The new Kentucky KM-750 Mandolin
The Kentucky KM-750 mandolin, is a newly reintroduced model that creates a new era for Kentucky mandolins. This is among the first F-styles from their hand-carved workshop. The first models to appear from their workshop came in late 2012 when the Kentucky KM-150 mandolin went through a big change and took the throne as the best sounding non-Master model in the line. It is pretty incredible when one of the lowest model mandolins sounds better than all but the highest models. In a way Kentucky eroded the sales of the higher models by producing such a great KM-150. It took a while for Kentucky to migrate the other models over, but slowly, all of the A-model mandolins moved to the new workshop. What was lacking was the F-models. Kentucky Slowly phased out the F-models below the KM-1000 and I began to suspect that something new was in the works. The only thing is, a few years went by before we actually saw what this was. Enter the Kentucky KM-750 Mandolin!
As common with Kentucky Mandolins, models numbers are reused through out the years. There have been other KM-750 mandolins in the past, and these should not be confused with this new version. They do look different, so it is not too big of a deal to tell them apart.
As a general rule, Folkmusician tends to pass on the very first shipments of any new model of mandolin. While the first batch of new instruments is usually ok, it is also the most likely to have a few bugs that need working out. With this in mind, we were not the first dealers to receive these. I wanted to hold off and see how things went with the model. Now that a little time has passes, it looks like we are giving these the green light. First up, though this is the first F-model mandolin from the new shop, they have proven themselves with the A-models since 2012. That and it is not like Kentucky is new to making F-model mandolins. They have over 30 years experience at this. Being a long time dealer and on a personal bases with the guys at Kentucky, it was inevitable that I would talk to those overseeing the design and production of the new KM-750 Mandolin and get some inside insight into the model. Sure enough, the call came on a recent afternoon and after about an hour discussing it, we had two on the way to Folkmusician.
The next day, a package shows up (Folkmusician is 4 hours away from Kentucky headquarters) and we have a couple of this new model to take a look at. Dealing with various Kentucky mandolins on a daily basis, it is instantly obvious that this is in fact from the new shop. The construction, graduation, and finish gives a nod to the A models we are used to seeing.
This post isn’t meant to be a review of the Kentucky KM-750 mandolin, though that will be coming soon!
For now, I have to cut this short. My coffee cup is nearing empty and other duties call. Part 2 will be here soon….
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