The Michael Kelly Hybrid Special? How Special is it?

[@intheblues]

I hope everyone is doing well for 2022! New video, new backing track, and something I haven't showcased before. These Michael Kelly guitars are pretty cool. Let me know if you've had a chance to test out a guitar from Michael Kelly before! Cheers.

[@drivenmad7676]

Your sound and playing has improved greatly over the last few months. Love it

[@intheblues]

@@drivenmad7676 thank you :)

[@hutchfromba]

Thanks Shane !

[@Floodland-bn3ol]

Happy New Years!!!

[@DennisJPolson]

That’s a very nice looking guitar and it sounds fantastic in your hands, Shane. Thank you for the review and all the best to you in the new year.

[@richiesvideos]

A great review and you certainly demonstrated how flexible the guitar is. I‘ve been using this guitar since 2014 and in fact I have two of them. It‘s great for live gigs and means I only need to use one type of guitar for most of the magnetic and piezo sounds needed for my band‘s repertoire. (For certain numbers though where I need a tremolo arm I still use my Fender Strat). The Michael Kelly sound using the split output over the PA and guitar amp using a stereo ‘y‘ cable is amazing! I would thoroughly recommend this guitar, and for the price, is very good value. Cheers from Germany.

[@yippy327]

Great to hear! I just started checking these out. Sadly, no dealers real close to me. But, hey thanks for your comment.

[@aartmark]

I'm really impressed with the humbucker sound especially for a guitar that sells for less than $1,000. I think the acoustic pickup would sound a lot better in a PA system where you could EQ it and fatten it up a little and get a more acoustic sound. But in a rock band setting you loose a lot of the subtleties anyway. It sure is a nice looking guitar and I'm really happy that they make a lefty model. As always you did a very good revue. Thank you for that. Here in the U.S. there's not a lot of places that sell them yet. At least not around West Michigan where I live.

[@calvinbass1839]

Backing track & your jam has to be one of your best so far! Thank you for sharing. Have a blessed day.

[@ripley7t429]

I have a Michael Kelly Patriot Q from 2003. This was when they would assemble in FL after getting the parts from Korea. My guitar is a bit unique. I believe it was a sales model or demo for the company. The maple cap is 3/4 inch thick. The quilt on the top is not what you would see on a budget guitar. It is not a venier. I did have the nut replaced years ago and put locking grovers on it. Several years ago a friend had a Gibson 496 and 500t spare pups and I put them in. The board is ebony and the block inlays are not fake abalone. The binding is excellent and has yellowed over the last 19 years. In all these years I have not had to do anything to the truss rod. Really quite amazing how stable the neck is in it.

[@davidbanks6644]

Another really useful video, Shane. I’m looking at a PRS hollowbody with a piezo, but now you’ve thrown this in the mix for me to think about.

[@shanewalton8888]

The front looks like a tele and the back is 335. Very unique design.

[@DMSProduktions]

She sounds GR8 Shane! Bon Anno! Have a rockin' 22! \m/

[@tosh-jakefinnigan1356]

Funnily enough, today I had the exact guitar you played in this review arrive at my music shop from DI Music, Shane! Let me know if you want to be reunited ;)

[@evanwilliams8908]

I like the way the humbuckers are voiced. It's right between a single coil and a traditional humbucker. Tons of twang you don't find on a normal humbucker. Almost like a stacked p90 but with less bass and without the treble loss. They might be the closest thing I've ever heard to a true single coil sound on a humbucker and they probably weren't even going for that.

[@Mattguitarmania]

I bought a used one of these a few months ago and I really like it. I can't wait to get a Y cable to split the signal. Thanks for another good video!

[@adriancooper8192]

Another great review, as balanced and informative as ever. I loved the demo track. Happy New Year Shane.

[@toddflowers8052]

Happy New Year mate !! 🎉 I have not tried one but have a friend who loves them !!! 😎🎸👍

[@anthonytumia]

Love Michael Kelly guitars. Not just an appealing price point, there’s plenty of good guitars at low prices now, but really unique designs and great quality. It would be cool to see some demos of the 50 or 60 Forte Hybrids. There aren’t any on KZbin that I’ve seen and they’re really cool. Cheers from Sydney.

[@dragan4658]

Michael Kelly are one of the big boys when it comes to making quality guitars. They pricing is much less expensive than similar manufactures. Thanks fo sharing Shane, all the best to you and your family in 2022!

