Morgan Music — Local services in Lebanon

I live in Columbia, IL, which is in the St. Louis metropolitan area and I travel frequently to Springfield, MO for work. I purchased an old used Gibson J 50 guitar on line a few years back without really noticing who the seller was (it was an eBay purchase), but I did note that it was a music store in Lebanon, MO called Morgan Music. That purchase was represented properly and the guitar I received was exactly as advertised. I drive through Lebanon on my numerous trips to Springfield, so I decided that when I could I would stop in their store to see what other gems I may uncover. I stopped in a few times over the last couple of years but when I decided to stop this past November, I had a purpose of looking at OOO style acoustic guitars. When I entered I was greeted by Tyler, a very nice guy who asked what I might be interested in. When I mentioned OOOs he just put some in my hands and let me play them without any pressure. I played 3 or 4 very nice guitars (Martin, Collings and some higher end Yamaha made in Japan that I didn’t even know existed). The Martin was a custom OOO that was used but very well cared for. I haven’t found a guitar in this store yet that someone wouldn’t want to own - there’s no crap here. The staff is always much the same as Tyler - patient, no-pressure tactics, willing to show you anything. I’ve been in some guitar stores where they seem a bit pretentious and you feel like you’re bothering them. Maybe it’s just SW Missouri, but the Morgan folks are not pretentious at all. I didn’t purchase a guitar that day, but I thought about the Martin every day for about 3 weeks. I would check online to see if it was still there every other day or so. Finally, I decided to make the call. I called back for Tyler who had helped me, but he was off so another nice guy named Jacoby jumped in and took care of my order. I needed a pickup installed and the guitar to be shipped to my home. I called around noon the day before Thanksgiving to order the guitar and they installed the pickup and shipped it the same day. I had the guitar on Friday after Thanksgiving. Unbelievable! These guys rocked it and I AM VERY HAPPY WITY THE PURCHASE! I highly recommend checking out Morgan Music for your next instrument purchase....

I went in to have an Gibson Les Paul headstock repair done, and electronics replaced, but their luthier did new damage to my guitar. I would never suggest anyone bring a guitar to this store for repair work. The two things I asked for were done reasonably, but the good news stops there.

I always keep my old parts in case I trade the guitar someday. Some people want everything original. First of all, this guy was keeping my Gibson branded potentiometers for himself. When I opened my case and found they were not there, I had to ask. He had them in the back in a little baggie. He was going to keep them. I'm glad I asked before I left. The bigger problem, though was I keep my extra parts in the case. I hate pick gaurds on Lea Paul's. To me they look horrible. I had mine stored in the case. I did not ask for it to be installed. This "luthier" reinstalled it, but did not use the original hole. He also did not pre drill, he obviously just cranked the wood screw right in creating a new hole and crack. This level of work would not be considered professional in any shop that I would ever trust my guitars with. I removed the pickgaurd when I got home, that is when I noticed the damage he did. I just had to leave the shop right away when I checked that the electronics worked. I was so upset with him for keeping my Gibson parts as if he owned them and for installing that pick gaurd that was not on the guitar or requested to be installed. It's very insulting that he damaged my guitar in the process.

If you have a guitar with some value, pick a different shop for repair work. This one can not be recommended in good conscience.

Also, I was interested in a certain effects pedal that is $150 at virtually every guitar retailer online, but this place had theirs for sale for $200. Do not by anything here without checking the online price and having them match it. It seems like they are trying to take just take as much money as possible with no real care for the musicians that can choose an easier and much cheaper...

I just bought one of the last few Ome banjos made in Colorado, from Morgan Music. I’ve lived in Colorado most of my life and I’ve always wanted an Ome banjo. They have been made for over 60 years in Colorado and have become synonymous with the highest quality of design, craftsmanship and construction. When I found out that Ome Banjos was being acquired by Gold Tone and would move to Florida I looked around on the internet to see if any of the last few new Ome banjos made in Colorado were still available. I only found five new Ome resonator banjos and a few Ome open back banjos scattered around the country. The Southern Cross at Morgan Music was the only resonator banjo with a radiused fretboard, which I prefer. I realized I better jump on it or it would be gone, so I called and talked to Kristen. She was great to work with. It actually took me a few days to make up my mind to spend that much money on an instrument without playing it, but there was no pressure except my own sense of urgency. She made a video of someone playing it so I could get an idea of how it sounded. The purchase was easy, shipping was quick, and it was packed well for the trip. I just got it today and I’m pretty excited! It’s a beautiful instrument and sounds amazing! Thanks...