Re: Morgan Monroe on craigslist
Morgan Monroe specs say the MAM-750 has a maple top, back and sides, walnut finish, all solid woods but heat-pressed rather than carved. It goes on Amazon for $537 with a hardshell case (and a free Skype lesson).
Now, if MM is right about the maple top, that's a bit weird; usually tops are spruce, sometimes mahogany, but a maple top is definitely unusual. On the other hand, the specs may be wrong; who knows?
For your $300 I'd suggest the Kentucky KM-150, which is available around that price. This mandolin is a Cafe´favorite as a first instrument. You can buy it cheaper at Amazon or Musician's Friend, but it won't be set up, so you may have to either pay for that, or learn to do an adequate set-up yourself. Elderly, the Mandolin Store, and folkmusician.com are well-recommended on-line sellers, if you can't find one at a "dealer near you." (I advocate shopping at local dealers, but I know not everyone has a local store with a decent mandolin selection.)
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
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