Michael Kelly Patriot Decree SB Lefty Faded Black Electric Guitar

Built for left-handed players. Lightweight slim-body construction. Dual Rockfield humbuckers. Eight pickup configurations. A modern single-cut electric guitar designed for comfort, versatility and expressive performance.

The Michael Kelly Patriot Decree SB Lefty Faded Black is a left-handed solid-body electric guitar designed for musicians who want the visual presence of a single-cut instrument without unnecessary body weight—and considerably more tonal flexibility than a conventional dual-humbucker setup.

Built specifically for left-handed guitarists, the Patriot Decree SB combines a slim mahogany body with an exotic sungkai top and an understated Faded Black open-pore satin finish.

The open-pore treatment allows the natural texture of the wood to remain part of the guitar's appearance, creating an organic alternative to a traditional high-gloss black finish.

Underneath that distinctive exterior is Michael Kelly's Great 8 Mod.

Two Rockfield SWC humbuckers provide the foundation, while two individual mini-toggle coil-split switches and a traditional 3-way pickup selector provide access to eight pickup configurations.

That means one left-handed guitar can move between full humbucker sounds and additional split-coil textures without requiring a complicated control system.

Add a set-in mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard, Modern C profile, 22 medium-jumbo frets, 24.75" scale, contoured heel, Tune-O-Matic bridge, string-through-body construction and Grover tuners, and the Patriot Decree SB Lefty becomes a versatile instrument for rock, blues, alternative, pop, worship, recording, rehearsal and live performance.

How Does the Michael Kelly Patriot Decree SB Lefty Work?

The Patriot Decree SB Lefty is a solid-body electric guitar designed specifically for left-handed playing.

When you pick or strum a string:

Strings Vibrate → Magnetic Pickups Capture the Vibrations → Guitar Electronics Route the Signal → Amplifier Produces the Sound

The pickups convert the movement of the strings into an electrical signal.

That signal can then be sent to compatible:

• Guitar amplifiers

• Pedalboards

• Effects processors

• Modeling systems

• Audio interfaces

• Recording equipment

What makes this guitar especially versatile is the way its two humbuckers can be configured.

Designed Specifically for Left-Handed Guitarists

This isn't simply a right-handed guitar description with "lefty" added to the title.

The Patriot Decree SB Lefty is the left-handed version of Michael Kelly's slim-body Patriot platform.

That makes it particularly valuable for left-handed musicians who frequently have fewer finish, electronics and construction options available when shopping for an electric guitar.

The controls, body orientation, cutaway and playing layout are configured for left-handed use.

For a left-handed guitarist looking for a modern single-cut instrument with expanded electronics, this model offers considerably more than a basic reversed design.

Great 8 Mod – Eight Pickup Configurations

One of the defining features of the Patriot Decree SB Lefty is Michael Kelly's Great 8 Mod.

The electronics combine:

2 Rockfield SWC Humbuckers

1 Traditional 3-Way Pickup Selector

2 Individual Coil-Split Mini-Toggle Switches

Together, they provide access to eight different pickup configurations.

This allows the player to move between full humbucker operation and additional split-coil textures directly from the guitar.

That flexibility can be particularly useful for musicians who need one instrument to cover multiple sounds during the same rehearsal, performance or recording session.

What Is Coil Splitting?

A humbucker uses two coils working together.

Coil splitting allows one of those coils to be removed from the active signal path.

In simple terms:

Full Humbucker → Both Coils Active

Split Configuration → One Coil Active

The result is a different tonal response from the full humbucker.

A split humbucker isn't necessarily identical in sound to every purpose-built traditional single-coil pickup, but it provides an additional tonal character from the same guitar.

Because each Rockfield humbucker has its own mini-toggle, the Patriot Decree SB gives you multiple ways to combine the pickups.

Rockfield SWC Humbuckers

The Patriot Decree SB Lefty features two Rockfield SWC humbuckers.

These pickups provide the guitar's primary electric voices and can accommodate a broad range of musical applications.

Use the full humbuckers for:

• Rock

• Blues

• Alternative

• Driven rhythm

• Lead guitar

• Pop

• Contemporary music

Then use the coil-split switches when you want a different response.

This expanded electronic architecture gives the guitar considerably more flexibility than a conventional two-humbucker setup.

