Subject: Mnb-1 and 2
Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2004 16:13:37 -0400

Mickey I've got some questions....

what will the 3-ply MAHOGANY rim sound like with a Maple resonator like on the MNB-2

and what will the mnb-1 sound like compared to the mnb-2.... basicly what Im want to know is which one sounds more like the original bluegrass sound.

Greetings,

Morgan Monroe is making a great banjo today...with excellent features for the price. The MNB-1 and MNB-2 are similar in features...the main difference between these two banjos is the tone ring. The MNB-2 has a higher end tone ring...which will give it some edge in tonal range. Both sound fine for bluegrass (since both have tone rings and resonators) and both would make superb high-end student level banjos...especially if set up properly...

MNB-1 Features:
Rim: 3-ply solid blocked mahogany rim
* Tone Ring: Rolled brass tone ring
* Flange Assembly: 1 piece flange
* Tuners: 10 to 1 gear ratio Ashton Bailey planetary tuners
* Resonator: 14" Mahogany Resonator
* Inlay Pattern: Abalone Heart Pattern Inlay
* Fretboard: Rosewood
* Bridge Wood: Rosewood Tipped Maple Bridge
* Frets: 22 Nickel Silver
* Head: Frosted Remo
* Hardware: Nickel

MNB-2 Features:
Rim: 3-ply solid blocked mahogany rim
* Tone Ring: 24 hole diecast bell brass tone ring
* Flange Assembly: 2 piece tube and flange
* Tuners: 10 to 1 gear ratio Ashton Bailey planetary tuners
* Resonator: 14" Curly Maple Resonator
* Inlay Pattern: Abalone Wreath Pattern Inlay
* Fretboard: Rosewood
* Bridge Wood: Rosewood Tipped Maple Bridge
* Frets: 22 Nickel Silver
* Head: Frosted Remo
* Hardware: Nickel

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Subject: morgan banjo
Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2004 22:58:10 -0500

Hi Mickey,   
Gene Vermillion here again. One more question and I'll stop bugging you and make up my mind. I played a Morgan Monroe MNB1 today and liked the sound. Could the resonator and the 1-piece flange be removed for open-back playing?

Thanks again,

Gene

I also like the Morgan Monroes...the one-piece flange is a superb upgrade on what was already a great value...

This is not practical to do...it can be done, only it's a tedious process and wouldn't be practical if you were going to go back and forth from a reso to an open-back...my suggestion would be to start out with the MNB-1...and learn to play a variety of styles of banjo...and eventually, find yourself an open-back...so you'll have both to choose from without worrying about having to modify anything to get the sound you're looking for...I also own both for different applications...not one banjo really can cover it all...

Good luck with your research...Mickey

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Subject: Question
Date: Thu, 14 Nov 2002 09:35:07 -0500

Good morning folks,

Are the Morgan Monroe Banjos really any good? Is the difference between
the MGB-1 and the MGB-2 the carving. I'm sure, for the price, the carving
is machine and not hand?

Will appreciate any assistance and advise.

Thank you

Michael E. Mulhollen

Greetings Michael,

Are the Morgan Monroe Banjos really any good? Is the difference between
the MGB-1 and the MGB-2 the carving. I'm sure, for the price, the carving
is machine and not hand?

I believe the Morgan Monroes are one of the best values in the
industry...no, they're not the quality of a Deering, Gibson, Wildwood
nor Crafters...however, for features in relation to price, the Morgan
Monroe truly shines...

The MGB-2 does have the Carved Headstock and Heel...and, I believe
that is the only difference...

MGB-2

Rim: 3-ply solid blocked mahogany rim
Tone Ring: 24 hole diecast bell brass tone ring
Flange Assembly: 2 piece tube and flange
Tuners: 10 to 1 gear ratio Ashton Bailey planetary tuners
Resonator: 14" Curly Maple Resonator
Inlay Pattern: Abalone Wreath Pattern Inlay
Fretboard: Rosewood
Bridge Wood: Rosewood Tipped Maple Bridge
Frets: 22 Nickel Silver
Hardware: Gold
Carved Headstock and Heel

MGB-1
Rim: 3-ply solid blocked mahogany rim
Tone Ring: 24 hole diecast bell brass tone ring
Flange Assembly: 2 piece tube and flange
Tuners: 10 to 1 gear ratio Ashton Bailey planetary tuners
Resonator: 14" Curly Maple Resonator
Inlay Pattern: Abalone Wreath Pattern Inlay
Fretboard: Rosewood
Bridge Wood: Rosewood Tipped Maple Bridge
Frets: 22 Nickel Silver
Hardware: Gold

Let me know if I can further assist you in any way...Mickey

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Date: Sun, 8 Sep 2002 18:56:32 EDT

Hi Mickey,

Greetings Steve,

I first wrote to you back in April regarding banjos that would make good traveling instruments. My Coast Guard job assignment changed and I didn't think I'd "need" a second banjo. As a refresher, I have a curly maple Gold Star that is a great sounding instrument. After hauling it around Asheville, NC and through a bunch of airports, having to unpack it and wrap it in a baby blanket that a young mother graciously let me use from her child, and seeing that I will be traveling fairly extensively, I'm back seriously looking again.

I do recall our first communications...and, I'm not sure if we covered much on your Gold Star...we do get some requests for these; it appears they're still held in very high esteem. Therefore, be sure to hold on to it with tenacity.

Talked with your staff a few minutes ago and the woman who assisted me kindly recommended that I e-mail you with my questions. Back in April, I was looking at a Gold Tone CC-100 or CC-100R with an upgrade to the planetary tuners.

Yes, I remember something about this...

Am still interested in this instrument, especially the CC-100R as it will mimic the size and general playing of my Gold Star. As I was studying your site, I noted some additional instruments that were roughly in the same price range, Saga (who I believe were the Gold Star manufacturers; by the way, why'd they ever quit making such a great banjo?)

Yes, Saga was the original manufacturer...I've talked with the President, who first spearheaded the Gold Star, at the Summer NAMM. He said that he had every intention of bringing the Gold Star back. Even so, these will not be the same as the original Japanese models such as the one you have...

and especially the Morgan Monroe MNB-1. This instrument seems to have a lot going for it, appearance, hardware (is that a Price-licensed tailpiece like on the Gold Tones?)

Nope...it's not the price licensed tailpiece; it's a clam shell type...It's a spring-loaded cover that angles upwards when installing or removing strings. My Gibson RB-800 has one of these...

, materials and warrantee, but I've never heard of them and don't know anything about them. The Gold Tones have a pretty solid reputation by testimonials I've seen on your and other sites, and I realize Morgan Monroe has to build its reputation.

Yes, Morgan Monroe is new to the banjo industry...they are solidly built and offer a tremendous value.

Based on this, I have a couple of questions:

--What is the approximate weight of each instrument (I believe you said the Gold Tone was in the 5-6 lb range,
so I want to get an idea of how much I'll be lugging around)?

The Morgan Monroe MNB-2 weighs in at: 11.5 lbs

--How does the quality compare between these brands?

They're both well built banjos for the money...they both offer pro features..and the Morgan Monroe even has a Lifetime Warranty.

--How does the playability compare among these brands? Do you have a video clip of the Morgan Monroes
coming?

I believe the playability of the Morgan Monroe to be comparable to the Gold Tone...most of this would be dependent on the set-up...which we provide to each player's specifications. I hope to have some MM banjo clips done soon...thanks for staying tuned. I did just finish the images on the MNB-2 today...

--I recall that the finish work and final assembly for the Gold Tones are done in Florida; how about for the other
two companies?

On the Morgan Monroes all stages of manufacture are performed in Korea...

I realize that that doesn't necessarily make that much difference as the Gold Stars were made
in Japan.
--Is there another instrument in the $300-450 range that I'm overlooking and should consider?

For banjos? I don't think so...I can't think of any better value than what Morgan Monroe or Gold Tone offers today...for open-backs, the Saga Old-Time is really nice...

--After considering everything, which instrument would get your nod and why (I realize I'm not purchasing a
Stelling Virginian, although some day I may love to)?

For travel, I believe you're on track with the CC series (or the Saga Travel Series)...for a powerful banjo that can be used within most any context, I'd go with the OB-250 or one of the high-end Morgan Monroes.

--Once I decide, is it possible to get a look at the actual banjo?

Sure, we can e-mail you pix of one and the very same instrument being sent to you...or, you're welcome down to our showcase. You also are welcome to try it out for 2-3 days to make sure it fits your needs. You would only be responsible for the shipping costs.

Hope this helps, Mickey


Thanks for your help last Spring and look forward to your answers to the above. I had credit card in hand and was ready to go today, but I always appreciate someone who isn't in such a big hurry to sell something that they take the time to ensure the right answers and buyer's satisfaction.

Steve Hardy

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Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2002 18:02:01 -0700 (PDT)

Thanks for the advice the other day..I read some
things about thet Morgan-Monroe banjos and was
wondering how you like them and how do they sound?
I've heard some say they sound great(very close to
some of the Gibsons,and better than a Goldtone OB250+)
and others say they sound ok but look cheap and feel
bad.What are your thoughts on them? Would you
recommend them?and how do you think they sound? are
they crisp up the neck and have that"ring"?


Greetings,

Yes, I've tried the Morgan Monroe and found them to be an above average import. No, they are not as high grade a banjo as a Gibson (and, of course, the price reflects this); yes, they are a tremendous value with pro features. Yes, for the price, I highly recommend them. They do not have a sand cast tone ring (as do many high-end pro banjos do such as the Deering lien)...they do have a bell brass tone ring that serves this level banjo very well. I personally love the clear head and find it contributes to crystal clear highs. This type of head is not accepted within bluegrass circles; traditionally, a frosted head is used. I understand that the Morgan Monroe MGB Series will be offering the option of a clear or frosted head. The clear head does contribute to a crisp ring up the neck...I haven't tried the MGB with a frosted head to date.

As far as feel, we set up each instrument before it ships to each customer's specifications. Therefore, we believe we can make the Morgan Monroe banjo play smooth and fast. If frets need dressing, we also perform this without charge.

At your disposal, Mickey

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