Kentucky KM 1500 84507
Kentucky KM 1500 84507. All original, excellent condition, solid-wood Kentucky mandolin made in 1984 by famous Japanese luthier Eiichi Sumi-san while working at the Maruko factory as part of a team led by the legendary luthier luthier Tahara-san. These instruments are of remarkable quality for the money, quite different from the mandolins made under the Kentucky name after 1993. In many ways, this mandolin emulates the spirit of the original F-5s better than the Gibsons of the early 1 970s. Features include : the classic carved top and back, parallel tone bar construction; f-holes and long, one-piece curly maple neck (which centers the bridge mid-point of the f-holes); top of spruce; neck, back and sides of curly maple; top and back side-bound (like the July 9, 1923 F5s) with ivoroid/black/ivoroid celluloid plastic; front of peghead with ivoroid binding; ebony radiused fingerboard with mother-of-pearl dot position markers; ebony radiused adjustable bridge; fingerboard binding of ivoroid with black border and black side-dot position markers; peghead inlay consisting of “The Kentucky” and fern (the abalone pearl in this mandolin is exquisite); truss rod with black “bell” plastic cover; “The Kentucky” tailpiece; gold-plated hardware; and sunburst finish. There are no cracks, top profile has excellent arch and neck angle, frets and overall playability is excellent. Original shaped case is included. The sound of this mandolin is very strong; plenty of projection and tone. One would be hard pressed to find a more beautiful or better sounding F-5 in this price range. Only $2750, which includes UPS ground shipping continental US and shared cost to some overseas destinations.