Kentucky km-200s value

[Doug Edwards]

I had a friend bring a KM-200s over to modify and install a pick guard. It is an older mandolin in mint condition. What's a thing like this worth? I'm thinking $200 w/ case.

[Doug Edwards]

Solid top with what appears to be Mahogany back & sides.

[Doug Edwards]

I cut down and mounted an old imported pick guard.

[Doug Edwards]

Simple, but a good starter instrument.

[mythicfish]

Doug,
The bird alone is worth $200 ... Norwegian Blue, lovely plumage.
Anyhoo, Your 200s appears to be of Japanese origin ... My MIJ 180s S/N is in the 21XXX series.
Mahogany B&S, no truss rod, Fleur-de-lis ... maybe late '80s
I've seen them go for about $225 w/ "chipboard" case.
With a decent bridge, they sound OK.

Curt

[Eric F.]

It's pining for the fjords.

[250sc]

I had a Japanese Kentucky 250sc (oval sound hole) that sold right away for $350. It played well and sounded good but not especially loud.

I guess it depends of the market in your area.

[Mando Medic]

I feel that a KM200S, Japanese made, in very good condition can bring $500. Whether you can get it is another thing. Kenc

[WillyG]

I just bought one of these myself. I posted a thread asking for help identifying it's age and origin. It looks a lot like yours and I think ours may be Japanese. I'm told the oldest ones were made in Japan, then production shifted to Korea, then finally to China where production ceased, I believer, in 2001. Serial number on mine is 12100, but I can't find any info on dating by serial number.

I paid $250 for mine, it's near mint condition, and if it is indeed Japanese, I think it's worth at least $300 or $400.

I put a set of J74s on it and it sounds pretty darn good. I also have some D'Addario semi-flats which I may try on it next. They have a lighter gauge G string, and one thing I will say is that is that it's not an easy player. With the non-radiused fingerboard and a slightly wider nut that I'm used to, it takes a pretty grip to play her. But I figure that will make my fingers stronger for when I play my Weber Bitterroot, so it's all good.

I have mine up for sale, but am now having some thoughts about keeping it. It's a cool little mandolin for the little amount I have invested in it.

If I find out more, I'll let you know. Please post any info you find as well. I'll see if I can upload a couple of pictures to this thread.

[WillyG]

Pictures attached...maybe. Not sure I know how to do this.

[Tim2723]

It's pining for the fjords.

It's only there because he nailed it on.

[allenhopkins]

Great instrument for accompanying the bleedin' choir invisible.

[lflngpicker]

WillyG: Did you hold on to your KM-200s? I have one I purchased and is in route to my home. My serial starts with 15 followed by three digits. It has a pickguard and is a tobacco color? The top is spruce and the sides and back solid mahogany. Do you have an idea of the year of mine and where it might have been produced? Thanks!

[Bill Snyder]

LFLNGPICKER, WillyG is not likely to respond. Looking at his profile he has not logged into the Mandolin Cafe since December of 2009.

[lflngpicker]

Hi Bill, Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it. Well, glad to find some discussion about my new mandolin, though. Glad to know there is some possible info I can eventually find. I have contacted Saga musical instruments and they were able to tell me it was definitely Japanese made, but they are looking at the photos I sent to tell me more about which plant and what year it may have been built. Thanks again!

[lflngpicker]

I have contacted Saga and there was a great rep there who was willing to help me. He looked at pictures of my KM-200s and determined that it was a late-80's Japan made Kentucky. It has all solid woods and is in excellent shape.

[vegas]

My experience is the people at Saga are very knowledgeable and very helpful. Those Japan-built Kentucky mandolins are considered to be superior to most other budget mandolins.

[lflngpicker]

Thanks for letting me know that it was a good choice! I appreciate it, Vegas!

[lflngpicker]

Here's mine: (Kentucky KM-200s MIJ 1980's)