Michael Kelly Basses?

Gatlin

Gatlin

Sep 22, 2016
245
691
4,606
Ellisville, MS
#1
So, I was reading a thread the other day and came across the Michael Kelly basses. In my limited research it appears that 2017 is the first year that Michael Kelly has made a bass. I was initially searching for a 5 string p-bass but after another thread I started (Why So Few 5 String P-Basses) it appears to me that the overall consensus is that a p-bass should remain a 4 string configuration.

Anyway, after seeing the Michael Kelly bass selection I keep going back to their website and looking at those basses. To me they are incredibly good looking guitars for what looks like a really good price and specs. I watched a few YouTube videos on them and haven't really seen much on them. I saw @phillybass101 seems to be very happy with his. Anyone else have any experience or even seen one in person? I'm tempted to order one sight unseen, but I usually end up regretting ordering stuff without having at least seen or held one in person.
 
#2
Michael Kelly has been producing Acoustic Bass Guitars (ABGs) for over a decade, and they are very good instruments. They have only recently started producing solid body basses, and they also have a licensing agreement to produce a lower cost variation of the Rick Turner Renaissance. Rick Turner would not jeopardize his reputation with a manufacturer who could not live up to his standards, so I think it's safe to say that the build quality should be good. Then it comes down to whether you like the configuration/options/finishes they offer.
The solidbodies are listed as "New for 2017" so it's possible they haven't gotten out to dealers/distributors yet.
 
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#3
MK Element 5Q.jpg I liked mine so much I ordered another one sight unseen. I trust my instincts and word of mouth of other players. So I have the Custom Collection Element 5 (Striped Ebony) and in a couple of days will own the 5Q. The 5Q is only $469. I bought the model used for this Pic.
 
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#4
Ebony.jpg I received the Michael Kelly 5Q and for only $469 this bass has a lot of mojo. This gets the Walt Finn seal of approval. Giggable right out of the box, of course with your favorite set up. Mine however is getting a Mike Pope Flexcore. Why cause it's my bass and my money. :) My other MK is the striped Ebony. Looks just like this. For only $599. Lovely just to look at and sounds nice.

Walter Finnerty youtube - Bing video
 
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#6
phillybass101 said:
View attachment 1407710 I received the Michael Kelly 5Q and for only $469 this bass has a lot of mojo. This gets the Walt Finn seal of approval. Giggable right out of the box, of course with your favorite set up. Mine however is getting a Mike Pope Flexcore. Why cause it's my bass and my money. :) My other MK is the striped Ebony. Looks just like this. For only $599. Lovely just to look at and sounds nice.
Click to expand...

Very interested - What do these 5ers weigh please? thx..
 
#7
I briefly had a MK acoustic bass. It was okay and I would consider buying another one. I recently met up with the guys in Skillet when they played Denver a few months ago. John Cooper, the lead singer/bass player for Skillet, now uses them. I got to check out his basses at the show and they seemed pretty solid. It was an outdoor show and a lot of the sound at the show was getting lost in the venue setting but the bass still sounded pretty decent in the mix. I also talked with John's tech during the setup of the concert and he said on that tour (his first with Skillet) the basses had performed really well and had not had any issues.
 
#9
Here are my Michael Kelly Basses. 5Q only $469 and Custom Element Striped Ebony only $599. I don't know how much they weigh or all the technical aspects. I'm a player. I leave all the talking to talkers. See what I did there? Both Gig Worthy out the box and sound great to me. I liked the Striped Ebony so much I went and bought the 5Q. The 5Q has some serious mojo.

Ebony.JPG IMG_0418.JPG
 
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#12
#13
So, I took the plunge on one of these today, and I guess I'm resurrecting this thread. I haven't touched one of these, and am somewhat nervous. That said, if it performs ANYTHING like a Sire - which is apparently built in the same factory - I will be very happy.

I love my boutique basses, and regularly use several. However, for smaller gigs, I like having a "budget bass" in the event someone spills beer or something. That happened with my Stingray, ruined the preamp entirely and basically the guitar itself, and I almost killed that guy.

I owned a Sire not too far back, and I will admit, I was impressed. It felt as good as any $1500-$2000 bass I've played. It sounded better than several of those I have played. Sire makes a really nice guitar, and between them and Sterling by Music Man, they give you the most bang for the buck.

I'm anxious to try this bass, and compare it to those. I have a SBMM Ray34CA that is STILL one of my go to guitars. It's got every tone that my $2000 Stingray Classic has, and if I'm being honest, a better neck. Anyway, @phillybass101 are you still loving yours? Any long term issues you can speak on, or thoughts you can offer?
 
#14
I think it was earlier this year, I sent an email to Michael Kelly because he builds licensed versions of Rick Turner’s Renaissance Bass at affordable prices. I had inquired about the cost or if they were considering a 6-String model. They weren’t even aware that a 6-string RB6 was available from Rick Turner. (Maybe they know about it now, but at the time I reached out, they did not.)
 
#15
Mine is in order due to a trade deal that looked like was going south.
But vendor is doing the right thing so I ask for stripes Ebony although the zebra wood looks killer as well can't wait!!
 
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#16
They don't sound like sires but more traditional JB sounds with a nice little inexpensive pre. Put a high end pre in it and it will supply the JB on steroids tone.
 
#18
DaymonJ11 said:
So, I took the plunge on one of these today, and I guess I'm resurrecting this thread. I haven't touched one of these, and am somewhat nervous. That said, if it performs ANYTHING like a Sire - which is apparently built in the same factory - I will be very happy.

I love my boutique basses, and regularly use several. However, for smaller gigs, I like having a "budget bass" in the event someone spills beer or something. That happened with my Stingray, ruined the preamp entirely and basically the guitar itself, and I almost killed that guy.

I owned a Sire not too far back, and I will admit, I was impressed. It felt as good as any $1500-$2000 bass I've played. It sounded better than several of those I have played. Sire makes a really nice guitar, and between them and Sterling by Music Man, they give you the most bang for the buck.

I'm anxious to try this bass, and compare it to those. I have a SBMM Ray34CA that is STILL one of my go to guitars. It's got every tone that my $2000 Stingray Classic has, and if I'm being honest, a better neck. Anyway, @phillybass101 are you still loving yours? Any long term issues you can speak on, or thoughts you can offer?
Click to expand...
I bought two. The $469 Element Q5 and $599 Striped Ebony and I enjoy each. The most important thing for me other than I like the way they play and sound stock is they can be upgraded to get that JB on steroids tone and I don't own an instrument everybody and their brother has.
 
#19
I too wondered if these basses were made in the same factory as sires. If so when you see Michael Kelly and Sire you are looking at a company called DAME :-)
 
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