Re: Anyone have experience with Michael Kelly guitars?
I've owned 2 Michael Kelly guitars and gotten decent play time with more from attending 2 recent NAMM shows.
The guitars are cool. The finishes are often beautiful, the designs are often interesting, and the partnerships with pickup manufacturers (models loaded with Duncans, Fralins, Bare Knuckles, etc.) are even more interesting. I actually like the Rockfield pickups that come stock on lower-end models. There was a time when people would buy Rockfield pickups as aftermarket replacements.
The 2 MK guitars I had were a 1957, the top-of-the-line T-style model, and a Patriot Enlightened, a weight-relieved LP variant. I parted with both - the 1957 had a shredder-type neck profile I couldn't gel with, and the Patriot Enlightened had neck dive. But both guitars played well and sounded good. Build quality was decent on the 1957 and flawless on the Patriot Enlightened.
I would put the brand, at least on the electric side, as being competitive with MIM Fenders, higher end Epiphones, or mid-level Schecters. I don't have any experience with MK acoustics or mandolins, which I understand to be significant parts of their business.
