Weber Fern vs. new Kentucky KM1000

In this corner, weighing in noticeably less than the opponent, wearing a red spruce top, J74s and in need of a better bridge and fret dressing is the KM1000!

and in this corner, wearing a Sitka spruce top, Sam Bush strings and flamed back and sides that would make even a sailor blush is the returning champion, the Weber Fern!

Both contenders are sporting tonegards and are using a Blue Chip pick! The KM1000 is the rookie in this match and needs some time still to break in.

Should be a good fight! Up first is the Kentucky!

(the tune is Paddy on the Turnpike)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• weber
• fern
• kentucky
• km1000
• paddy
• on
• the
• turnpike
• monroe
• tenorbanjoguy
• ken
• olmstead
• bluegrass

[hippiesmurf69]

Yeah! I want one of each. I like the chop on the KM. Sounds like splitting logs. Great picking too!

[tenorbanjoguy]

Thanks man, I am enjoying them both! The Fern is my baby but the KM kicks some serious behind too!

[Mandolin1944]

I made a point not to look at the comments first. But I agree fully -- my comment was going to be the Weber sounds fuller, rounder, deeper and more complex than the Kentucky. That said there really is nothing much wrong with either one. Two fine mandolins -- if you are giving them away after the test I'll take the Weber -- thanks. Cool test and fine consistent playing.

[tenorbanjoguy]

yeah just a fun thing to try. The Weber will be with me till I die! The goal was to hear the KM1000 next to the Weber and see how it sounded. It held up well considering that it is about $4k less! It needs some break in time, a new bridge and some fret dressing but it is a very good mandolin! Thanks!

[mandlnpickr]

What year is your fern? I've got a '05 and I love it. Nice pickin'

[tenorbanjoguy]

Thank you very much! It is an '04 and I will never part with it! Yours sounds great too!!

[JMANsgtele]

Weber has the better sound . It seems as though the sound is projected better . The Kentucky is nice but has a bit too much hum resonance in the body and don't have as much clarity as the Weber . Both are really nice .

[pefjr]

second one slightly more throat, could be the strings. My Paris Swing is as good or better than either one, again, could be the setup and or strings.

[pefjr]

no difference, anyways there could be worlds of difference and it not be the mandolins, could be the strings, the setup, the pressure of the strummin, etc. wise up boys!

[docganz]

I know this question is lame, but which is the Weber and which is the Kentucky?

[jarmbru]

Weber, definitely.

[bluegrasssingingman]

The first mandolin km 1000 has more vol. more bark pop and crack. then second Weber has more woody deep sound. I love deep woody sound, you can say for the price, this and that. Thats a bunch of shit talk. The Kentucky has the most vol. Bark pop and crack is what makes the best sounding mandolin. Sorry Weber you just got your ass kicked. Straight up no, hands down.

[bluegrasssingingman]

theres no different in sound

[zeppy13131]

Are you sure you guys realize he played the KENTUCKY first, not the Weber? When I saw his video's title, I thought the Weber was first—and was quite impressed when I realized it was vice versa.

To me, the Weber (played 2nd!) is brighter & more in-your-face, and the Kentucky (played 1st!) is much "woodier" more balanced, with rounder, prettier highs—just the opposite from what most of you are saying.

Anyway, I can't help wondering. Cheers, z.

[CountryBoyVa]

I definitely like the Fern better but is it worth the price difference? But great playing too man could you tell me the name of that tune?

[TheGibsonlover]

they sound almost the same