Monroe Guitars S-series

I ordered a telecaster model guitar. It took several attempts by phone and email to have someone actually take the order. I ordered a fender custom color - maple neck/fretboard.

I did not even plug it in when I received it. The workmanship was horrible. The neck (after being - back ordered - for months) was simply bolted on. No work on the frets - at all - and I ordered a tinted yellow neck. This neck had a matte finish. The volume knob was not threaded properly and was crooked. Which I could tell you how it sounded - but was too disgusted by the 3rd rate workmanship.

Guitar was not set up. Nut was basically a factory blank with some slots etched to hold the strings in - I am not kidding - the action at the 1st fret - much like a square neck dobro. Paint had runs - and was not smooth to the touch.

Who knows. Hopefully it held up on the UPS ride back to Iowa.

Got a lot of BS from these 2 guys. Floods, back ordered parts - unanswered emails.

Don't give your money to these guys. Plenty of others out there doing this same thing - and much better.

I Bought my Monroe in june 2005 because they are a up and comming guitar company, and after talking to Matt (head luthier) it made me feel quite good about my purchase. It was a totally custom ground up build to my specs, nitro paint, Alder body, maple neck. I really liked the 50's vibe the company portrayed, i'm in to that style and after seing where the future designs Matt showed me are going I wouldent be suprised if Monroe became a household name. The designs I was emailed are what the guitar industry needs now. Too many guitar companys are going for that futuristic style these days ie: Fender with the new "VG" strat, Gibson with this new clear pickup shtick, and Yamaha with the whole light up volume and tone knobs, where will it end?!?!?! I'd like to think it ends with Monroe, no gimicks, no shtik, just damn good guitars! They have a old school vibe with a new school idea, take it back to the roots!!! The designs Matt showed me were classy and classic! A great combo. I heard of them from a friend that got on off ebay, he loves his. My only complaint is that it took a month and a half to get mine, but it was built to my specs so I can let that go. I mean it was totally custom built for me what more do you want!?!?!?

I'm using mine with a Fender twin reissue, if you ever want SRV's tone Monroe is the only company that has nailed it! Trust me I have been searching for years! A bit of 60 cycle hum but thats what vintage guitars are all about! True to the roots, I love it!

The guitar came to me already set up by Matt, and let me tell ya, I told him what gauge I play and he dialed it in just for me! When I got the guitar I opend the case and was blown away, it looked amazing, more than what I hoped for, but I was not prepared for when I plugged it in, WOW!!!!! Tone all over the place! The fit is awesome! As far as finish, well it's a relic, I can tell it's nitro, thats all I wanted.

As far as durability goes it seems like a tank but dosent feel like it. Does that make sence? It's light and nimble, but dose'nt feel cheap.

Never had a problem, yet I have called Matt from time to time to ask about gear and set ups, but he usally takes a bit of time to get back to me, usally within a day. But when we do talk he has ALL the awnsers! He sounds like a young guy but he knows his stuff, and he's very nice. I see now they have a warranty, I bought mine before they offerd it, but for some reason I don't think i'll need it. Any question I ever asked got a responce within 24hrs, and buy the guy who built it! What more could you ask for?

I have been playing for 23 years, I own a fleet of Fenders and Gibsons, This was my first Monroe and it won't be my last! If it were stolen or lost I would call em up and have another built! I love everything about it! I love the relic job! It still blows me away! I played many custom shop Fenders before this one, and i'd have to say I went with the right choice!