Slim, Lightweight Body Design

One of the biggest practical advantages of the Patriot Decree SB is its slim-body architecture.

Single-cut guitars can sometimes become physically substantial instruments.

The SB takes a different approach.

Its thinner body reduces unnecessary bulk while maintaining the appearance and playing range of a full-size electric guitar.

That can be especially valuable during:

• Long rehearsals

• Multi-set performances

• Worship services

• Recording sessions

• Theater productions

• Touring

• Extended practice

For a player standing with a guitar for several hours, reduced body bulk can make a meaningful difference.

Mahogany Body

The Patriot Decree SB Lefty uses a mahogany body.

Mahogany is widely used in electric-guitar construction and provides the foundation underneath the guitar's sungkai top.

The slim construction helps keep the SB design relatively lightweight compared with many traditional full-thickness single-cut guitars.

Exotic Sungkai Top

The mahogany body is paired with a sungkai top.

Because this model uses an open-pore finish, the wood itself becomes an important part of the visual presentation.

Rather than completely hiding the surface beneath a thick opaque treatment, the Faded Black finish allows the natural wood texture to remain visible.

Faded Black Open-Pore Satin Finish

The Faded Black Open Pore finish gives this left-handed Patriot Decree SB a dark, understated appearance.

Rather than creating the mirror-like surface of a conventional high-gloss black guitar, the open-pore satin treatment allows more of the natural texture of the wood to remain part of the instrument.

The result is:

Dark without looking generic.

Modern without being overly glossy.

Understated while still showing natural wood character.

Because wood is a natural material, individual grain patterns and visual characteristics can vary between instruments.

Those variations are part of the character of an open-pore guitar.

Set-In Mahogany Neck

The Patriot Decree SB Lefty uses a set-in mahogany neck.

Rather than attaching the neck with a traditional bolt-on joint, the neck is permanently joined to the body.

The guitar also incorporates a contoured heel designed to make it easier for the player's fretting hand to move toward the upper register.

Modern C Neck Profile

The mahogany neck features Michael Kelly's Modern C profile.

The familiar C-shaped contour provides a versatile platform for:

• Chords

• Rhythm guitar

• Lead playing

• Blues phrasing

• Rock

• Alternative music

• Contemporary playing

• Studio work

It's designed to accommodate a wide range of techniques rather than forcing the guitar into one specialized playing style.

Ebony Fingerboard

The Patriot Decree SB Lefty features an ebony fingerboard.

Its dark appearance works especially well with the Faded Black finish while providing a smooth playing surface.

The fingerboard uses a 12" radius, providing a versatile platform for both chord work and lead playing.

22 Medium-Jumbo Frets

The guitar features 22 medium-jumbo frets.

This provides a practical playing range for both rhythm and lead guitar.

Medium-jumbo frets accommodate techniques including:

• String bending

• Vibrato

• Hammer-ons

• Pull-offs

• Slides

• Chord work

• Lead passages

Combined with the contoured heel, the design provides useful access to the upper portion of the fingerboard.

24.75" Scale Length

The Patriot Decree SB uses a:

24.75" / 628mm scale length

This scale length contributes to the guitar's playing feel and string response.

Players coming from longer-scale instruments may notice a different tension characteristic, particularly during bends and lead work.

43mm Nut Width

The guitar features a:

43mm nut width

This provides familiar string spacing for a full-size six-string electric guitar.

Dual-Action Truss Rod

A dual-action truss rod provides adjustment capability for neck relief.

This allows a qualified technician to make appropriate adjustments as part of a professional setup and ongoing instrument maintenance.

Tune-O-Matic Bridge

The Patriot Decree SB Lefty uses a Tune-O-Matic bridge.

This fixed bridge provides individual intonation adjustment and works with the guitar's string-through-body architecture.

The bridge can be properly adjusted as part of a professional setup to optimize action and intonation for the player's preferred strings and playing style.

String-Through-Body Design

The strings anchor through the body rather than terminating at a conventional separate tailpiece.

The combination of:

Tune-O-Matic Bridge + String-Through Body

creates a straightforward fixed-bridge platform.

For players who don't require a tremolo system, the simplicity of a fixed bridge can be especially appealing.

Grover Tuning Machines

The Patriot Decree SB Lefty features Grover tuning machines.

Reliable tuning hardware is an important part of any performance-oriented instrument.

