Monteleone-Designed Kentucky Dawg Mandolin RegistrY

Saga Musical Instruments collaborated with David Grisman and John Monteleone in the early 1980s to bring Monteleone designed instruments to the Kentucky Mandolins brand.  These instruments were made in Kentucky Mandolins and Guitars Maruko Japan shop under the supervision of master luthier Ryohei Tamara.  Eiichi Sumi was also part of this shop and was involved in production of the mandolins.  

Monteleone lent his Grand Artist (KM-DAWG), KH-DAWG (mandola), KK-DAWG (mandocello) to the line.  John was personally involved in consulting with the shop and personally supervised start up of production. 

Though these mandolins are not Monteleone’s, they are an important part of John’s legacy and are chronicled here. Only 48 mandolins were made, staring with production in 1983 and ending in the early 1990s.