Need good mando store in Nashville

[Chicago]

Doing a quick search found 2 Collings dealers in Nashville, TN. Cotton Music Center (http://www.cottenmusic.com/) Doesn't have much in the way of mandos, but their inventory shows a few Collings and Breedlove. Gruhn Guitars (http://www.gruhn.com/) looks like they've mostly got Gibsons and Michael Kellys which doesn't sound like what you're looking for. Hope that helps!

[ericwall]

First- I've never been there. BUT, if I go, I can't imagine missing Gruhn's and Cotten music. The bandwith on these two shops make them sound legendary. Also, Sim Daley is in the area and from what I read, makes some outstanding mandos. If I went, I'd leave my wallet home or think about trading.
Have fun!
Eric

[cutbait2]

gruhns has a bunch of used mando's most of which are not listed on his website, plus there's bbq-cold beer-good music up and down the street.

[futrconslr]

Try cotten and Gruhns. Cutbait is right about Gruhns having stuff not on the site.....ask one of the guys for help as they also have stuff that is not on the walls.

Same with cotten. Also, if you are in the market for a custom builder go see Sim Daley he has a website. He set up my mando and I played one of his customs while there. I liked it. He has a cool dog also. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Fred_Murtz]

Talk to Kim Sherman @ Cotten Music. If she doesn't have it now, she'll probably know where to get it. I bought a Breedlove Quartz OF Custom from her a few months ago (and a Taylor 810 as well). Cotton is a great store to BUY from. But I'd strongly recommend getting your set up/tech work done elsewhere (Greg at THE CLASSIC AXE in Nashville does an Awesome mando set up - and of course Sim Daley is just a few miles up the road).

Gruhns has some good mandos (Summits, etc.).

As someone else stated, both of these stores have a bunch of stock in the back that you won't see from a casual walk through, so be sure to ask about what you are looking for.

[BigJoe]

However, if you want to see a bunch of Gibsons, go to the Bluegrass Showcase or the Gibson Valley Arts Store on Church Street (not far from Gruhns or Cotten). Each shop has some of the best repair and set up guys on the planet. Guys like Dave Harvey and Jackie Miller. Great players and set up guys. Now for other brands...never know what we may have on any given day. Now back to your show http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif .

[chipotle]

We live in Chattanooga and get to Nashville around 6 times a year for an Opry show. We usually always make a trip into Gruhns, a great place and almost behind the Opry. Very personal and knowlegable folks.

And BigJoe, since I am travelling with my wife and daugther, no trip to Nashville is complete without a visit to "Shopryland" mall. While the gals are doing the mall thing I like to spend some time in your store. I have watched mandolins being built and finished and seen folks that really know how to play trying them out. Fantastic!

The F9 is beautiful, but certainly out of my playing caliber at this point, but I love looking and listening.

I aspire to it though, and I am working towards that, it is a beautiful instrument.

Thanks!

[Bradley]

[QUOTE]Does anyone know of a music shop in or around Nashville (TN) that sells high quality mandolins (other than Gibson)? I want to play some Webers, Collings, maybe a Breedlove.

Do you realize what a blessing it would be #to live in a place that is "pro music" like Nashville.All of the shows/clubs/concertsthat you have along with the stores.

Here in Cincinnati,I would venture to say that there is not more than 3 major concerts a year in the country music/Bluegrass arena and not more than 2 decent mandolin stores within a 100 miles of downtown.Sure every store has the low end PacRims but thats it...and heaven forbid needing a pack of mando strings in a pinch

I recently visited Nashville and saw more Mando's than any
one area I had ever been in before.Gruhns had 7-8 New Gibsons,(5) Collings, 3-4 Summits, some independent stuff,etc..Cotten had 7-8 high end mando's as well.Needless to say about the Opry Mills store.At worse case travel 2.5 hours to First Quality in Louisville...that would be a great time too!!

Happy Searching http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Fred_Murtz]

Just an FYI.....across the street from Cotton Music and down about 1 block is Pancake Pantry. Strongly suggested you have breakfast there.

[Big Joe]

A dozen years ago it was hard to find a mandolin in Nashville. No one carried any selection of them and the few that were available were expensive or junk. I tried to find a mandolin strap and no one carried one. I began making kangaroo straps just because of that. Now it is easy to find a good mandolin in town. I understand the frustration so many feel at not being able to find and play a good selection of mandolins. When I first began playing Mandolin we lived in Minneapolis. There were no Gibson mandolins to be had and very few other varieties. I am pleased to work where we have a great selection of mandolins and a selection of each of the Gibson models (including the distressed MM). We in Nashville are a happy and blessed bunch.

[futrconslr]

[QUOTE]We in Nashville are a happy and blessed bunch.

BigJoe is right on the money here. I am originally from East Tennessee, lived in the mid-west for awhile and have traveled extensively......If you like music it doesnt get much better than Nashville. I dont work for the chamber either. lol

Fred, I will second the Pancake Pantry. If you go on a weekend go early as the line gets long quick

[Bradley]

While we're talking food....

There is that BBQ place on Broadway..."Joes",
and a really nice mexican/steak place called the "cattlemans club" (if I remember right).

Oh well back to mando's

[b.pat]

Quote:
"A dozen years ago it was hard to find a mandolin in Nashville. #No one carried any selection of them and the few that were available were expensive or junk. #I tried to find a mandolin strap and no one carried one. #I began making kangaroo straps just because of that."

Hey Big Joe,
Where can I Pick up one of those "Big Joe kangaroo straps"?None of my local shops seem to cary them.
A Roo strap made by Big Joe, Would that be cool, or what http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
# # # # # # # # LOL, B.Pat

[Taube Marks]

As others have advised, go to Gruhn's. I bought a number of instruments from them, including an old A4 mandolin and an old H2 mandola Gibson's plus a Summit A10 (all via the telephone as I live in the UK). I told George Gruhn what I was looking for vis a vis tone quality and playing style. He found a number of candidates from his stock and outlined the options. For Summit, he rang me and told me he had a fairly plain but very good sounding mandolin to offer.

The service was good, fast (I had the mandolin in five days by air), and I would be hard pressed to shop elsewhere.

[Big Joe]

Hey B.Pat...
I had to stop making them. My wife refuses to braid them for the wages I'm willing to pay her http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif . Actually, AlanN on the cafe makes some very fine ones. I keep meaning to order one but keep forgetting. Whatever you pay for those straps will not cover the time and materials needed to make them. Anyway, holler at AlanN and I'm sure he will be ready to help you out.