[@Mexxx65]

Top 4 Comment! I own a Michael Kelly, Strat '67, maple f/b, locking tuners, bone nut, seymour duncan humbucker in the bridge, gold hardware, ash body. Made in South Korea. I think it sounds pretty good. HNY Shane keep up the great work!!

[@comparedtowhat2638]

I enjoyed your backing track and your demo. The acoustic sounded quite electric to me. However it was a different voice so it did add to the tonal pallet.

[@JohnKenneymusic]

I have one really love it use it all the time I mix the acoustic with the electric and get unique sounds great to use this guitar with a looper being able to switch from acoustic to electric is great the only hybrid were you get both true good usable acoustic and electric tone. Thank you Shawn your channel has help me a lot really appreciate your insight.

[@tonepilot]

Has a unique look and sound. I dig it. Happy New Year Shane.

[@garylearo5301]

I have had 4 Michael kelly. Had the 20th anniversary patriot with Seymour Duncan. Had a 55 tele mod with Seymour Duncan mini and 59 in bridge. I think I just found my next guitar. Thanks,Shane. Gary f,rom Sarasota, fl.

[@Rick_Cleland]

Looks and sounds cool.👌🏻

[@aaronshortmusic]

Hey Shane this sounds great. I’m definitely going to check these out. Happy New Year!

[@jamalabdul2009]

I’m a little torn: I do like the look and sound of this guitar, but something about it is off for me. Great track Shane and a happy, prosperous 2022!!😎🎸🎉🎉🎉

[@hutchfromba]

I like it a lot ! I have a 53 MK T-style in caramel. I put Joe Barden Pups in it. My second favorite guitar. I have several. I probably bought my MK in 2013 or so. Not sure. Blues On....💙

[@hutchfromba]

My problem Jamal is I also really like the SE Zach Myers from Paul Reed Smith.

[@jamalabdul2009]

@@hutchfromba I need to play one to really know if I would like it. Who knows?

[@hutchfromba]

@@jamalabdul2009 I think (even though it's different) I prefer the Zach Myers PRS . But it's easier for me because I am Right handed.

[@gregb6387]

Nice review Shane

[@lincolnjohnson6511]

Great Guitar! I wasn’t the biggest fan of the coil split either and I agree, the acoustic pickup needed a Tone Knob! Shane you should check out the Micheal Kelly Rick Turner S6! It’s a chambered Thinline Acoustic Electric with a wicked cutaway!

[@the_friendly_shirt]

I recently picked up an MK Valor II with p90’s and replaced the bridge with a super distortion. I’m honestly blown away by the quality and sound of a guitar I picked up for $250 used at GC. Definitely a lifelong fan now!

[@hutchfromba]

I really like it. Nice, different, beautiful Semi-hollow guitar. Blues On....💙

[@spider5001]

Nice! I have a tele deluxe with the fishman bridge. If you have a stereo looper you can have one side going acoustic and the other to your electric. Also boss makes a pretty good acoustic preamp pedal specifically for piezo pickups so you can have more control

[@doogledog1740]

Thanks, Shane. I'd been interested to hear more about this brand for a while and I haven't seen them show up in local shops as yet. Always good to get your opinion. The guitar seems to be very decent.

[@joeurbanowski321]

Sam Ash music stores are a major distributor for these..

[@doogledog1740]

@@joeurbanowski321 Yeah, I thought they were a house brand but, anyway, Sam Ash stores are a little thin on the ground in Australia :-)

[@davidrobinson7484]

@@doogledog1740 I live in Tassie and i got my hands on a Michael Kelly 1967. I picked it up from Guitar Brothers in QLD. Very nice guitars.

[@doogledog1740]

@@davidrobinson7484 Thanks David. I've bought some gear from them in the past. I'll check them out again.

[@rwhit79L]

Very nice. Great job!

[@guitarbluz62]

Thanks for the great review! I've been wanting one of these for quite a while now but unfortunately there's no dealers anywhere close to me. Thinking about buying a used one through Guitar Center, so I can at least return it easily if I don't absolutely love it. I play a lot of gigs with my girlfriend where I have to bring an acoustic an electric and my resonator. With a hybrid like this one I would only have to bring two guitars instead of three!

[@vadeking]

Oh, great. I just saw one of these at a local music shop used. This is exactly what I needed to help me make up my mind.

[@vadeking]

Hm. Sounds pretty fair; would work well with an EQ pedal. But after watching it being played for awhile, I decided that although I appreciate the unique design combinations, I feel the final result looks awkward despite its small size. I suspect the ultra flat top would help acoustic players to feel more at home, but the guitar _looks_ like it really wanted to have some kind of carved top or bevel or comfort carve but got denied by the budget department. A good and versatile instrument, but it doesn't quite speak to me. Thanks for the review!

