View Full Version : michael kelly
bluegrassdan
Nov-13-2004, 10:07am
Just wondering who out there has an MK with any age on it or lots of playing and how well they hold up. thanks
Professor PT
Nov-13-2004, 10:22am
I have played mine for a year and a half, and it has "opened up" nicely. The volume and sustain are great. The tone isn't as complex as say a Gibson( I just bought an F-9 ), but for the money, I think they are great mando. I've had no issues with it as far as construction; it's solidly built. If you have $1600 to spare, go get yourself an F-9 at Guitar Center: they are on clearance at many stores. They have incredible tone from the beginning.
Stillpicking
Nov-13-2004, 12:12pm
I have one of the first MKs a "butterfly" #got it when they were only sold on-line so it is almost 3 years old.
It has opened up nicely and I have had no problems with construction on this mando. I play it hard on a regular schedule and it gets a lot of play time in the summer gig months. These MKs respond well to upgrades, my "butterfly" has a sullivan bridge, pearl nut, weber tailpiece and heavy TIs for strings. It #has a nice complex tone and a good amount of volumn. I recently got an MK Legacy "O" and I am in the process of doing some similar upgrades. The Mks are a great mando for the buck!:cool:
I have the first "S hole Butterfly", and it's held up very well. I added an Allen tailpc this summer, which IMO improved the tone and loudness. I've had this one for around 3 years or so. It's played fairly regular. Since I don't gig anymore, and play guitar with my jam pals, it's been, and is, all the mando I need. It serves it's purpose well.
PlayerOf8
Nov-16-2004, 5:58am
I have had one for almost 4 years. It was one of the first solid wood instruments that Tracy and the guys brought into this country. It isn't perfect, I changed tuners, nut and bridge within the first month. It has held up very well. It is as opened as much as a $500 instrument can be, but I wasn't looking to replace a $10,000 instrument. I think with all the positive changes that they made in the last two years, MKs are still a excellent value..
George
MarvinFowler
Nov-16-2004, 9:01am
Just curious, how long does it take for an instrument to "open up", and just what can I expect from it when it does?
angrymandolinist
Nov-16-2004, 9:31am
This thread (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=12;t=19621) is all about the opening up process, a good read on the topic.