Second Hand Mandolin Dealers - Chicago area
Hey fellow forummers,
I'm passing through Chicago, Il. this summer (en route to a family wedding in Canada) and want to take the opportunity to purchase a US-made mandolin (Gibson f-type, if possible - second hand, if price dictates). Does anyone know a source or listing of music shops I could scour?
Thanks in advance.
Re: Second Hand Mandolin Dealers - Chicago area
Mandolinist DonStiernberg (recently interviewed on the Cafe) is Chicago-based, so maybe he'll see your post and send back some ideas. The Guitar Works in Evanston, IL, which is a twenty minute train ride from downtown Chicago, has several new mandolins; you might see what they have used. You could call them (847) 475-0715 or see www.guitarworks@aol.com. Also try guitarworksltd.com. You might also contact the Old Town School of Folk Music (in Chicago) to see who they could refer you to. I don't remember whether they sell instruments themselves; they might.
Re: Second Hand Mandolin Dealers - Chicago area
Different Strummer at the Old Town School carries Weber and Big Muddy as US-made instruments; here's their mandolin page. And this is Gibson's link to dealers in Illinois.
Re: Second Hand Mandolin Dealers - Chicago area
If you are passing through Chicago on the way to Canada, you may want to swwing by Madison, Wi. to check out Spruce Tree Music. Here's a link: http://www.sprucetreemusic.com/
They'll have probably 1 to 2 doz. mandolins plus a store full of other stringed instrments. You can play as many as you want. You may even get to watch them restore some old instruments while you browse. I love going there when I get in Madison even if it is only to add to my stock pile of picks.
Re: Second Hand Mandolin Dealers - Chicago area
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Hayduke
If you are passing through Chicago on the way to Canada, you may want to swwing by Madison, Wi. to check out Spruce Tree Music. Here's a link:
http://www.sprucetreemusic.com/
They'll have probably 1 to 2 doz. mandolins plus a store full of other stringed instrments. You can play as many as you want. You may even get to watch them restore some old instruments while you browse. I love going there when I get in Madison even if it is only to add to my stock pile of picks.
yikes 9500 for an f4?!
Re: Second Hand Mandolin Dealers - Chicago area
Quote:
Originally Posted by
nobullmando74
yikes 9500 for an f4?!
That's way out of my ability level and wallet, but their website says it is already sold.
Re: Second Hand Mandolin Dealers - Chicago area
Thanks for the replies guys. From the current prices on the various websites, it looks like I'll may well be seeking out the 2nd-hand suppliers. To be honest, after financing myself, the mem-sahib and kids to this wedding somewhere south of Saskatoon, I'll be stretching it to spend more than $2000.
Randy; Thanks, I'll probably make a tour out to Guitar Works for a look-see.
Allen; Thanks also. I'll put Different Strummer on my visit list too, even just to see what I can't afford.
Hayduke; I'll have to see if the route and itinerary allows time for a stop in Madison. Hope so though; Spruce Tree appear to have a decent range.
It may sound strange but I've been holding off upgrading my mando so I could bring back a US designed and made instrument from my trip. Have you guys seen a listing of US made instruments anywhere?
Thanks again.
Re: Second Hand Mandolin Dealers - Chicago area
While you're in Evanston to go to Guitar Works, check out Hogeye Music. They usually have a nice range of mandos. It's been a while since I lived in the Chicago area, but Hogeye, Old Town School and Guitar Works were always worth checking out. And Spruce Tree Music is a treat, as well. None of them do much of a job, IIRC, of listing all their stock on their Web sites.