Big Bill Posted January 19, 2022 Share Posted January 19, 2022 (edited) Have any of you ever checked out any of these Michael Kelly guitars? They look pretty sweet, but the price tells me they are too good to be true. Evidently the guitars are made in Asia then ship to the U.S. where they are upgraded with American hardware. Some even have Duncan or Fralin pups... https://reverb.com/item/45900957-michael-kelly-cc50-burl-burst-electric-guitar-houston-tx Edited January 19, 2022 by Big Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted January 19, 2022 Share Posted January 19, 2022 I have heard of them, and that is a pretty nice example. US made pickups ARE still superior tho. but, the gap is no longer quite as wide. The stuff coming out of the far east these days has stepped up. I have an MIK Gretsch and an MIC Sheraton Pro II that are both excellent guitars. Nothing beyond the standard setup stuff was needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karloff Posted January 19, 2022 Share Posted January 19, 2022 a few weeks ago I bought a used Michael Kelly to use for open tuning slide. it's surprisingly nice. and was very affordable 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twang Gang Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 Never heard of them, but the two pictured here look nice. That burl T-style is really nice looking. But the big question of course is how do they feel playing them (neck profile, radius, etc.) and how do they sound? I have more guitars than I need or will ever want at this point so not real excited about any inexpensive stuff made in Indonesia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bill Posted January 20, 2022 Author Share Posted January 20, 2022 17 hours ago, Karloff said: a few weeks ago I bought a used Michael Kelly to use for open tuning slide. it's surprisingly nice. and was very affordable Would you say it's one of those guitars that "you get what you pay for"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karloff Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 28 minutes ago, Big Bill said: Would you say it's one of those guitars that "you get what you pay for"? some would say that but to be honest I'm kinda surprised at how nice it is. It's nicer than expected. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karloff Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 35 minutes ago, Big Bill said: Would you say it's one of those guitars that "you get what you pay for"? plus, I got it used for a great price. and I went into the deal knowing & understanding that it isn't "CUSTOM SHOP" quality. which was actually what I wanted. I only play 3 or 4 songs in open G and I didn't feel like dragging a Les Paul to gigs for just a few tunes. plus last few years I've had a boat gig, this will be a perfect guitar to use on questionable gigs. and like I mentioned, I really am surprised at how nice it plays & sounds. I'm glad I got it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bill Posted January 20, 2022 Author Share Posted January 20, 2022 11 minutes ago, Karloff said: plus, I got it used for a great price. and I went into the deal knowing & understanding that it isn't "CUSTOM SHOP" quality. which was actually what I wanted. I only play 3 or 4 songs in open G and I didn't feel like dragging a Les Paul to gigs for just a few tunes. plus last few years I've had a boat gig, this will be a perfect guitar to use on questionable gigs. and like I mentioned, I really am surprised at how nice it plays & sounds. I'm glad I got it. I toying around with the idea of getting one myself. Thanks for the input my friend! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karloff Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 1 minute ago, Big Bill said: I toying around with the idea of getting one myself. Thanks for the input my friend! np Bill ... that MK Tele looks nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NighthawkChris Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 Both guitars pictured here look good to me. Sounds like they have a quality element to them as well. And yeah I agree that I don’t pull the CS Gibsons out to carry to the gig most of the time. Is the top more veneer or like an actual cap of flamed looking wood? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karloff Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 1 minute ago, NighthawkChris said: Both guitars pictured here look good to me. Sounds like they have a quality element to them as well. And yeah I agree that I don’t pull the CS Gibsons out to carry to the gig most of the time. Is the top more veneer or like an actual cap of flamed looking wood? you know, I'm not really sure. I'd have to root around online to find out. but mine looks even nicer up close as it does in the pic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NighthawkChris Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 @Karloff yeah the top on yours looks pretty nice if I don’t say so myself. It should catch some eyes up on stage. Even if it were a veneer if it plays nice that’s the most important thing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karloff Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 Just now, NighthawkChris said: @Karloff yeah the top on yours looks pretty nice if I don’t say so myself. It should catch some eyes up on stage. Even if it were a veneer if it plays nice that’s the most important thing. it really does play nice, decent binding and whatever pickups are in it, sounds more than good enough ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly campbell Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 I have never tried an electric only the acoustic and they were OK. They sure make some good looking guitars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryUK Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 You'd do better buying a Korean Hamer. Same money and as good as USA Gibson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merciful-evans Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 Irish name. Asian origin. I have no experience of Michael Kelly models, but have plenty with MIK and MIC ones that punch above their weight. I had the MIC ones rewired complete with USA electrical components. A useful mod if you want to gig them. But maybe that's improved now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitefang Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 They do look nice, and I'm sure they sound good too. But they are kind of limited in their model choices, eh? Whitefang Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPguitarman Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 (edited) I have a Michael Kelly Acoustic/Electric Guitar. Very Nice. Edited January 20, 2022 by LPguitarman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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