UPDATED 05/21/07
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Folk of the Wood presents
Kentucky Mandolins Introduction
News Release April 18, 2003:
The New KM-700 will be an upgrade from the KM-675S...features include: highly flamed back and sides, different design on the peghead and higher grade woods...
All models KM-250S are now nitrocellulose finish...
New upgraded shipment of Kentuckys due in May...
The KM-630 is now carved on back of scroll...
Every Kentucky Model offers the following features:
- Made in China
- Integrated Tailpiece/Endpin with Tailpiece Cover
- Arched Top
- Adjustable, moveable bridge
- F-Hole Soundhole Design
- Multi-Ply Binding
- Bound Fingerboard
- Comfortable Tapered Necks
Beginner Level Kentucky A Models:
Kentucky KM-140
All Laminate Top and Maple Back and Sides12-fret neck (our best deal going)
Kentucky KM-140S
Solid Spruce Top Laminate Maple Back and Sides
Solid Spruce Top Solid Maple Back and Sides w/12-fret neck
KM-140 Laminated Spruce Top/Laminate Mahogany Back and Sides
KM-140S Solid Spruce Top/Laminate Mahogany Back and Sides
These have mahogany backs with a short scale neck (12th fret meets the body). They are excellent for the beginner looking for a mandolin that will be easy to learn on. Folk of the Wood sets up each of these for ease of playability and perfect intonation. This does require filing on both the nut and the bridge...even so, it's well worth the effort. When we get through with these, they are truly fun to learn on without the normal frustration of a standard action. Mahogany bodies characteristically offer a warmer tone. Priced right and set up to play. Be aware, Kentuckys do not ship from the factory set up to play; they all require filing, sanding and a set-up process before they meet our standards.
Kentucky KM-150S
KM-150 Laminated Top with Laminate Maple Back and Sides
KM-150S Solid Top with Solid Maple Back and Sides
The 150 series offers maple sides and back and a short scale neck. As is true of the 140, the 150 is great for the beginner. A really versatile mandolin that can be played effectively within many styles (especially bluegrass). The Maple back and sides gives this mandolin a crisper, brighter tone that will cut through most jam sessions. Be aware, Kentuckys do not ship from the factory set up to play; they all require filing, sanding and a set-up process before they meet our standards.
Kentucky KM-250S
Solid Maple Back and Sides Solid Spruce Top Tobacco Brown Finish
KM-250S Solid Spruce Top/Solid Maple Back and Sides/Dark Finish on Top
These have solid maple backs and sides with a long scale neck (14th fret meets the body). If you're looking for a mandolin that can be played in any professional element, the 250S will also meet your expectations. Because of the Maple back and sides, this mandolin offers a nice bright, crisp tone with a tremendous volume. Great for the intermediate to pro player looking for an all solid wood A model mandolin. This one works especially well for Bluegrass.
Intermediate/Professional Level Kentucky 200S A Model (Currently Discontinued Until Further Notice):
Kentucky KM-200S Solid Mahogany Back and Sides Solid Spruce Top Light Brown Finish
KM-200S Solid Spruce Top/Solid Mahogany Back and Sides/Light Finish on Top
These have solid mahogany backs and sides with a long scale neck (14th fret meets the body). If you're looking for a mandolin that can be played in any professional element, the 200S will meet your expectations. Because of the Mahogany back and sides, this mandolin offers a nice warm tone without sacrifice to volume. Great for the intermediate to pro player looking for an all solid wood A model mandolin. This one works well for old-time and Celtic music.
Intermediate/Professional Level Kentucky 300 Series A Models:
The 300 Series includes the visually appealing flamed maple designed back and sides as introduced by the 380S. Additionally, the 300 Series has taken the standard A-Style body and introduced the F-Style bracing. Essentially, the 300 series is constructed exactly like and F-Style mandolin without the scrolls. A Kentucky exclusive innovative design.
