Anybody familiar with Michael Kelly guitars? Not much at all out there, even on their site on info about history. Not much on net video wise from "profession reviewers". Appears to be a solid brand, but would appreciate more some hands on experience with them. Be off the net for most of day, so thanks in advance for any replies.
Michael Kelly
- Thread starter Kevman50
- Start date
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Michael Kelly
I had a Michael Kelly semi-hollow Phoenix. Nice guitar, I liked it a lot, but sold it because it had weird, long twisting fret inlays. Very decorative, but they were useless for telling where the hell you were on the neck. If it would have had block inlays, I would have kept in. However at this point, if I ran across a deal on another one, I'd probably get it.
I had a Michael Kelly semi-hollow Phoenix. Nice guitar, I liked it a lot, but sold it because it had weird, long twisting fret inlays. Very decorative, but they were useless for telling where the hell you were on the neck. If it would have had block inlays, I would have kept in. However at this point, if I ran across a deal on another one, I'd probably get it.
Dr. Vegetable
New member
Re: Michael Kelly
I have an MK Hybrid that I've owned for about 4 years (shown below) and more recently snapped up a Hybrid Special to keep it warm at night. These are basically clones/re-interpretations of the Taylor T5. These have decent construction and are very unique-looking guitars. They have a set neck, semi-hollow body, and both piezo and magnetic pickups - hence the "hybrid" moniker. They have good sustain, easy action, and are very stable.
The Hybrids are cool because they have a TRS output jack that allows you to process and amplify the piezo separately from the coil(s) to make it sound like two guitars playing in unison. But when you use a standard TS guitar cable, the acoustic and electric signals are blended together.
I did have to scour the www high and low to find information about them, though. (I acquired both instruments second-hand, so they came with no docs/warranty.) Having the owner's manual turned out to be critical in my case, because I might not have immediately suspected there was a battery inside that needed to be replaced. And that TRS split signal output feature would go unnoticed/unused without the documentation.
I don't buy many guitars that don't have a big "I" on the headstock (yeah, hopeless fanboi here) but Michael Kelly makes some nice instruments at a competitive price point. I love these, and I would certainly buy another MK if it spoke to me.
Hope this helps!
I have an MK Hybrid that I've owned for about 4 years (shown below) and more recently snapped up a Hybrid Special to keep it warm at night. These are basically clones/re-interpretations of the Taylor T5. These have decent construction and are very unique-looking guitars. They have a set neck, semi-hollow body, and both piezo and magnetic pickups - hence the "hybrid" moniker. They have good sustain, easy action, and are very stable.
The Hybrids are cool because they have a TRS output jack that allows you to process and amplify the piezo separately from the coil(s) to make it sound like two guitars playing in unison. But when you use a standard TS guitar cable, the acoustic and electric signals are blended together.
I did have to scour the www high and low to find information about them, though. (I acquired both instruments second-hand, so they came with no docs/warranty.) Having the owner's manual turned out to be critical in my case, because I might not have immediately suspected there was a battery inside that needed to be replaced. And that TRS split signal output feature would go unnoticed/unused without the documentation.
I don't buy many guitars that don't have a big "I" on the headstock (yeah, hopeless fanboi here) but Michael Kelly makes some nice instruments at a competitive price point. I love these, and I would certainly buy another MK if it spoke to me.
Hope this helps!
guitarkid
New member
Re: Michael Kelly
I used to owned a couple Michael Kellys. I had an Hourglass (LP DC/ PRS Santana kind of style) and a Jumbo FT (big hollowbody w/ a bigsby). Both were great guitars and played really good. Really liked the necks on both of them! Miles better than any Epiphone I have ever owned. The only thing that I found lacking were the pickups, but that can easily be changed. And the two that I owned were older models before that had started using Rockfield pickups.
I used to owned a couple Michael Kellys. I had an Hourglass (LP DC/ PRS Santana kind of style) and a Jumbo FT (big hollowbody w/ a bigsby). Both were great guitars and played really good. Really liked the necks on both of them! Miles better than any Epiphone I have ever owned. The only thing that I found lacking were the pickups, but that can easily be changed. And the two that I owned were older models before that had started using Rockfield pickups.
