TESTIMONIALS Page 4
November/December 2000 Testimonials
From Our Wood-Wise Following

Date: Mon, 25 Dec 2000 Hi Mickey, Just wanted to tell you that the Bitteroot arrived on Friday and I haven't been able to put it down since. it is everything I wanted and more! What a deep, resonant tone and what a soft feel on the fingerboard. it's like butter. Thanks again, and a Happy new year to you and yours, Jennifer Michaels


Date: Sat, 23 Dec 2000 Hi Bryan: We received the dulcimer to day and we are thrilled with it. My wife is one happy camper. I have to say thank you so much for all your efforts on behalf a grumpy old man. Once again, thank you Norman Arrington


Date: Sat, 23 Dec 2000 Bryan, I'm assuming that you did not get my 2nd e-mail. The Wildwood Soloist arrived by UPS Ground on Tuesday-perfect condition. I have packaged my Deering up in the same material that Wildwood used and will have it shipped out to you next week. I fortunately had a few gigs during the week and this weekend. Not only is this particular banjo, the Wildwood Soloist, extremely attractive in appearance, but also the volume and sound make it an excellent representation of true craftsmanship. I wish that you had a chance to see this particular custom job because it is probably not ordered too frequently. Very well done. Many thanks and Happy Holidays, Bill

Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2000 Just wanted to pipe in here to say that I recieved my new mandolin from Folk of the Wood yesterday. It was shipped as promised and arrived on the date quoted. It arrived properly setup, intonated and in tune. (Not sure if this was done at the shop or the Weber factory as this was not a stock unit) They also matched a lower price quoted from a competitor and gave me a fair trade on another mandolin.

This is my first experience with Folk of the Wood and I am quite pleased and satisfied with the experience. I dealt with Bryan Cochran who was courteous and as helpful as he could be not being a mandolin player. (Not that I claim to be either...<g>)

My attraction to Folk of the Wood is the 100% trade-up policy a la Buffallo Bros. I look forward to taking advantage of this down the road. I am not trying to minimize the folks that had a less than satisfying experience but just wanted to point out that this was mine. Michael-

Date: Thu, 14 Dec 2000 Dear Mickey, I just want to tell you that I am delighted with my Regal A/E bass (RD-05E). It sounds excellent, with good tone and fine volume. It is by far the loudest acoustic bass that I've ever played. The quality of the workmanship and materials is impressive as well making it a beauty to behold. I can't wait to use it during Saturday night jams with my guitar and mandolin playing friends. Thank you for the recommendation and the good deal. Sincerely, John D.

Date: Mon, 4 Dec 2000 Mickey, I have had my Regal RD-45 Dobro guitar for about two months now and I am still extremely well pleased with the guitar as well as the service I received from Folk of the Wood. Thanks, Jim

Date: Tue, 28 Nov 2000 Mickey, Well, the mandolin arrived yesterday, and it plays beautifully. I just want to thank you folks of the wood for how wonderful you've been from my first tentative questions about various mandolins to the problems I had with the mail service taking their time in delivering the mandolin.  Thanks again, Matt Coffman

Date: Fri, 24 Nov 2000 Dear Mickey, Got the Saga Style III you suggested and the wife and I are VERY pleased. We both started learning with the video lesson tape and it won't be long before I am able to pick a song or two! Showed it to my daughter, who plays banjo some, and she turned green with envy. Thank you so much! Wish I had gotten the FOTW strap with it now. Regards, George Hubbell

Date: Fri, 24 Nov 2000 Dear Mickey, The Rigel A+ Deluxe arrived safely on Tuesday just in time for the traditional Thanksgiving jam of old time music. I played it most of Wednesday evening getting comfortable with it. The tone is spectacular. I have two wonderful 1920's Washburns that I would stack up against any Gibson for sustain and brightness if not depth, but the surpasses anything I could have expected in an oval hole for tone, clarity and note separation, ease of playing, depth on open chords, volume, and all around wow-ness for fiddle tunes and celtic music--O'Carolan's Morgan Megan never sounded better. The classical pieces I've tried sound wonderful. I think I like the fact that the sustain isn't so long that it blurs the next note. In short, I'm delighted. It was the right decision to go for the Rigel. I don't have the technique yet to get the sound that Simon Mayor can get out of an f-hole. But this mandolin is extraordinarily sweet-toned and positively rings on a tune like Soldier's Joy or Liberty both of which I played about a hundred times since getting the Rigel. Thank god I live alone.

