Kentucky KM-750 or The Loar LM-520-VS for 11yo?

[stevojack665]

I'm able to get a sweet deal on either of these instruments.
Kentucky KM-750 new for $750
The Loar LM-520-VS barely used for $400 (with ABS case)
Kentucky will need a full setup and a case.
The Loar will need a better setup than it currently has.

My son is a good picker and has played mandolin since age 5 (and about 10 other instruments).

I'm leaning towards the Kentucky, as I think it would be a better instrument overall, but it's hard to spend double the price on an instrument for a kid.
Either way, I'm excited to buy one of them and to use it to teach him about setting up a mandolin. And then when we are done, present it to him as a his.

My one reservation regarding both of them, is that I think they both have flat fretboards, and all of the other instruments we have are radiused. He's currently playing a Kentucky KM-272.

Thoughts?
Thanks!

[Brandon Flynn]

I'm able to get a sweet deal on either of these instruments.
Kentucky KM-750 new for $750
The Loar LM-520-VS barely used for $400 (with ABS case)
Kentucky will need a full setup and a case.
The Loar will need a better setup than it currently has.

My son is a good picker and has played mandolin since age 5 (and about 10 other instruments).

I'm leaning towards the Kentucky, as I think it would be a better instrument overall, but it's hard to spend double the price on an instrument for a kid.
Either way, I'm excited to buy one of them and to use it to teach him about setting up a mandolin. And then when we are done, present it to him as a his.

My one reservation regarding both of them, is that I think they both have flat fretboards, and all of the other instruments we have are radiused. He's currently playing a Kentucky KM-272.

Thoughts?
Thanks!

Can't comment on which of the two you should go with, but personally if he has been learning on a radiused fret board I would hold out for something with a radiused fret board. I know there are varying opinions about just how much of a difference they make, and it may depend on your fretting technique, but even when I was 15 moving from my Rogue to an instrument with a radiused board I could feel a difference, and felt I would never go back to a flat board. But then again, if the price is right for a nicer instrument it may be worth it, regardless of the fretboard, especially if he is pining for an upgrade!

[J Mangio]

The Banjo Warehouse
New... The Loar LM 600 BK
$649.00 with h/s case.

[Northwest Steve]

I won't give an opinion on what to buy, for once. I have a daughter that plays violin and fiddle. She is very good, could be great if she decided she wanted to. It is always a pleasure to here her play. She will be off to college next year and one of the things I will miss is having her play around the house. Any thing we have spent on instriments, lessons, etc. I would consider an investment. If your son really likes to play and you think he will stick with it get him the best instrument you can afford.

[stevojack665]

I've decided to find a mandolin for him with a radiused fingerboard.
If anyone is interested in the deal on the Kentucky that I was going to buy,
It is $754 on Amazon. Only 1 left:
https://www.amazon.com/Kentucky-KM-7.../dp/B07QJW8JGM

[Charles E.]

The Eastman 315 has a radiused board and is in your price range.

And there is this in the classifieds...

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/154351#154351

Hand made American for under $800.oo

NFI