Vancouver BC stores

[andre66]

Hello,
I'm interested in finding any stores in the vancouver bc area that sell mandolins. This would be my first mandolin, i have no experience playing this or any other instrument but i am eager to start learning.
Any retailers apart from the big chain stores would be appreciated, i know where the big stores are, i just assume they won't have a great selection.
Looking to spend 500-600 canadian dollars.
Thanks
Andre

[AW Meyer]

I don't think you'll have much luck in Vancouver. I've spent the last couple of years trying to find mandolins, with no luck. I think Not Just Another Music Shop on Granville, just south of the bridge, has a Breedlove A-style, but it's way beyond your price range. Rufus's Guitars on Alma St. has a few Asian imports, but I haven't been there in the last couple of years. Prussin Music on W. Broadway, around the corner from Rufus's sometimes has Tacomas.

I bought my Weber last year from The Acoustic Gutar in Calgary. Mike McLeod sells over the web. He is also a Mid Missouri and Eastman dealer. He's a great seller to deal with. He'll give you a good price and ship something to you right away. He also offers a 48 hour trial period. Check him out. Acoustic Guitar (http://www.acousticguitar.net)

[pathfinder]

Mr Eh is giving you good advice. No financial interest in Mike's Calgary store. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[atetone]

The guys are steering you straight Andre.
Vancouver is a tough place to find a decent mandolin.
In your price range a Mid Missouri or a 515 Eastman (maybe just a wee bit out of your pricerange?) would be the only way to avoid the cookie cutter big store Asian mandos.
I have never come across either MidMo or Eastman in Vancouver.
Rufus had a whole whack of Michael Kellys (Asian made) hanging on the back wall the last time I was in there. I didn't try any of them but if you find yourself not wanting to order a mando sight unseen maybe one of those would work for you. I am not fond of them myself.
I personally would try to find an Eastman or MidMo dealer in Vancouver although I couldn't find any the last time I was there.
I would then give Michael McLeod a call like the other guys suggested.
I have chatted with him a few times and he seems like a good guy.
Ask him to pick you out a good one.
No provincial sales tax in Alberta either so that will save you 7%. GST still applies though.
You could probably find something down in Washington if you want to put your hands on the mando before you lay down the cash.
Dusty Strings in Seattle are an Eastman dealer I think.
Just be aware that you have to pay both GST and PST when you bring it across the border. 14% total taxes plus in the case of the Eastman, duties will probably apply also. (Chinese-made)
The MidMo is made in The States (the last I heard anyway) so no duty will apply, just taxes.
Good luck.

[andre66]

Thanks for the information folks, i'm going to save up a little money and go with a mid-mo from acoustic guitar.
Andre