TESTIMONIALS Page 6
March/April 2001 Testimonials
From Our Wood-Wise Following

Date: Thu, 19 Jul 2001

Mickey, I have to tell you that this Weber Yellowstone is absolutely
beautiful. The tone is fabulous and to have this quality of tone at this
volume is incredible. This is it. I believe that this is all the mandolin I
will ever need.

My best to you, Suzy and all at the shop for the help.

Take care

Bruce Burton

P.S.
Thanks for the 100% trade up. Somebody once told me that "a good deal is a
good deal for everyone". Nice to see someone practicing that policy.

Date: Mon, 21 May 2001

Mickey, this e-mail is not only to you, but to all the people that visit the Folk Of The Woods Site. My name is Rolan Corley, from Longview Texas. About a year ago I purchased a Kentucky 620B, a really nice instrument. About a month ago I decided to drive 500 miles to Ruidoso, to visit the area and visit with Mickey. To my disappointment Mickey was not at the store. His brother called him, at his studio where he was working. Mickey took the time from his busy schedule to come to the store and visit with me. Now you have to understand, I'm just a beginner mandolin player, but Mickey treated me like I was a professional, with praise and encouragement. He even took the time to give me a free lesson. Thanks Mickey. While I was there, I even traded up to a larger case for my Mandolin. Believe me, and him, he truly has a great trade up policy, and his word is golden. Mickey just wanted the people who haven't met you to know that you are a great guy, and have the best program I've ever seen. Thanks for the New Mexico hospitality.

Hey Rolan!

Wow! Your letter truly inspires...Thanks so much for taking the time out to write it. Appreciative customers, like yourself, make our efforts with FOTW more than worthwhile. Please pay us a visit again as soon as you can...Mickey

Date: Mon, 15 May 2001

Dear FOTW: Many, many thanks for your speedy response. A couple of other things, please. First, having explored your website further, I would like to say how impressed I am. This is simply the best website I have ever visited for anything. I cannot believe the effort that has gone into this. For your video samples alone you are to be congratulated. I have already learned new techniques and ideas simply from watching them! Amazing.

So, to more mundane matters. You recommend the 140s or 150s rather than the Kentucky 140 mandolin. Could you kindly explain to me the difference between a solid top (on the 140s) and a carved solid top (on the 150s). Is the top on the 140s pressed into shape rather than carved? And finally, you give a price for air mail to the UK. What would it cost for surface mail to the UK, or is this not recommended? Thanks again. Simon Carson UK

Date: Thu, 10 May 2001 10:44:35 -0600

Howdy folk, First, let me commend you on your website. I have recently arrived in the web design industry and am overjoyed whenever I find websites done right. Your site is excellent, your database is vast, and your knowledge is impressive. Thanks for the resource. R. Lamb

Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2001

Hi! I just did a search engine and came up with your website. I love it!! I have taken an interest in starting to play the fiddle recently. My uncle does a great job and he inspired me. I never understood the difference between a violin and a fiddle. I got mixed answers when I asked some people. After 5 minutes of reading on your website I am much happier knowing a little more about fiddles/violins. I just wanted to say THANK YOU for your help. I think it is great to have a site like yours where people can get REAL answers to their questions. I plan to return to your website once I receive my fiddle. Thanks! Danielle CT

Mon, 29 Jan 2001
Mickey, good deeds deserve appreciation. The commando list is "the mandolin" list thanks for the service, mike mcmanus

Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 00:40:32 -0600

Hi Mickey,

What an incredulous web site. Where else in the world could a person find a site where he could hear and see the instruments of choice (mandolin being mine) without having to drive many, many miles to play only a small choice of instruments.
Sure enjoyed your mandolin playing and styling, you make the "so called" entry level mandolins sound like the cherished vintage instruments. I always heard that the musician had lots to do with the sound of an instrument. Now I believe it!
Mickey would you mind telling me the type and thickness of the flat picks you use for your mandolin playing? I am always searching for the ideal pick. I also do a crude form of crosspicking that I picked up from Jesse Mc Reynolds many years ago.

Best wishes and keep up the good work.

