Folkmusician or the Mandolin Store

**Garyinboston** · Oct-05-2010, 8:26pm

Hi Guys,

Of these two, The Folkmusician & The Mandolin Store who both seem so into set up, tweaking mandolins who would you buy from?

Reading the set-up details make me nervous about buy from places that don't even talk about it being an issue.

Your collective thoughts?

Gary

**TDMpicker** · Oct-05-2010, 8:30pm

I bought a mandolin from Robert @ The Folkmusician and was very happy with the setup.
He does an excellent job with has many fine reports.

**Dave Weiss** · Oct-05-2010, 8:54pm

Robert @ Folkmusician seems to specialize in import mandolins and does a very thorough set-up. If I were looking for an import I would definately buy from him. If I were looking for a higher end (American) mandolin I'd buy from The Mandolin Store.

Dave

**Tim2723** · Oct-05-2010, 9:16pm

I think Dave has it, but both are exceedingly well respected suppliers. I don't think you could get a bad deal with either. Like all the best experts, they do seem to have their specialties.

**Michael Nelson** · Oct-05-2010, 9:34pm

I recently bought my mando from The Mandolin Store. They have been super in supporting me and the setup on the instrument seems to be very good. That said, from what I have read about Robert at Folkmusician, I couldn't have gone wrong there either. Unfortunately, one thing that comes in to it for me is California sales tax (9 1/2 % !!). The Mandolin Store is in Arizona, and FolkMusician is in California.

You do the math...

**Jim Roberts** · Oct-05-2010, 9:42pm

It's great to shop with those who sponsor this web-site, isn't it?

**jim_n_virginia** · Oct-07-2010, 12:44am

I wouldn't hesitate to buy from either one if I were looking for the kinds of mandolin they sell.

**NuGrass** · Oct-07-2010, 8:43am

TMS has a real brick and mortar store and FM does not. I bought my mando from TMS as I like support folks with real brick and mortar stores and not just folks who sell online that do not have set retail hours for people to come visit and play their mandolins. I live inl So Cal so I was able to drive to TMS and play mandos, but even if I lived on the other side of the USA I still think having a brick and mortar store is important. There's also a lot to be said for having a staff rather than a one man show. It ensures the longevity of a store always being there.

**Steve Ostrander** · Oct-07-2010, 10:01am

I've never dealt with FM but I have bought several from TMS. Great people, great service, great deal.

**Rob Giuffrida** · Oct-07-2010, 10:19am

I bought my mando from TMS a few months ago and I couldn't have had better service. I was contemplating between TMS, Mandolin Hut, FM, and Janet Davis. Everyone was very, very helpful but Dennis went above and beyond, always responding to all of my emails (sometimes at 3 AM) and his prices were great! I'll always buy my mandolins there.

**man dough nollij** · Oct-07-2010, 10:53am

I have no experience with FM, but I'll throw in another recommendation for The Mandolin Store. I dropped in on them to get a minor setup adjustment on my Eastman, to find that they were closed for inventory that day. They were super slammed, but Dennis saw me outside and let me in. He dropped what he was doing, and fixed a low nut slot right there. Customer service is really important to me, and it's readily apparent that it is to them, too. I've had a couple of transactions with them, always great. Other cool features of TMS are that they sell used instruments, so it's possible to 'trade up' in the future. They also have a great relationship with Weber, offering special editions (Coyote, Diamondback, Black Ice) that are WAY cheaper than it would be to custom order from another shop.

**woodwizard** · Oct-07-2010, 11:15am

Can't go wrong with "The Mandolin Store"

**Michael Nelson** · Oct-07-2010, 12:24pm

One thing that really impresses me about TMS is the quick response to everything. With lots of internet businesses email is a joke, but TMS always responds amazingly fast, even if it is way after what you would normally expect "work hours" to be in Arizona. I really couldn't be more pleased with those guys.

**Brent Hutto** · Oct-07-2010, 12:32pm

Originally Posted by Michael Nelson

One thing that really impresses me about TMS is the quick response to everything. With lots of internet businesses email is a joke, but TMS always responds amazingly fast, even if it is way after what you would normally expect "work hours" to be in Arizona. I really couldn't be more pleased with those guys.

I have found that to be true in my own E-mail correspondence with The Mandolin Store and equally true in my frequent E-mail exchanges with Robert at Folkmusician.com, as well. Both are exemplary communicators by all accounts.

**Mike Scott** · Oct-07-2010, 12:46pm

I don't see how you could go wrong with either one. I just bought an inexpensive "travel/work" mandolin and both were very helpful answering my questions (over the phone). I bought through TMS only because they had what I decided on in stock while Robert didn't -if he had I'm not sure who I would have bought from. The mandolin arrived yesterday and was set up wonderfully and played and sounded way better than I expected. Both are great sponsors.

**CES** · Oct-07-2010, 2:13pm

I've heard only good things about both stores...I've only corresponded with Dennis once (about a Gold Tone emando that I ended up passing on), but felt he honestly and promptly answered my questions. Robert posts on here frequently and also seems to give honest critiques on the various mandos he carries. I would have no qualms about buying from either online.

**Santiago** · Oct-07-2010, 4:45pm

I have only heard good things about both as well, but I have only personally bought from the Mandolin Store, with which I have always had very positive experiences.

**Nelson Peddycoart** · Oct-07-2010, 4:57pm

I have dealt extensively with The Mandolin Store and can say nothing but good things about them.

**Garyinboston** · Oct-26-2010, 9:58pm

Well I bought an RM 75 Rover last night with a K&K pickup installed from the Mandolin Store. Complete with case & PU w/ free shipping @ $ 554.00 . Very easy, helpful and straight forward.

And so it begins..........

Gary

**Little Ed** · Oct-26-2010, 10:23pm

What can I say, TMS was great to work with purchasing my new Weber. It arrived ready to play

Now I need to learn to play it

**H.P.** · Oct-26-2010, 10:38pm

I have bought 2 mandolins from TMS and have found Dennis very good to work with.

**thejamdolinplayer** · Oct-26-2010, 10:55pm

TMS is as good as it gets, although im sure there are other great shops out there.

**Rick Cadger** · Oct-27-2010, 4:40am

Not bought from either yet as I'm still saving for a Kentucky KM-900 and that process has been interrupted by real life. :-(

Both stores have good reputations.

Robert at FM is a regular and very helpful poster on the Cafe. He is also great at answering queries by email.

**Susan H.** · Oct-27-2010, 6:23am

I've not dealt with Folkmusician, but I bought my mando from TMS. Great people, service and prices. You won't go wrong dealing with them IMHO.

**bgjunkie** · Oct-27-2010, 8:00am

Late chiming in on this one. I have never bought a mandolin from Folkmusician, but I have bought two fiddles for my daughter and Robert did a great job with setup and service. I spoke with him for a while trying to decide what I needed for a 5yr old (4 years ago) and what I got was perfect, so I bought a second fiddle from him when she outgrew the first.

I have never purchased anything fom TMS, but I have dealt with Dennis via email and he definately is a customer oriented guy.