Ke Mo Bluesmaster

[Blsuedeshu]

Hi all,

 

New here on the forum and I was wondering if anyone has played or purchaced a Ke Mo bluesmaster?

 

I'm looking for a small body guitar and the Gibsons are really catching my eye.....especially the KM.

[Jinder]

I have a Blues King, which is very similar in style to the KM (the KM has a marginally wider nut width and different neck profile, and I believe it may be longer scale).

 

I love my BK to bits-I've owned many a sizeable Gibson and was a Hummingbird player for years until a shoulder injury occurred which has forced me to play a small guitar, but I'm glad it did-the Blues King is an absolute revelation, I can't believe I missed out on the joys of small bodied guitars for so long.

 

I would actually go as far as to say it's my current favourite of all the guitars I've owned...it's an incredibly friendly instrument which just begs to be played. I've owned it for about a month now, and every day it gets sweeter.

 

I gig hard (200+ live shows a year) and the BK sounds fantastic amplified...don't let the name fool you into thinking it's a one-trick pony either, it IS excellent for blues, but also excels at just about everything else.

 

I'd heartily recommend you try one...I thought I was Dread/Jumbo for life, but, boy, has my head been turned.

[Blsuedeshu]

I think your right....the KM has a 25" scale. What is the scale on the Blues King and the Robert Johnson? I have an opportunity to buy a virtually unplayed 2004 RB. I have played it and it plays and sounds very good. I don't even think it has opened up yet. Also the strings are kind of dead.

[eds111]

The hog BK's were 25.5"; the Bubinga ones are 24.75" The RJ 25".

[petewaugh]

I bought a KM Bluesmaster a few months back. Best instrument I've owned in a long time. Like Jinder says, it has a non standard neck profile and wider neck but it suits me perfectly. I've been using it for recording recently, with the on board pick up and/or mic'd and it really sits well in a mix.

Like Jinder, I had been having msk problems and this was a move to a smaller body to help alleviate that and I was anticipating having 'less' of a guitar in sonic terms. To my delight, this has most certainly not turned out 'less' - maybe the adi top helps, don't know but I'm very happy (and so is my left arm).

[Blsuedeshu]

Thanks for your input. One of my concerns is the width of the neck and the 25" scale. I like the idea of a smaller scale (24 +) and a slightly narrower neck at the nut. That's not to say it wouldn't be just fine for me. I s the neck profile a V or more rounded. Sorry for the 20 questions, but there are none around here I can try so I have to virtual shop.

Also, they look killer. They are like a Blues King with whitewalls.

[Hoss]

I have to think that the Keb Mo is quite a bit different from other models. How many other 12 fret small bodies does Gibson Make? (Or 12 fret anythings?)

 

12 frets has a completely different sound and response, IMO. I would LOVE to try one out!

[zombywoof]

Keb Mo - the King of Pop Blues

 

Just a thought but ya might even take a look at the Epiphone Bluesmaster. Ironiclally, this is the guitar that Keb Mo actually played.

 

Epiphone does not make 'em any more but they are not all that hard to find. The couple I got a chance to play would have given the much pricier Gibson Blues King a good run for its money.

[larryp58]

 

I thought I was Dread/Jumbo for life' date=' but, boy, has my head been turned.[/quote']

 

 

I'm foaming at the mouth for one now!!! Just can't seem to jump off the cliff yet!!!

[Jinder]

Larry, take the leap!! You won't regret it. I'm staying at my folks' place and am off to London with my fiancée to take in a show tomorrow, but all I can think about is gong home to play my Blues King! I haven't had that feeling about a guitar for a long, long time...probably since I bought my SJ200 in '04.

[petewaugh]

The neck profile has a very slight v to it but given I've had problems with v shaped necks in the past, the KM neck hasn't been a problem at all. Again, I have to say I find it very very comfortable. I'd spent a good few year trying to find a guitar that helped me ( there was a period where I thought my playing days were restricted because of the discomfort) and the KM just worked for me.

