A Guitar And Gear Support Forum

toomanycats wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 12:34 pm Your translation is spot on.

And while we're on the subject, what's the difference between a relic'd guitar and a dent and scratch, other than the price? Seems nuts that you pay a premium for the former but get a discount for the latter.

BatUtilityBelt wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 12:51 pm

toomanycats wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 12:34 pm Your translation is spot on.

And while we're on the subject, what's the difference between a relic'd guitar and a dent and scratch, other than the price? Seems nuts that you pay a premium for the former but get a discount for the latter.

I've always wondered if there are relic buyers out there who get upset when they get scuffs and dings.

BatUtilityBelt wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 12:14 pm Wow, I just noticed a new level of marketing BS in Michael Kelly offerings. See if you agree.

From the listing: "Just the right amount of vintage magic makes the 53OP the choice for those that are seeking a more traditional instrument. For this special edition, Michael Kelly started with an exotic Sungkai tonewood body and wrapped it in a Tobacco Sunburst Open Pore finish that delivers a more natural feel. This finish will preserve the natural acoustic properties of this tonewood while still providing excellent protection."

Translation: We are now using a wood that is commonly used in Indonesia for furniture, but calling it tonewood because, well, marketing. We throw in the words "vintage magic" and "traditional" to up the ante, even though there is no vintage tradition of using this wood for guitars. Since we're already blowing smoke, let's talk about a notable lack of a finish by calling it "open pore". Sure it saves us money to use furniture wood and to not finish the guitars, but we prefer to use flowery words to extract your cash.

https://www.samash.com/michael-kelly-53 ... k53optbs-p

mickey wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 4:48 pm

BatUtilityBelt wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 12:14 pm Wow, I just noticed a new level of marketing BS in Michael Kelly offerings. See if you agree.

From the listing: "Just the right amount of vintage magic makes the 53OP the choice for those that are seeking a more traditional instrument. For this special edition, Michael Kelly started with an exotic Sungkai tonewood body and wrapped it in a Tobacco Sunburst Open Pore finish that delivers a more natural feel. This finish will preserve the natural acoustic properties of this tonewood while still providing excellent protection."

Translation: We are now using a wood that is commonly used in Indonesia for furniture, but calling it tonewood because, well, marketing. We throw in the words "vintage magic" and "traditional" to up the ante, even though there is no vintage tradition of using this wood for guitars. Since we're already blowing smoke, let's talk about a notable lack of a finish by calling it "open pore". Sure it saves us money to use furniture wood and to not finish the guitars, but we prefer to use flowery words to extract your cash.

https://www.samash.com/michael-kelly-53 ... k53optbs-p

Well, I hate to tell you but it is furniture! It is a solid body guitar and in my opinion that is furniture.
I don't consider them musical instruments unless they do not need an amp.

mickey wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 4:48 pm Well, I hate to tell you but it is furniture! It is a solid body guitar and in my opinion that is furniture.
I don't consider them musical instruments unless they do not need an amp.

BatUtilityBelt wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 6:05 pm

mickey wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 4:48 pm Well, I hate to tell you but it is furniture! It is a solid body guitar and in my opinion that is furniture.
I don't consider them musical instruments unless they do not need an amp.

But... the guitar in your profile pic has a pickup. That's got to need an amp.

nomadh wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 3:42 pm One of the most impressive cheaper guitars I've played recently was the acoustic open pore ibanez. I like the feel and the look but the volume and tone really surprised me. I have my eye out for that feature.

BatUtilityBelt wrote: ↑Thu Mar 11, 2021 10:43 am Yeah, I am not calling it a crap brand, just calling out their BS. I once bought a Michael Kelly 55 through Guitar Center Used that was supposed to be in great condition, but had about a 2 inch round gash taken out of the lower bout in the back (GC's problem, not MK's). I liked the look in pictures, the coil-splitting humbuckers, and the arm contour. The hardware was cheap and the guitar was unusually light. I did not keep it because of the gash. If I had kept it, I would have been shopping bridge and tuners I think, maybe nut too. In person, the finish did not look great to me, but maybe the gash had already skewed my opinion on that.

mickey wrote: ↑Thu Mar 11, 2021 11:26 am The closest I ever came to owning a Michael Kelly guitar was a few years ago when Adirondack Guitars was doing a group purchase of MK LEFTY jazz boxes.
Unfortunately, they never got enough people to put down a deposit to complete the order. However, for reasons known only to Adirondack Guitars they
never refunded the deposits. That soured me on both Adirondack Guitars & Michael Kelly Guitars. Likely unfairly against Michael Kelly but I'm the one
who decides where/with whom I spend my money.