Review of Michael Kelly Dragonfly Fretless 5

[spectorbassguy]

Well I've had her for a week now. For $520.00 I can't believe the quality of this instrument. The inlays and finish are stunning! (Even the brand name is inlaid!) Beautiful maple top with a high gloss finish. Almost gave up on it after a few days because I couldn't stop the buzzing, then I noticed the little allen wrench in the case. My first acoustic instrument so I didn't know that there was a TRUSS ROD in the neck - Hello!!! McFly!!!

Oh yeah I've got her set up with E-B group 4 flats and it really mimics the upright sound quite well with some EQ tweaking. The low B is only about 2/3 the volume of the other strings so I don't use it too often or just hit it really hard. I'm sure that the 4 string version would be great too!

I'll try to post pics in the next few days. I sure wish Ernie Ball made acoustic basses!

 

[TSanders]

well, where are the pics??

 

[Dargin]

We used to make acoustic instruments in the 1970's. The company's name was Earthwood.

 

[bovinehost]

When I moved to Houston in '76, I went to a local music store for something and there was the WEIRDEST bass I'd ever seen. This big, fat, thick acoustic bass.

I said to myself, "Surely this can not be right."

It looked like a guitarron or something. It was just....odd.

But as a bassist, I had to pick it up and thump it a bit, and it was, I thought, pretty cool - but what would I use it for? I was in some psycho-neurotic punk-jazz ensemble at the time....Primus before Primus existed, sorta.

We were amazingly unpopular.

So I passed on the Earthwood. Wish I had one now, though, and I am NOT a fan of acoustic basses. They really kicked ass.

 

[Psychicpet]

Good to hear T, as to the quiet B, the Rob Allen that I played a couple weeks ago had a quiet B too so don't feel it's a budgetary thing, it sounds like it might be a trend with acoustic 5s. Congrats though on the addition to the tool belt!

 

[dlloyd]

We used to make acoustic instruments in the 1970's. The company's name was Earthwood.

Yow!

 

[Morrow]

....holy crap. That looks massive, and I thought the Ox was a fair sized guy

 

[pookeymp]

Congratulations on that Michael Kelly. I've actually been debating on whether or not to go for the Michael Kelly (I haven't seen it in person...but the inlay work looks great from what I can see) or the semi-hollow Godin A5.

The funny thing is, I have a solid body 5-string Samik with a quiet B. The pickups are non-adjustable, so I can't get them any closer on the "B" side, but their height is consistent throughout all the strings. I took it back to the dealer, and he nor the factory could come up with any solution for me. Oh well.

Anyway, enjoy that bass, man. It's always good hearing first-hand reviews. Any feedback issues (beyond the norm with an acoustic) at higher volumes?

Mikey/

 

[nismaniac]

well, where are the pics??

yeah, hurry up with the pics. I have wondered if these were good basses. I'm glad to hear that you like it. They sure do look good in pictures and the price is very good as well. I might have to look into one of these sometime.

 

[Psychicpet]

Yow!

I thought you said that you guys used to make acoustic basses back in the day not CANOES!!!!!
That thing is huge, those of us with a more, how shall I say, Fred Flintstone-esque stature would be screwed trying to play that thing

 

[dlloyd]

I thought you said that you guys used to make acoustic basses back in the day not CANOES!!!!!
That thing is huge, those of us with a more, how shall I say, Fred Flintstone-esque stature would be screwed trying to play that thing

Damn right... I wouldn't be able to reach the strings!

 

[Dargin]

We actually even made a larger bass than the one featured in that picture. It was based on a guitarron, but with a standard sized neck. I can tell you guys that the Earthwood bass hits deeper and louder than any acoustic you've probably ever listened to. We also made excellent acoustic guitars!

 

[spectorbassguy]

Congratulations on that Michael Kelly. I've actually been debating on whether or not to go for the Michael Kelly (I haven't seen it in person...but the inlay work looks great from what I can see) or the semi-hollow Godin A5.

The funny thing is, I have a solid body 5-string Samik with a quiet B. The pickups are non-adjustable, so I can't get them any closer on the "B" side, but their height is consistent throughout all the strings. I took it back to the dealer, and he nor the factory could come up with any solution for me. Oh well.

Anyway, enjoy that bass, man. It's always good hearing first-hand reviews. Any feedback issues (beyond the norm with an acoustic) at higher volumes?

Mikey/

Mikey I was GREATLY impressed when I opened the case. The finish is absolutely gorgeous. Been raining/overcast here for past week so so I may need to take some indoor shots of the finish and inlays.

Re: feedback - If you have it cranked real loud and hold a note for a long time certain freqs depending on the room will begin to rumble or howl, but overall it is very easy to control - I am really pleased with it.

 

[spectorbassguy]

Yow!

Holy Lumber!!!

 

[pookeymp]

Very cool...thanks for the info. You might be swaying me towards that DragonFly.

Mikey/

 

[Psychicpet]

We actually even made a larger bass than the one featured in that picture. It was based on a guitarron, but with a standard sized neck. I can tell you guys that the Earthwood bass hits deeper and louder than any acoustic you've probably ever listened to. We also made excellent acoustic guitars!

...any plans to reintroduce such lumber in the near future???

 

[Dargin]

...any plans to reintroduce such lumber in the near future???

There's a better chance of Bush and Kerry holding hands singing "Cumbaya" than us making Earthwood's again.

 

[Psychicpet]

Lol!

 

[Morrow]

We actually even made a larger bass than the one featured in that picture. It was based on a guitarron, but with a standard sized neck. I can tell you guys that the Earthwood bass hits deeper and louder than any acoustic you've probably ever listened to. We also made excellent acoustic guitars!

you know....after looking at the picture......I believe you
never saw one around here though

 

[spectorbassguy]

Very cool...thanks for the info. You might be swaying me towards that DragonFly.

Mikey/

Wait 'til I post pics......