Michael Kelly Guitars Teams with Iconic Luthier Rick Turner

(PRESS RELEASE): Michael Kelly Guitars has been selected by industry veteran Rick Turner to debut a licensed line of his Renaissance guitars and basses.  The new line will debut at the Summer NAMM trade show and begin shipping worldwide in September.  The collaboration is exemplary of the “Boutique Within Reach” motto of Michael Kelly Guitars and Turner’s in demand designs.  With a back log of orders and a desire to bring his designs within reach of the masses, he has aligned himself with Michael Kelly Guitars for their attention to quality and reputable network of dealers and distributors worldwide.

Often referred to as “The Father of Boutique Guitars,” Rick Turner’s contribution to musical instruments and pro sound may not be known to the general public, but his results have definitely been heard.  He started as an apprentice repairing guitars with occasional coffeehouse gigs in Boston, growing into an established folk guitarist in Greenwich Village.  That success led to a trip out West where he begins repairing instruments for the Grateful Dead.  His ingenuity contributes to the formation of a company that is focused on maximizing the live sound and instruments of the Grateful Dead shows.  After fine tuning 125,000 watts of power delivering impeccable sound to 450 drivers, his focus is redirected back to guitars where he found himself in the studio with Fleetwood Mac for the Rumours sessions.    The iconic Model One guitar played by Lindsey Buckingham stemmed from those sessions and became the blueprint for Rick Turner guitars.  Turner’s dedication and study of quality sound ultimately led to the creation of the

D-TAR wavelength - an acoustic system utilizing a piezo pickup, a condenser mic, and an 18 volt preamp specifically designed to improve the quality of tone and performance of acoustic instruments in live situations.  Turner’s incorporation of the D-TAR system into his handmade and licensed Renaissance guitars is what makes these guitars unique and highly sought after.

The new line includes three distinct models: the MKS6SB steel string acoustic guitar, the MKN6CN nylon string guitar and the MKB4SB four string bass. 

All three models are chambered acoustic instruments with the following specs:

MKS6SB - MK Rick Turner Licensed Steel String Guitar (see above image)

• Neck Material - Mahogany
• Neck Finish - Natural Satin
• Nut Material - Bone
• Fretboard Material - Rosewood
• Scale Length - 25.5"
• Body Shape - Turner Renaissance
• Top Material - Okoumé
• Body Material - Okoumé w/ Abalone Purfling
• Center Block Material - Mahogany
• Bridge - Rick Turner Design w/ 7 degree saddle tilt - Strings through body
• Electronics - USA made Seymour Duncan/Rick Turner D-TAR System
• Finish - High Gloss Sunburst

MKN6CN - MK Rick Turner Licensed Nylon String Guitar

• Neck Material - Mahogany
• Neck Finish - Natural Satin
• Nut Material - Bone
• Fretboard Material - Rosewood
• Scale Length - 25.5"
• Body Shape - Turner Renaissance
• Top Material - Cedar
• Body Material - Okoumé w/ Black ABS Binding
• Center Block Material - Mahogany
• Bridge - Rick Turner Design Classical 12-Hole Tie Block w/ 7 degree saddle tilt - Strings through body
• Electronics - USA made Seymour Duncan/Rick Turner D-TAR System
• Finish - High Gloss Natural

MKB4SB - MK Rick Turner Licensed 4 String  Bass

• Neck Material - Mahogany
• Neck Finish - Natural Satin
• Nut Material - Bone
• Fretboard Material - Rosewood
• Scale Length - 34"
• Body Shape - Turner Renaissance
• Top Material - Okoumé
• Body Material - Okoumé w/ Abalone Purfling
• Center Block Material - Mahogany
• Bridge - Rick Turner Design w/ 7 degree saddle tilt - Strings through body
• Electronics - USA made Seymour Duncan/Rick Turner D-TAR System
• Finish - High Gloss Sunburst