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Thread: Kentucky unknown model

  1. #1

    Default Kentucky unknown model

    I looked and looked for a label. Got nothing. But I took some photos. Any ideas?

  2. #2

    Default Re: Kentucky unknown model

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  3. #3

    Default Re: Kentucky unknown model

    All I can say is that I've not seen one like that. The tailpiece cover looks to be genuine a Kentucky article, but I don't recognize any other similarities to the Kentucky mandolins I've seen. As far as I know, all Kentucky mandolins have some version of the Saga label inside.

    Could be the photo I suppose, but the scroll looks misshapen (no ridge at all on the top or back plate and a poorly formed curl front and back). The headstock is also shaped different than any Kentucky I've seen, along with the Fern and name logo. Something strange about the tuners too. They look to have been replaced at one time (extra holes in back of headstock). I can't imagine that those are upgrades from the originals.

    I don't know why anyone would go to the trouble to fake a Kentucky mandolin but I guess anything is possible.

    Could just be a model I haven't seen yet.

    Play it. Whatever it is, it might be a nice little mandolin.
    Last edited by FLATROCK HILL; Jan-28-2020 at 9:46pm.
    "I play BG so that's what I can talk intelligently about." A line I loved and pirated from Mandoplumb

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Kentucky unknown model

    I find it hard to believe that it's an actual Kentucky. Looks pretty Frankenstein-ed. A-style tuners (switched out, you can see the old screw holes) and the aforementioned flat scroll on the body argue against it being the real thing. Another strange pawn shop monstrosity. I wouldn't pay more than $100 for it.
    Mitch Russell

  5. #5

    Default Re: Kentucky unknown model

    I was thinking all the same things. I am going to go back in and play it some today. It seemed to have pretty good resonance, but I think they have several hundred in it which means they are going to ask $300ish. I think I am going to pass.

  6. #6

    Default Re: Kentucky unknown model

    Quote Originally Posted by auburnboy View Post
    I was thinking all the same things. I am going to go back in and play it some today. It seemed to have pretty good resonance, but I think they have several hundred in it which means they are going to ask $300ish. I think I am going to pass.
    I wouldn't pay $300 for a laminate mandolin like that.
    You can buy essentially the same thing for $120 online:
    https://www.musiciansfriend.com/folk...25674000001000

    I'd steer you towards a Kentucky KM-140 or better. Even a The Loar Honey Creek will be better than that one.
    Any mandolin you buy will need a setup.
    Best in your search!

  7. #7

    Default Re: Kentucky unknown model

    Quote Originally Posted by auburnboy View Post
    I think I am going to pass.
    Good plan!

    I tried to be truthful about it but didn't want to rain on your parade if you'd already bought it.
    "I play BG so that's what I can talk intelligently about." A line I loved and pirated from Mandoplumb

  8. #8
    Fatally Flawed Bill Kammerzell's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kentucky unknown model

    Most, if not all, of the Chinese made Kentuckys I've seen have the two-screw style truss rod cover. Not three screws like this one.
    Ray Dearstone #009 D1A (1999)
    Skip Kelley #063 Offset Two Point (2017)
    Arches #9 A Style (2005)
    Bourgeois M5A (2022)
    Hohner and Seydel Harmonicas (various keys)

    "Heck, Jimmy Martin don't even believe in Santy Claus!"

  9. #9
    Fatally Flawed Bill Kammerzell's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kentucky unknown model

    Quote Originally Posted by FLATROCK HILL View Post

    I don't know why anyone would go to the trouble to fake a Kentucky mandolin but I guess anything is possible.
    Not quite like counterfeiting a Rogue, but yes.
    Ray Dearstone #009 D1A (1999)
    Skip Kelley #063 Offset Two Point (2017)
    Arches #9 A Style (2005)
    Bourgeois M5A (2022)
    Hohner and Seydel Harmonicas (various keys)

    "Heck, Jimmy Martin don't even believe in Santy Claus!"

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  11. #10
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kentucky unknown model

    Thank goodness they didn't find a Gibson tailpiece cover.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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  13. #11
    Fatally Flawed Bill Kammerzell's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kentucky unknown model

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    Thank goodness they didn't find a Gibson tailpiece cover.
    And then gouged the headstock.
    Ray Dearstone #009 D1A (1999)
    Skip Kelley #063 Offset Two Point (2017)
    Arches #9 A Style (2005)
    Bourgeois M5A (2022)
    Hohner and Seydel Harmonicas (various keys)

    "Heck, Jimmy Martin don't even believe in Santy Claus!"

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  15. #12

    Default Re: Kentucky unknown model

    There would be no profit in counterfeiting a Kentucky, unless you could get someone to do it who would work really cheap...........oops!

  16. #13
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kentucky unknown model

    Quote Originally Posted by Jeff Mando View Post
    There would be no profit in counterfeiting a Kentucky, unless you could get someone to do it who would work really cheap...........oops!
    You hang for a cow or a calf. You might as well go for the gusto.

    I'm starting to have some second thoughts here. Not all of the Kentucky models over the years had the two screw truss rods covers and that's more inlay on the headstock than I recall seeing on any cheap mandolin. Let me look a little closer.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  17. #14
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kentucky unknown model

    Alright, it's a lesser model than these 2. Probably laminated.
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    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  18. #15
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kentucky unknown model

    I think it's a KM-620. Obviously the tuners have been changed. The KM-600 didn't have that inlay.

    KM-620 was all laminated from what I can gather.
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    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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  20. #16
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    Default Re: Kentucky unknown model

    Bear in mind that Saga introduced Kentucky mandolins 40+ years ago, that they have been made in at least three countries, and in who knows how many different factories. The look, models, specs, and the construction techniques have varied considerably over those years.

    There is no reason to expect a Kentucky made in the 80's to look like their current models.

    I'll take a wild guess and suggest that the OP's example was made in Korea a long time ago.

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  22. #17
    Registered User Eric Platt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kentucky unknown model

    Yup. KM-620 - https://www.folkmusician.com/product...andolin-km-620

    All laminate model. Thanks for finding the number Mike. Was able to get this in a quick search. Looks like it was discontinued around 2009.
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  23. #18
    Fatally Flawed Bill Kammerzell's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kentucky unknown model

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post

    I'm starting to have some second thoughts here. Not all of the Kentucky models over the years had the two screw truss rods covers and that's more inlay on the headstock than I recall seeing on any cheap mandolin. Let me look a little closer.
    Yes. That is true. Most of the ones I have seen with the 3 screw truss rod covers were Korean or the earlier Chinese models.
    Ray Dearstone #009 D1A (1999)
    Skip Kelley #063 Offset Two Point (2017)
    Arches #9 A Style (2005)
    Bourgeois M5A (2022)
    Hohner and Seydel Harmonicas (various keys)

    "Heck, Jimmy Martin don't even believe in Santy Claus!"

  24. #19

    Default Re: Kentucky unknown model

    Thanks so much for the information. For the price I’ll pass.

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