Minnesota Mando Shops?

[bluesfanjp]

Ok, The Poduim, Willies, Dave's Guitar Shop (WI), Homestead Picking Parlor...

Who am I missing that might have Collings, Weber, Pave, etc in stock within reasonable driving distance of Minneapolis? I'm looking for a Collings MT (sunburst preferred) and want to play it before plopping down the 2+K. I'd also consider other comparable mandos.

Thanks!

[GKWilson]

bfjp. Can't help you with a shop in your area, but I know how you feel.
I have to drive 150 miles to get to a shop that has a few nice mandolins.
A thousand or more to get to a really good shop.
There are always several of the mandolins your looking for in the classifieds.
If you found one there that rang your bell I would ask for a three day trial period.
This would give you plenty of time to decide if this is the one.
You usually have to pay for shipping if you return the mandolin, but how much
would a long road trip cost to try one in a shop.
Ideally it would be nice to live near one or more great shops, but we don't.
So this is another option to think about.
Good luck.
Gary

[sloanypal]

The Podium has some nice old Gibsons. Homestead has Weber. Willies is listed as a Collings dealer but I haven't been there to see what they have in stock. There are a couple places in Chicago listed as dealers on the Collings website. You could also keep your eye out for a nice Brentrup or LePlant. I have ordered all of my mandolins and so far had good luck (Elderly, Mandolin Brothers, Gryphon).

[ajh]

You pretty much hit everyone around here. There is another music shop in River Falls that I don't recall the name of that had a couple of exceptionally nice mandos last fall. I think one was a Pava. The other one was from a well known Czech builder that I don't recall the name of right now. Also, get in touch with Lloyd LaPlant in Grand Rapids. He also has a collection of mando's that he occasionally will sell.

[terzinator]

The Mandolin Store in Phoenix is the closest one.

I kid.

Seriously, everyone from the Twin Cities should reply to this thread, and we should meet up and pool our resources and quit our jobs and open a proper mandolin-friendly shop.

The Podium does what they can, but it's always been a guitar-oriented store. I've seen on the website (but haven't been to see in person) that they have a Brentrup 3-point for $20K+. A few years back, when they were still in Dinkytown, they had a wonderful MT-2 with that Tangerine Burst finish. If I was in the market at the time, it would have been mine. I don't see many Collings there anymore.

Willie's will have one or two Big Muddy's (Or Mid-Mo's, can't remember what they are now), and maybe the occasional Collings. Was just there yesterday, as it happens, and they do currently have an MT in stock. It was OK, but had old strings, so I don't think it was a fair test. I always compare my own Collings MT to them in my mind, and nothing I've played there has ever come close. (I live about 6 blocks from Willie's, and in my guitar days, I'd find every excuse to go there. Now that I play mandolin, I don't feel the same magnetic attraction to the place.)

Homestead Pickin' Parlor on Penn at 66th will have a fair number of mandolins, but nothing particularly high end. like sloanypal says, they are a Weber dealer, but they usually only have Hyalite or similar. But you never know. They occasionally have a few dusty gems hidden away, so it can be worth the trip.

Nobody's gonna have a Pava here. Not new, anyway. Not yet.

[Marvino]

Seems to be pretty slim pickins for music stores in twin cities that carry quality mandolins. I agree with terzinator, you guys should open one up.

[York]

The Mandolin Store in Phoenix is the closest one.

I kid.

Seriously, everyone from the Twin Cities should reply to this thread, and we should meet up and pool our resources and quit our jobs and open a proper mandolin-friendly shop.

The Podium does what they can, but it's always been a guitar-oriented store. I've seen on the website (but haven't been to see in person) that they have a Brentrup 3-point for $20K+. A few years back, when they were still in Dinkytown, they had a wonderful MT-2 with that Tangerine Burst finish. If I was in the market at the time, it would have been mine. I don't see many Collings there anymore.

Willie's will have one or two Big Muddy's (Or Mid-Mo's, can't remember what they are now), and maybe the occasional Collings. Was just there yesterday, as it happens, and they do currently have an MT in stock. It was OK, but had old strings, so I don't think it was a fair test. I always compare my own Collings MT to them in my mind, and nothing I've played there has ever come close. (I live about 6 blocks from Willie's, and in my guitar days, I'd find every excuse to go there. Now that I play mandolin, I don't feel the same magnetic attraction to the place.)

Homestead Pickin' Parlor on Penn at 66th will have a fair number of mandolins, but nothing particularly high end. like sloanypal says, they are a Weber dealer, but they usually only have Hyalite or similar. But you never know. They occasionally have a few dusty gems hidden away, so it can be worth the trip.

Nobody's gonna have a Pava here. Not new, anyway. Not yet.

That'd be cool, but would there be enough interest for the mando in the twin cities to be able to sustain a mandolin store?

