Michael Kelly "Open Pore" guitars

[BatUtilityBelt]

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

[toomanycats]

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]

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.

[Chocol8]

Ha! When people complain about a ding or dent in their Rondo purchase, instead of offering a discount, Kurt should charge the customer extra for the authentic relic job!

[nomadh]

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.

[glasshand]

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.

Now I'm wondering if anybody has ever returned a relic guitar or demanded a refund because the guitar wasn't damaged enough. "You sold this guitar as a 'relic', but there are absolutely no dings to the edge of the headstock, and a complete lack of buckle rash on the back!"

[Partscaster]

That open-pore lingo has all my cork sniffin glands going crazy.
If the neck was 7.25, I might be interested. But its 10.
I'll continue with my SX Taurus or SX Thinline with a strat neck idea.

[mickey]

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.

[nomadh]

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.

Me-oww!

[uwmcscott]

I actually prefer a satin/matte finish so I'm on board with the concept. That is actually a pretty nice looking Tele, I like the ebony board too. Price doesn't seem way out of line either.

[BatUtilityBelt]

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.

[mickey]

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.

It is optional.

[Stoli]

Lol, you all completely missed the "Quad Mod."

[RiverDog]

I dig it

[BatUtilityBelt]

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.

I think the finish plays a much bigger tonal role on an acoustic. I have a Takamine EAN10C from their "Natural Series" and agree that an acoustic with a very thin finish and no pick guard can sound more open. But electrics, nope. That's just saving money in the painting and buffing labor. If you like the finish, that's cool, but I'm calling out the BS in Sam Ash's description (it is a store brand).

[Mossman]

I call shenanigans on their use of hyped-up buzz-words, but damn, those Michael Kelly guitars have been looking really good these last couple of years.

[nomadh]

MKs can be very beautiful and damn good playing and sounding guitars. That ones a beut. I was smitted by an oddball MK recently. It was a 10 string, a 12er minus the 2 bass octave strings with a side port and beautiful curly something back and sides. It played great and sounded good for about 200 on closeout.

[BatUtilityBelt]

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]

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.

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.

[BatUtilityBelt]

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.

Wow, thanks for sharing that. I have bought one guitar from Adirondack, and through that deal thought they were ok, but not amazing to work with. If your situation happened to me, I don't imagine I would let go of hounding Adirondack until they refunded the deposit. It's not about however much money it is, but the principle of good faith. Without good faith, this market disappears.