[@GaveMeGrace1]

Thank you.

[@Casey3-P-O]

I really like it. The shape is cool. It's like an offset Les Paul. So what do you guys think of this brand? They're an American company who imports from South Korea. Not a bad thing. Asian countries are making great instruments lately. I've read great reviews about their telecasters, which are all very inexpensive, but telecasters almost always set up very easily and well. Such a simple design. I'm not sure how any of their other models are. I know this one is like their premium quality guitar, but I do love it when I find a brand that is good and cheap. EART comes to mind. For the price, not bad at all.

[@chrishartley8867]

As always Shane awesome demo guitar looks and sounds great

[@yaguitar]

That sounds amazing! Great vid

[@dr.s.]

Happy New Year @ whoever is reading this. Can't complain about the sound. And you get kinda like 3 guitars in one, so that is pretty cool. However, visually... I just don't like the look. It's not really ugly but no.

[@allenc2998]

Happy new year. As usual, nice playing and good demo showing what this hybrid can do. I bought it in 2008, book matched spalted maple, rosewood fretboard with abalone inlays, Rockfield pickups and wooden knobs. Made in Korea. Like it but I'm enjoying others.

[@guitarpoetone1]

Wow dude u made this guitar scream I was on the edge about buying one I have a Godin A6 and this kicks butt on the sound which I like it has 2 Humbuckers Godin has 1 Humbuckers so I'm getting it now thanks bro u rock

[@Mr3DBob]

I have an older model, with one humbucker and no coil tap. I do have a stereo cable, and plug it into a Roland Street Cube, which has two separate channels. It works well, but I don't know if it will get as hot electric as that one. I use it for quieter situations. Mine has two volume knobs, so tone control is the blend from acoustic to electric. Most amps have a tone control, so you don't really need one on the guitar.

[@markharris2562]

No "see'ya!" at the end?! Great review as always!

[@guitarelaxed]

I had one of these but I sold it after a while mostly because of the very narrow nut width. It was okay for strumming chords but not for finger picking. Also the magnetic pickups were just ok but not great and I didn´t like the pretty thick glossy laquer.

[@bryantcooley4969]

Would love a comparison video to one of the Godin guitars like an A6 or something similar.

[@LukeCabreraMusic]

Great review and great tones

[@zd351]

This would be good for switching from acoustic to electric mid song, but otherwise, I think I'd prefer two separate acoustic and electric guitars.

[@JL-bu8bz]

Do use airplane?

[@phowell333]

@intheblues When you play w/ acoustic pup around 9:25, the guitar sounds slightly out of tune. I know the video is 2 yrs old, but was the nut cut OK? A high cut nut would throw the tuning out a little. Just wondering (2 yrs. later)

[@TheBbtlegit]

I really like that guitar. What is the price.

[@DMSProduktions]

They are around the $1800 mark!

[@cathyharrity8050]

Very similar to my Taylor t5z and at about 1/3 the price roughly $750-$800 US dollars. Great sounds and a wide range of options. Great for airline travel. I don't trust my Taylor to the gorilla baggage handlers at the airports. Baggage slingers are the worst. Great video, covered all aspects.

[@reydelagarza2953]

Other than price, what other significant differences than Taylor T5?

[@cathyharrity8050]

@@reydelagarza2953 Really all else is very similar. The Taylor T5z has one acoustic voice and 4 electric from the magnetic pickup. Both semi-hollow lightweight guitars 🎸. Taylor runs $2,200-$3,000 depending on the finish. And obviously the Taylor will have a higher resale value.

[@eddiex72]

Thinking about the versatility of this guitar and the sound; you made a Strat vs Tele video a bit over a year ago. Fender has a new Nashville Tele with a middle strat style pickup. Would you be willing to review that and or do another tone comparison video. Say, Nashville Tele vs Tele vs Strat? Awesome channel. Happy New Year.

[@GuitarBailey]

I have a michael kelly cc50 evolution telecaster with Greg Koch fishman fluence pickups in them and it rocks I picked it over a fender.

[@dancosgrove8645]

Great review, except that is not the ziricote model, it's spalted maple burst. I just bought one and love it. I run it with a Y cord and run the piezo through a Zoom AC3 Acoustic Creator pedal and it really warms up the piezo sound. Only downside is that I'm on my third one. I had to return 2 of them because of a bad pickup switch. Praying the third is the charm. I like the guitar so much that I keep trying.

