Michael Kelly Patriot Instinct SB Mod Shop Duncan – Partial Eclipse Electric Guitar

Slim-body comfort. Premium figured maple. Eight pickup configurations. One unmistakable Partial Eclipse finish.

The Michael Kelly Patriot Instinct SB Mod Shop Duncan in Partial Eclipse is a premium 6-string electric guitar designed for players who want powerful humbucker performance, exceptional tonal flexibility and a comfortable slim-body design.

Built around a 1.25" slim mahogany body with an AAA quilted maple top, this single-cutaway guitar combines classic-inspired construction with modern playability and an exceptionally versatile electronics system.

At the heart of the Patriot Instinct SB are two Seymour Duncan JB Model humbuckers paired with independent coil-split switches. Combined with the 3-way pickup selector, Michael Kelly's Great 8 electronics provide eight different pickup configurations from one instrument.

Move from full-bodied humbucker power to brighter split-coil textures without changing guitars.

Add a set mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard, Modern C neck profile, Grover tuners and Tune-O-Matic/string-through bridge, and the result is a versatile electric guitar built for serious stage, studio and everyday performance.

What Makes the Patriot Instinct SB Different?

The SB stands for Slim Body.

Michael Kelly uses a mahogany body measuring approximately 1.25 inches deep, creating a thinner profile than many traditional single-cutaway electric guitars.

For musicians playing long rehearsals, recording sessions or extended live sets, the reduced body depth can provide a noticeably less bulky playing experience.

The design also incorporates body contouring and enhanced upper-fret access to make the instrument comfortable across the entire neck.

AAA Quilted Maple Top

The Partial Eclipse model features a premium AAA quilted maple top over its mahogany body.

Quilted maple produces a flowing, dimensional grain pattern that gives the instrument visual depth beneath its high-gloss finish.

The Partial Eclipse treatment highlights that natural figuring while creating a dramatic contrast across the guitar's top.

Cream binding frames the body and provides an additional premium visual detail.

Because quilted maple is natural wood, every instrument can display its own grain and figuring variations—meaning your individual guitar may have a slightly different visual character from the one photographed.

Partial Eclipse Finish

The Partial Eclipse finish gives this Patriot Instinct SB its distinctive identity.

Rather than hiding the figured maple beneath a flat opaque color, the finish works with the natural AAA quilted maple grain to create a dramatic, premium appearance.

On stage, under studio lighting or displayed in a collection, the combination of figured maple, high-gloss finish and cream binding gives the guitar a boutique-inspired visual presence.

Dual Seymour Duncan JB Model Humbuckers

The Patriot Instinct SB Mod Shop Duncan features two Seymour Duncan JB Model humbucking pickups.

The JB is a high-output pickup design known for strong mids, harmonics and powerful performance with driven guitar sounds.

Use the pickups in full humbucker mode for body, output and punch.

Then engage the individual coil splits when you want a brighter, leaner tonal character.

That gives the Patriot Instinct SB considerably more flexibility than a conventional dual-humbucker guitar.

Eight Pickup Configurations

One of this guitar's biggest advantages is Michael Kelly's Great 8 electronics system.

A conventional dual-humbucker electric guitar often gives you three fundamental pickup positions.

The Patriot Instinct SB combines its 3-way pickup selector with two independent coil-split mini toggles.

Each humbucker can be independently switched between full and split operation.

The result is:

Eight different pickup configurations from one guitar.

That expanded tonal range makes the Patriot Instinct particularly useful for working musicians who need one instrument to cover several different musical roles.

How Does Coil Splitting Work?

A conventional humbucker uses two coils working together.

The Patriot Instinct SB allows each Seymour Duncan JB humbucker to be independently coil-split using its dedicated mini-toggle switch.

In full mode, the pickup provides the thicker and more powerful character associated with a humbucker.

Engage the split and you get a brighter, leaner tonal character.