Paul Harris, IN

Someone has perception! Testimonial: Date: Thu, 8 Mar 2001
Hello I just e-mailed you about trading in some instruments and I was looking at your web site a little more closely and had to say this. I would truly like to say that you folks have a beautiful thing within your hearts. In my 23 years of being on this earth I have never seen a store such as yours. I am so happy to see that there are people on this earth (in such a position as yours) that really care about spreading music to people instead of focusing on making money. For to me, music is such a spiritual thing; it says the things that words cannot. Music communicates through feelings which is such a true, or better a more precise form of communication. Well I could go on for a long time about this but I will just say this and let it be. You do what GOD intended people to do. That is, you act fairly and just and you put other people before yourselves and then GOD takes care of you. I hope you understand what it is I am trying to say. Thank You, S. M. Clayton

Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2001 Hello Suzie, Bryan and Mickey - Had to put my new gold-plated, engraved, Stelling Red Fox aside - just for a moment, though! 

Date: Thu, 3 May 2001 Thanks very much! I just wanted to let you know that I'm VERY happy with both the Bitterroot and the service from your store. You have been very fair and I will always look to you first for all of my future mandolin purchases. It's great to know that there are honest and fair people out there! Thanks again. Chris..

Date: Sun, 15 Apr 2001 Hi Bryan, I received my TC bouzouki this morning, and after a long day of playing, I feel totally satisfied of this purchase.
As written on your web site by other customers, it sounds really good and is very easy to play. Thank you very much, Fred

Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2001 "Mickey (and all)" Please accept my profound thanks for an absolutely outstanding buying experience! I never bought anything from a distance before and was extremely pleased with not only your website where everything is so clearly portrayed, but with the fantastic service and attention afforded me by your staff (Susan and Bryan in my case). They bent over backwards to make this first-time instrument buyer and distant shopper (Philadelphia, PA) not only satisfied, but fear-less as well. 

I have found my one stop source for musical instruments, although clear across the USA, and have already begun an informal marketing campaign here in the East on your behalf.

You can find instruments anywhere, but the combination of clear information, excellent prices, an unbeatable guarantee and customer service
- underlined - WOW! Thank you ALL very much. George B. Arnott

Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2001 Hey Bryan - just to let you know that the Gold Tone gig bag and FOTW banjo strap got here OK. What a GREAT strap! The other leather ones I've had are so stiff they are unusable - this one is perfect - makes me want to pick up the banjer and practice, just so's I can put it all on! Thanks for your usual great service! dave             

Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2001 Barry was incredible! He stayed on the phone with me for well over an hour until we fixed the banjo perfectly! His/your intuition was right on - the nut on the back tension rod had loosened. The neck was straight, I could slip a playing card under the string with a capo on the first fret and my finger past the 22nd fret. We just tightened the nut and tweaked the bridge (several times) and presto - a new banjo. I would never have thought that I could fix the problem over the phone. Barry was perfectly patient and even more committed to its playability than I was. Obviously, Deering is committed to making everyone happy. Barry also mentioned that Folk of the Wood has a superb staff and exceptional customer service - I enthusiastically agreed! 

Bryan, I can't thank you enough. The banjo is spectacular and I never once felt that I was going to be stuck with a banjo that wasn't perfect, thank you! I'll write Barry a note of appreciation for his time and energy. Again, all my best to you and Folk of the Wood. Dan

Date: Fri, 06 Apr 2001 Hey, Just wanted to let you know I received the mandolin today. Am very happy with it and doing business with you.
Will leave good feedback! Thanks, Jim Reynolds, Gardner, Mass.

Date: Wed, 04 Apr 2001 Hi there Folk of the Wood. I received my Trinity College Octave Mandolin. It is as beautiful looking and sounding as I expected. Thank you for such a wonderful instrument. Michael Cazares

Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2001 Dear Folk of the Wood! I wish to take the time to thank you again, my Gold Tone MC-150R arrived safely yesterday... and I am so very happy with it! Thanks Mickey for convincing me to go up to it instead of the CC-100R. I feel that it is a great buy for the money...and it is plenty good enough for me to recall what I learned years ago... and to advance (I hope I can..!!) The video is O.K. ("You can teach yourself the Banjo") but.. it refers quite often to the "book" so I really think that I need the related book material for the tab that she so often refers to throughout the video. Do you have it in stock? If so I would like to get it also. I found Mickey's lessons so very helpful in getting my rolls re-established (thanks Mickey!) Also... I wasn't thinking... at the time of the order I should have had you install the Shubb capo. I guess I would like one of those too, if you have it in stock. (price?) They don't appear to "tough" to install (are they?) Well I gotta go... thanks for all your help! Rick Tallman

Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2001 Hello Suzie, Bryan and Mickey - Had to put my new gold-plated, engraved, Stelling Red Fox aside - just for a moment, though! After playing banjo left-handed for 9 months, I can see with this new Red Fox, I get to learn pickin' all over - my pickin' hand can relax and just PICK to get those clear full tones. The volume and fullness of sound just leaps off these strings. And the fingerboard seems to let my fingers just float around - feels almost fluid - no "death grip" needed to press the strings hard enough to get clear notes. That is no small help for my medically-challenged fingers!  What a JOY this is to play!! And Beautiful! I couldn't even pick it up when I first opened the case - I just HAD to gaze up and down at the engraving on the gold and the fingerboard and soak up the artistry!

And what a JOY it's been to work with you all! For MORE than a year, I have pestered you all with banjos, trade-ups, changing from righty to lefty playing (!), changes to banjo orders, emails, phone calls, questions, etc!!, etc!!, - and you always patiently worked out everything with that "500%" personal service. I can tell you, I never talk "music" without mentioning you all! You are a pleasure to "do music" with!! And now, here, I have my HOLY GRAIL of banjos. This instrument is awesome and, yes, worth the wait! Finally, I emailed Geoff about the strap - I asked him just to skip it, if it's not made. Then, I'd like to get a black Folk Of The Wood strap! I'll let you know later. Gotta get back to the Fox - the wife and daughters are out shopping tonite, and I'm home alone, to make all the noise I want!! Take Care dave                   

Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2001 Good Friday afternoon Bryan! Please forgive me for not mentioning you by name in my previous thank you note. If it hadn't been for your immediate response in answering my early inquiries, I would not have bought the mandolin from FOTW. You were most professional, friendly and responsive and I thank you wholeheartedly. As a matter of fact, I think you deserve an immediate raise. What do you think? Take care and I'll be looking forward to meeting all of you in a few months. Alan Simpson
P.S. I'm assuming the calluses will begin to form on my left fingers once the bleeding stops, right?

Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2001 Thank you all for sending my new Breedlove mandolin, I love it!! It arrived in perfect shape even though FedEx decided to send it from Ruidoso through Ft. Worth to Phoenix on its way to Tucson. Doesn't make sense but all's well. The tone is outstanding, it plays easy and even short fat fingers like mine may actually learn to make music someday. Thank you especially Mickey for helping me and offering me that lesson. As soon as I get past Oh Susanna and Yankee Doodle Dandy and several months of scale practice, I'll give you a call. If I can be of any service to you here in Tucson in the meantime, please don't hesitate to ask. Take care & thanks again, Alan Simpson

Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2001 Bryan, Yep, you're right. It showed today at noon, Friday. And, it looks MAHvelous!! The spruce top is sharp, and I know the Hohner had a mahogany back, but the Kentucky KM-200S really shows the grain well. I think it looks great, and it was in tune too. I strummed on it, and tried the frets, and it seems a lot easier to fret the strings on this one. And, what a nice "bright" sound, with volume. I am well satisfied with this deal I got, and appreciate the help and patience. Now I may need to try some of the instruction videos and /or books. I have a couple of old ones. I don't know if I can ever play like Chris Thile, of Nickel Creek, on "Ode to a Butterfly", (one tune I really like), but I hope to get on this soon enough and often enough to learn a number of songs.

