MAS Chronicles

**f#54** · Apr-04-2009, 11:23am

Im headed out to Nashville today specifically to test drive mandolins. Ill try to strike it big in the music industry while there, I'll give it a week. Im going to Gruhns for sure and any other mandolin outlets I can find there. Weber and/or Collings dealers? I want to play a Bighorn, Collings M2O and an A oval Gibson while there. Im hoping too find the one. There is also a Randy Wood at Big Joes I will hopefully test. ANY SUGGESTIONS? I Dont necessarily have to buy while there but I would like too. It to me is a shame to have to drive 9 hours just to play something other than a Rogue, but I think you all know how it is, right? Wish me luck. Don

**Youda** · Apr-04-2009, 12:38pm

Originally Posted by f#54

<snip> ANY SUGGESTIONS?

hey Don! Sounds like one of my dream vacations. All those mandos...
Suggestions? Well, you could pick me up a Weber.

**f#54** · Apr-04-2009, 12:46pm

Its hard enough picking one.

**Dan Adams** · Apr-05-2009, 4:42pm

Cotton Music down by Vandy. Ask to see the 'back room' stock. Not all mandolins are on the wall. Dan

**D C Blood** · Apr-05-2009, 6:33pm

Hi Don...I'm not an official representative for Ken Ratcliff's Silver Angels, but I like to show mine off as much as I can. I live about four miles down the road from Big Joe's...If you let me know when you're gonna be there, I'd love to have you play mine...My phone is 615-512-1181. Hope to hear from you. Dave

**f#54** · Apr-05-2009, 8:20pm

I went to the Gibson factory store today (sunday). The guy there let me play anything cause as he said if I drop it he sells it. My reputation beat me here I guess. I played a Bibey, 2F5gs, a victorian model and an F9. The Vic barked the best but the F9 sounded sweet with bark, surprised me too. It was 75 degrees here today and their calling for snow tommorrow---This place is crazy in a good way. Thanks Dan for the heads up, Im going to Gruhns and Cottons in the morning.

**jim simpson** · Apr-05-2009, 8:26pm

I hope you include Sim Daley on your visit and Big Joe's.

**f#54** · Apr-09-2009, 6:12pm

Wow, At some point I kind-of gave up on finding a mandolin and concentrated on the people in Nashville.
To keep it short, heres my pros and cons
Pros-Met Joe Vest- Mike Compton-DC Blood-Restless Heart and Steve Perry
Cons-Joe`s Gibson is not for sale
Pros-Played all kinds of mandolins--Lots
Cons-Only seen one of the ones I mentioned at the start of thread
Pros-Nashville is cool
Cons Nashville is too cool--75 one day, sleet the next. In April?
PROS- I now know what a good mandolin sounds and feels like
CONS- I did not buy one yet (but Ive narrowed it down)

It was a great time, Ill go back and spend more time. 4 days is not enough.

**f#54** · Apr-09-2009, 6:31pm

Oh and I seen a few Cafe hats.

**f#54** · Apr-11-2009, 8:27am

Well-yet another road trip,3 hours too Galax from here
This time I bought a Collings, Hand picked by a Cafe member,
Im glad he done the leg work for me.
I have drove 1586 miles and met some wonderful people.
Thanks for the help guys, Don