Because the pickups can be controlled independently, you can create combinations such as:

• Full neck humbucker

• Split neck

• Full bridge humbucker

• Split bridge

• Full and split combinations

• Both pickups in complementary configurations

This gives the player significantly more control over the instrument's tonal personality.

Mahogany Body

Beneath the figured maple top is a mahogany body.

Mahogany has long been used for electric guitars because of its resonance, sustain and strong midrange character.

Michael Kelly combines this traditional tonewood with the slimmer SB architecture to balance classic construction with modern playing comfort.

Set Mahogany Neck

The Patriot Instinct SB uses set-neck construction, permanently joining its mahogany neck to the body.

Combined with the mahogany body and string-through hardware architecture, the construction provides a solid foundation for resonance and sustain.

Modern C Neck Profile

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

It's designed to provide a comfortable playing surface for musicians moving between rhythm, chord work and lead playing.

Whether you're performing a full set or recording for hours, the neck is designed around modern playing comfort.

Contoured Upper-Fret Access

The Patriot Instinct SB incorporates a contoured heel and cutaway area designed to improve access to the upper frets.

For lead players, this helps reduce interference from the body as the fretting hand moves farther up the neck.

Rosewood Fingerboard

The mahogany neck is topped with a rosewood fingerboard featuring a 12" radius and 22 medium-jumbo frets.

Abalone and pearl inlays add another premium visual element that complements the figured maple top and cream binding.

24.75" Scale Length

The Patriot Instinct SB uses a 24.75-inch scale length.

This scale provides a familiar feel for guitarists accustomed to classic single-cutaway designs and can make expressive bends and lead techniques feel comfortable beneath the fingers.

Grover Tuning Machines

Michael Kelly equips the guitar with Grover tuning machines for smooth adjustment and dependable performance.

Reliable tuning hardware is especially important for working musicians who need predictable tuning through rehearsals, studio sessions and performances.

Tune-O-Matic Bridge with String-Through Body

The guitar combines a Tune-O-Matic bridge with string-through-body construction.

The Tune-O-Matic bridge provides individual intonation adjustment while the strings anchor through the guitar body.

Together, they create a familiar, stable platform for tuning, intonation and sustain.

Straightforward Controls with Serious Versatility

Despite its expanded pickup capabilities, the Patriot Instinct SB keeps the controls easy to understand.

2 Volume Controls — Independent level adjustment.

1 Tone Control — Overall tonal shaping.

3-Way Pickup Selector — Select neck, neck + bridge or bridge.

2 Coil-Split Mini Toggles — Independently change each humbucker between full and split operation.

No menus.

No complicated digital system.

Just immediate physical access to a broad range of guitar sounds.

Built for Multiple Styles

Rock

Use the full Seymour Duncan JB humbuckers for powerful rhythm and lead tones.

Blues

Move between warm neck sounds, bridge bite and brighter split configurations.

Pop

Use cleaner split tones for rhythm parts and return to full humbuckers when the arrangement needs more body.

Country

Explore the brighter response available from the coil-split configurations.

Worship

Move between ambient cleans, rhythm textures and higher-output driven sections without changing guitars.

Studio Recording

Layer different pickup configurations to create contrasting guitar parts from one instrument.

Key Features & Specifications

Instrument Type: 6-string solid-body electric guitar
Series: Patriot
Model: Patriot Instinct SB Mod Shop Duncan
Finish: Partial Eclipse
Body Style: Archtop single cutaway
Body: Mahogany
Body Depth: Approx. 1.25" / 31.75mm slim-body design
Top: AAA quilted maple
Binding: Cream
Construction: Set neck
Neck: Mahogany
Neck Profile: Modern C
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius: 12" / 305mm
Frets: 22 medium jumbo
Scale Length: 24.75" / 628mm
Nut: Synthetic graphite
Nut Width: 43mm
Inlays: Abalone and pearl
Truss Rod: Dual action
Neck Pickup: Seymour Duncan JB Model humbucker
Bridge Pickup: Seymour Duncan JB Model humbucker
Pickup Configuration: HH with independent coil splitting
Pickup Options: 8 configurations
Controls: 2 Volume, 1 Tone
Pickup Selector: 3-way toggle
Coil Splitting: 2 independent mini-toggle switches
Hardware Finish: Chrome
Tuning Machines: Grover
Bridge: Tune-O-Matic / string-through-body
Factory Strings: D'Addario EXL120 .009–.042
Orientation: Right-handed

Natural quilted maple figuring and appearance can vary from instrument to instrument.

