SKIP KELLEY Mandolin Discussion Anyone?

[Dover]

Greetings Pickers;

Any Skip Kelley Mandolin Owners out there?

Last month I traded in my beloved Dearstone F5 for a Skip Kelley F5. Main reason was I wanted a bit wider nut. I was all ready to send it back within my trial period, not thinking that it could hold it's own to the Dearstone...but when I tuned it up I could tell this was one lively piece of wood...It just wants to ring and ring. Gorgeous to boot! Though the Dearstone with the Cedar top had a bit mellower / warmer low end, the Skip Kelley just blew me away with strong popping mids and ringing highs. Chop was also louder also with a nice woody "thunk". Actually the SK was louder all around...I compared the two for hours. Really wanted to keep both!

Anyhow...just wanted to share my joy after playing and gigging with this amazing instrument and wondering if there are other Mando Cafer's who have experience with Skip Kelley's work.

Ben Davis
Portland, OR

[billhay4]

I've got one of Skip's A's. Very powerful instrument with nice work all around. I upgraded to a James tailpiece but that's all I"ve done.
Play it regularly.
Bill

[waynef]

Another very happy Skip Kelley mandolin owner here!
I have Skip's #30 F-5 made in 2010. It is an absolutely stunning mandolin both in regards to fit and finish as well as volume and tone. I also own a Sumi F-5, and although a very fine mandolin, Skip's is just so much stronger from a volume and tone perspective. It has that old hollow log sound that I just love,and it just gets better with age and playing time. I would never consider parting with mine.

[mandroid]

It's the name of the person actually making them, right?

[waynef]

yes it is

[mandroid]

Michael Kelly OTOH, is a trademark on an imported line, Pac Rim.

site says the Michael (Hoeft) had a daughter he named Kelly.

[AlanN]

My first taste of a Skip Kelley mandolin was one hanging in Richardson's Music in Fuquay-Varina, NC, maybe 15 years ago, bought by a guy named Tommy. It had it going on, even back then. Since then, Skip has refined his skill set to be making one heckuva mandolin, A or F, no matter. Plus, his repair/fret/set-up work is top-notch. One of the premier luthiers out there...and he lives near by, doncha know...

[Blues Healer]

there's a recent, beautiful A-5 at one of the dealers that very tempting