Sound:
Upon deciding to add an Acoustic Fretless Bass to my guitar collection, I pulled down approx 7 different Fretted & Fretless 4 String & 5 String Acoutics Bass Guitars. Most were pretty good within my budget which I was trying to keep under 1K. I found a Fender Fretted Acoustic Bass that didn't sound too bad and was just about to call it a day when I noticed the MKDF5FL. The Gods must have been smiling because from the moment I started playing it unamplified, people in the room began to take notice and a few actually stopped to take a listen when those very people were not really paying attention before. Even without it being plugged in, this Bass rangout loud & clear. One guy made a Jaco comment and this lady in the room with her son, asked her kid if he'd be interested in something like that. I, along with everyone else in the room became instantly impressed with the 5-String Fretless by Micheal Kelly Draginfly not to mention the beautiful Artwork all over this Axe. I was playing the Natural finish. Then I made the great decision to plug it in for a moment at a low volume and within minutes I found myself talking to the Salesman about pricing and extras. This guitar was going to be mine now all that was left was to haggle over the price a bit. If you are looking for this type of Guitar, look no further than Michael Kelly. Maybe Fretless isn't what you're into but being a Fender Stratocaster Jazz Fusion Guitarist, I now own two of the most awesome little known Acoustics and one is my new Michael Kelly 5 String Fretless Natural Acoustic Bass which I will never ever sell, no matter what.
Feature:
I know everyone is hot on Fishman when it comes to Acoustic Pickups but the first thing I will probably do is see if I can swap these PUs out for a set of Barcus-Berry Pickups providing I can find them. Sorry but Barcus Berry blows fishman away for those who are familiar with them. If I can't, no problem, expect I will most likely need to do some adjustments that I know I wouldn't have to do with the BB Pickups, especially on the Low-B.
Ease of Use:
Providing you have a descent amp system, clean & powerful, for the more experienced Players out there, you know much of what you get is how you play. I pull tremendous tonality from the way I play the strings. I am able to grab harmonics & vibrato in my approach to the instrument and I never use a pick. Please don't put a pic on this quality instrument. Laern to trust your fingers, when you get to a point where you are totally comfortable with your fingers instead of using pics, you will get even better sound than you thought possible. If you can't figure out what sound vs pic/no pic is about, you have much more to learn about stringed instruments.
Quality:
Feels real solid and the Craftmanship is that of a much higher priced instrument. I know this was already mentioned but it really needs to be mentioned again because that statement was right on the money. At first glance, I thought they out the wrong price tag on the Axe because it models of a very high end Acoustic Instrument. This baby you will display proudly and don't be surprised if people are guessing you paid way more than you did. There's nothing about this Guitar that remotely indicates the price being requested for it. I think Michael Kelly is leting these go to build a name and you'd better grab one now because soon, their prices are going up no doubt, just like Taylor did when they popped on the scene.
Value:
Comparing Apples to Apples as they say, see, feel and listen for yourself. Go to your nearest MK Dealer, pull down the 3 most expensive Acoustic Bass Guitars and that will tell the Tale. If you're not comfortable with Fretless yet, play Michael Kelly's Fretted Acoustic Basses ad you'll be sold as I was. If you tell someone you paid $1,500 they would still think you got a great deal.
Manufacturer Support:
Actually, I emailed them to let them know they can add me to their list of Professional Players using one of their products. Not trying to get an endorsement deal but simply to say, I feel like I stole this for what I paid. What ever they're doing, if they're gonna change anything, they might consider looking into the Barcus Berrys as an alternative but I'll fight to keep this baby.
The Wow Factor:
Whoa - Seeing is Believing. Just wait until your White, Blue and Amber Spots are on this Axe. It'll make you smile
Overall:
Since I'm a Six String Guitarist, adding the Bass is merely for recording purpose. I have no intention of adding another bass to my collection so I'm the wrong person to ask this question. I got more than I was hoping to find when I went out to buy a good Bass guitar.
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Sound:
Acoustic sound:
I find that this bass just shines with a well played acoustic guitar! The sound of bronze, wood, and the air between us just sparkles! Just don't expect the monster punch of a good electric bass.
Electric Sound:
Just as you can't tell a book by its cover, you can't tell the sound from a low-res jpg of the product. Don't get me wrong... I LOVE this Bass! Its just that the killer B is more like a squashed B on this bass, due to physical limitations of the pizeo pickups , I suppose. Boosting the low end of the EQ just muddies things a bit. A inner condensor microphone may be able to pick up that low end a bit better.
Live ( Electric ) Sound:
I've only used this at a few gigs, and it gave us a good and clear signal. In fact, I had to turn the volume to about half to compensate for the passive electric I use. The sound check was a bit troublesome getting the levels and EQing correct for both instruments but that was no fault of this instruments. People were a bit stunned to hear all the slides from a bass, though.
