Comparing and Reviewing 3 Kentucky Mandolins: KM-150, KM-252 and KM-670

I’ve always heard such good things about Kentucky mandolins, so I went out and played a few. I checked out the very popular KM-150 and the KM-252 and the KM-670. There won’t be a ton of specs here as those are easy enough to look up, but more my overall impressions of the things as well as sound demos for each. Really, it’s just an excuse to go out and play with some toys :)
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[@willtruax871]

My acoustic is a black 272, I love the thing! In part because I converted it to leftey and the instrument seemed to almost welcome that , and in part because it holds itself in tune like nothing else I've ever owned or known.

[@COMANDOLIN]

Nice!

[@jamiesmalley7888]

Thank you! I love learning from you. I'm in my early 40s, I've been playing guitar since I was 15. I just picked up on the mandolin a month ago. I started out getting a cheap Amazon special on a starter mandolin and it was a nightmare! It sounded terrible. So I dug in and got a used Kentucky km-180 b for 180! When it was delivered, I found out it was a lefty. So I took it to a local shop and they got me switched over to righty. I am in love with the sound! Again, thank you for what you do! Oh, I'm from Tunnel Hill, Ga. In the Dalton area!

[@COMANDOLIN]

Hi Jamie, thanks so much :) I’m sure the Kentucky is a huge leap up from the cheap starter model! Hey, if you’re a lifelong guitar player coming into this (as I was), be sure to check out my video called “Mandolin for Guitar Players” which should be right up your alley :) Thanks so much - you’re on the map!

[@thestupendouschumley]

I was considering a Kentucky until I found a luthier in Greenbriar, AK. She had a prototype available that I jumped on. She fondly named it after my Clan, the Mia 'Celtic Fraser' A-style. Very well made and set up not to mention it really sings and sounds incredibly sweet. Her name is Clarinda Harvey and she has a KZbin channel.

[@COMANDOLIN]

Cool - will have to check her out. I’m fascinated by the build/repair side of these things. Have a good one!

[@polimana]

nice review! two of my close family members have just passed and I've picked up the mandolin to take my mind off of everything. this review and your other videos are really helpful

[@COMANDOLIN]

Oh no - I’m so sorry for your loss :( I hope music offers a small diversion or a bit of peace in your day. Best wishes to you.

[@lynnglidewell7367]

I've been considering the km150 to start with so your review and demonstration was useful. Thanks.

[@COMANDOLIN]

Hey, thanks much - I promise you will love the thing if you go with that. Those Kentuckys are the real deal.

[@willmarona4188]

Great video! Being mainly a Mountain style banjo player I picked up a K-150 (my first mandolin and cant put it down!)Lots more versatility in where you can go musically with this instrument. The tone and sustain are solid. I’m looking at finding another mandolin and this helped me in my search. Thanks looking forward to exploring the rest of your videos!

[@COMANDOLIN]

Hey there - thanks so much! Those Kentuckys are all so nice, I’d love to have any of ‘em. Hey, where are you watching from? I’d love to put a pin in my map for you :)

[@DerekRose_aka_DJ]

I have the 252 and got it on a "stupid deal" and before the big price increase, so paid considerably less than they are now. Love it. It came set-up surprisingly well. It is all solid woods, light and resonant and beautiful tiger striping. The sound jumps out and a huge step up from my pawn shop oval hole Hondo. Not many mandos in the stores near me here but have bought a couple used locally and agree with you on keeping an eye out for used. Enjoyed your reviews :) That 670 oval hole F style looks amazing...

[@COMANDOLIN]

Nice - that certainly is a giant step up from the entry level models. It was just gorgeous and sounded great. Plus, all three of these just feel like quality. Hey, thanks for watching and have a great day!

[@DerekRose_aka_DJ]

@@COMANDOLIN One of my buddies is a bluegrass player and steered me to the Kentucky's. I got my 252 for just under $350. Glad I jumped on it when I did. Have a great week!

[@saggacc]

nicely crafted video Commando-M; the work you put into it shows in the end product. since i haven't been to one in a while, I enjoyed the virtual trip to the music store; oh these COVID days stink. you aptly made the point the KM-670 is the humdinger of the bunch. i'll look hard at that one when i decide to finally spring for an F model. p.s.: "Strawberry Fields" - nice!

