Kentucky model KM-226 A-Style Mandolin, with deluxe gig bag

New A-style oval hole Kentucky mandolin.

The Kentucky KM-226 is a highly regarded, affordable A-style mandolin featuring a solid carved spruce top and solid maple back/sides, delivering a warm, woody, and bright tone with great projection. Its standout features include a comfortable radiused rosewood fingerboard, a stylish satin brown finish, and a comfortable slim maple neck for easy playability. Saga Musical Instruments +4Here is a breakdown of what makes the Kentucky KM-226 a good choice:

• Premium Tonewoods: It features a solid carved spruce top and solid carved maple back/sides, which is unusual for this price range, providing superior resonance and projection.
• Playability & Build: Designed with a slim maple neck and a radiused (curved) rosewood fingerboard, it is generally considered comfortable and easy for beginners or those transitioning to a higher-quality instrument.
• Unique Tone: The oval hole design produces a warm, "woody" tone with excellent note separation and sustain, making it great for folk, Celtic, or traditional music.
• Aesthetic and Quality: It has a distinct satin brown finish, giving it a vintage, understated look. It is lauded for having high-quality, durable hardware, including an adjustable rosewood bridge.
• Value: It is widely considered an excellent "entry-level" or "step-up" instrument that delivers pro-level materials at a lower price point, as noted in this review on terrycartermusicstore.com.