From 2023 Reverb classified: 80's A model mandolin, style KH-DAWG Serial number 305-15. Older instrument, couple of small cracks on either side of the neck, plays good and sounds good. Sold as is.
No photo available at this time. From a 2004 Mandolin Brothers listing:
88-1607 Kentucky (used) KK-5 Mandocello, #85312, in exc+, in vintage sunburst, with original hard shell case.
A sort of re-interpretation of Gibson K-5 mando-cello – interesting, of course, in that Gibson’s K-5 was actually a 16” wide L-5 archtop guitar that had 8-strings and a mandolin tailpiece, and this is (Gibson never made this) a hugely big-bodied F-5 mandolin, complete with a 4” wide body curly-cue scroll and two points that can take your place in your easy chair. In total, it’s like something you might encounter in a dream. (“And then, until I woke up, I was chased by these oversized F-5 mandolins. . . .”) Measuring 40 ½” long and 14 1/4” wide, the sight and sound of this Brobdingnagian bag of booming bounty should be scary enough to keep the groundhogs from tearing up the lawn. Everything about it is hand-made and deluxe, from the large, creeping fern inlaid on the bound, pointed and scrolled headstock to the “The Kentucky” (doesn’t that sound strange?) pearl inlaid logo which is similarly etched on the filigree bordered, burnished gold slide-on tailpiece cover to the large two piece adjustable bridge that establishes it’s generous 25” scale (we have a 1915 Gibson K-2 mandocello and it has a 24 5/8” scale), and a crème-bound ebony fingerboard that espouses 6 mother of pearl markers. It never had a pickguard. The sound is wonderfully warm and resonant and the design compelling enough to get you into places you might, right now, be denied access to. $3912 or, at our cash discount price, $3795.
Reverb Listing 2025, The Guitar Store Southampton:
Rare Instrument | Only 48 Made | David Grisman & Monteleone Collaboration |
A true collector’s piece and a standout in mandolin history – the Kentucky KM-DAWG is a rare, highly sought-after instrument resulting from the collaboration between mandolin legend David Grisman and master luthier John Monteleone.
Condition: There is minor cosmetic wear and tear on the body in the form of scrapes and knocks but nothing major and doesn't affect the playability or structural integrity of the instrument.
Only 48 of these mandolins were ever made, all in Japan to an exceptionally high standard, making this an extraordinary opportunity for musicians and collectors alike. Inspired by Monteleone’s Grand Artist design, the KM-DAWG combines ornate aesthetics with impeccable tonal quality and craftsmanship.
This example is in excellent condition, structurally sound, and shows no cracks or previous repairs. It comes complete with its original case, further enhancing its collector appeal.
Key Features:
Whether you're a mandolin enthusiast, a player seeking tonal excellence, or a collector on the hunt for a historically significant instrument, the KM-DAWG offers an extraordinary combination of rarity, tone, and artistry.
Available now at The Guitar Store Southampton.
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