Michael Kelly Introduces The Legend Custom And Legend Flame Acoustic Guitars

Michael Kelly has taken the veil off its all-new category topping Legend Series acoustic guitars. Built with a no-compromises approach, the Legend Series was designed to be the pinnacle of the Michael Kelly acoustic line. There are two models in the Legend Series, the Legend Custom and Legend Flame. "Built on sound," both models feature a solid spruce top with prewar X-style hand scalloped bracing and gorgeous solid wood sides and backs; the Legend Custom in warm and punchy solid rosewood and the Legend Flame in bright and balanced solid flame maple. The Legend Flame is bordered in multi-ply flame maple and abalone binding and is equipped with Grover's Butterbean tuners, while the Legend Custom is bound in multi-ply abalone and white synthetic binding. The Legend Custom is equipped with reliable Grover tuners. Ebony fretboards, abalone hexagon inlays and abalone rosettes round out the features on these striking acoustics.

Each model is available with or without an onboard pre-amp and pickup. Fishman, the leader in acoustic amplification, was chosen to provide the power to the amplified Legend models. The Legend Custom E and Legend Flame E both come equipped with Fishman's finest - the Prefix Premium Blender preamp. Standard on the Prefix Premium Blend is Fishman's acclaimed Acoustic Matrix under-saddle pickup along with a miniature gooseneck internal microphone. This combination allows a blended tone that is powerful, cohesive and deeper than either a microphone or pickup alone. The Premium Blend's preamp module also incorporates traditional shelving-style bass and treble controls plus a semi-parametric "Contour" EQ to shape the Legend E's tone exactly the way you want it. With the flip of a switch, you can choose between stereo or mono signal paths for the system's pickup and microphone, expanding your options for routing both signals. Rounding out this amazing preamp is a phase switch and adjustable notch filter which both help fight feedback.

Renowned singer/songwriter Ellis Paul will soon be playing Michael Kelly's Legend acoustic guitars exclusively.

Ellis Paul is one of the leading names in the modern day singer-songwriter/folk world. His charismatic, personally authentic performance style has influenced a generation of folk-popsters away from the posturing artifice of pop, and closer towards the unpretentious realness of folk. Though he remains among the most pop-friendly of today's singer-songwriters - his songs regularly appear in hit movie and TV soundtracks - he has bridged the gulf between the modern folk sound and the populist traditions of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger more successfully than perhaps any of his songwriting peers.

Built in limited numbers, the Legend Series will initially be available beginning in April, 2006. Manufacturer's retail prices are set at $1,420 - $1,950.

Legend Custom E

CONSTRUCTION: Set-neck

BACK: Solid rosewood

SIDES: Solid rosewood

TOP: Solid spruce

NECK: Mahogany

NECK REINFORCEMENT: Adjustable truss rod

BRACING: Hand scalloped

FRETBOARD: Ebony

NUT: Bone

SIDE BINDING: White three-ply plastic

TOP BINDING: Abalone five-ply

INLAY: Abalone hexagon block

SOUND HOLE: Solid abalone inlay

BRIDGE: Michael Kelly rosewood acoustic bridge

TUNERS: Grover

PICKUPS: Acoustic under saddle and internal mic with blender

ELECTRONICS: Fishman Prefix Premium Blend pre-amp w/tuner

STRINGS: D'Addario

HARDWARE: Gold

FINISH: Gloss natural

Legend Flame E

CONSTRUCTION: Set-neck

BACK: Solid flame maple

SIDES: Solid flame maple

TOP: Solid spruce

NECK: Mahogany

NECK REINFORCEMENT: Adjustable truss rod

BRACING: Hand scalloped

FRETBOARD: Ebony

NUT: Bone

SIDE BINDING: Four-ply solid flame maple and plastic

TOP BINDING: Abalone five-ply

INLAY: Abalone hexagon block

SOUND HOLE: Solid abalone inlay

BRIDGE: Michael Kelly rosewood acoustic bridge

TUNERS: Grover Butterbean

PICKUPS: Acoustic under saddle and internal mic with blender

ELECTRONICS: Fishman Prefix Premium Blend pre-amp w/ tuner

STRINGS: D'Addario

HARDWARE: Gold

FINISH: Gloss natural