Michael Kelly Telecaster Like Guitars

[Lefty Addams]

Thats the thing with MK guitars, they do look good but one player's interpretation of 'good' is different to another player's interpretation. I've heard they are heavy. I don't know but it is all in the playing for me, and not just the looks.

I don't understand why a woman has to appear in a pic with a guitar, but the guitar's nice anyway.

 

[Basplr]

I played a couple in the local Sam Ash recently and was pretty put off by the fretwork (poorly seated, sharp ends) . But that shop always seems full of junk. I would reach for a Squier CV or VM instead based on quality. But I have to admit they have pretty compelling features and neat finishes for the price.

 

[cc50fralin]

Addressing the weight of the Kellys, at least this model is fairly light:
https://michaelkellyguitars.com/en/products/view/enlightened-classic-50-ultralight-guitar

You'll see that they've drilled holes into the body to remove some wood, and make a lighter guitar.

I think I remember seeing this on a few other models, though I can't remember which ones; I'll check later.

I guess this is a poor man's way of chambering?

At least we've got a discussion going.

Mike

 

[cc50fralin]

I checked, and it seems any guitar with the word, "Enlightened" in its title has been lightened.

Here I was thinking the guitar went to a mountain top and had a religious experience.

Silly me.

Mike

 

[telestratosonic]

I like the idea of a light Telecaster. My only beef with Telecasters is the weight.

 

[JayDub1]

I had an 02 Patriot Q. Build quality was outstanding, right out of the box. Very well made, high quality instrument. Wish I still had it.

 

[Random1643]

I've been attracted to the MK Hybrid 55 as a potential gigging solution. Looks like a Tele. Not an acoustic-electric per se - I have a bunch of these, but more of an electric guitar with acoustic capacities. A Rockfield HB @ the bridge, a Rockfield mini-bucker @ the neck, and a Fishman Powerbridge, plus the controls to manage electric and acoustic sounds including ability to split the HBs. I could >hypothetically< bring the Hybrid 55 to a gig + my ac-el 5-string banjo and do everything I want to do.

But the online demos of the acoustic option are underwhelming, so I'd like to get my hands on one. The one MK dealer in my state is completely unresponsive; news of MK purchase by Sam Ash isn't helpful since their commitment to the Upper Midwest consists of 1 store in Indiana and 2 in Chicago - an 8 hr drive for me. I haven't enjoyed ordering, trying out at home, shipping back, etc. So, for now, I'm gonna stick with my current mix of gigging instruments.

https://michaelkellyguitars.com/en/products/view/hybrid-55

(image removed)

 

[txflood]

I picked up a used MK 1953 Tele back in January and started a thread here about it:

http://www.squier-talk.com/threads/michael-kelly-1953-telecaster.151758

My Squier VB CV50 is still my "go to" tele, but this one isn't bad after a few corrections and it sure looks nice. I believe this is their lowest price model with the Rockfield Alnico V pickups.

 

[Fenderdad1950]

My daughter has a decent MK acoustic, that has a neck height adjustment, via a Allen bolt on the bottom of the neck; the jury is still out

 

[cc50fralin]

I'm always glad to hear of people buying Michael Kelly guitars and being happy with them.

Here's a photo of mine again. It's the same photo on page 1, but I edited it, and now you can see how nice the stripped ebony top looks.

Mike

 

[txflood]

I thought I'd also mention that my MK 1953 has 500K pots in it instead of the standard 250K for single coils. I don't notice any excessive brightness and was actually quite surprised when I measured the pot values. Apparently 500K is a good match for the Rockfield Alnico V pickups.

 

[cc50fralin]

Txflood, how do you like the Rockfield pickups compared to stock Fender pickups?

Do you like them or are they just OK?

My guitar came with Lindy Fralins, and I am no expert regarding guitar pickups, but my guitar sounds like a standard Fender Telecaster, but slightly warmer. It's got all the twang anyone would want, but doesn't sound brittle like some Teles I've heard.

It also sounds a little fuller than a standard Tele.

I'm very happy with it.

Mike

 

[stanger]

Fralin pickps are very good.

 

[Vintage Fan]

(of all of the guitars out there in the market, the ones that have been around for 65+ years are probably the best bet if you want to get a high quality copy).

I've played $125 copies of stratocasters and telecasters for sale used at flea markets for $75 and had trouble finding anything wrong with them. In the old days, we'd have said "yeah, but the pickups are probably low output and thin sounding", but sometimes that's just what you want.

