FAQs on Kentucky KM-200S A-Style Mandolin

Date: Tue, 16 Jul 2002 18:08:44 -0400

Dear Folk of the Wood Folks,

I started learning to play the mandolin by ear about a year and a half ago, just before my 52nd birthday. I became the proud owner of a good starter instrument - a Kentucky 200S. (I understand that this model was discontinued.) In any event, I try to play at least a little bit if not more nearly every day and have gotten a lot of pleasure from it. I occasionally play in two very amateur groups and am able to blend in without too many goofs - even when they mike me! Unless there are some tricks of the trade that'll get be some better neck action out my Kentucky, I am staring to think that it might be time to move up. Or is it premature after only such a short time? Perhaps a few actual lessons wouldn't hurt, but then I might not enjoy it as much. What do you think? And what should I be looking at and in what price range? I think that I might also have some interest in a mandola or an octave.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks and regards,
Alan

Greetings Alan,

Yes, the Kentucky KM-200S is an excellent starter mandolin and should bring you well up into the intermediate level. And, yes, the KM-200S is now discontinued...making it an even more desirable mandolin for resell value. It's not necessarily too short a time to move up...especially if you're looking for a maple mando with good projection. Your 200S is a mahogany mando which offers good warmth and tone but usually lacks the volume and projection attainable with a maple wood mando. However, your 200S should still serve your needs for years to come...I myself would be somewhat divided about upgrading. I personally would keep the 200S and look for a second maple wood mando.

As far as lessons go, yes I would highly recommend an instructor. A good instructor should inspire you to practice...and assist you in bypassing the normal frustration encountered when attempting to teach yourself.

I believe your next mando should be a maple archtop with f soundholes...there are some very reasonably priced, pro level mandos available such as the Breedlove Quartz or the Weber Hyalite...if you're looking for a more vintage tone, consider a Rigel A+ Deluxe.

As far as mandolas and octaves go, I'd suggest first trying out a lower end flat style such as Trinity College offers...upon determining that you would have an interest in pursuing the Octave or Mandola further, and you have budgeted for a more expensive model, you can always use our 100% trade-up policy to get into a high-end Weber.

Hope the above helps in some way...Mickey