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Thread: Second Hand Mandolin Dealers - Chicago area

  1. #1
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    Default 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.

  2. #2
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    Default 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.

  3. #3
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default 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.
    Allen Hopkins
    Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
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    H-O mandolinetto
    Stradolin Vega banjolin
    Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
    Flatiron 3K OM

  4. #4

    Default 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.

  5. #5

    Default Re: Second Hand Mandolin Dealers - Chicago area

    Quote Originally Posted by Hayduke View Post
    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?!

  6. #6

    Default Re: Second Hand Mandolin Dealers - Chicago area

    Quote Originally Posted by nobullmando74 View Post
    yikes 9500 for an f4?!
    That's way out of my ability level and wallet, but their website says it is already sold.

  7. #7
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    Default 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.

  8. #8
    Registered User Eric F.'s Avatar
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    Default 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.

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