The tuning machines work together with the nut and bridge to provide precise individual string adjustment.

D'Addario Strings

The Patriot Decree SB platform is factory specified with:

D'Addario EXL120 .009–.042 strings

This light electric-guitar gauge provides a versatile starting point for both rhythm and lead playing.

Players can later select another compatible string gauge based on personal preference and appropriate setup requirements.

Great for Left-Handed Rock Guitarists

The combination of dual humbuckers and coil splitting gives left-handed rock players an unusually versatile platform.

Use full humbuckers for:

• Driven rhythm

• Power chords

• Lead guitar

• Higher-gain sounds

Then move into split configurations when you want a different texture.

One guitar can cover considerably more ground during a live set.

Great for Blues

Blues guitarists frequently rely on pickup selection and playing dynamics to shape their sound.

The Great 8 Mod provides additional tonal options directly from the instrument.

Use a fuller humbucker configuration for thicker lead passages.

Move to another pickup combination for rhythm.

Split a pickup when you want a different attack and response.

Great for Alternative & Contemporary Music

Modern guitar rigs often combine the guitar with:

• Overdrive

• Delay

• Reverb

• Modulation

• Compression

• Amp modeling

• Multi-effects processors

The Patriot Decree SB's multiple pickup configurations give players several different starting points before the signal even reaches the effects chain.

Great for Worship

Modern worship guitarists frequently move through several tonal roles during a single performance.

Clean rhythm.

Ambient passages.

Swells.

Driven sections.

Lead guitar.

The Great 8 system gives left-handed players multiple pickup configurations to use as foundations for those different sounds.

Excellent for Recording

The Great 8 Mod can also be especially useful in the studio.

Record one guitar layer using the full humbuckers.

Use a split configuration for another rhythm track.

Select another pickup combination for melodic passages.

This can help create tonal separation between multiple guitar tracks while allowing the player to remain on the same instrument.

Key Features & Specifications

Product Type: Left-Handed Solid-Body Electric Guitar
Model: Patriot Decree SB Lefty
Series: Patriot
Orientation: Left-Handed
Finish: Faded Black
Finish Type: Open-Pore Satin
Body Style: Slim Single Cutaway
Top: Sungkai
Body: Mahogany
Construction: Set Neck
Neck: Mahogany
Neck Profile: Modern C
Fingerboard: Ebony
Fingerboard Radius: 12" / 305mm
Number of Frets: 22
Fret Size: Medium Jumbo
Scale Length: 24.75" / 628mm
Nut Material: Nylon
Nut Width: 43mm
Truss Rod: Dual Action
Neck Pickup: Rockfield SWC Humbucker
Bridge Pickup: Rockfield SWC Humbucker
Controls: 2 x Volume, 1 x Tone
Pickup Selector: 3-Way Toggle
Additional Switching: 2 x Coil-Split Mini-Toggles
Electronics Mod: Great 8 Mod
Pickup Configurations: 8
Bridge: Tune-O-Matic
String Anchoring: String-Through Body
Hardware Finish: Chrome
Tuning Machines: Grover
Factory Strings: D'Addario EXL120 .009–.042
Manufacturer Model: MKPSOBBERAL
UPC: 809164027812
Primary Applications: Rock, blues, alternative, pop, worship, rehearsal, live performance and recording

Who Is the Michael Kelly Patriot Decree SB Lefty For?

Left-Handed Guitarists — A purpose-built left-handed configuration with modern electronics and performance-oriented construction.

Rock Players — Dual humbuckers provide a strong foundation for driven rhythm and lead guitar.

Blues Guitarists — Great 8 switching provides multiple tonal configurations for rhythm and lead work.

Gigging Musicians — The slim, lightweight body can make long performances more comfortable.

Worship Guitarists — Eight pickup configurations provide useful starting points for clean, ambient and driven effects rigs.

Alternative & Contemporary Players — The expanded switching works well for guitarists building sounds around pedals, effects and amp modeling.

Studio Musicians — Multiple pickup configurations allow one instrument to create contrasting guitar layers.

Players Who Prefer Fixed Bridges — The Tune-O-Matic and string-through architecture provides a straightforward fixed-bridge platform.