[@reydelagarza2953]

Ziricote and spalted maple priced the same?

[@guitarnickbluealgroovyrus]

I really appreciate your presentation but you didn't pay much attention to the acoustic sound and I'm interested mainly in it. Could you make another only acoustic demo by plugging it in an acoustic guitar amp?😎💙

[@intheblues]

There’s a reason I didn’t use an acoustic amp. I don’t own one.

[@guitarnickbluealgroovyrus]

@@intheblues 😀✌

[@fiddlix]

Interesting.

[@Rick_Cleland]

Mmmmmm... 🤔🤔🤔

[@ricklee4513]

Happy New Year Shane. Nice sounding guitar. There is no combining both electric and piezo pickups so just wondering if that can be done and what it would sound like. Or is that what the y cable is for?

[@shanewalton8888]

Does the Pieso work with a regular guitar amp or would I have to buy an acoustic amp?

[@intheblues]

It's designed for use with an acoustic amplifier/PA/sound card with a Hi-Z input

[@shanewalton8888]

@@intheblues Thanks Shane.

[@DMSProduktions]

@@shanewalton8888 It will work, but not very well, it won't sound the best! You won't get all the high treble freqs a PA or acoustic amp will put out! (Piezo runs 20-20K! )

[@leonthompson8988]

They have always been great for the money! They used to be made in Korea. I owned 2 and still have 1.

[@reydelagarza2953]

Now made in Indonesia, same quality overall?

[@islandrebelmakeup4653]

If you have both amps on the Y cable, can you still flip the switch to acoustic or electric alone and still get those sounds, but not have to change plugins?

[@raymondsiewert2720]

That is not only a unique looking, but beautiful sounding and versatile guitar. It does so much and really looks great. Approximately how much are those $ 1 k ?

[@timrussellguitar1516]

Sounds great but like a les Paul, it doesn’t stay in tune. Nice guitar. I’d definitely buy one. Thanks Shane.

[@billsmith5054]

Sounds good. Looks wise I think the plastic looking pickups and tone knobs make it look cheap. The should be chrome to match the tuners etc.

[@mrska66]

They're NOT plastic ... They're great looking wood ! 👍😃

[@michaelkhorsandi8623]

Looks great and sounds nice. Quick question, is the top really Ziricote? The top looks like splayed maple to my eye.

[@steverhinefrank5589]

cool guitar. thanks for playing so many styles to give us a good listen. how is the intonation on that bridge ?

[@Umbaharo]

How does it sound acoustically? I’m talking about playing by yourself on the couch.

[@intheblues]

It sounds like a thinline Telecaster or something similar. It's not what I would call a great acoustic sound unplugged. These shine plugged in.

[@jcugnoni]

Very cool guitar ... And review. Thanks and Best Wishes ! Ps: by the way, does it have a center block or is it fully hollow with floating top?

[@DMSProduktions]

I think it's just chambered!

[@timwhite5562]

I think I'm going to get one of these, in 2 years. I'm seeing them for $750-850, but I know that Michael Kelly guitars are extremely soft on the used market. I bought a Tele with a striped ebony top that had their unusual weight relief. It's one of the most resonant Tele bodies I've used, I think I bought the guitar itself for like $300. I like the string through bridge. It has some very Stratty tones to it. The acoustic sounds great, I'm not sure if it's tht guitar or what you're running through.

[@shuster1921]

Mine is 7 years old, so these have been out a while,,,

[@joeurbanowski321]

I’m a new convert to the MK line.. with my MK Patriot Instinct LP model…this might be my next buy.. I’m just not crazy about the 3 way switch on the bottom of the body… having to reach over the strings…

[@studuke1952]

Not earth shattering…in fact looks very similar to a Crafter electric/ electro acoustic I had years ago….but usable if you need to switch sources in a gig situation 👍😎

[@DMSProduktions]

I've heard worse!

[@BobEstremera]

The acoustic sounds a lot like using a Boss AC-3 Acoustic simulator. Would you say that's a fair comparison compared to a real acoustic guitar?

[@RSchannel777]

Excellent video, but the background music made it difficult to some extent to hear the guitar more like I wanted at least. I suggest it's perfectly fine to turn that down by about half. Or whatever it whatever it is another 25%. I haven't read anything else but I sure would like to know your honest opinion of that guitar compared with others like the PRS hollow-body II. It's like, if everybody saying wow this is great, then they play something else like it, wow this is great. It's pointless. My disclaimer is I didn't see the whole video. So if you covered this stuff, great.