[terzinator]

That'd be cool, but would there be enough interest for the mando in the twin cities to be able to sustain a mandolin store?

Not sure. Kind of a pipe dream, really.

If I win the Powerball, i'm doing it, good idea or not.

[Fred Keller]

Ok, probably the best collection of mandolins in Minnesota resides in the home of Mr. Lloyd LaPlant. Unfortunately he lives in Grand Rapids. But he builds some of the best mandos around and has a collection of instruments--often a bunch of choice old Gibsons and such--in his basement that will make your eyes pop and your jaw fall on the floor. So depending on how bad you have the itch, that's where I'd go if I had the money to spend on a Weber or a Collings. LaPlant mandos compare well to those brands and they're made by one of the nicest guys in the state.

[Richard J]

Homestead have a few Loar's & Kentucky's. And Homestead Pickin' Pallor is a great shop.

[DougC]

Hoffman Guitars sometimes has a mandolin. They make mandolins but that is a special order.

BTW That "wonderful MT-2 with that Tangerine Burst finish" is at my house.

[terzinator]

BTW That "wonderful MT-2 with that Tangerine Burst finish" is at my house.

Get. Out.

That was a great mandolin.

Does it go places? Like, so I can drool on it again?

[DougC]

Yes, Chris. It is allowed to go out of the house but only on gigs with me. I'll send you some gig dates via email. In fact I'm doing a gig on Monday that would be a great opportunity to hear it up close. And if I have the time I'll let you play it.

Really, I'd be honored to show it to anyone that willing to check it out.

Also somewhere here on the Cafe there is the story about the MT-2's origins.

Most of my gig dates are here: http://EisnersKlezmorim.com

[terzinator]

Ok, probably the best collection of mandolins in Minnesota resides in the home of Mr. Lloyd LaPlant. Unfortunately he lives in Grand Rapids. But he builds some of the best mandos around and has a collection of instruments--often a bunch of choice old Gibsons and such--in his basement that will make your eyes pop and your jaw fall on the floor. So depending on how bad you have the itch, that's where I'd go if I had the money to spend on a Weber or a Collings. LaPlant mandos compare well to those brands and they're made by one of the nicest guys in the state.

So, you mean Lloyd has a bunch of non-LaPlants for sale at his place? I've never been up there, but I've had the chance to play a bunch of his mandolins (seems like every other picker at MBOTMA events plays one!), and I've heard about what a great guy he is. I'd love to make the pilgrimage sometime.

Yes, Chris. It is allowed to go out of the house but only on gigs with me. I'll send you some gig dates via email. In fact I'm doing a gig on Monday that would be a great opportunity to hear it up close. And if I have the time I'll let you play it.

Really, I'd be honored to show it to anyone that willing to check it out.

Also somewhere here on the Cafe there is the story about the MT-2's origins.

Most of my gig dates are here: http://EisnersKlezmorim.com

Thanks for the invitation, sir! This monday won't work, but it looks like your July 11 gig is right in my neighborhood. I'll put it on my calendar!

[Fred Keller]

So, you mean Lloyd has a bunch of non-LaPlants for sale at his place? I've never been up there, but I've had the chance to play a bunch of his mandolins (seems like every other picker at MBOTMA events plays one!), and I've heard about what a great guy he is. I'd love to make the pilgrimage sometime.

Yep. He doesn't have a store. You won't find new instruments of other brands. But he's a horse trader. I know a guy who's gotten a number of Loar-era Snakehead A's from Lloyd. I've played a few. Sometimes has an old Gibson 'cello, mandola, even a bass. Has lots of sweet old instruments and he likes nothing more than to back you up for 4 hours while you play fiddle tunes. Dang nice guy.

[terzinator]

Has lots of sweet old instruments and he likes nothing more than to back you up for 4 hours while you play fiddle tunes. Dang nice guy.

I would drive several hours for that kind of attention.

We should dig up a hornet's nest sometime, Fred.

[Fred Keller]

Hey Chris, I'm in the cities at least once a week. I'd like nothing better. Thursdays I lead a jam at Blackbird music (35th and Cedar by Matt's Bar) at 7:00. It's supposed to be bluegrass but it's still getting established and so it's kinda up and down. Conversely, I can set something up with Lloyd too

[Richard J]

Hey Fred, how good does a person have to be to get into your jam session at Blackbird? Can a beginner sit in?

[Fred Keller]

Richard: Yeah, we've got all levels. We regularly have one or two other beginners with us. Come and check it out! It's not hard core. We play some bluegrass, an occasional pop tune, old time tunes...whatever people bring

[terzinator]

Thursdays I lead a jam at Blackbird music (35th and Cedar by Matt's Bar) at 7:00.

Yah, I remember seeing this listed a while back. I'll definitely try to get over there for one!

I'm reviving the Minnesota Pickers thread, just for sport.