Hardi says his Kentucky is no longer made-- mahogany sides are no longer available I think he said, in Kentucky's. However, your friend might want to be in touch with Dave Ruch, upstate New York Catter. He was looking for a mandolin very recently and might have seen or heard about something your friend would like. Dave is good about answering PMs and emails.

I'll add the usual endorsement to get a good used one instead of a cheap new one-- but temper that with Mudcatter Hogeye's experience of buying and modifying a cheap Chinese mando. It sounded great. Custom bridge and I forget what else he did.... I don't know when he was at Mudcat last though, or if his old email is still on my puder and if he's still there.

~S~