[@Cmack6025]

Hey Shane, great demo and playing is smooth. Since you’re a tele guy and have owned and demo’d many have you ever played the MK 1953 Tele? If so how does that compare to fender American reissue, the players series, the squire vintage and the Harley Benton. Can’t break the bank with the American reissue so that’s out. Anyway thanks and great playing as always

[@rich-lf1bm]

I like Michael Kelly

[@pskemster]

Those R the Rockwell Hum buckers in it aren’t they? The aesthetics look quite doable. Is that a bone bridge? Thankx for the share very nice video!

[@qwrtw]

This uses an electric or acoustic guitar strings? Of what gauge?

[@cartermac64]

Nice sounding guitar, the electric sound is so appealing, the acoustic sound reminiscent of an Ovation. The local music shop is advertising these around $1500-2000 which makes it cheaper than the MiM Fender Player Acoustasonic space. Any thoughts of the 2 Shane as a comparison? Great video and now I'm off to the local shop for a try. Cheers

[@45zapatero]

My thoughts exactly. I just ordered one online ( for 695 EUR). Cannot wait to try it. I think the electric guitar side is sounding much better than on the acoustasonic ( real amp, electric strings, no wound g so bending is easier). On the acoustic side only a piezo sound but if you add an IR pedal this might also sound very good.

[@cironicholas526]

I'll take this thing over a Fender Acoustisonic any day of the week

[@michaeltherion7459]

I played one and its good feeling guitar. If I found one in lefty probably would of picked it up

[@RJRonios]

I need HELP! Shayne I need to get my hybrid acoustic side to sound like yours! Does you (or anyone here ) have recommendations on acoustic amps/processing?

[@45zapatero]

There is a youtube video of a player that uses a Fishman Aira 6 and that sounds great.

[@ericglasson7140]

Enjoyable to listen to.

[@calbrockocat8728]

It's a damned beautiful guitar, and having those P90s just makes it extra special. I like my "pots" to work (even though electric guitar makers seem to think it's an afterthought) so a very noticeable change when turning one should be easily discernible. Nice jam track, too, Shane. Your vocabulary on the neck soloing is growing. Well done!

[@45zapatero]

These are humbuckers but they sound a little different indeed ( in a positive way).

[@jonnybeck6723]

Love the look of them humbuckers... ...but are they adjustable? (...yes but can she cook?)

[@rockerz57]

I've had one for ... years. They are direct mounted to the body, so not in the traditional way. You can if you want to get creative, kinda like direct mounted p-90s

[@ronwiegand3152]

How easy it to adjust string height and intonate if required?

[@JPCustomGuitars]

This guitar is way too expensive here in the US. It like $800. For an off brand like Michael Kelly, probably $400-500 is more realistic.

[@charlesbolton8471]

The quality of Michael Kelly products and the fact that they are not made in China more than justify their price point.

[@rvprs22]

@@charlesbolton8471 Totally agree- and the not so small detail of the packed features and versatility.

[@reydelagarza2953]

@@charlesbolton8471 some made now in Indonesia now, now?

[@johnnieguitar5724]

Good video. With no tone controls, the piezo circuit can't compare to my Godin acoustic- electric, so I won't be buying one of these. It would make a good single guitar though for someone who wanted a light humbucking guitar with occasional acoustic/natural guitar sound.

[@JL-bu8bz]

Great demo. Thanks. Good eletric guitar sound. Not so good acoustic guitar sound.

[@dincorcelles]

What gauge of strings does it have?

[@mariorojas3724]

And maybe if you get a tuner....it sounds even better...

[@MLKM4N]

Are you lefty??? Damn yet again I am not alone

[@mikerichardson2177]

Nice how much one of these?

[@Allguitarinfo]

Nice BUT w no intonation at bridge a hard pass for me

[@CWallyMan]

I loved this but has terrible neck dive with me so I didn’t buy it

[@voiceofexperience]

Is this really how 2022 is going to go? 😟

[@timwhite5562]

I like it. It has a Lindsey Buckingham thing going on.

[@mdnasimbhuiyan1894]

Awesome :):):)

[@rayadray9279]

😮

[@650thunderbird]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@richardlynch5632]

Gotta admit...BITCHIN intro😎👍

[@scottharris5652]

I'm wanting so much to say tune that guitar up but I'm not going to.

[@intheblues]

The guitars get tuned every video. If the intonation is off it’s how it is.

[@Tech_NO_Tech]

Nice guitar and nice playing but out of tune when you played acoustic on this guitar.

[@thegreyetch]

Imagine spending money on an acoustasonic when this exists lol.