Kentucky KM-340S
Solid Spruce Top • Maple Back and Sides (Laminate)
15-fret Maple Neck
These have laminate maple backs and sides with a long scale neck (15th fret meets the body). Still, with the solid spruce top, this mando really has punch.
Kentucky KM-350S
Solid Spruce Top • Solid Maple Back and Sides
15-fret Maple Neck
These have solid maple backs and sides with a long scale neck (15th fret meets the body). And, with the solid spruce top, this mando makes no compromise for power and punch.
Kentucky KM-380S
Solid Spruce Top • Solid Flamed Maple Back and Sides
15-fret Maple Neck
The 380S offers a lot of eye appeal with the flamed maple back and sides. Essentially, the same power and punch that the 350S offers.
Intermediate/Professional Level Kentucky 600 Series F Models:
Kentucky KM-620
Laminate Spruce Top • Sunburst Finish
Kentucky KM-620B
Laminate Spruce Top • Black Finish
Here's the best value in the industry...The 620s have all of the appointments and scrolls of a standard f model. Although, they are all laminate constructed, they still have a decent tone. A little bit bright...keep in mind, they will not acquire a seasoned tone with time as do solid wood Kentuckys. If you're looking for an F-Style at a reasonable price, the 620 could be the answer.
Professional Level Kentucky 600/1000 Series F Models:
Kentucky KM-630
Solid Top • Sunburst Finish
Now, there's not a better value for a professional F model in the entire industry than the KM-630. Here's the bluegrass player's dream machine. Styled after the Gibson F-Style, with all solid woods, the 630 screams. And, what a great price! It doesn't have the carved reliefs of the 675 or the 1000, but it has everything else you'd expect in a high-end f-style mandolin.
Kentucky KM-675
Carved Solid Spruce Top • Solid Maple Back and Sides • Sunburst Finish
The 675 is a giant step up from the 630 due to the delicately carved refliefs on both the back and front (reliefs are hand-carved raised areas on the top and back...common in high-end Gibson F-Models which introduced the f-style in the early 1900s). The 675 is a true bluegrass cannon that offers everything you'd expect from a powerful f-style mandolin. I've played these side by side with other, twice as expensive, f styles and found them to keep up head to head. It takes a true discriminating ear to tell the difference from the 675 and other professionally made f styles.
Kentucky KM-1000
Carved Solid Spruce Top • Solid Maple Back and Sides • Upgraded Matte Finish
Silver Plated Hardware
Here's a work of art. This mandolin has a matte finish that gives it a distinguished look. It's the only Kentucky with this particular finish. There are nothing but high end appointments giving this mandolin a glass case look. If you're looking for a professional mandolin that is nothing short of a jewel, this one's for you! I'm always impressed with everyone of these that have ever come in. I've seen many domestic production f models that cannot come close to the 1000 in craftsmanship. This mando should cost easily 2-3 times more than its advertised list/sale price.
The Following Review was Written in 1999 on the Korean-Made Kentuckys (Currently all Kentuckys are now made in China):
Kentucky mandolins have been around since the 70s. I remember them well as being a great value even back then. Today, they continue to offer a great value in the industry. The distributor for Kentucky is located in California under the Name "Saga". Because no other type of instrument carries the Kentucky name, their focus being solely on mandolins, I'd have to say that they're well-built and well-designed. I've always considered them the workhorse of the mandolin industry. We're talking about a mandolin that is arched top (Kentucky does not manufacture a flat style mandolin) with f-hole designs (Kentucky does not currently manufacture a round hole model). For bluegrass, an arched top mandolin, with f-holes, is the standard. Kentucky's complete line-up consists of arch-top mandolins with f sound holes.
I have played the complete line of Kentuckys, from the KM-140 to the KM-1000. The Kentucky line can truly satisfy all levels of players, from the stark beginner to the seasoned pro.
1031 Mechem Dr. Unit 1 • Ruidoso, New Mexico 88345
Phone: 505-258-8638 Toll Free Order Line ONLY: 866-455-3689
Fax: 505-258-8642
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