View Full Version : Morgan Monroe zouks?
How much do these cost and are they worth having?
Mandobart
Feb-06-2010, 11:19am
There was an F-style MM advertised as a zouk/OM in the classifieds a few months back. Scale was advertised ~ 25", which to me is more of a mandocello length. Price was ~ $500 as I remember. I have no idea if they are worth having. A woman in our BG club plays a MM guitar which sounds ok. I've never played it to check intonation, buzzing etc.
steve V. johnson
Feb-06-2010, 1:51pm
I seem to recall some mentions of them here long ago, but not since. Maybe that says something in itself, but a search of the archives may give you something.
I've never seen one in person...
stv
allenhopkins
Feb-06-2010, 2:56pm
Google searching seems to show that Morgan Monroe has discontinued its "M-ouki" instruments (that was the logo on the back of the headstock). Used sale prices seem to run $375-500. The instruments are described as being among the "generic" Korean-made large mandolins, which also includes Johnson instruments -- and, surprisingly, Trinity College is mentioned as well. Postings on this forum give the opinion that the TC instruments are a cut above the other entry-level Asian products, so lumping them all together may be an oversimplification.
Morgan Monroe was also making an "F-model" bouzouki, like a giant F-style mandolin. Here's (http://www.banjoshop.com/Bouzouki.html) a picture. Price on this was around $750 discounted. Both the "M-ouki" and the F-style advertised a solid spruce top, probably laminated back and sides. Like most Morgan Monroe instruments, there was a fair amount of "bling," with (fake?) mother-of-pearl purfling inside the binding, etc.
If you've got the inside track to get one cheap, probably not too bad a starter. Reviews are mixed but lean toward favorable. If not, the Trinity College instruments come with overall very positive ratings. They seem to be the "gold standard" for intro level OM's and bouzoukis.