 

I'd previously tried Martins (OM28v, 00028V) & Collings (000-2H & 01asb) and none of them did the business. The KM is an absolute looker of a guitar - just has to be picked up and played. As Jinder said earlier these small body Gibsons are something else...

Pete

[larryp58]

Larry' date=' take the leap!! You won't regret it. I'm staying at my folks' place and am off to London with my fiancée to take in a show tomorrow, but all I can think about is gong home to play my Blues King! I haven't had that feeling about a guitar for a long, long time...probably since I bought my SJ200 in '04.[/quote']

 

Hey Jinder! What about the "thinner" body of the BK? I would think that would have a "tinny' sound to it. I really love the deep, rich mid-range "woody" sound. But I've really been craving a small-body for some time. Did you consider the 1937 L-00? Yea, I know it's pricey, but if you're gonna go, go all the way!! BTW, how's that "Benelux" album doing?

[eds111]

Larry, My BK has great trebles, midrange and bass. VERY woody, esp in the bass.

 

The guitar is the same depth as my 00028ec; so it is not too "thin" IMO.

[fretplay]

You could consider a Gibson LC1 Cascade. Cedar top maple back and sides 24.75 scale, slim nut and a great 'Les Paul' type low profile neck. Very bright sound and on top of that the most beautiful guitar ever made.

[Blsuedeshu]

I wasn't familar with that model so I looked it up. It's certinly is a handsome guitar, but I'm like of hooked on the small L-00 body size and style.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

What about the playablility of 25" scale and 1.8" width at the nut of the Keb Mo compared with the Blues King. I know it's subjective, but any thoughts?

[Blsuedeshu]

I pulled the trigger! Ships out Monday. Serial number 7. I'll post pics and let you all know what I think after I play it for awhile.

[eds111]

Congrats on the choice. I think you will love it. Can't wait to see pics and a review of this new model!

[Jinder]

Hey Jinder! What about the "thinner" body of the BK? I would think that would have a "tinny' sound to it. I really love the deep' date=' rich mid-range "woody" sound. But I've really been craving a small-body for some time. Did you consider the 1937 L-00? Yea, I know it's pricey, but if you're gonna go, go all the way!! BTW, how's that "Benelux" album doing?[/quote']

 

Larry, the Blues King sounds anything but tinny...it's the woodiest sounding guitar I've ever owned, really warm and "friendly" sounding...mine is very pleasing to the ears indeed.

 

I did consider the 1937 Legend, they're absolutely stunning guitars (my friend Lotte owns one, which I can't get enough of, although she prefers my BK) but I need a guitar I can gig hard and travel with, and the '37 is extremely lightly built-Lotte's has already been the victim of key cracks in the lower side, which I don't think would happen so readily to the slightly more heavily built BK...I took Lotte's '37 to my luthier to be repaired, and he noted that it was an extremely lightly built and delicate guitar, as the originals were. Although, that's a big part of why it sounds so great.

 

The BK is great for me-highly toneful, playable, comfortable, durable and loveable. I'm sold!!

 

The 'Nine Cents From Benelux' album has done well, thanks for asking! It's been my best selling record so far by some way, and I've had some nice radio and press action from it. It's led to some very exciting progress career-wise for me this year (I can't say a great deal at the min, but I'm back in the studio in the next two months to make my next record for a new (to me) label...exciting times) so I'm very happy with how the album has done.

 

Thanks again for asking!

[larryp58]

 

The 'Nine Cents From Benelux' album has done well' date=' thanks for asking! It's been my best selling record so far by some way, and I've had some nice radio and press action from it. It's led to some very exciting progress career-wise for me this year (I can't say a great deal at the min, but I'm back in the studio in the next two months to make my next record for a new (to me) label...exciting times) so I'm very happy with how the album has done.

 

Thanks again for asking! [/quote']

 

 

Your welcome, Bro!!! I'm always glad for "my Forum pals" when I hear that they're doing well! If you're like me, a little encouragement goes a long way! So, great job on your efforts and keep on pickin'! If I ever get to England again, I'll look you up! As you Brits say, "cheers"!