Kentucky KM855 on sale on Amazon

[lflngpicker]

I am only sharing to be helpful. I am not endorsing a product or Amazon. I just thought it was worth letting people know. These 855’s go for $1365. This is just under $500 off.

[Sanddan]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001OQC75K...lig_dp_it&th=1

Km150 for $437

[Charles E.]

Big difference between a Kentucky 855 and a 150.

[Sanddan]

I was just pointing out that Kentucky is having a sale on amazon. The 855 seems to have similar features to the Eastman, like radius finger board, for less money. And has nicer looking wood. Don’t know if the quality is comparable.

[pheffernan]

I am only sharing to be helpful. I am not endorsing a product or Amazon. I just thought it was worth letting people know. These 855’s go for $1365. This is just under $500 off.

Still shopping, Dan?

[lflngpicker]

Still shopping, Dan?

Pat, No, my friend. I was just noticing a lot of discussion about affordable mandolins and thought that someone might be looking for one of these. The highest rung of Kentucky F5 before the 1000 level begins. This price seemed incredible. I hope one of the members who wants an all solid beautifully appointed F5 can grab one. Thanks Pat. I am waiting for a Hogan!

[Caberguy]

The Amazon prices on the KM 85x mandos has pretty routinely dipped well below their street price elsewhere. I almost bought one a while back during such a dip... but when I searched for reviews and user experiences/comparisons, I found practically nothing, which seemed odd (keeping in mind that these ones are completely different than the ones around in the late '00s).

This is just kind of how Amazon's algorithms work.

There's a pretty good deal on a KM-550 right now too, though not as good as the one I got on the one I picked up a couple of years ago

[pheffernan]

Pat, No, my friend. I was just noticing a lot of discussion about affordable mandolins and thought that someone might be looking for one of these. The highest rung of Kentucky F5 before the 1000 level begins. This price seemed incredible. I hope one of the members who wants an all solid beautifully appointed F5 can grab one. Thanks Pat. I am waiting for a Hogan!

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/209661#209661

[Sanddan]

Still shopping, Dan?

Yes, the KM150 was on my wish list on Amazon and my wife saw that it was on sale. The 855 is an even better buy and I bet a lot better instrument. The only shop in my area that has any mandolins to look at is Guitar Center, Loar and Kentucky KM150. I am going there tomorrow and see if I can get my hands on one to get the feel of it. I have old guy finger tips, one of my concerns, just need to handle one before buying. I was leaning toward either the Eastman 305 or 315 before see the KM 855 on sale. Decisions decisions.

[lflngpicker]

Sandman, I owned a KM805, which had different visual appointments, i.e., block inlays, but virtually the same. The 800’s are very nice instruments. All solid and carved, with great tone. The KM150 is a very good mandolin at that price point. When I heard David Benedict compare the various entry level mandolins, the 150 sounded the best to my ears. It could last a player years and be a keeper. All solid, carved and just a really nice mandolin. As for the KM855, here’s one being played by Kevin Bacon as posted by our own Journey Bear:

[keith.rogers]

If anyone is really interested, The Mandolin Store is selling the KM855 for $1365, and that would be a better choice than Amazon for multiple reasons (IMHO). I'd call them first. Yes, it's $500, but from all I've read, the bargain instruments from the big A is a crap shoot.

https://themandolinstore.com/product...m855-mandolin/

[Sanddan]

If anyone is really interested, The Mandolin Store is selling the KM855 for $1365, and that would be a better choice than Amazon for multiple reasons (IMHO). I'd call them first. Yes, it's $500, but from all I've read, the bargain instruments from the big A is a crap shoot.

https://themandolinstore.com/product...m855-mandolin/

I went back and read the reviews, most were not recent, and the quality control did not sound very good. Sounds like a crap shoot.

[lflngpicker]

I agree with you Keith. The Mandolin Store has sold me five mandolins over the years, and they provide great service and an excellent set up. It should be said that a discount price as low as this would likely mean the buyer will need to plan on a set up figured into the initial cost. The post is not an endorsement, just news about this availability at a low price. I too share the believe that the best approach is to buy from a mandolin dealer with the knowledge and experience to provide a full service experience. $500 dollars is a big difference in price and there have been a number of posts where members are asking about affordable instruments. The return policy would be an important thing to check and would safeguard the buyer’s peace of mind.

[Caberguy]

If anyone is really interested, The Mandolin Store is selling the KM855 for $1365, and that would be a better choice than Amazon for multiple reasons (IMHO). I'd call them first. Yes, it's $500, but from all I've read, the bargain instruments from the big A is a crap shoot.

https://themandolinstore.com/product...m855-mandolin/

I mean, I'm all for supporting small businesses over Amazon, but $500 is a lot of money at this tier of mandolin, and Amazon does have a really liberal return policy. All that aside, I've not seen a lot of evidence to really suggest that the 855 is terribly worth the trouble.

All that said, right around the regular street price of 855 (if that were on option) there is a Bozeman made Flatiron Performer on Reverb at the moment.

[Tiderider]

"All that said, right around the regular street price of 855 (if that were on option) there is a Bozeman made Flatiron Performer on Reverb at the moment."

Not anymore. wink, wink

[CES]

And that’s why you never ask about anything you’re considering buying on here insert laughing emojis, please…

[Caberguy]

And that’s why you never ask about anything you’re considering buying on here insert laughing emojis, please…

Yep, I'da kept my mouth shut if I was interested in buying it.

But, on the other hand, about half of our responsibility as members of these forums is helping other people spend their money... so I nailed that part.

[Dan in NH]

I’ll be honest - The stamped tailpiece is a hard stop for me.

[Dan in NH]

It has ticked up to $942 but has been holding steady.

[lflngpicker]

Dan, Thanks! Still a great price. A set up is what $50-75? And if the buyer is checking it out first, if there is a liberal return policy, it is worth the try for someone who wants a good quality, all solid, nicely embellished F5.