Who Is the Michael Kelly Patriot Instinct SB Mod Shop Duncan For?

Rock Guitarists — Dual Seymour Duncan JB humbuckers provide powerful output for driven rhythm and lead sounds.

Working Musicians — Eight pickup configurations allow one instrument to cover considerably more musical territory.

Studio Guitarists — Create contrasting guitar layers by changing pickup configurations rather than constantly switching instruments.

Cover & Event Players — Move between full humbuckers and brighter split-coil textures throughout a varied set.

Worship Guitarists — Access clean, ambient, rhythm and driven sounds from one versatile guitar.

Players Who Prefer a Slimmer Instrument — The 1.25" mahogany body provides a less bulky alternative to many traditional single-cutaway guitars.

Players Who Want a Statement Guitar — The Partial Eclipse finish over AAA quilted maple gives the instrument a distinctive premium appearance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does SB mean on the Michael Kelly Patriot Instinct?
SB refers to the Slim Body construction. The body measures approximately 1.25" deep.

What pickups are in the Patriot Instinct SB Mod Shop Duncan?
It features two Seymour Duncan JB Model humbuckers.

Does it have coil splitting?
Yes. Each JB humbucker has its own independent coil-split mini-toggle.

How many pickup configurations does the guitar provide?
Michael Kelly's Great 8 electronics provide eight pickup configurations using the 3-way selector and independent coil splits.

What does coil splitting do?
Coil splitting changes the operating configuration of the humbucker, producing a brighter and leaner character compared with the full pickup.

Is it good for rock?
Yes. The Seymour Duncan JB Model is a high-output humbucker well suited for driven rock tones, while the coil-split options provide additional versatility for cleaner styles.

Is this a set-neck guitar?
Yes. It features set-neck construction with a mahogany neck.

What is the scale length?
The scale length is 24.75" / 628mm.

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

Does it have Grover tuners?
Yes. Grover tuning machines are standard on this model.

What kind of top does the Partial Eclipse model have?
It features an AAA quilted maple top over a slim mahogany body.

Will every Partial Eclipse guitar look exactly the same?
No. Natural quilted maple varies, so grain pattern, figuring and exact visual appearance can differ between individual instruments.

Eight Pickup Configurations. One Exceptional Instrument.

The Michael Kelly Patriot Instinct SB Mod Shop Duncan Partial Eclipse combines a 1.25" slim mahogany body, AAA quilted maple top, dual Seymour Duncan JB humbuckers, independent coil splitting, set mahogany neck and premium hardware in one highly versatile electric guitar.

Use the full humbuckers.

Split the neck.

Split the bridge.

Combine them.

Move through eight pickup configurations.

And do it all from a slim-body guitar with a dramatic Partial Eclipse finish.

For guitarists who want serious tonal flexibility, comfortable modern construction and an instrument that looks every bit as distinctive as it sounds, the Patriot Instinct SB Mod Shop Duncan delivers all three.

Need help completing your guitar rig?
Backline Music Gear can help identify compatible amplifiers, pedals, cases, straps, cables, wireless systems and other guitar accessories based on your playing style and performance setup.

Michael Kelly Guitars, Patriot, Seymour Duncan, JB Model, Grover, D'Addario and related names are trademarks or property of their respective owners. Product and trademark names are used solely for accurate product identification. Natural wood figuring varies between instruments. Specifications and included components are subject to manufacturer changes; verify the specific instrument configuration at time of purchase.