Feature:
Its got everything you need right on there! The EQ is handy and the Fishmam PreAmp is a nice touch. The feature of 5 stringedness I love. The feature of fretlessness suits me well from recent dreams. The acousticity leads to easy transport for those parking lot jams and other friendly hangouts.
Quality:
Its beautiful. The finish was free of bumps or visible mistakes in the finish. After a year of regular playing, the only thing I've even had to tighten was the pickup nut.
Value:
This bass has quality sound, playability, and looks on par with basses three times the price.
Manufacturer Support:
I have not needed no stinkin' support.
The Wow Factor:
A fan once told me this is the most beautiful bass guitar she had ever seen. The quilted maple top has a nice deep texture. The inlays on the fretboard are a wonder to behold.
Overall:
If this bass were destroyed, I would not hesitate to replace it.
Its that nice to have available for playing without the asemblage of massive electronic gear piles. This versatile tool has a wide range of applications from acoustic accompaniance to truly mind bending feedback/effect methods currently under secret developement.
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Sound:
It's a good thing, priced well and plays well. I had to adjust the set up a bit to get it right, but once I did it has been great. You have to take some time to learn how to play fretless and proper finger tech for acoustic at the same time. I have recorded with it and loved how it sounded. Recently put some flatwound strings on it that made it sound smooth as silk. It is important to get the amplifier mix right in order to avoid feedback, I have managed to jam pretty loud with no feedback.
Feature:
Everyone tells compliments me on what aweswome looking bass it is and how good it sounds. My band asked me to start playing it exclusively. Good hot Fishman pick-ups. Solid Feel. A better bridge system would be good, but they would have to charge more.
Quality:
Overall it is solid. I had a spilt on a low b pin.
Value:
Great for the money.
Manufacturer Support:
Told the company about the split pin and they rushed one out to me.
The Wow Factor:
I get lots of compliments on it.
2 of 2 people
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Sound:
I LOVE IT!, WHAT MORE CAN I SAY, IVE PLAYED A FEW ACOUSTIC BASS GUITARS AND THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST. FROM SOUND QUALITY TO CRAFTSMENSHIP THIS IS THE BASS FOR ANYONE, ALTHOUGH IF YOU ARE A BEGINNER I RECOMEND A FRETTED BASS. THE SOUND IS BEAUTIFUL EVEN IF YOU ARE PLAYING UNPLUGGED,AND THE ELECTRIC EQ IS GREAT! ADS SOME COOL EFFECTS.ALSO..... THE PICTURE OF THIS GUITAR DOES NOT DO IT JUSTICE!!! THIS THING IS BEAUTIFUL!! EVERYWHERE I GO PEOPLE ARE JUST LOOKIN, I SWEAR THIS IS A TRUE PIECE OF WORK.
Feature:
THIS GUITARS STOCK STRINGS ARE GOOD, BUT I RECCOMEND GETTING A NEW STRING SETUP, FOR SOME REASON THE STRINGS FEEL "STICKY" AND TEND TO BUZZ AND TWANG ALLOT.I REPLACED MY STRINGS AND WAS EVEN HAPPIER WITH THIS PRODUCT. THE FINISH AND WOOD QUALITY IS GREAT ITS SMOOTH BUT UNFORTUNATELY FINGER PRINTS SHOW UP SOOOOO BAD ON THE QUILTED BLACK (THATS WHAT I OWN) BUT STILL ITS PRETTY.
Quality:
GOOD LORD.... I SWEAR THIS WITH OUT A DOUBT THE MOST WELL BUILT BEAUTIFUL GUITAR I HAVE EVER SEEN!! ITS WELL BUILT BUT I BABY MINE FOR FEAR OF A SCRATCH OR DING. WHEN I RECIEVED MY BASS IT WAS PACKAGED WELL AND NOT A SCRATCH ON IT. THIS IS A VERY SOLID GUITAR AS WELL AS LIGHT AND DEPENDABLE. I DO RECCOMEND A HARD CASE!!! I OWN A HARD SHELL CASE AND A GIG BAG BUT HE BAG IS WEAK AND FLIMSY....NOT WORTH THE TROUBLE!! GET A HARD SHELL CASE !!!
Value:
WORTH EVERY PENNY! THIS IS A WELL ROUNDED BASS WITH MANY GOOD FEATURES, ITS FLAWS ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN!!
Manufacturer Support:
I HAVE NOT HAD TO DEAL WIHT THE COMPANY AT ALL.
The Wow Factor:
ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT WHEN I PLAY......ITS PANTIES AND ROSES TROWN ON STAGE.....NOT VEGITABLES....
Overall:
I THINK THIS GUITAR IS DEPENDABLE AND WILL BE THE HEAD OF MY BASS ARSINAL FOR AWHILE
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