KeeperOS
Active member
Re: Michael Kelly
Michael Kelly is a relatively new brand. The guitars are Korean made, think Schecter quality which, for those who don't know what that means, is extremely good for the price point.
I have had a Patriot Limited for almost 4 years now.
These are pretty darn good guitars, and not just for the money.
The pickups are Rockfiend which are pretty much the best non-Duncan, non-US-made pickups that I've tried, the electronics are pretty decent (haven't felt the need to change them yet), the tuners are Grover and the bridges TonePros, basically the same stuff found on high-end production line guitars.
The finish is the typical Poly, not Suhr-quality but not bad either, certainly better than most other production-line guitars.
The wood also is better than the norm for Asian-made guitars.
I can't tell you whether the Mahogany is African or the Ebony is Macassar but they must have a pretty strict hand-selection process 'cause all the ones I tried were pretty lively-sounding and medium to light weight.
Lastly, the figured tops are thin figured veneers over proper-thickness, plain-maple tops. A good all-around compromise between tone and looks IMO. Also helps with the price.
All in all, pretty darn good guitars, and like I said, not just for the money.
For what they are, I would highly recommend them.
EDIT:
Just saw they added this beauty, Duncan Designed pickups, Floyd Rose Special trem and 25" scale plus, it's in silver, I REALLY like silver guitars:
Oh Mama!
Michael Kelly is a relatively new brand. The guitars are Korean made, think Schecter quality which, for those who don't know what that means, is extremely good for the price point.
I have had a Patriot Limited for almost 4 years now.
These are pretty darn good guitars, and not just for the money.
The pickups are Rockfiend which are pretty much the best non-Duncan, non-US-made pickups that I've tried, the electronics are pretty decent (haven't felt the need to change them yet), the tuners are Grover and the bridges TonePros, basically the same stuff found on high-end production line guitars.
The finish is the typical Poly, not Suhr-quality but not bad either, certainly better than most other production-line guitars.
The wood also is better than the norm for Asian-made guitars.
I can't tell you whether the Mahogany is African or the Ebony is Macassar but they must have a pretty strict hand-selection process 'cause all the ones I tried were pretty lively-sounding and medium to light weight.
Lastly, the figured tops are thin figured veneers over proper-thickness, plain-maple tops. A good all-around compromise between tone and looks IMO. Also helps with the price.
All in all, pretty darn good guitars, and like I said, not just for the money.
For what they are, I would highly recommend them.
EDIT:
Just saw they added this beauty, Duncan Designed pickups, Floyd Rose Special trem and 25" scale plus, it's in silver, I REALLY like silver guitars:
Oh Mama!
Last edited:
Ball&Chain
Active member
Re: Michael Kelly
I have 2 MK's. A vex, set through superstrat and a Patriot single cut. Both are top notch fit and finish. I bought the vex brand new. it played perfect right out of the box and still in tune after shipping even. I got the patriot used from the bay for 100 bucks. They sell new for about 400-450. More than worth every penny even at that.
If you like xtra jumbo frets you may not like them. MK frets are fairly wide, but not tall.
I have 2 MK's. A vex, set through superstrat and a Patriot single cut. Both are top notch fit and finish. I bought the vex brand new. it played perfect right out of the box and still in tune after shipping even. I got the patriot used from the bay for 100 bucks. They sell new for about 400-450. More than worth every penny even at that.
If you like xtra jumbo frets you may not like them. MK frets are fairly wide, but not tall.
zakkwyldefan79
Member
Re: Michael Kelly
I just bought a Michael Kelly a couple weeks ago. It's a Patriot Decree model. The only thing that didn't like was the bridge pickup. Now it has a Seymour Duncan JB in it and it helped alot. It looks good, plays good and now it sounds good. I really can't think of a reason that some one shouldn't get one.
I just bought a Michael Kelly a couple weeks ago. It's a Patriot Decree model. The only thing that didn't like was the bridge pickup. Now it has a Seymour Duncan JB in it and it helped alot. It looks good, plays good and now it sounds good. I really can't think of a reason that some one shouldn't get one.
