Mandolin Set up in NY

[dcdan]

Hi I am relatively new to the mandolin ..Few months but I am "woodshedding" and am learning quickly. I play the violin, sax, and clarinet for many years was in a Hok shop in Israel and bought a crummy mandolin for 200 shekels (thats about $50) because having played violin for 35 or so years always wanted to see what it was like to pick on e-a-d-g. I was infected with the bug. I have been working through chords and picking with some help of internet and an excellent teacher.
I wound up buying 2 mandos on ebay (was bidding simultaniuosly) a "the Loar" MS 600, and Kentucky 675M. have been havinf fun with both but "the Loar" is definitely better suited for me...and I think just sounds better.
I am looking for a tech to set them up in the NY area. And also suggestions of classic bluegrass repertoire. My backround is Jazz Classical and Rock and Roll. Have been listening to Monroe, Sataman and Skaggs. I am looking for help as to where to find written classic bluegrass tunes (no tab can't read it). and guys to listen to.
Thanx:)

[JeffD]

Welcome to the mandolin and to the cafe.

Where in NY are you?

[Santiago]

One of the best acoustic music shops in the World is located on Staten Island. It's called Mandolin Brothers (http://www.mandoweb.com).

[Santiago]

If you need something more local, let us know where. There are a number of choices.

[dcdan]

I split my time between Israel and NY. I work in Forest Hills queens. I have heard of mando brothers but they are a little inconvenient. I am better off with nyc or better still someone in Queens

[walt33]

Cris Mirabella has been recommended to me (but I have not used him).

Website /www.mirabellaguitars.com/, address and phone:

Mirabella Guitars | P.O. Box 482 Babylon, NY 11702 | (631) 842-3819

good luck,
Walt

[yoshka]

Welcome to the mandolin cafe! It is a great resource with very friendly and helpful people.

About having the setup done, another direction you may want to go is to have it done in Israel (believe it or not!) There are two people I know of who are professional luthiers, both located in the north. Anat Goldman, Kibbutz Afikim and Ami Shtener in Rosh Pina, his site http://www.strings.co.il/.
Haven't used either yet, but I have talked with Anat about mandolin and also know people who have had work (other instruments) done by her and were satisfied.

I would like to recommend Niles Hokkanen's "Bluegrass Up The Neck" as a great resource for playing bluegrass.

:mandosmiley:
Yossi
Hazoreim, Lower Galilee

[Santiago]

There's supposed to be a good store in Brooklyn too. Babylon's a bit far. I know some of the music stores on 48th street in Manhattan sell mandolins, but I don't know how well they know them. Maybe Rudy's.