Michael Kelly Forte Port 12 Randy Jackson of Zebra Signature

The Forte Port 12 Randy Jackson of Zebra Signature is a 12-string acoustic-electric guitar developed in collaboration with Randy Jackson of the rock band Zebra. Building on the design and innovative technology of Michael Kelly's Forte Port acoustic guitar line, this instrument represents a meeting point between bold aesthetic vision and purposeful acoustic engineering. With exotic tonewoods, eye-catching inlays, and a suite of active electronics, it is a guitar as distinctive in appearance as it is in performance.

Innovative Port Construction

At the heart of this guitar's design is Michael Kelly's unique Port construction system, which reimagines where and how sound exits the instrument. An offset front sound port replaces the traditional centered soundhole, creating an unbroken and potent soundboard across the top between the neck and the bridge. This repositioning allows for better resonance and a louder, more open sound. Complementing the front port is a side port that acts as a personal monitor for the player, projecting sound upward so that the guitarist can hear their own playing more clearly during performance. This dual-port approach, paired with specialized Port bracing, enhances top resonance in a way that a conventional acoustic body cannot replicate.

Exotic Tonewoods and Visual Distinction

The Forte Port 12 Randy Jackson Signature makes an immediate visual statement through its choice of materials. The body — top, back, and sides — is constructed entirely from ziricote, an exotic wood prized for both its rich acoustic properties and its dramatically striking grain patterns. The guitar is finished in a natural gloss that allows the character of the wood to speak for itself. The ovangkol fingerboard is adorned with mother-of-pearl and abalone Forte Celtic Knot inlays alongside mini dot markers, lending an element of craftsmanship and artistry to the neck. Black binding runs along both the body and neck, while black diecast tuning keys complete the instrument's cohesive, dark-accented aesthetic. The body itself features an extreme cutaway shape that provides enhanced access to upper frets while contributing to the guitar's overall balance and visual profile.

Electronics and Hardware

For amplified performance, the Forte Port 12 Randy Jackson Signature is equipped with a Fishman Presys preamp paired with a Sonicore pickup, a combination designed to capture the full and natural sound of the instrument with accuracy and clarity. The active electronics system includes volume, contour, and phase controls, as well as a built-in tuner, giving players comprehensive on-board sound shaping without the need for external devices. The neck is built from mahogany with a dual-action truss rod for reliable stability, a synthetic graphite nut at 1.89 inches wide, and a 25.5-inch scale length across 20 frets. The guitar ships strung with D'Addario EXP38 Coated Phosphor Bronze 12-string light strings, and features a zero-pin ovangkol bridge rounding out a hardware package finished consistently in black.

Why We Love This

The Michael Kelly Forte Port 12 Randy Jackson appeals to musicians who demand both performance and artistry in a single instrument. Its offset front port creates a larger resonant area under the strings for improved depth, accuracy, and tone, while a side port acts as a personal monitor during play. The active Fishman electronics — with volume, contour, phase controls, and a built-in tuner — ensure stage-ready versatility. The full ziricote body and extreme cutaway shape deliver rich sound with effortless upper-fret access.

Features:

• Offset Front Sound Port — Repositions the soundhole to create a larger, unbroken resonant surface between the neck and bridge for improved volume and tone.
• Side Monitor Port — Projects sound upward toward the player, acting as a personal acoustic monitor during live performance.
• Full Ziricote Body — Top, back, and sides are all constructed from exotic ziricote wood, delivering rich, warm tone and a visually dramatic grain.
• Fishman Presys Preamp with Sonicore Pickup — Active electronics capture the guitar's full, natural acoustic sound with precision for amplified performance.
• On-Board Controls — Volume, contour, and phase controls plus a built-in tuner give players comprehensive sound-shaping without external devices.
• Celtic Knot Inlays — Mother-of-pearl and abalone Forte Celtic Knot inlays adorn the ovangkol fingerboard alongside mini dot markers.
• Extreme Cutaway Body — Provides enhanced access to upper frets while improving overall balance and playability.
• Mahogany Neck with Dual-Action Truss Rod — Ensures long-term stability and reliable playability across varying conditions.
• Zero-Pin Ovangkol Bridge — A clean, modern bridge design that contributes to sustain and intonation.
• D'Addario EXP38 Strings — Ships with coated phosphor bronze 12-string light strings for a bright, long-lasting tone right out of the box.