Kentucky Mandolins has truly outdone itself with this honored KM-1000 model. Largely hand-made by a dedicated group of trained luthiers, this instrument reflects a level of attention to detail seldom seen in instruments of its price range. The crème bound glossy black headplate hosts a “The Kentucky” pearl inlaid logo and a standard powerflot decoration. It’s tuners are silvered, etched and each shaft bears a pearloid button; the top is closed-grained carved spruce with considerable cross-grain; the crème and black bound sides, double-bound neck and single-ply bound back are highly figured maple, the tailpiece is silvered, slide-on, and etched with a floral pattern and with a script “Kentucky” logo. The dotmarker inlaid, crème bound ebony fingerboard carries a 9 fret extension; the bridge is ebony, two-piece and adjustable. The sound and the appearance of prewar verisimilitude are remarkable for its modest price. Compared to F-5 mandolins in this range, this one’s a knockout. This KM-1000 with hard case is only: