Re: mandolin stores in Saratoga Springs/Albany area?
Hey, someone else in my town! Frank Wakefield lives here, we've got a great builder, and it seems a lot of good bluegrass bands I know have played at either Cafe Lena's or the Parting Glass at some point, so it's not too bad a mandolin town (for New York anyways...) Saratoga Guitar is the only real music store in Saratoga, they are pretty good about acoustic instruments (probably because one of the Gibson Brothers used to work there). I don't know what their sub-$350 mandolin collection looks like though... I seem to remember a lot of Morgan Monroe, which I don't hear that much good about, and Eastman, which is more expensive. Parkway Music in Clifton Park is very similar. Either place could probably order something as well. If ordering something is the way to go, it might be worth giving my Luthier Marty Macica a call (In Schuylerville, 20 mins east of Saratoga). He's a builder, and I play one of his instruments. They are amazing, but definitely waayyyy out of the price range [= He doesn't have a lot of cheaper instruments on hand in his shop, but he ordered me my first two mandolins (Kentucky A models), and I know he does that for other people too. Once in a while he has an older something or other he's revived that could make a good starter mando as well. One good thing with this option is the setup, as Marty is a player and a first rate setup guy, and could probably give some pointers on starting too. I know he used to teach lessons as well, but I don't think he does any more. Could be worth giving him a call if there is nothing that stands out in her price range on a rack at one of the stores.
- 2004 Macica A
- 1952 Selmer Centered Tone
- Eastwood electric mandola
(and lots more)
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