Who owns/owned a Michael Kelly?

[Damnation Gulch]

I dont see many mentions around here... I've wanted a MK and now am after a Weber, but thats a pretty big jump in price.

[Coy Wylie]

I've got both. The MK doesn't match up to the Weber either in tone, volume or asthetics. However, it does seem to beat everything in it's price range.

[Professor PT]

You can do a search and come up with many threads on MK. My experience has been a good one. I bought mine for cheap before they went retail. It sounds great and seems to get better with age( it's a year old now). I wanted a Weber too before I bought my MK; I'm convinced now, after playing many Webers, that they are probably not a mando I will upgrade to later--unless I find one that really blows my socks off, as they say. I recently played a whole wall of Webers and MK's; many MK's sounded flat and one sounded great, better than any of the Webers( to my ears). So, I'd strongly advise playing mandos side by side for comparison. For MK's, try to play as many as you can; you'll probably be able to find one or two that sound heads above the rest. As for Webers, they are very well made, and I'm not bashing them. I just haven't played one yet that has bowled me over as far as tone.

[Nick Triesch]

M/K is a lot of bang for the buck. Just have to look around for one that sounds good. Thats the fun of it! Nick

[ShaneJ]

This may appear self-serving since I have an MK listed in the classifieds right now, but I sold a Weber Hyalite to buy the MK. The Hyalite is obviously not a Fern, but many say, "buy a quality A-model instead of a cheaper F". I honestly like the MK much better than the Hyalite (which was a great mando). The MK has more sound. I also prefer the radiused fretboard and F-style body. The point helps hold it steady on my knee, where the Hyalite's teardrop shape would just slide all over the place. I'm sure that every MK F-style would not beat every Hyalite. Each piece of wood is different.

I just wish I didn't need to sell it http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

[Albert Whiting]

i have played several webers and i also owned a weber fern. i have a michael kelly and a lebeda premium plus now. i would buy a michael kelly before i would a lower end weber. the weber fern was decent but not that great especially for what it cost. the lebeda absolutely blows everything away that i have had. i think the michael kelly mandolins are better than any weber under 3000.00.

[elenbrandt]

I'll echo Professor PT....I have an MK, bought it before they went retail. It is my traveller, and it is perfectly good for the money. I absolutely love the look of the Webers, but haven't been able to play one yet that harmonizes with my particular aesthetics....they are all individuals. Play them until you find the one that blows your socks off.

[RichM]

Along with my Rigel and my Weber, I have a couple of Michael Kellys. I concur with others who say good bang for the buck. At least as good and often better than similarly priced imports. The Legacy O (F-4-ish style) is the best one I've played. The upper models have a radisused fretboard, which is a nice add. I'm not going to get into the "better than mandolins costing 5 time more" arugment. But for what they cost, they sound good and are put together well.

[Damnation Gulch]

Hey fellas, thanks for all the help (on this thread and many others). I ended up going with a Morgan Monroe Phantom Of The Opry over the Michael Kelly (edited) as I thought the tone to be darker and the chops on it barked a bit more. Maybe because of the spruce top and the sycamore back and sides...not sure. I paid $430 for it brand new with case...

[mandough]

The Michael Moore model? Aren't those made in Flynt, Michigan?
I wonder how the Michael Moore model stacks up against the George Bush model?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Damnation Gulch]

Dang... I cant quit doing that! FIXED!