I bought my first electric mandolin in December 1989, with money I had earned from a week's worth of busking Christmas carols on the viola in downtown Seattle. It was one of these: a Kentucky KM-300E 5-string, imported by Saga from Japan. I pressed it into service in the college jazz ensemble/pep band; I remember playing licks from "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" on it during basketball games. Ah, those were the days.
     Somewhere along the way I let that instrument go, and it was almost 20 years before I found another one. This isn't going to replace my beloved Bacorn in my affections, but it's a worthy axe nonetheless. Neck and comfort-contoured body are solid ash. Nickel hardware, including Tun-O-Matic bridge, a standard Gibson-style tailpiece and closed-gear tuners. Black/white pickguard with tone and volume controls. Single-coil pickup. Standard mandolin scale length of 13.875 inches, flat rosewood fretboard. Attractive tobacco sunburst finish.
     It’s in unusually good condition: very clean, with no chips or dings or other finish imperfections. The neck is nice and straight and it plays comfortably. The only faults to be found concern the tailpiece: one of the string tabs is missing from the base, but there are 11 tabs left and you need only 5 of those. The original tailpiece cover has been replaced with a plain nickel one that does not bear the Kentucky logo. The original blue-lined rectangular hardshell Saga case is included.
     The KM-300E was discontinued not long after I bought mine. Examples of them are thin on the ground. If I were running a museum I would keep this one, but I haven't the space, and anyhow it should be out there getting played. Please don't confuse this mandolin with the 4-string Kentucky KM-300E currently sold by Saga. That's an inferior, entry-level instrument; this one has 5 strings and is, in my humble estimation, a better mandolin.
     See more photos, hear a sound clip, or for more information. $900 plus shipping. 48-hour approval period.