I have 3 new Michael Kelly T types. The Rockfield pickups are 9.5k neck & 10.5k bridge, more output than almost all Fender & T types. They have a resonant mid growl. The thin C neck with 10.5-16 radius makes it possible to get the strings low & play lightening fast. Excellent materials & workmanship. Cheap price too if you catch them on sale.

In my opinion, they are better than any MIM & USA Fender, other than from the custom shop...

 

[Onairangel2]

I have a Michael Kelly CC50Fralin model, which is close to their top of the line, and I love it.

I tried out about 10 different Kelly models between June and September last year, and the build quality of all of them I think surpasses the MIM Fenders and I think is equal to the MIA Fenders.

That may be hard for some to believe, but the necks felt great, and the sound is excellent. Authentic Telecaster tones.

I also have a G&L ASAT Special Tribute, and while it's a very good guitar, the bridge pickup does not give you authentic Telecaster twang.

I've had mine since last September.

I reccommend them highly.

Mike

Hey thank you for the response. In the G & L ASAT Special Tribute, what bridge pickup would recommend I replace it with to get that Telecaster Twang? Thank you.

 

[Brian J.]

Michael Kelly guitars are good to go

 

[cc50fralin]

Hey thank you for the response. In the G & L ASAT Special Tribute, what bridge pickup would recommend I replace it with to get that Telecaster Twang? Thank you.

I wouldn't know, as the G&L has the pickup screwed directly into the body, like a regular guitar.

The Kelly, at least my Kelly, has the traditional Telecaster brass plate, which helps give a Telecaster its famous "Twang."

The traditional Telecaster bridge is something I know very little about; perhaps someone else could explain this.

Sorry, but I can't give any advice here.

Photos below.

Mike

My G&L Tribute ASAT Special

The Kelly

 

[cc50fralin]

I have 3 new Michael Kelly T types. The Rockfield pickups are 9.5k neck & 10.5k bridge, more output than almost all Fender & T types. They have a resonant mid growl. The thin C neck with 10.5-16 radius makes it possible to get the strings low & play lightening fast. Excellent materials & workmanship. Cheap price too if you catch them on sale.

In my opinion, they are better than any MIM & USA Fender, other than from the custom shop...

I'm glad someone else feels this way about Kelly quality.

There are die-hard Fender and G&L fans that will argue about this; all I'm saying is try a Kelly, and give them a chance.

No one will be disappointed.

Mike

 

[Vintage Fan]

I have 4 Michael Kellys. Best T types I've seen in the last 50 years of playing. I sold my 3 Fender American Specials & 2 Fender Road Worns. No matter what name brand pickups I put in the Fenders, they all sounded anemic compared to my Michael Kellys.

I've owned a hundred guitars including most major brands as well as non major brands, and the Michael Kelly workmanship & materials are the best of all guitars I've seen. I have the stock Rockfield pickups; neck 9.5k, bridge 10.5k, which have an edgy more snarly hotter mid tone. The 10.5-16 radius lets me lower the strings for bending strings with no buzz or choking. Thru summer/winter climate changes, the necks stay rock solid with no truss rod adjustments needed. Sounds spectacular plugged straight into my 1969 Fender Super Reverb(black face circuit) and my 1979 Music Man 410 Sixty Five. Michael Kellys weigh more than Fenders, but I don't care.

 

[Vintage Fan]

I'm glad someone else feels this way about Kelly quality.

There are die-hard Fender and G&L fans that will argue about this; all I'm saying is try a Kelly, and give them a chance.

No one will be disappointed.

Mike

For decades I was a loyal Fender fan. Primarily because I just never heard any other tele style brand that sounded good or played good, except a $3500 Nash which was waaay out of my price range...Then I tried a Michael Kelly T style guitar with stock Rockfield pickups. Outstanding tone, workmanship, & materials. Exactly what I've been looking for, for decades.

For years I read in these various forums how lots of players were raving about the multitude of T styles made by boutique builders, & copy cat builders. Convinced me to try other T styles. Extremely happy with the Michael Kellys.

On the down side, Michael Kellys are heavier than Fenders. But I don't care, it's the tone I'm after. But then, I use a 60 pound Super Reverb and a 60 pound Music Man, and I don't care how much they weigh.....Tone, Tone, Tone.