Re: Michael Kelly
I had a patriot Q that I got for a steal and was so impressed with it, I bought a patriot Custom. I LOVE it! If I wasnt such a gear sl_t and got real about what I need for my skill level, Id sell everything BUT that patriot. It plays great, it sounds fantastic and the build is excellent! I was so impressed when I looked in the cavity and saw the wires nicely bundled and zip tied. I hadnt seen that on any guitars costing many times more! Plus it came with decent pickups, grover keys, tone pros bridge, smooth frets. Highly recommend!
I had one of the Hex (cant recall the model) but it was made to be a shredder. It had an issue where one of the posts the floyd rests on came loose in the wood and was wiggling. I sent it back and they fixed it! I cant get brand G to own up to some mess ups on a $2400 axe...
I had a patriot Q that I got for a steal and was so impressed with it, I bought a patriot Custom. I LOVE it! If I wasnt such a gear sl_t and got real about what I need for my skill level, Id sell everything BUT that patriot. It plays great, it sounds fantastic and the build is excellent! I was so impressed when I looked in the cavity and saw the wires nicely bundled and zip tied. I hadnt seen that on any guitars costing many times more! Plus it came with decent pickups, grover keys, tone pros bridge, smooth frets. Highly recommend!
I had one of the Hex (cant recall the model) but it was made to be a shredder. It had an issue where one of the posts the floyd rests on came loose in the wood and was wiggling. I sent it back and they fixed it! I cant get brand G to own up to some mess ups on a $2400 axe...
sgstrat
Member
Re: Michael Kelly
I've had a Michael Kelly for about six and a half years. It's a natural maple 335 clone that I won in a Guitar Player magazine contest (!) It is well made for a made-in-China guitar, although the humbuckers are a little too hot for my tastes. As it's my only guitar without SD's it will have to have a pickup swap. I'm thinking Seths...
Any advice?
I've had a Michael Kelly for about six and a half years. It's a natural maple 335 clone that I won in a Guitar Player magazine contest (!) It is well made for a made-in-China guitar, although the humbuckers are a little too hot for my tastes. As it's my only guitar without SD's it will have to have a pickup swap. I'm thinking Seths...
Any advice?
Duffy1949
New member
Re: Michael Kelly
I have one too and dig the direct mount Rockfield SWC pickups. Sunburst cherry flame. A great guitar player pointed me in its direction.
I have one too and dig the direct mount Rockfield SWC pickups. Sunburst cherry flame. A great guitar player pointed me in its direction.
Drunken Bowling
New member
Re: Michael Kelly
Their Patriots weren't bad guitars. I ended up returning the one I bought because I wanted a LP Standard. But it was playable out of the box, no mods necessary. Quality stuff.
Their Patriots weren't bad guitars. I ended up returning the one I bought because I wanted a LP Standard. But it was playable out of the box, no mods necessary. Quality stuff.
Re: Michael Kelly
The Patriot is the only MK model I don't really care for, but it's all a matter of taste. They had some QC problems when they first came out, but seem to have straightened them out. I have their 1963 model and their Forte Porte acoustic-electric, and am thinking very seriously about getting the 1957 model, which is sort of a fancy Tele, with coil splitting. Every year they seem to improve their line, and both my MKs are worthy of being hung on a wall, next to a PRS. Just beautiful, at an amazing price point. Love taking my Forte Porte out, because it always draws a crowd, it looks so different, with two sound holes in odd places. Looks like Spock should be playing it. Solid sitka top, with laminated sides, but you wouldn't believe it wasn't all solid wood if you played it.
I just bought a Michael Kelly a couple weeks ago. It's a Patriot Decree model. The only thing that didn't like was the bridge pickup. Now it has a Seymour Duncan JB in it and it helped alot. It looks good, plays good and now it sounds good. I really can't think of a reason that some one shouldn't get one.
The Patriot is the only MK model I don't really care for, but it's all a matter of taste. They had some QC problems when they first came out, but seem to have straightened them out. I have their 1963 model and their Forte Porte acoustic-electric, and am thinking very seriously about getting the 1957 model, which is sort of a fancy Tele, with coil splitting. Every year they seem to improve their line, and both my MKs are worthy of being hung on a wall, next to a PRS. Just beautiful, at an amazing price point. Love taking my Forte Porte out, because it always draws a crowd, it looks so different, with two sound holes in odd places. Looks like Spock should be playing it. Solid sitka top, with laminated sides, but you wouldn't believe it wasn't all solid wood if you played it.
