Reconsidering Morgan Monroe MA-1-Neck Stress Fracture

[Carolie]

Hi all,

I got my Morgan Monroe MA-1 late this afternoon. It arrived with a stress fracture in the neck, a gouge under the finish on one side of the neck, a place where the pegboard was unfinished, and terrible carving on the f-holes. I know they're made in China, but this was sad. Just sad. I got wonderful customer service from MM itself prior to purchase. I was especially interested in the MM because of the lifetime warranty.

Rob at www.folkmusician.com is going to make it right for me, but now I'm faced with the decision of what I want to do. Do I try another of the same model? Do I try a different model of MM? Do I try a different brand? Do I take it as a sign and work on the banjo instead, which I've also just started?

I know a person gets the most for their money under $1000 with an A-style. I'm trying to keep this at or under $500. One thing I should mention is that the MA-1 came with a hard shell case.

I've heard that quality control varies on each Eastman, each Kentucky, each Michael Kelly, pretty much everything made in China.

Feel free to examine www.folkmusician.com's inventory if you need to.Buy something for yourself, if you like (but not on my credit card, please). :)

At the risk of asking this question--any thoughts? I've seen the threads on what to buy in this price range. I'd like to know people's specific experiences with each company's instruments at this price point, good and bad.

Carolyn

[MikeEdgerton]

Look at the Kentucky KM-505 (http://www.themandolinstore.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=8068). It's in your price range and really decent.

[Folkmusician.com]

I am going to go with Mike as well. I would like to send you out a KM-505 rather than replace the M-A1. I will have two more M-A1 models in June 4th if you do decide you would like to stick with this model.

We will get the M-A1 on its way back to me Monday, so feel free to give it a good test over the weekend.

The crack would have been shipping damage, but any of the other flaws must have been something that I considered acceptable for this model. My apologies :)

Just so that there are no surprises, I think most of the imports will have some cosmetic flaws if you look close enough. In many cases, the best instruments in their respective price points, are some of the roughest as far as finish.

With the exception of the neck profile, nut width, and radiused vs. flat, The M-A1 that you received is going to have playability on par with any mandolin at any price. That has a perfectly leveled and dressed fretboard, and a good setup.

What you will notice with some of the other mandolins is improved tone and workmanship closer to that of high end mandolins. Not necessarily perfection as far as the fit and finish, but just good overall construction.


I will issue a call tag for the mandolin and check in with you on Monday to see if you would like to try a different mandolin.

I am very sorry for the trouble.

[catmandu2]

Good job Robert...sounds like at least Carolyn can rest assured she will get a good mando to her satisfaction, ultimately. Shipping back/forth is annoying, but a seller who will make it right takes about 99% of the sting out of it...

Carolyn, sounds like you shouldn't abandon the mando for the banjo...just yet ;)

[Mike Bunting]

Hi all,

I've heard that quality control varies on each Eastman, each Kentucky, each Michael Kelly, pretty much everything made in China.
Carolyn
Where did you hear this? Don't put too much stock in rumours. The only true way to buy is hands on sampling, all instruments are different.

[Jill McAuley]

I'm with Mike - go for the Kentucky KM-505. I've played several and been really impressed by them. I feel for you - I recently was expecting a mandolin in the mail and when it arrived it had been damaged in transport, totally unplayable - I was gutted! Such an awful feeling to open up a case and see that when you've been excitedly awaiting the arrival of an instrument.

Cheers,
Jill

[Ivan Kelsall]

Well,you can't get a better or more fair response that that !. I don't really know either instrument 'in person',but the reputation of the Kentucky instruments is a very good one & if Robert's the kind of guy he seems to be,he'll make sure it's in good order - well done to Folkmusician,
Ivan

[allenhopkins]

I've heard that quality control varies on each Eastman, each Kentucky, each Michael Kelly, pretty much everything made in China...I'd like to know people's specific experiences with each company's instruments at this price point, good and bad.

