#1
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Full Sized Kevin Michael Guitar Revealed!
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#2
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I posted about this down below. The Sable looks nice but I'm disappointed they didn't release a MG 4.5 or 5.0 sized instrument. 16" wide, I guess I'll be waiting to purchase a Kevin Michael guitar. I've compared the regular McPherson MG to the Camrielle and I vastly prefer the sound of the larger 16" wide MG. It was night and day difference to me.
Last edited by SuperB23; 01-25-2016 at 06:52 PM. |
#3
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Me too.
I'm guessing the Sable will be $500-1000 more than their travel model. Unfortunate, because I think they're pricing themselves out of being a real competitor in the CF world. It's already an uphill battle against much more established/proven CF builders (with generally lower price-points). Unless they have ground-breakingly good tone for composite guitars, I don't really "get" KM. Pro: • Cantilevered fretboard. To me, this is the main thing that makes it stand apart from more affordable alternatives. • (Faux) binding. Binding is missing from most/all other CF guitars. It's a nice aesthetic touch. Cons: • No truss rod. • The headstock logo feels kind of budget logo-designer services, and doesn't (to me) reflect its high price tag. • Other than the binding, it's aesthetically appointed like budget satin/textured CF competitors. • The bridge shape and its plastic-look texture... • The Ovationish texture of the back/sides. • The back (inside) shows casting marks? Injection-molded back? I Googled and see that they call it their own injection-molded carbon fiber, but what is that? From what I understand, that means it's carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic. (And if so, let's talk about that price.) • From the appearance, I'm assuming that the neck is injection-molded CF/thermoplastic too? • The neck and inside-back has the unfortunate appearance of recycled-plastic furniture. • That bracing inside their travel model looks really rough. Yikes...sorry if I broke some negativity rule on AGF! Haha. Just thinking out loud. I've no doubt they're nicely made (other than that bracing). I know there are huge start-up costs and risks involved in entering the composite market...but aside from offending my aesthetic tastes, it seems like they're comparatively at the wrong price-point. While other builders are starting with CF cloth, KM appears to cut their tops from rigid sheets of CF, then pair them with an injection-molded back and neck (which I think is likely CF-reinforced thermoplastic). Someone set me straight. |
#4
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Thought the KM travel was a very nice guitar but I really didn't want that size. Seemed pretty quality to me and sounded great. I'd have to play it but the "Soft V-neck Profile", certainly would compete well with the N2 for some of us. Truss rod shouldn't be an issue they don't put truss rods in their $12,000 wood guitars! I like the intermediate size that's a full scale neck. Price point is a tough one? See where it comes in. To me it's Ellis taking the CA to the next level. The bottom line to the injection molding is how it sounds. Ellis's guitars sounded more wood like, that will be the test. When I played it I remember thinking it was the best neck I had ever played on a CF.
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Steve 2020 McKnight Grand Recording - Cedar Top 2005 McKnight SS Dred 2001 Michael Keller Koa Baby 2014 Godin Inuk 2012 Deering B6 Openback Banjo 2012 Emerald Acoustic Doubleneck 2012 Rainsong JM1000 Black Ice 2009 Wechter Pathmaker 9600 LTD 1982 Yairi D-87 Doubleneck 1987 Ovation Collectors 1993 Ovation Collectors 1967 J-45 Gibson 1974 20th Annivers. Les Paul Custom Last edited by Doubleneck; 01-22-2016 at 07:29 AM. |
#5
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The Sable will have a $3000 street price, an all new models will be marked "by McPherson" which will help explain the price I think. Here's Helene with our rep.
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#6
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Quote:
Though materials and methods matter more to me than the name. Speaking of, who is Kevin Michael? Ellis'son? Looks good in the pic. How's it sound? |
#7
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I think it was McPherson's son
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Steve 2020 McKnight Grand Recording - Cedar Top 2005 McKnight SS Dred 2001 Michael Keller Koa Baby 2014 Godin Inuk 2012 Deering B6 Openback Banjo 2012 Emerald Acoustic Doubleneck 2012 Rainsong JM1000 Black Ice 2009 Wechter Pathmaker 9600 LTD 1982 Yairi D-87 Doubleneck 1987 Ovation Collectors 1993 Ovation Collectors 1967 J-45 Gibson 1974 20th Annivers. Les Paul Custom |
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For me it would be $3000.00 plus the cost of ripping out and replacing the Baggs Element unless they offer one without electronics.