Re: Michael Kelly
Check out The Tone King reviewing Michael Kelly guitars on Youtube. Their offices are not far from me in Hebron, KY. Nice guys. Lately I've started collecting MKs, Guild mahogany acoustic-electrics, Alvarezs and Schecters. All great guitars for the money. Used to collect Yamahas, Oscar Schimdts, and Epis, but I've developed more expensive tastes. Not that I don't still love my Yamaha FG-800 and FG-650, and my gold top O.S. OE20 Les Paul copy. MK sells returns, some of which you can't find anything wrong with, and are all checked and set up by their techs there on site, and sell them for about half price, if anyone is interested in making a great deal on one. I'm thinking about buying this 1957 model they have with a couple cracks in the lacquer, for $399. That's $300 off the MAPS price, and I'm pretty sure I can fix the Lacquer. It's hard to even see unless you look at it from the right angle. They usually get one or two back every month and a half. And where else are you going to find a guitar with a real Seymour Duncan pickup, and a Rockfield, with TWO coil splitters, metal knobs, and EIGHT different settings for the pickups! Eight! And a quilted maple top, all chrome hardware, really nice heavy duty saddles...I'm starting to rave and sound like a commercial. Sorry. But it is really a lot of bang for your buck. I thought I'd never get, or want, a nicer electric than my Schecter Diamond Series S1+, with Duncan Designed pickups, but I've been spoiled now.
Check out The Tone King reviewing Michael Kelly guitars on Youtube. Their offices are not far from me in Hebron, KY. Nice guys. Lately I've started collecting MKs, Guild mahogany acoustic-electrics, Alvarezs and Schecters. All great guitars for the money. Used to collect Yamahas, Oscar Schimdts, and Epis, but I've developed more expensive tastes. Not that I don't still love my Yamaha FG-800 and FG-650, and my gold top O.S. OE20 Les Paul copy. MK sells returns, some of which you can't find anything wrong with, and are all checked and set up by their techs there on site, and sell them for about half price, if anyone is interested in making a great deal on one. I'm thinking about buying this 1957 model they have with a couple cracks in the lacquer, for $399. That's $300 off the MAPS price, and I'm pretty sure I can fix the Lacquer. It's hard to even see unless you look at it from the right angle. They usually get one or two back every month and a half. And where else are you going to find a guitar with a real Seymour Duncan pickup, and a Rockfield, with TWO coil splitters, metal knobs, and EIGHT different settings for the pickups! Eight! And a quilted maple top, all chrome hardware, really nice heavy duty saddles...I'm starting to rave and sound like a commercial. Sorry. But it is really a lot of bang for your buck. I thought I'd never get, or want, a nicer electric than my Schecter Diamond Series S1+, with Duncan Designed pickups, but I've been spoiled now.
Drunken Bowling
New member
Re: Michael Kelly
Robert Renman did a great demo of the MK Patriot, playing through a JVM 410H.
Robert Renman did a great demo of the MK Patriot, playing through a JVM 410H.
Re: Michael Kelly
Zombie thread but the MK Patriot body style always struck me as being just enough of an intentional variation on the Dean Evo body style to not get sued by Dean while the Dean Evo is just enough of a deviation on the LP body style to not get sued by Gibson.
Makes sense because they are probably made in the same factory.
Apparently the Dean Hardtail was not enough of a deviation from a PRS to avoid a lawsuit threat. So, now the Dean Hardtail is the Dean Icon which looks like an original Dean Icon (discontinued years ago) mated with a Dean Hardtail.
I'm off the rails now but that should be OK ... because this is a Zombie thread.
Zombie thread but the MK Patriot body style always struck me as being just enough of an intentional variation on the Dean Evo body style to not get sued by Dean while the Dean Evo is just enough of a deviation on the LP body style to not get sued by Gibson.
Makes sense because they are probably made in the same factory.
Apparently the Dean Hardtail was not enough of a deviation from a PRS to avoid a lawsuit threat. So, now the Dean Hardtail is the Dean Icon which looks like an original Dean Icon (discontinued years ago) mated with a Dean Hardtail.
I'm off the rails now but that should be OK ... because this is a Zombie thread.
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