Michael Kelly or Morgan Monroe which is better?

[Ancient]

I am looking for some imput on Michael Kelly and Morgan Monroe mandolins. Which is better tone wise, and finish and construction?

[Damnation Gulch]

I was torn between the two for a while and ended up going with the Morgan Monroe because of its tone. I still want a Kelly Legacy O too... I beleive I read somewhere on here that those two companies as well as Kentucky are all made in the same plant.

[steve in tampa]

I have played several models of both, and went with the MK Dragonfly 11 Custom with the Fishman pickup, and optional Allen tailpiece, Walnut finish. Just picked it up Friday.

I play several different styles and venues, so this is a Swiss army knife mando for me.

Love the tone so far, sustain and volume. Still very tight sounding, so I will have to play it lots. Nice punchy chop, and dynamics. I fell I have more control over the instrument's tonal aspects than some others I have tried

Radiused fretboard is nice, easier to form chords, and not a difficult transition back to a flat fretboard since it is not a radical radius. Wider fret wire is nice too.

Will be trying the Elixir strings on it soon.

Very nice flame on the back, some on the sides. There are minor issues with the finish, sanding behind the scrolls and binding work, and I knew this would be like that ahead of time. I was looking for a workhorse, not a delicate piece of art.

Very happy with it, and looking forward to breaking it in and breaking it out!

[Albert Whiting]

wihtout a doubt the michael kelly.

[mmukav]

To me they seem pretty similar, although MK seems to be more popular with the crowd here.

[mpeknox]

I read somewhere on here that those two companies as well as Kentucky are all made in the same plant.

Kentucky mandolins are made in China and from what I understand, MK has it's own plant in Korea. I think the Morgan Monroes are also made in Korea. FWIW, I like the MK's better.

[cutbait2]

morgan monroe are finished quite a bit better and are a carved top as opposed to steam pressed, tonally they are similar

[earthsave]

The one that sounds the best and plays the easiest would get my vote. Meaning try em afore you buy em whenever possible.

[Unseen122]

All I know is I have a Kentucky and I love it.