Michael Kelly 1953 S/S Maple Fretboard Electric Guitar, Spalted Maple

The Michael Kelly 1953 Electric Guitar seamlessly blends classic 1950s-inspired design with contemporary performance enhancements, making it a remarkable choice for guitarists seeking both style and sonic versatility. With its alder body capped by a stunning flame maple top, the 1953 delivers both visual elegance and a resonant, balanced tone that appeals to players of blues, rock, country, and more. The classic silhouette and refined contours reflect a vintage aesthetic, yet the instrument’s playability and build quality stand firmly in the modern era.

At the heart of this guitar’s tonal prowess is the unique Michael Kelly Quad Mod circuitry, which expands your sound palette beyond traditional pickup settings. While typical two-pickup guitars offer three selector positions, the 1953 includes a 4-way blade switch that unlocks series wiring between the neck and bridge pickups, resulting in a rich, humbucker-like tone ideal for solos and thick rhythm parts. Alongside its Rockfield TexPlus single-coil pickups, players can produce everything from chimey cleans to punchy, overdriven tones without compromising clarity.

Crafted with player comfort and durability in mind, the 1953 features a bolt-on maple neck with a Modern C profile and smooth 10.5" fretboard radius that suits a wide range of playing styles. The medium jumbo frets and ergonomic neck shape encourage effortless playability up and down the neck while maintaining classic feel. Chromed hardware and traditional bridge hardware not only enhance visual appeal but also ensure reliable tuning and performance. Whether you’re recording in the studio or rocking a live set, the Michael Kelly 1953 brings iconic style, modern functionality, and expressive tone to your hands.

Key Features

• Flame maple capped alder body for balanced tone and vintage aesthetics
• Quad Mod electronics with 4-way blade switch for expanded tonal options
• Rockfield TexPlus single-coil pickups with unique series mode
• Bolt-on maple neck with Modern C profile for comfortable playability
• 10.5" fretboard radius with 22 medium jumbo frets
• Chromed tuning keys and traditional bridge hardware
• D’Addario EXL110 (.010-.046) strings included

Technical Specifications

Body
Top: Flame Maple
Body: Alder
Binding: Alder
Construction: Bolt On

Neck
Neck: Maple
Fretboard: Macassar Ebony (Blue Jean Wash model has Maple fretboard)
Fretboard Radius: 10.5"
Number of Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo
Inlays: Dots
Headstock: 1950 style
Scale Length: 25.5 in / 647.7 mm (~25.5")
Truss Rod Type: Dual Action
Neck Profile: Modern C
Nut Material: Bone
Nut Width: ~1.69" (43mm)
Strings: D'Addario EXL110 (.010-.046)

Electronics
Boutique Mod: Quad Mod (models made after April 2016)
Controls: Master volume, master tone, 4-way blade switch (position #4 gives Neck & Bridge in series for a humbucker-like tone)
Neck Pickup: Rockfield TexPlus Single-Coil (Alnico V Magnet, 9.5k DC Resistance)
Bridge Pickup: Rockfield TexPlus Single-Coil (Alnico V Magnet, 10.5k DC Resistance)

Hardware
Hardware Finish: Chrome
Tuning Keys: Die Cast
Bridge Type: Traditional

What’s Included

Michael Kelly 1953 Electric Guitar with factory-installed strings and standard hardware as listed above. Case or gig bag sold separately.