Can't help you too much at your specific price point, since most of the instruments I've bought recently, and all of the new imports, have been more expensive. I will say that I have bought three Eastman instruments in the past four years -- 615 mandola, 805 mandocello, DGM-1 mandolin -- and I have been very satisfied with the overall quality control. I have experienced a problem that others have also mentioned, that the finish on my mandola was quite thin, and my picking hand little finger wore through it quite quickly. It's getting some finish touch-up in the shop now. Other than that design quirk, I've found Eastman's QC excellent.

I will echo what others have said above, that each instrument is different -- even consecutive serial numbers of the same make and model don't sound exactly alike. I realize that you have medical issues that may limit you to purchasing through mail or internet. What I tend to recommend to prospective purchasers, is that they visit a dealer with a decent selection of instruments, play every one their price range, and pick the one they like the best. This may not be feasible for you. You have apparently hooked up with a reputable dealer who will make an effort to get you a satisfactory instrument. Don't expect a $500 mandolin to be "perfect" -- it may have fit-and-finish flaws that a $5,000 instrument wouldn't have -- but insist on its being playable, undamaged, and presentable.

[desaljs]

Sounds like you are getting GREAT customer service! I have 3 Eastmans, and enjoy them all. My oval hole 504 sounds as good as my 615 F and my 805 F-hole 2 pointer. With Eastman, my experience has been that the more you pay, the fancier the appointments, but not necessarily the tone. I really feel with Eastman, you get a hand made product that comes from a smaller shop. There are small finish issues, but at this price point, very acceptable to me.

So.....at least consider them.

Good luck, and stick with the mando!

[Charley wild]

Carolie, tell you Rob you want a MK A-1 and you'll get a beautiful mandolin that sounds great and I'll just bet there won't be any "Issues"!

[Steve Conley]

I found some of the posts in this thread useful when considering a Kentucky, and Chinese imported instruments in general: http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49965

The KM-174 I recently bought from Folkmusician.com doesn't seem to have any of the problems you described, so unless I was unusually lucky with my cheapo model (which is actually very nice, at least for a beginner like me) then I would expect a KM-505 to be pretty good.

[jim_n_virginia]

I too would get the KM I never liked the MM's all that much. All the one's I have handled all looked better than they played.

[Folkmusician.com]

I have been selling progressively more Morgan Monroe's, and for the most part customers have been happy with them. The latest batches have done away with many of the problems I used to see. These are pretty much unplayable as they come from the factory, right down to a generic bridge that doesn't even come close to matching the top. Once I have went all through them, the action is excellent and the tone is not all that bad. They do have some cosmetic flaws here and there, but no more so than any of the others at these price points.

I have noticed a tendency for the finish to check at the nut. From our conversation, it sounded like Carolyn's M-A1 experienced a finish crack that shot all the way across the neck from one side to the other. I won't know for sure until I see it though.

In all fairness, many of the new high grade imports are having trouble with checks as well. Of course these have nitro finishes and the MM is poly, so a different standard can be applied here. :)

I issued a call tag for Carolyn's mandolin. I will get in touch with her Monday and see how she would like to proceed. I am hoping she had a chance to put a little time in on the M-A1 and tell me if the setup felt right for her. One of her original problems was that she had a Crafter with very high action. It might be a good idea to go with a refund and maybe she can get somewhere to play these in person.

[Vince Farbo]

Hi Carolie
with the Chinese made intruments it is not much different than it was with the Japanese made units of the early 70's, until they get it right you will find varying examples with regard to fit & finish and overall quality...but that is not to say that if you are dealing with a reputable dealer (and you seem to be doing just that) you should not take the chance...I just recently purchased a Savannah (formerly Johnson) SF 200, all solid, carved F style mando....and after some tweaking I have a pretty decent playing instrument...good luck...but if you were asking me...I see your dealer is offering you some choices.....if it were me....I would go with the Kenturcky KM 505 on all counts...
Vince

[Mike Scott]

I have 2 Chinese made Kentucky Mandolins, a KM 380s I bought used from the classifieds and a KM 1000 I purchased new. In both cases I am pleased with the workmanship, attention to detail, playability (although I credit the seller's for that) and tone. I agree with the others here that the Kentucky 505 may be your best bet based on the inventory I saw.

Hope this helps-and good luck with whatever you decide.