[@COMANDOLIN]

Thanks so much - I appreciate that! This one was about a three day project that I enjoyed immensely :) I actually shot a decent amount of footage of this huge store, but didn’t use it in the interest of keeping it from being too long. I also didn’t want to take the focus away from the mandos by talking about too many other things, but that could be an interesting video by itself :) I couldn’t be more jealous if you pull the trigger on a 670. That thing was next level! Thanks for being around as always - Have a good one :)

[@saggacc]

@@COMANDOLIN Mission accomplished Commando-M!

[@smyrna5]

I think the km150 and km252 are very similar instruments. The 252 supposedly has slightly better grade wood, different tuners and a radiused fretboard for about $50 more usually. They sound the same to me. I have an old km150 I picked up used about 5 years ago for $140 including shipping. I'm told most of these mandolins sound about the same until you over the 900 series. Of course the nicer km670 one you played is not an A model. Those fancy scrolls on the F model set you back a lot dollar wise, but they sure look nice and are mandatory for the bluegrass boys. Always enjoy your videos.

[@COMANDOLIN]

Thanks so much - the tuners of the 252 jumped out at me right away. You could tell that was an upgrade. Now that they’re roughly the same price, I wonder why anyone wouldn’t go for the upgrades.

[@TheCheermeister]

Great advice Neal. Still happy with my Eastman 504, and Gretsch Park Avenue, as well as my daily beater- The Loar. Wish they all had better tuners, then again, that may just be the nature of Mandolins- especially the dang A string as you’ve noted in earlier videos. Glad to see you wearing the mask out in public. Stay safe and keep pickin. Love your videos.

[@COMANDOLIN]

Thanks so much as always my man - always appreciate you being around. I’d forgotten what a nice collection you had. I still love my Park Avenue and it’s my main mando when I play out in public. That Fishman pickup is just awesome. I tell ya though, I want one of those Eastman 415s with the black face so bad it hurts :)

[@mrtambourineman6107]

Your good bro - my ears 👂 thank you my good man 🦸‍♀️

[@COMANDOLIN]

Much appreciated :)

[@mburkhart41]

Will have to listen again but that KM252 sounded pretty sweet. A step up from the 150.

[@COMANDOLIN]

Definitely sounds great I think. Now that the 150 is almost the same price anyway, I’d definitely take the 252. Just a sharp, sharp instrument. I don’t have much experience with the Kentuckys, but they are very impressive.

[@neilanderson2374]

Hi me again. Seem to be quite a few deals on the 252 I’m the uk at the moment. Can be had cheaper than the 150. A better proposition than a starter bluegrasser than an Eastman do you think ?

[@COMANDOLIN]

Talking about a Kentucky?

[@neilanderson2374]

@@COMANDOLIN yeah the km252

[@COMANDOLIN]

@@neilanderson2374 - Those are awesome! I’d buy one myself in a heartbeat. I’ve played those in music stores and loved them. 100% recommend. You’ll love it! Hey, where are you in the UK? I’d love to put a pin in my map for you :)

[@neilanderson2374]

@@COMANDOLIN north Wales. Near a town called Denbigh

[@COMANDOLIN]

@@neilanderson2374 - Thanks so much! If you look back through my videos, I actually did a review of the 252. It’s been 6 months and I can still remember how awesome the tuners are.

[@longtalljay]

Howdy all, all my 3 current mandolins are Kentucky 200 series. Best tone under 3K. (I have owned a Gibson F-9, and tried every mandolin in the venerable The Mandolin Store. Also tried a David Grisman-owned Gibson played on Tone Poems). Check out my videos if you wish.

[@COMANDOLIN]

Very jealous of all your toys :)

[@longtalljay]

@@COMANDOLIN Haha, I was implying that I sold more than many will ever hold. At his point, this rolling stone has only gathered 3 low-priced Kentookys.

[@mrtambourineman6107]

I gotta sell something and get me a nice Mando - only had my cheap one a few weeks, but I bloody love it, play man of constant sorrow and losing my religion, already 😃

[@COMANDOLIN]

They’re sort of addictive :)

[@mburkhart41]

Poetry: From Beavis and Butthead to Beethoven

[@COMANDOLIN]

Like thanks and stuff :)