Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Morgan Monroe MMS-8W

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Lehighton, Pa.
    Posts
    224

    Default

    Recently received my third MM mandolin, this one
    is the MMS-8W. I wish everyone could have a wack at
    it. I would be interested in your opinions. The finish is
    excellent from the carved top to the custom tailpiece.
    The satin finish is something one either loves or doesnt
    but its exactly what I wanted, an older looking mando in really good shape. Only the sound makes one take notice
    to it. I dont buy instruments for a fancy schmancy look.
    I played quite a few mandolins when I was in Nashville
    last summer including the Gibsons, Rigels, Eastmans ect
    and honestly, this one doesnt take a back seat to any of them and certainly better than ones costing double or better. If there is a weakness it might be a slight weak on the top end compared to the rest of the mandolin, but this was shipped with thin strings so I cant wait to wear them out and hook up w/ a heavier gauge. The bottom and middle are truly amazing. What makes it even more interesting is that it was not set up by anyone. I just put the bridge on, checked the intonation, and started playing. Dont even know if I want to mess with it any more than I have to. Well,
    maybe raise the bridge to tweek a little more top end.
    I would have no problem saying I made a mistake but no
    way is that the case. The first two MM's ( an MM-3 and
    an MM4 ) are fine mandolins in their own right, but this one, while more money, seems to be well worth it. I'd be real interested if anyone else bought this make and model
    and subsequent impressions.





    Nathan

  2. #2
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Nashville Indiana
    Posts
    233

    Default

    Good deal...I believe the more people get their hands on a Morgan Monroe the more they will like them.
    Don't argue with an idiot; people watching may not be able to tell the difference.

    http://prancing-pony-agency.freeservers.com/

  3. #3
    kestrel
    Guest

    Default

    My second - and current - mando is an MMS4, and I've had some high-end players say "No way, is that sound coming from a Morgan Monroe. When I got her, it appeared that it had been set up by a monkey with DTs. I won't tell you where I bought it. There's already enough said, about them, here on the Cafe. I'll let you guess. They had notches all over the place on the bridge, the G strings were way too close together, and the bridge was cranked up nearly off the post on the treble side. I got it set up properly, put an Allen tailpiece on it, and it is one awesome sounding and playing axe. The finish around the body scroll leaves some to be desired, but for my money, Morgan Monroe done did this one good. I'm going to have to be really impressed before I move on to another instrument. Gene

  4. #4
    Registered User bhaltom's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
    Posts
    29

    Thumbs up

    I like my mm3 just fine...
    1994 Gibson F-5L

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Lehighton, Pa.
    Posts
    224

    Default

    One of the reasons the MM4 ( Phantom of the Opry )
    sounds the way it does is the sycamore for the back and sides. Dont know why sycamore does this, but it packs more punch than my MM3. The tone actually sounds much more
    expensive ( mellow yet w/ punch ) The MM3 is more of a
    Bill Monroe in your face high tone that Bluegrassers like.
    #The MM8 seems to fall in the middle of those two so far.
    It'll be interesting to see how it opens up now that its out of the case and hanging on the wall instead of suffocating in the case.

    Nathan

  6. #6

    Default

    I have an MMS-6 that I got used off the cafe here. It was a factory second had a few minor problems that i corrected myself and let me tell you this thing is way better than I would have ever expected. Its not perfect in terms of a "handmade" mando when it comes to fit and scroll inside finish but has a awesome sound. I just did a gig with it last night and got nothing but compliments on the sound.

  7. #7
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Lehighton, Pa.
    Posts
    224

    Default

    Glad to hear I'm not the only one to be impressed by these
    mandolins. The MM-4 probably would be the most variable
    in musical gendre. Sounds good with Bluegrass and also
    celtic, Irish and jazz applications.
    The MM-8 plays so easily its hard to believe. The MM-3
    is my favorite for Bluegrass. The only one that didnt impress me that much in tone was the MCM series that had a
    quilted type back. Great looking mando but something seemed
    to muffle the sound a bit. I think it was quilting of the back. Others disagree......
    Nathan

  8. #8
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Loveland, Colorado
    Posts
    273

    Default

    I like my MMS7L fine. I wanted the MMS 4 but they don't make it in the LH model. My seven needed some additional setup but I think it was because it was left handed and they had RH people setting it up. Anyway am satisfied with it and the cost was good, do............

    Jack
    "It's never too late to have a happy childhood"

Similar Threads

  1. Morgan monroe mfm 300
    By david dankles in forum Looking for Information About Mandolins
    Replies: 2
    Last: Mar-23-2008, 10:10am
  2. Morgan Monroe
    By jim simpson in forum General Mandolin Discussions
    Replies: 14
    Last: Mar-29-2006, 7:21am
  3. Morgan Monroe fan
    By keymandoguy in forum Bluegrass, Newgrass, Country, Gospel Variants
    Replies: 20
    Last: May-25-2005, 12:59pm
  4. Morgan Monroe MMS-7
    By Dave Vannoy in forum Looking for Information About Mandolins
    Replies: 1
    Last: Nov-01-2004, 9:22pm
  5. Morgan Monroe?
    By Ashville Picker in forum General Mandolin Discussions
    Replies: 8
    Last: Oct-18-2004, 3:03pm

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •