The Kentucky KM-550 is a midrange A-style mandolin imported from China by Saga Instruments of San Francisco. Although discontinued, it’s one of the nicer Kentucky A models—several steps up from the cheap plywood beginner mandolins. Here are the specs:

• Solid, hand-carved, graduated select spruce top
• Solid, hand-carved select attractive flamed maple back/sides
• One piece maple neck with dovetail neck/body joint at 15th fret
• Nitrocellulose lacquer finish
• Bound extended ebony fretboard with mother-of-pearl dot position markers
• Vintage-style ebony bridge
• Adjustable truss rod
• Bone nut
• Highly polished nickel-silver frets
• Gold-plated Kentucky tailpiece
• High-quality, gold-plated tuners with engraved plates

Not a lot of volume, but a bright, pleasant tone and even a tiny bluegrass bark. This instrument has seen only moderate player wear, but does have several scratches and finish imperfections. Comes with a Gator hard foam case.
     See more photos, call 425/772-0231, or for more information. 48-hour approval period. $500 plus shipping.