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#9
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Looks like no barn door, need to look at the positive. No barn door makes it more flexible to add a condensor mic or a K&K and a take it out through a stereo jack to a blender?
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Steve 2020 McKnight Grand Recording - Cedar Top 2005 McKnight SS Dred 2001 Michael Keller Koa Baby 2014 Godin Inuk 2012 Deering B6 Openback Banjo 2012 Emerald Acoustic Doubleneck 2012 Rainsong JM1000 Black Ice 2009 Wechter Pathmaker 9600 LTD 1982 Yairi D-87 Doubleneck 1987 Ovation Collectors 1993 Ovation Collectors 1967 J-45 Gibson 1974 20th Annivers. Les Paul Custom Last edited by Doubleneck; 01-23-2016 at 09:00 AM. |
#10
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I am actually very happy with the size choice as I much prefer OM/GA size on guitars.....hopefully they clean up the guitar a bit more for 3k on finish and fit. Looking forward to trying one out and hoping for something special.
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David K. Taylor 424ce SL Emerald X20 purple weave Emerald X20 gold weave Taylor NS34ce Taylor T5X Composite Acoustic OX Raw (Peavey) Rainsong OM Breedlove Pro C25/CRH Prestige Eclipse Spruce/Mahogany Voyage Air VAOM-1C (2) Baden D style Mahogany Journey Instruments Spruce/Mahogany Journey Instruments OF660 Recording King ROA-9 Bakersfield Limited Mogabi 200 |
#11
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YUP.... Emerald: X-20, Center hole X-10 (Maple) and X-7 (redwood), Spalted Chen Chen X 10 level 3, CA: Early OX and Cargo McPherson: Early Kevin Michael Proto Some wood things by Epi, Harmony, Takamine, Good Time, PRS, Slick, Gypsy Music, keyboards, wind controllers.. etc |
#12
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I wonder why no SS frets. I assume the smaller version has nickel too. I prefer SS.
Though I've never played one, McPherson wood guitars are certainly well-regarded, but their look doesn't appeal to me. The shape and positioning of the soundhole is unattractive to me. Same for the KM CF versions. My favorite shape and positioning of offset soundholes on CF guitars is on Emeralds and CAs. Not fond of the circular OS on RainSongs either. Jmo.
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Tom '21 Martin D-18 Standard | '02 Taylor 814c | '18 Taylor 214ceDLX | '18 Taylor 150e-12 | '78 Ibanez Dread (First acoustic) | '08 CA Cargo | '02 Fender Strat American '57 RI My original songs Last edited by Acousticado; 01-23-2016 at 09:51 PM. |
#13
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I think the soundhole is positioned to take advantage of a X brace that runs the about the entire length of the guitar. And also to take advantage of the cantilevered fretboard. Ellis was the first to brace carbon guitars similarly to wood guitars not for strength but for sound. Many others have added layers to achieve that effect. I assume the Kevin Michael is using a form of this bracing. Ted commented that the guitar sounded very wood like, which would be its major selling point. Ellis at his best. I think the other point will be the neck profile and the exactness of setup. They are including two saddles one for medium and one for low action. That is a great touch, also shows the confidence they have in the precision of their neck angle. Wish I lived closer to Teds store, doubt I will see one in Ohio?
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Steve 2020 McKnight Grand Recording - Cedar Top 2005 McKnight SS Dred 2001 Michael Keller Koa Baby 2014 Godin Inuk 2012 Deering B6 Openback Banjo 2012 Emerald Acoustic Doubleneck 2012 Rainsong JM1000 Black Ice 2009 Wechter Pathmaker 9600 LTD 1982 Yairi D-87 Doubleneck 1987 Ovation Collectors 1993 Ovation Collectors 1967 J-45 Gibson 1974 20th Annivers. Les Paul Custom Last edited by Doubleneck; 01-26-2016 at 05:45 AM. |
#14
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Quote:
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Tom '21 Martin D-18 Standard | '02 Taylor 814c | '18 Taylor 214ceDLX | '18 Taylor 150e-12 | '78 Ibanez Dread (First acoustic) | '08 CA Cargo | '02 Fender Strat American '57 RI My original songs |
#15
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Played the two Sables at my local dealer and it is fantastic strummed or picked. I especially love the high end trebles on these instruments. Including a link to photos, check it out:
http://www.bernardgodfreyguitars.com...f230b3a0f3b07b Here's a shot I took when there that provides some perspective in size to the Touring: And here are two Sables together:
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