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Anyone familar with Michael Kelly acoustic basses?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by dogwillhunt80, Apr 17, 2012.

  1. Apr 17, 2012 #1
    dogwillhunt80

    dogwillhunt80

    Apr 13, 2012
    I am considering buying a Michael Kelly fretless Dragonfly acoustic bass.

    There is one that I am looking to purchase that is Korean-made.

    Are these particular MK basses normally made in Korea? If not, is there a difference in quality to......American-made Dragonfly basses (or wherever they are normally made)? I ask because the asking price is quite lower than I expected and it is in mint condition.

    Please help. Thanks.
     
  2. Apr 17, 2012 #2
    coreyfyfe

    coreyfyfe Supporting Member

    Nov 19, 2007
    boston, ma
    As far as i know they've always been made in korea. I had a dragonfly II fretless 5er when they came out a few years ago (probably like 6 or 7 years now). It played pretty nicely, I put some heavier gauge nylon tapewounds on and they didn't fit the nut. The neck was decent but I've seen a lot of people say they had some trouble with big deadspots. Eventually I had an issue with the bridge lifting and ended up selling the bass.
     
  3. Apr 17, 2012 #3
    lowfreq33

    lowfreq33

    Jan 27, 2010
    Nashville
    Endorsing Artist: Genz Benz Amplification
    They play ok, sound pretty good plugged in. Acoustically they're ok, but won't really keep up volume wise with an acoustic guitar.
     
  4. Apr 17, 2012 #4
    bass32

    bass32

    Jan 30, 2012
    Oklahoma
    I've owned a MK Firefly 5 string for about 6 months. I really like it. Low action with some minor fret buzz, but only when playing above the 12th fret. A neck adjustment should take care of it I'm sure.
    I bought it mainly for quiet practice at the house. Unplugged volume isn't that great, but most basses in this price range aren't. I have played with one acoustic guitar and did alright.
    Sound quality is pretty good unplugged and fantastic when plugged in.
    I haven't noticed any deadspots and so far the bridge is okay.
    Overall I would say it's an easy playing bass with good sound quality.

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
    [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  5. Apr 17, 2012 #5
    TheFantod

    TheFantod #5 of the Pentaverate. Took Col. Sanders' spot.

    Aug 7, 2009
    Eastern N.C.
    Very interesting...I have a 4 string fretted Dragonfly that I bought about 4 years ago, and it was made in China. I know there was a short period where they were hard to find. Perhaps it was during this time that they moved from China to Korea?

    Regardless, I have to echo what most say about all ABG's. They're nice for noodling around and playing on the front porch, but there is no way they can keep up with an acoustic guitar, volume wise.
     
  6. Apr 21, 2012 #6
    gnarlyopossum

    gnarlyopossum

    Feb 4, 2008
    Mason City, IA
    I am borrowing a 5er Firefly Fretless from my uncle. Tapewound strings play really well. Good bottom end and a fairly decent upright-esque tone unplugged. I don't know about the plugged in tone, but I'll find out at church tomorrow. I really enjoy playing it. Sometimes, I get distracted by the inlays. Haha
     
  7. Apr 21, 2012 #7
    Mitchinboxer

    Mitchinboxer

    Jan 25, 2012
    They sound realllly good plugged in, but as has been said, can't keep up with an acoustic guitar. The best use is to play a nice little compact acoustic show with it miced, or just a DI box.
     
  8. Jul 30, 2014 #8
    Lavrans

    Lavrans

    Jun 16, 2011
    Cambridge MA
    What's the string scale?