Calling Kelly owners.

[Spivonious]

+1 on the comment that it's smaller than you'd think.

Great fret access up to 22...a little hard to reach 24 on my bolt-on, but I rarely go up that high anyway.

My strap button came located where the neck plate would be. No neck dive issues, but the body wants to lean away from me.

The neck feels thinner than other Jacksons to me. Almost Ibanez thin.

My Kelly Std sounds absolutely killer with the Distortion in the bridge.

[Ben...]

Neck access is not a problem, balance isn't an issue for me either. I love the kelly models.

That picture is really good for showing how much bigger the King Kelly size is compared to a regular one. That 25th Anniversary King Kelly is noticeably bigger.

[Confessor Townsend]

Thanks for the input folks, it's given me a lot to think about (especially since I'm 6' 4" ish as well).

[BeholdTheFallen]

Heres mine, As far as playing sitting down goes I personally prefer to have the neck at some what of an angle (almost 45degrees sitting and standing) and my kelly kind of prevents that unless i adjust the strap. I dont know what it is exactly but the roundness of the bottom kinda slides on my non resting thigh in the classical position until the neck is at an almost vertical position. This might just be my problem but Id rather play a RR or even a Warrior when sitting. Other than that I absolutely love my KE-2 its easily my favorite and will be until I order a custom

[BenoA]

What are they like to play for extended periods? Bear in mind I practice classical-style so the guitar rests on my left leg. I imagine the rear horn is quite useful for resting on.

Upper-fret access, good, bad or ugly? The search on this seemed to be divided into two camps.

Kelly rocks!!!

Only a JS30 owner (please guys don't flame!!!). But to get a fix bridge model, it's eaither the JS30 or a custom shop... And I don't have the $ for the higher model. Anyway, my cheapo Kelly plays as good (if not better) as some of my more expensive guitars.

So back to your question.

I also practice classical style and you will not have any problem using a Kelly that way. And yes, the rear big fin is quite useful for resting. When playing standing up, I hold my guitar quite high and like to anchor my right forearm on the big fin.

As for upper fret access. I got small hands and up to the 22nd it is very easy, but I would say that to reach the 24th, it's a bit more difficult than on my Ibanez RG.

hope it helps.

[shreddermon]

+1 to the comments about neck diving not be a significant issue, as well as upper fret access to the 22nd being fine. Going to the 24th can be a stretch if you have big hands, like mine. Not anything that would stop me from buying one, though.

Kellys are killer guitars. By far my favorites Jackson body style outside of the Strat/Dinky/Soloist genre.

[Jayster]

Jayster - More pics of the yellow hrf please as you yanks say, it is the shit!

My KE2 seemed to want to slide down until the neck was almost parallel to the ground. Levantin, you have the guitar in this position in your photo. If you like the guitar in this position, the guitar will seem perfectly balanced for you.

AW - you may be on to something with your theory. While I'm not 'parallel to the ground', I'm also not at 45 degrees either ~

[BenoA]

+1 to the comments about neck diving not be a significant issue

Forgot about this one! Make it +2

Jayster, you got a bunch of nice Kellys!

[Brian]

I noticed on the newer production model Kellys that they moved the rear strap pin further back.



Wonder if this corrects some of the balance issues.

[straycat]

My 85 has the strap button up high like that.

[guitarist1993]

My kelly had the previously described, "Gibson neck dive", where the headstock went straight to the floor. It is easily fixed though. I don't think it sits well for classical style, mine always slips off my right leg and hits the floor.

Upper fret access is great though

[BenoA]

I don't think it sits well for classical style, mine always slips off my right leg and hits the floor.

As said previously, no problem playing classical style. Do you have a "slippery leg"??? :ROTF:

[toejam]

I don't think it sits well for classical style, mine always slips off my right leg and hits the floor.

If you're playing classical style, the guitar would be on your left leg, not your right leg.

[Jayster]

If you're playing classical style, the guitar would be on your left leg, not your right leg.

Yeah, but what if he's left handed

[toejam]

Good point! :ROTF: