Austin Stovall - Posted - 02/14/2015:  18:53:37

Hi all.  I was at a local pawn shop today and saw a nice looking gold plated tube and plate flange flat head Morgan Monroe rocky top for just 475.00.  I thought this seemed like a bargain price for a gold plated  masterclone.  But I have no Idea If it really is a good deal or not.  I've known a few people that had some Morgan Monroe banjos they really liked and this one looks like it was played a bunch judging from the wear marks on the head.  

 Just wondering what some thoughts on it would be.  I'm also thinking I might Could talk them down to Just 400 dollars Cash.  

wizofos - Posted - 02/14/2015:  19:50:55

Rocky Top is the line of instruments not a specific instrument. If that is the Appalachia model that is on their web site the new list price is about $2999.00

This is the top of their line. I know some don't particularly care for MM but if it sounds good then it seems to me to be a good deal.

MORGAN MONROE APPALACHIA BANJO W/ DELUXE CASE Model# MFB-4DX/C

I think that this is their only gold plated model.

There is a Morgan Monroe group on here you might check with someone on there for more info.

Edited by - wizofos on 02/14/2015 19:52:09

Austin Stovall - Posted - 02/14/2015:  21:03:20

Thanks the store was fixing to close so I didn't get to get it down and see what model it is or play it. I didn't know there was a morgan monroe group. That sounds like a good place to bring this up.

Austin Stovall - Posted - 02/14/2015:  21:07:34

It was definitly not as ornate as the Appalachia model. I think it is probabily an older model they no longer make because I couldn't find one like it on their website.

beegee - Posted - 02/15/2015:  05:42:33

They are decent banjos and that price is pretty good. The gold probably isn't real gold, more likely rhodium, but hey...In 2015 $475 is pretty much chump-change especially when amortized over a 10-20 year span. You couldn't buy the materials to build a banjo as nice as that for $475.