medium frets.
    Awesome Skip, I think I have a deal worked out at this time. I had already made an offer prior to starting this thread, I guess I was making sure I was on the right track. When Kevin said it had standard frets I assumed that it was traditional small frets. Maybe these days medium is the new standard .
    Last edited by Mickey King; Nov-29-2018 at 9:42am.

  12. #9
    Registered User Bob Buckingham's Avatar
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    Default Re: Opinions on Skip Kelley-Kentucky in classified

    This is the part that stopped me "Pretty nice condition, all things considered. New top and so forth. Fit and finish is not perfect, as one can imagine. Replacing a mandolin top, particularly an F-5, is not an exact science, by any stretch, but the mandolin is clean." The red wood top should sound pretty woody and like cedar they break in quick. It will be softer than spruce though.

  13. #10
    Kelley Mandolins Skip Kelley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Opinions on Skip Kelley-Kentucky in classified

    Quote Originally Posted by Mickey King View Post
    Awesome Skip, I think I have a deal worked out at this time. I had already made an offer prior to starting this thread, I guess I was making sure I was on the right track. When Kevin said it had standard frets I assumed that it was traditional small frets. Maybe these days medium is the new standard .
    Mickey, I only use the small fretwire when requested otherwise it's medium fretwire. As you said, medium is the new standard.

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  15. #11
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    Default Re: Opinions on Skip Kelley-Kentucky in classified

    Mickey, curious to hear your thoughts when it arrives. I'm the very proud owner of a Kelley A5 that's exceptional. It's very rare that I pick up any of my other mandolins since I bought it (also from Mandomutt). Skip is doing some great work!!
    Chuck

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  17. #12
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Opinions on Skip Kelley-Kentucky in classified

    Quote Originally Posted by Mickey King View Post
    This Mando appears to have a lot of potential. My question is what would be the long term value of this instrument over time.
    An established seller like Mutt has seemingly had a hard time moving this mandolin, dropping the price from $2249 to $1499 over a period of several weeks and perhaps months. The long term value of this instrument over time I suspect is going to be the joy it provides as a player, not the investment opportunity that it offers as a collectible.
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  18. #13
    Kelley Mandolins Skip Kelley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Opinions on Skip Kelley-Kentucky in classified

    Quote Originally Posted by CES View Post
    Mickey, curious to hear your thoughts when it arrives. I'm the very proud owner of a Kelley A5 that's exceptional. It's very rare that I pick up any of my other mandolins since I bought it (also from Mandomutt). Skip is doing some great work!!
    Thank Chuck! I appreciate that! I'm working hard to make good sounding mandolins. I have some really special tonewood that I am using. All my red spruce was cut over 100 years ago and my redwood was cut in 1850. I have Ken to thank for the wood. The latest mandolins that I have built using this wood have been real strong jam cutting mandolins. You won't have any trouble being heard over the banjo.

  19. #14

    Default Re: Opinions on Skip Kelley-Kentucky in classified

    That old redwood is a fine sounding wood. My SA continues to amaze me with both warmth and loudness. I think this instrument will forever be burdened by its salebility issues, hence a great deal is had for what I believe will be a nice player.The world just does not like the unusual.
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  20. #15
    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Opinions on Skip Kelley-Kentucky in classified

    An unusual mandolin for sure, esp with the solid black back and ribs.

    I bought my Girouard from Kevin and the experience was great. Super nice guy and has a wonderful big dog to greet you when you drive up.

    I had a chance to try a (new at the time) Kelly F-5 while there and it sounded very good. I am sure that Skip did a fine job on this "frankentucky" (Kevin's words, not mine).

    Enjoy!
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

  21. #16
    Future Mandolinist
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    Default Re: Opinions on Skip Kelley-Kentucky in classified

    Quote Originally Posted by Skip Kelley View Post
    Guys, just to clarify a few things, the top is curly redwood. It’s not striped and the frets are medium frets.
    Skip, thank you for the clarification. Are the pictures exaggerating the pattern, or is that more or less consistent with how the mandolin looks in person?

  22. #17
    Kelley Mandolins Skip Kelley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Opinions on Skip Kelley-Kentucky in classified

    Yes that’s pretty much how it looks in person.

  23. #18
    Registered Plec Offender Mickey King's Avatar
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    Default Re: Opinions on Skip Kelley-Kentucky in classified

    Well it’s coming home to me. I’ve been wanting one with a redwood top.

  24. #19

    Default Re: Opinions on Skip Kelley-Kentucky in classified

    Steal of the week.

  25. #20
    Registered Plec Offender Mickey King's Avatar
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    Default Re: Opinions on Skip Kelley-Kentucky in classified

    Yes Sir!

  26. #21

    Default Re: Opinions on Skip Kelley-Kentucky in classified

    I'd say double your money's worth at a minimum.
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  27. #22
    Registered Plec Offender Mickey King's Avatar
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    Default Re: Opinions on Skip Kelley-Kentucky in classified

    Well I’ve been picking on this mandolin for a week now and I am not disappointed! Definitely a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

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  29. #23
    Registered User Louise NM's Avatar
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    Default Re: Opinions on Skip Kelley-Kentucky in classified

    Enjoy it.

    This one sounds like what I've heard refer to as a "player's instrument"—a great-sounding instrument that for a variety of reasons you can buy reasonably and that may not have huge potential for its price appreciating. You're getting more than you paid for tone-wise.

  30. #24
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    Default Re: Opinions on Skip Kelley-Kentucky in classified

    Quote Originally Posted by Skip Kelley View Post
    Guys, just to clarify a few things, the top is curly redwood. It’s not striped and the frets are medium frets.
    Right from the horses mouth !

  31. #25

    Default Re: Opinions on Skip Kelley-Kentucky in classified

    Any pictures?

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