A couple of questions. I had an old "humidifier" in my case (well dryed, I guess), and was wondering if there were pointers to keeping the mando in good shape. I don't know what happened to the Hohner, if it got that bad, but I don't want to lose this one. And, do you have some suggestions for beginners videos or books? Thanks a lot for everything. Wes Jenson

Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2001 Dear Mickey, Let me first start by saying thank you for sending me the Banjo. It arrived safely. I was quite nervous to look in the big box to see if it was really a banjo. I don't know what I was expecting, but to peak in and see it was a delight. The White Ladye came just in time to accompany me on my trip to east Africa, where I lugged it around with me all over that dusty continent. I didn't know what to do with it at first, but thanks to Dwight Diller's sound bytes and tabs on his website, I've managed to figure out this clawhammer thing. And I must say, I am worse than addicted. This bloody banjo has infected my soul, and it is virus I don't think I will be able to shake. I blame you in part for this. Well actually I thank you. And it was a good thing I got that hard case for the banjo because if I had a soft shell case instead, the instrument would kindling by now. When I spoke to last I promised to send you some samples of artwork from my film. I don't quite have the stuff ready to send via internet, but when it is ready, I'll send it along with some images of Africa, and the banjo. Thanks again, Paul Morstad at the National Film Board of Canada

Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 Hello! I received my mandolin (Mid-Missouri M-1). It is beautiful and I love the way it sounds. I grew up listening to my father play, but it's taken me 20 years to get my own. I'm glad I did! Thanks for helping me to connect to my ancestral roots...parental as well as Celtic and Mediterranean. Paul Newberry 

Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2001 Just wanted to drop a note saying that I got the Regal Dobro Bass this morning and it is sweet. I have an Ovation Celebrity Acoustic Bass and do like it a lot even if I do blister up my fingers and get a lot of fret rattle trying to keep up with an acoustic guitar. I've tried many other basses, and they just don't do it. However, the Dobro bass has it's own sound, and I love it. I never play with a pick, so I was worried the dobro wouldn't have the bite I wanted with my fingers. No worries now, it is everything and more. It was just what I was looking for. Thanks, John

Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2001 Hi! I just did a search engine and came up with your website. I love it!! I have taken an interest in starting to play the fiddle recently. My uncle does a great job and he inspired me. I never understood the difference between a violin and a fiddle. I got mixed answers when I asked some people. After 5 minutes of reading on your website I am much happier knowing a little more about fiddles/violins. I just wanted to say THANK YOU for your help. I think it is great to have a site like yours where people can get REAL answers to their questions. I plan to return to your website once I receive my fiddle. Thanks! Danielle CT

Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2001 Hi Bryan, Just wanted to let you know that I got the Mando. I'm very happy with my rigel resophonic mandolin. You guys are great to do business with. I will give you a excellent report on Ebay. Thanks, Larry Sledge

Date: Mon, 19 Mar 2001 I just wanted to send you a quick note to let you know that my Deering Goodtime (and gig bag) arrived today, safe and sound. It was set up quite well; in fact, despite its trip across the Atlantic, it was only a teeny-tiny bit out of tune. I couldn't resist playing it right away, and I am extremely pleased with its excellent playability and intonation. While I bought this as an office/outdoor/travel instrument so my "main banjo" can remain safely at home, I can see why this model is so highly recommended for beginners. This is one terrific little banjo. Thanks again for your excellent service. Kindest regards, Mark

Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2001 Dear Folk of the Wood, I just received my new RegalRD-45 squareneck with natural finish, and I am very impressed with the quality and tone of the instrument. I am just learning how to play with the help of books and videos, but already can play a fair rendition of "Salty Dog". Thanks again for the great service and beautiful guitar. I would recommend you guys to anyone interested in purchasing a great instrument at a fair price. Jayne Marso

Date: Sat, 17 Mar 2001 Hi Brian, Just wanted to let you know I received the Folkroots dulcimer. The accessories haven't arrived yet, but I'm sure they will shortly. This is one GREAT sounding dulcimer! It had been years since I played one (I used to build them when I was a kid) but it was amazing how fast it all came back. A typically classy Folk of the Woods product. I'll get hold of you folks the next time my acoustic obsession once again rears its head. Ron Marr

Date: Sat, 17 Mar 2001 Hello Bryan, I´m pleased to inform you that I have now received the VINTAGE BANJO UKE to Sweden. I am very happy with the uke which is fully up to my expectations, and it arrived in a good condition due to your professional packing. Thank you. I gave corresponding comments to your feed-back profile. I presume you have still no clue of the producer of this uke? best regards Jan

Date: Fri, 16 Mar 2001 Thank you for your site information. It had been so long since I had tuned my violin I needed some fine tuning! Your site has helped me get up and running with both my violin and mandolin. Happy Strings to you! Sharon Small

Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2001 Greetings Folk of the Wood: My new Stelling Red Fox came today and it is a superb instrument. The craftsmanship and components are second to none. A beautiful instrument and the signature Stelling sound is perfect. The amazing thing that I noticed was that this "lower priced" model has the exact same quality (workmanship, quality components, finish, and just the right feel etc.) as my more expensive Virginian. The same cannot be said of the other manufacturers banjo that are on the market that I have owned or played. There seems to be a huge difference between their "lower priced" banjo and their "higher priced" units. In the last 3 years I have gone through 8 banjos with 2 keepers-my Stellings. I thank you for pursuing a Stelling dealership, and in my opinion there is no better banjo (Stelling) made or better dealership (Folk of the Wood) in the country.  Thanks again, Mickey and Bryan for your help.  John Hamner in MN

Date: Sun, 11 Mar 2001 Oh man........this bass (Regal Dobro RD-05) is everything I had hoped and more. It is really loud acoustically. Thank you so much for making this happen this weekend. I feel like a kid....heh heh. All I gotta do now is pry it from my son's hands....grrrrrr. Thx again, Vincent

Date: Thu, 8 Mar 2001 Hello I just e-mailed you about trading in some instruments and I was looking at your web site a little more closely and had to say this. I would truly like to say that you folks have a beautiful thing with-in your hearts. In my 23 years of being on this earth I have never seen a store such as yours. I am so happy to see that there are people on this earth (in such a position as yours) that really care about spreading music to people instead of focusing on making money. For to me, music is such a spiritual thing, it says the things that words can not. Music communicates through feel lings which is such a true, or better. A more precise form of communication. Well, I could go on for a long time about this but I will just say this and let it be. You do what GOD intended people to do. That is, you act fairly and just and you put other people before yourselves and then GOD takes care of you. I hope you understand what it is I am trying to say. Thank You, Sean M. Clayton

Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2001 Hello Bryan, Our mandolin arrived yesterday, and I see it was packed in the box we sent the first one back in. I'm glad it got there! Thank you for your outstanding service and satisfaction policy. We are thrilled with the mandolin we received yesterday!! Thanks again for your first rate customer service and attention to our problem, we really appreciated the way you remembered us and took the time to pick out an excellent replacement mandolin for us. Thanks Again, Frank & Karen Hilvert

Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2001 Hi, I got my Violin just now. The Violin looks great, it was beautiful, not sure on the sound because I'm just a newbie trying to learn how to put my finger and position correct... Anyways thanks for all your help, you have been really great to deal with. If I have any question relate to violin, I'll email you again. Thank you very much. Andy

Date: Sun, 4 Mar 2001 Hi All, I just wanted to thank you for publishing this primer! I'm a beginner trying to learn clawhammer in New England and there simply isn't anyone within an hour of my house to learn from. Everything from the tuning to the chord progressions are essential and really easy to understand.

I presume that the lessons you've posted thus far are pretty generic in terms of the various styles, and I've tried to make sure I do them "clawhammer style" based on what I've read and heard (e.g. striking downward with the tops of the finger picks instead of picking upwards) but obviously I'm not sure I'm really doing it right. I'm getting pretty good at the rolls, but I would love to see a similarly well-written piece on the details of things like how to actually strike the strings, whether or not to use picks, and if so, how to wear and bend the picks.

I understand that this can't replace a good teacher, but I'm hoping to get a good start without picking up too many bad habits until I do get some lessons. I'm hoping to attend the "Banjo Camp North" in May, and don't want to feel too silly when I get there! :)

Thanks again for a great site and wonderful service you're doing for the banjo world! Regards, Ted Kempster

Date: Fri, 2 Mar 2001 Brian, I knew I did the right thing by ordering my instrument from Folk of the Wood!! Between the return policy and your personal care and concern for my account is unmatched in my many years of musicianship. Thank You! I hope the strings get here too... talk about down to the wire; I would tell you straight right now that I am a procrastinator, but maybe later! I know that the bouzouki has reached New Haven, I tracked it on the USPS webpage. The post office here is terribly slow and I'm expecting to raise hell tomorrow if they cannot find it. You guys got it out fine, the matter is now in the hands of my post office. I'll keep you posted as to how I enjoy it. Thank you again for your understanding and fast service. Ian