The Kentucky KM-272 is based on the arched top, oval-soundhole mandolins that Gibson made in the early part of the 20th century. These mandolins have a warm, bubbly tone that works well for jazz, Celtic and blues or just about any style of music that isn’t bluegrass. (Bluegrass mandolins require the punch and power that only an F-hole mandolin can give you.) Like the mandolins that inspired it, the Kentucky KM-272 has a hand-carved and graduated solid spruce top. Unlike most of those mandolins, which had birch back and sides, this mandolin has a carved maple back which produces a sweet, mellow tone. Includes a padded gig bag.