Slideman1939 - Posted - 02/21/2009:  10:29:13

I had purchased and was very pleased with Michael Kelly Bayou DELUXE.There are 3 DELUXE choices all based on QUILTED maple--a transparent black stain, a "Walnut" stain, and a Hickory sunburst (red-yellow).It is/was gorgeous with grover tuners, quarterman cone, bone nut AND BONE BRIDGES, and heavy fingerboard inlay. I recently learned they plan to discontinue reso production.Michael Kelly sells big numbers on Mandolins and electric guitars, but presumably their reso sales never took off.Great sound/ great quality for the price.List is $1010 /musician's Choice catalog $699.Since they are producing no more, the availability is current U.S. existing stocks--some models sold out. So IF you can get one now is the time.I have no familiarty with their lower level resos (Bayou) but the upper end (Bayou DELUXE) is a gorgeous piece of goods with a big deep body depth of 3 and 7/8 inches and a great tone.It is a shame they weren't more patient in developing their reso market.their withdrawal from the market is regretable.I'm glad I got MY Bayou Deluxe when I did.It's my favorite of 3 dobros owned.Their website lists local retailers--if there are any left.

Brad Bechtel - Posted - 02/22/2009:  09:03:59

That's interesting gossip. I see that they still offer one model Bayou E resonator guitar on their web site (michaelkellyguitars.com/bayou_e.html), but there is no mention of the Bayou or Bayou Deluxe models. They were competing against the Gold Tone Paul Beard and Wechter Scheerhorn models but in a slightly higher price range. I never saw much information about their guitars anywhere, even in the dealers close to where I live who are listed on their web site.

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Brad''s Page of Steel:
well.com/user/wellvis/steel.html
A web site devoted to electric and acoustic lap steel guitars

Edited by - Brad Bechtel on 02/22/2009 09:05:31

SlimPickins - Posted - 02/23/2009:  13:08:44

If you hold your cursor over the 'Resonators' link, it opens up into the four different kinds - Bayou and Bayou Deluxe included. They seem really nice, but I've never played one.

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Life''s too short - sit back, relax, and enjoy the music!

-Brent