Left-Handed Players Who Want More Options — Rather than settling for a basic left-handed version of a standard guitar, the Patriot Decree SB provides expanded electronics and distinctive construction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Michael Kelly Patriot Decree SB available for left-handed players?
Yes. This model is specifically configured as a left-handed electric guitar.

Is this a true left-handed guitar?
Yes. The Patriot Decree SB Lefty is designed for left-handed playing rather than simply being a right-handed guitar marketed toward left-handed players.

What is the Michael Kelly Patriot Decree SB Lefty?
It is a slim-body left-handed electric guitar featuring a mahogany body, sungkai top, set-in mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard and dual Rockfield humbuckers with Great 8 switching.

What does SB mean?
SB refers to the guitar's Slim Body design.

Is the guitar lightweight?
Michael Kelly specifically describes the Patriot Decree SB platform as using a thin, lightweight body design.

What is an open-pore finish?
An open-pore finish allows more of the natural texture of the wood to remain visible and tactile rather than completely filling the grain beneath a thick gloss treatment.

What is the Great 8 Mod?
The Great 8 Mod combines two humbuckers, a 3-way pickup selector and individual coil-split switches to provide eight pickup configurations.

How many pickups does it have?
Two Rockfield SWC humbuckers.

Can both humbuckers be coil split?
Yes. Each pickup has an individual coil-split mini-toggle.

Does a split humbucker sound exactly like a traditional single-coil?
Not necessarily. A split humbucker uses one coil from the existing humbucker, so its response can differ from a purpose-built single-coil pickup.

How many pickup configurations are available?
Eight.

What is the body made from?
Mahogany with a sungkai top.

What is the neck made from?
Mahogany.

What is the fingerboard made from?
Ebony.

What is the fingerboard radius?
12 inches / 305mm.

How many frets does it have?
22 medium-jumbo frets.

What is the scale length?
24.75 inches / 628mm.

What bridge does it use?
A Tune-O-Matic bridge with string-through-body construction.

Does it have a tremolo?
No. It uses a fixed bridge.

What tuning machines are installed?
Grover tuning machines.

What strings come installed?
The current specification lists D'Addario EXL120 .009–.042 electric-guitar strings.

Is it good for recording?
Yes. The eight pickup configurations can provide several different tonal starting points for layered guitar tracks.

Is it suitable for live performance?
Yes. Its slim body, dual humbuckers, coil splitting and fixed-bridge architecture make it a versatile option for live use.

Is a case included?
A case should not be assumed included unless your exact vendor package specifically states that one is provided.

Left-Handed by Design. Slim by Construction. Eight Ways to Shape Your Sound.

Left-handed players shouldn't have to settle for fewer features.

The Michael Kelly Patriot Decree SB Lefty Faded Black combines a purpose-built left-handed configuration with the same performance-focused architecture that makes the Patriot SB distinctive.

The slim mahogany body reduces unnecessary bulk.

The sungkai top adds natural texture.

Faded Black Open Pore finishing creates a dark, understated aesthetic.

Two Rockfield humbuckers provide the foundation.

The Great 8 Mod expands those pickups into eight configurations.

The set-in mahogany neck and contoured heel support comfortable playing across the fingerboard.

And the Tune-O-Matic bridge, string-through-body construction and Grover tuners complete the platform.

Play rock.

Explore blues.

Build an ambient effects rig.

Take it onto the stage.

Layer it in the studio.

Or simply enjoy a left-handed guitar that doesn't treat left-handed construction as an afterthought.

For musicians looking for a left-handed lightweight electric guitar with dual humbuckers, coil splitting, eight pickup configurations and distinctive open-pore styling, the Michael Kelly Patriot Decree SB Lefty Faded Black offers an impressive combination of flexibility, comfort and modern design.

Need help completing your left-handed guitar setup?
Backline Music Gear can help identify compatible cases, gig bags, amplifiers, pedals, left-handed accessories, instrument cables, straps, stands, replacement strings and other equipment based on your playing style and performance setup.

Michael Kelly, Patriot, Patriot Decree, Great 8, Rockfield, Grover, D'Addario and related names and marks are trademarks or property of their respective owners. Product and trademark names are used solely for accurate product identification and compatibility information. Backline Music Gear is an independent retailer and does not claim ownership of third-party marks. Specifications, finishes and included components may vary by production run and are subject to change; verify current manufacturer specifications before purchase.