Hot or Not? Michael Kelly Telecaster:1952 Natural

[Jbird]

Not exactly what I think of when I see '1952', but now this is a Tele that I would play

https://reverb.com/item/782943-michael-kelly-1952-natural-flame-top-two-humuckers

Under $300, too!

 

[PunkKitty]

Nice deal. Michael Kelly makes nice guitars. I don't know about a '52 designation though. Humbuckers weren't introduced until the mid to late '50s.

 

[Jbird]

I 'think' it's about the neck profile, but I'm not entirely sure.

 

[Help!I'maRock!]

The mystery wood back bothers me. Also, while I like natural guitars, that one is too bleached out.

 

[Coralkong]

I'd buy one of those over one of balsa wood and spit's offerings.

 

[CBHScott]

The MK Fifty...whatever series does have some cool Tele clones. I think they are MIC, though, but if the quality is there...

 

[Denverdave]

Meh.....not my thing. I have heard good things about MK guitars though.

 

[DFB]

Pretty meh.

 

[LeftyTom]

Needs more contrast between body and fingerboard.

 

[ellengtrgrl]

Hmmmm, it looks OK, I could see giving it a try.

 

[Stratguy]

A different finish might get my interest, but this one just doesn't do it.

 

[Radar-Love]

Not exactly what I think of when I see '1952', but now this is a Tele that I would play

Under $300, too!

If it's anything like the one of the new "60s" models (i.e. -- Strat) that I test drove briefly back in January, it should be a real barn burner as far as playability, tone, and build quality.

Unfortunately, that has been my only contact with any of the newfangled bolt-on Michael Kelly models. The neck was excellent. The H-S-S pickups were great. The tremolo was great. The bluejean was finish was certainly nice.

http://www.michaelkellyguitars.com/en/electric-guitars/1950s


Otherwise, I own a Michael Kelly Valor II Americana super-tele. It has four major departures from a Fender Telecaster, in that it has a set-in neck, a 25.0-inch scale, carved-top double cutaway body, and a Firebird neck pickup (a couple of Fender Teles have had Firebird neck pickups). As usual, build, finish, and fretwork quality is very high quality. The bridge tele tone is very tight and strong. Neck tone has both guts and finesse from the Firebird humbucker that delivers excellent midrange detail and enough brightness to please just about any Tele player. Fretwork is top notch (as usual).

 

[Modern Saint]

I like the flame top

 

[Hubert Stumblin]

Fail.
Tele in body shape only. Otherwise, not Tele, not 1952.....just not.

 

[vintage clubber]

Needs a better name...

 

[Hubert Stumblin]

I'm thinking of getting a Les Paul body, putting a Tele bridge/plate and Tele neck pickup on it along with a blade selector switch and calling it a "59 LP".

 

[Flamencology]

Humbucker fail.

 

[Guitar Heel]

I'm sure it's a lot of guitar for the cash, but...meh.

 

[Radar-Love]

If the Michael Kelly CC53 7-string or 8-string models had a proper 7 or 8-string Tele bridge and single coil, they would actually be quite unique and useful.