New Guitar - Michael Kelly Custom Collection 60 Ultra Blue Burst

[Pete C]

A few weeks ago Kenny Mac sent me a link to a gorgeous Michael Kelly Telecaster at a discounted price from Bax Music. As tempting as it was, I already have a Tele and as I have a fairly modest collection of guitars if I buy a new one I go for something I don't already have. I know Kenny has a few Michael Kellys and speaks highly of them so I had a look at the other models and spotted this one, reduced from £892 to £434. I don't have a HSS Strat-style and GAS kicked in. As Mrs C's approval was given I ordered it on a Saturday night and it arrived the following Tuesday.

It's a strat-style with a bridge humbucker and two single coils. The body is Korina with a very attractive burl maple veneered top in a blue burst with natural maple binding. The neck is maple with a birds-eye maple veneer on the headstock. The neck has a thin satin finish which is very comfortable. The fretboard is Pao Ferro with a compound radius going from 10.5 to 16 inches.

Out of the box there were no flaws in the finish, the fretboard was looking a bit dry so I treated that with some lemon oil. The action was a little higher than I like so I lowered it slightly, changed the strings from 10's to 9's which I prefer, re-adjusted the floating tremelo and put a little relief into the neck which was very straight.

The guitar has the usual strat-style 5 way pickup selector and the humbucker can be split with the push-pull volume knob. There's also a small toggle switch which when engaged adds the neck pickup to any other combination. In total there's 11 different pickup combinations available.

After a few days playing at home I used it at our band rehearsal and it fits in nicely. It's also quite light on the strap so no back-ache after 3 hours rehearsal.

All in all, well worth the price I paid for it and it's certainly going to get some use !

[chapperz66]

Wow - that's a thing of beauty!

[kenny mac]

Absolute belter.

[Oldrottenhead]

lovely.

[Farrell Jackson]

A really nice-looking guitar Pete and at a good price! By your description of the electronics and the 11 different pickup configurations, I know it has to sound and play good. A cool grab!

[cuthbert]

Congrats, Pete! New Guitar Day is always a good day.

[ODH]

That's a fine looking guitar Pete. I confess I've never been drawn to Strat style guitars but that looks a peach.

My GAS levels are already high and this is only stoking them. I'm trying to resist getting myself a Squier Jazzmaster.

[Pete C]

My GAS levels are already high and this is only stoking them. I'm trying to resist getting myself a Squier Jazzmaster.

Go for it Nick - life's too short.

[Mike_S]

My GAS levels are already high and this is only stoking them. I'm trying to resist getting myself a Squier Jazzmaster.

Go for it Nick - life's too short.

Hehe, yes this site wants more gear!

A beautiful axe Pete, one of the nicest I have seen recently. Glad it seems to sound as good as it looks.

Mike

[Zoltan]

Cool looking guitar! I'm sure it holds a lot of great tunes in it

My GAS levels are already high and this is only stoking them. I'm trying to resist getting myself a Squier Jazzmaster.

The only reason not to get a Squier Jazzmaster would be if you'd get a Fender Jazzmaster... I'm probably going to succumb into this, or other temptation in near future. Hopefully not too near....

Buying one now would be in the Nick of time

Hehe, yes this site wants more gear!

Yes, GAS is a gift that keeps on giving.