I want to thank for your advice and your care in updating me about the time of delivery. I received your voice-mail message with all the joy of an expectant father and to hear you make the Rigel sing for me over the phone was a delight. The whole process of consulting with you, working out the details, and finishing the transaction with you was a delight. As I said before, I've dealt with other concerns but yours is the finest top to bottom I've ever encountered in the instrument business. I doubt in fact that any other business has ever been so patient with my
inquiries and in keeping me updated. All the thanks in the world goes to you and the gracious folk of the wood. I just put the Rigel down long enough to write this and now I'm going to pick it up again and teach myself "St. Anne's Reel"--the first chord of which sounds saintly already. Bless you Mickey. And thanks be to heaven for you and Folk of the Wood. Warmly, Jon

Date: Tue, 21 Nov 2000 Mickey: She unwrapped the deering goodtime banjo and LOVES it! Thanks for the picks and the strap. I can't tear her away from the thing now, and now she is starting to learn 'frailing'. Thanks again, I promise all of our future banjo needs we will come to you with. Missy

Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2000 Hey Mikey, Got the Kentucky 675 last friday! Exellent condition, and it plays great! I love the extra bark it gives having the solid body. The tuning keys are amazing, it hasn't gone out of tune hardly at all. It was a great deal to do the trade up, thanks alot. Don Anderson

Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2000 I received the RD-75 Friday night. So far, I really like it. The guitar case is also excellent. That video is GREAT!! Almost like having a personal instructor. I think that all beginners should get this video. I've been practicing between 4-5 hours a day (including Friday night!). Thanks for all your assistance on this purchase. I'll be contacting you in the near future for some additional videos. Thanks again for you all your help. Regards, Robert Keeling

Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2000 Hi Mickey: I am so glad you guys made up my mind for me as to whether to play squareneck or roundneck dobro. The squareneck is comfortable, easy to play and has a beautiful tone. I can't keep my hands off of it. Actually, because of the ms, it's much better than if I had the round neck--less strain, actually, no strain, on my shoulder! Like all the instruments I've gotten from you, this is a gem. The quality and workmanship is exceptional. I had tried some much more expensive dobros at a store in NY and frankly, I wasn't crazy about the tone. That's why I hesitated about the sqaure neck. But this one is fabulous! When I get thru the first "how-to" book, I'll call for advice on the next book to try. Jennifer Michaels

Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2000 Mickey, It got here today (the Wildwood Troubador)! I fell in love with it on sight! Plays wonderful! Bueatiful tone! Very nice natural wood beauty. That Folk of The Wood strap is great. Can you send me one of those with the other banjo when it comes in? Count me as one happy customer! First and Second Time.Would be happy to reccommend you to others. Will update you more latter. Thanks! Paul

Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2000 Mickey: Yes, I'm absolutely in love with the banjo! The sound and feel of it touch my soul in ways the guitar never has. I'll return when I can play it some, and am ready to upgrade to the Whyte Layde. I'll keep you posted re: my progress. Thanks for your help. Phil


Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2000 Hi Mickey-Just wanted you to know the Dean banjo is the mail today. I sent it thru the Post office, so you should get it on Thursday or Friday. I also insured it just in case.

Enjoyed visiting your store and I really like the Whyte Layde. Thanks for the trade in and good deal on the banjo. You've made a customer for life and I will tell all my friends. Best wishes, Jim

Date: Fri, 10 Nov 2000 Mickey, I just opened the package from FOTW and wow!! Early X-mas for me!! What a nice Gold Tone banjo! I am very pleased..I love the way it sounds and I like the cutout for frailing. Thanks for talking me into the upgrades..Still need a book and capo. Thanks again for taking the saga back. You have a great policy...jp

Date: Fri, 10 Nov 2000 Hellow, Yesterday I received the Gibson F-4 mandolin. It was in very good condition and has so beautiful a body. I am very much satisfied with it and appreciate you!! Sincerely, Yoshie Sato Kyoto, Japan

Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 Very pleased with the quality of your merchandise and service. Thanks!

Date: Tue, 07 Nov 2000 Just got the used mid-missouri m-4 mandolin and case. It is really a very beautiful instrument. Thanks so much for all your help--I'll certainly be back. Hoping all is well. Chris Campolo

Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2000 Hi guys, the Gold Tone banjo arrived safely today, what a great instrument !. I've only stopped playing it because my fingers are sore. Beats playing my old beat up wreck. many thanks for your trouble, I recommend your services to every one. Kindest regards, Chris Goodfellow   

Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2000 Dear Folk of the Wood, Just wanted to let you know that we received the Cremona SV 320B violin today. It is exceptionally beautiful--and your set- up was perfect! Thanks so very much for your outstanding and extrordinary efforts to insure that the violin exceeded our expectations! It is very unusual to see a business take the kind of care that you have. I know that we will enjoy playing it and we will most definitely be a return customer. Sincerely, David and Jeanne Burns

Date: Wed, 1 Nov 2000 Mickey, Just wanted to say, "thanks" for the nice deal on the Bitteroot, which came today. It looks, plays and sounds great! It has upstaged the fiddles it hangs on the wall with.

Date: Thu, 2 Nov 2000 love your site- i purchased a goldtone OB-250 a few months ago from you and have played it every day since...it's got a great tone and i truly believe i'll be playing banjo for many years to come. thanks for your help, and thanks for taking the time to help others make music!

Date: Thu, 2 Nov 2000 Dear friends at Folk of the Wood: I received my new Kentucky KM-150S today, and it looks and sounds great! Thanks for getting it to me so quickly. It is my first mandolin, and I spent a few months looking around on the internet and in my hometown. When it came time to buy, there was no question where I would go--your service is amazing and your prices compare with anyone. I want you to know that you have a very satisfied customer. Sincerely, Doug Koskela