Vintage Inspiration: Michael Kelly Guitars 1950s Series
The Tone King | Jul 14, 2014 | Comments 1
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.
1952
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
1953
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
1954
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
1955
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
1957
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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