Vintage Inspiration: Michael Kelly Guitars 1950s Series

When it comes to classic model guitars, players can be dangerous. Tell them that they could get a killer classic model guitar that doesn’t have the name Fender or Gibson attached to it, and you better make sure they’re not holding a knife. But, there are plenty of manufacturers out there who are putting out killer classic models that can even be better than the originals. Put your knives away. TheToneKing.com would like to introduce you to Michael Kelly Guitars.

Michael Kelly’s 1950s guitars are vintage inspired guitars that aren’t stuck in the middle ages. Times change. Technology improves and these guitars reflect that.

For those who have played T-style guitars and have been left with a tingling numbing feeling in their picking hand, you’re not alone. That’s usually a result of your arm resting on the edge of the guitar. Michael Kelly Guitars has been cool enough to contour that shit for you.

In this case, killer looks beget killer tone. Each guitar in the 1950s Series is topped with quilt or flame maple and comes with some killer trans finishes.

There are five models in the 1950s Series.  See Full Matrix of Features Here.

 

1952MK1952N

The 1952 can go from to vintage to shred in 0.5 seconds. The coil-tapped humbuckers give players the versatility to do whatever the hell they want with this thing. The 12” neck radius wont slow you down like some of those classic guitars can.

 

Body

Construction: Bolt On

Body: Basswood

Binding: Single Ply White

Top: Flame Maple

 

Neck

Neck: Maple

Fretboard: Maple

Fretboard Radius: 12″

Number of Frets: 22

Inlays: Dots

Headstock: 1950

 

Electronics

Electronics: master volume (push/pull coil tap) – master tone (push/pull coil tap) – 3 way blade switch

Neck Pickup: MK PAF-Plus Humbucker

 

Hardware

Nut Type: Standard

Nut Material: Bone

Nut Width: 43mm

Tuning Keys: Die Cast

Bridge Type: T-Style

Hardware Color: Chrome

 

 

 

 

MK1953BKV1953

If old school be your school, then back to 1953 you go. A T-Style Single Coil in the neck and Stacked Single in the bridge is about as classic as it gets. Of course, unlike many of those vintage pieces, this one is pretty enough to take home to your momma.

 

 Body

Construction: Bolt On

Body: Alder

Binding: Alder

Top: Flame Maple

Neck

Neck: Maple

Fretboard: Rosewood on Caramel Burst and Black Vapor, Maple on Blue Jean Wash

Fretboard Radius: 10.5″

Number of Frets: 22

Inlays: Dots

Headstock: 1950

 

Electronics

Electronics: master volume – master tone (push/pull coil tap) – 3-way blade switch

Neck Pickup: MK T-Style Single Coil

Bridge Pickup: MK Stacked Single Coil

 

Hardware

Nut Type: Standard

Nut Material: Bone

Nut Width: 43mm

Tuning Keys: Die Cast

Bridge Type: T-Style

Hardware Color: Chrome

 

MK1954SBW1954

Nothing says brings on the brutal like a trans black fin over a quilt maple top. And none be more blacker than the 1954. This is T-Style if the “T” stood for Thrash. Sure, the Rockfield SWC humbucker can be tapped for a single coil tone, but why in the hell would you want to do that? Compound radius means that you can shred on one end while driving chugging riffs on the other.

 

Body

Construction: Bolt On

Body: Alder

Binding: Single Ply White

Top: Quilt Maple

 

Neck

Neck: Maple

Fretboard: Rosewood

Fretboard Radius: Compound 10.5″ to 16″

Number of Frets: 22

Inlays: Dots

Headstock: 1950

 

Electronics

Electronics: master volume – master tone (push/pull coil tap) – 3-way blade switch

Neck Pickup: MK T-Style Single Coil

Bridge Pickup: Rockfield® SWC Humbucker

 

Hardware

Nut Type: Standard

Nut Material: Bone

Nut Width: 43mm

Tuning Keys: Die Cast

Bridge Type: T-Style

Hardware Color: Black

 

 

MK1955AT-11955

Vintage inspired. Crafted like a boutique. There are builders who just want to keep using the same mould, and there are others who take that mould, smash it on the ground, and tell it to go suck it. Maple binding, mini-humbucker in the neck, and a compound radius neck give this guitar that boutique spirit.

 

Body

Construction: Bolt On

Body: Swamp Ash

Binding: Genuine Flame Maple

Top: Quilt Maple

Neck

Neck: Maple

Fretboard: Maple on Amber Trans and Black Wash, Rosewood on Caramel Burst

Fretboard Radius: Compound 10.5″ to 16″

Number of Frets: 22

Inlays: Dots

Headstock: 1950

 

Electronics

Electronics: master volume (push/pull coil tap) – master tone (push/pull coil tap) – 3 way blade switch

Neck Pickup: MK Mini Humbucker

Bridge Pickup: Rockfield® SWC Humbucker

 

Hardware

Nut Type: Standard

Nut Material: Bone

Nut Width: 43mm

Tuning Keys: Die Cast

Bridge Type: T-Style

Hardware Color: Chrome

 

 

 

MK1957BW1957

If there’s a Michael Kelly guitar that can do it all, the 1957 is it. Players looking for classic vintage tones while still being able to rock out will find this guitar very versatile. With a Seymour Duncan ’59 in the bridge, the 1957 remains well balanced, but still has the balls to back it up.

 

Body

Construction: Bolt On

Body: Swamp Ash

Binding: Genuine Flame Maple

Top: Quilt Maple

 

Neck

Neck: Maple

Fretboard: Maple

Fretboard: Radius 10″

Number of Frets: 22

Inlays: Dots

Headstock: 1950

 

Electronics

Electronics: master volume (push/pull coil tap) – master tone (push/pull coil tap) – 3 way blade switch

Neck Pickup: Rockfield® SWV Humbucker

Bridge Pickup: USA Seymour Duncan® Little ’59™

 

Hardware

Nut Type: Standard

Nut Material: Bone

Nut Width: 43mm

Tuning Keys: Grover®

Bridge Type: T-Style

Hardware Color: Chrome

 

In short, we here at TheToneKing.com are here to tell you that if you’re looking for some of those classic designs, you have plenty of options. If all you’re looking for is a vintage guitar, then by all means buy a vintage guitar. We’re not here to tell you to buy something that you ain’t gonna like. But, if you’re looking for a little something extra, you might want to check out those companies like Michael Kelly Guitars.

 

 

 

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About the Author: The Tone King | TheToneKing.com | TTKRocks | REAL reviews for REAL players! ROCK hard, ROCK loud, ROCK ON!

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