A visit to fuller's vintage guitars

[mandocaster]

I have been musing about getting a new mandolin, so I packed up the Givens to see how it stacked up against some new Gibsons. Fullers has a great variety now

F5 Fern, Goldrush, Doyle Larson, Wayne Benson, Fern Varnish(!), Distressed MM.

I didn't actually play the DMM. The standout for me was the Doyle Larson. Sweet tone up the neck. Nice materials and workmanship. It might be able to lure me away from the Givens.

The guy who helped me didn't know a lot about mandolins, but was very patient with my protracted ab testing.

Anyway, if you get a chance check out the goodies there.

[GRW3]

There used to be a guy in the acoustic room who really knew mandolins in general and Gibson mandolins in particular very well. On one of my visits he was surprising mouthy (being in front of a customer) about what a bad idea it was the Fuller's had taken on Taylor Guitars. Haven't seen him the last couple of trips...

[Steven Stone]

I see (and play) Fuller's selection of mandolins every year at the Arlington Guitar Show (where they practically display their entire store inventory).

If you can't get to their store, the Arlington show is a great place to experience the entire breadth of the Gibson mandolin line in one place at one time.

Hint - the first hour on Sunday mornings is the quietest time of the show and best for actually hearing acoustic instruments.

[MikeEdgerton]

The last time I was in Fullers (a few years back) there was this character named Harlem Slim (http://www.houstonpress.com/2000-05-18/music/brother-from-another-planet/) behind the counter selling Gibson Harlem Slim Signature guitars. I recall looking at them and not having heard of him I then went back and looked for the model on Gibson's website. It seems Slim simply sticks his label inside whatever he's hawking. I see they have a Harlem Slim National Guitar on the site now. That inspired me to create the Michael Edgerton signature model Gibson F5G. They are very rare.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/uploads/post-8-51882-cropped.jpg

[JoeD]

Fuller's is my home shop for strings, picks, etc., and I know and like the folks over there reasonably well. Since Hill Country Guitars pulled out, it's probably the best we have here in Houston both for high-end mandolins and acoustic guitars. I trust the people at Fuller's to be honest, but it's still an arm's length relationship, and I'll certainly do my homework any time I buy an instrument from them.

I haven't seen Harlem Slim there the past few times I was in. (I know he's got a real name, I just can't remember it, and he never volunteers it.) He's usually kind of a fixture. I don't suppose he's moved on to new vistas? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

One other comment. The link to the Houston Press article is worth the read. It captures Harlem Slim's personality perfectly.

[Mike Snyder]

Hey, Mike! I'm likin' mine rare too. where can I get one of those (sinister bell-like shaped) trust rod coverts?