TESTIMONIALS Page 14
July/August 2002 Testimonials
From Our Wood-Wise Following

Subject: Harps/Psaltries?
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 18:55:34 -0500

Dear "Folk of the Wood",
I have recently discovered your website and find it to be incredible! The wealth of information and support to be found there regarding many traditional, acoustic instruments and their playing is phenomenal!
Thanks!
I thank you for your organization and the wealth of information and support it provides; it is truely one-of-a-kind!
Rick Entrekin

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Subject: G'time 2
Date: Tue, 20 Aug 2002 23:13:25 -0700

Mickey, I got my Goodtime 2 last weekend, in fine condition, and your 2 hour video. Am I ever glad I got that video. I'm already making decent banjo sounds, and I would advise any beginning player to consider the video as a necessary adjunct to the banjo. I'll probably wear out the vcr, but who cares? It's the banjo. Thanks a million, Curtis

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Subject: New Gallatin Owner
Date: Mon, 19 Aug 2002 17:58:20 -0500

Mickey

I received my Gallatin about a week ago and I am very happy with it. This
my first mandolin and I have already memorized a bunch of chords. I will be
trying it out in public for the first time this weekend (obviously nothing
fancy - just adding a little more flavor to the rhythm). Thanks for helping
me to figure out which mandolin would be best for me. I would like to
purchase your new mandolin video when it is completed. Therefore, please
inform me when production is finalized.

Wishing You All Good Things
Emmett A. Thompson

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Subject: Re: banjo1
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 18:35:33 -0400

Hey Suzie (and Cheryl) - received the Goodtime today in fine shape - what a
great surprise to find picks and strap and the video! I'll be busy the rest
of the evening. Tell Mickey the video is very well done and covers the
material thoroughly.........what a help!

All I need now is for Mickey to complete his mandolin video!!

Thanks for your usual great service! dave

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Date: Mon, 05 Aug 2002 19:27:42 -0400
Subject: Loving the Goodtime II

Mickey, I want you to know how happy I am with the new Goodtime II. I spent a good deal of time on your web site and Deering's researching my choices. I want you to know that I have been using the Internet almost from day one and must say that yours is one of the very best I have seen. The video samplers and high res images are spectacular!

As a beginner stringed instrument player, I feel I made the best decision in choosing the Goodtime II. It is very easy and comfortable to play. The tone and volume are perfect for my home playing as I have hardwood floors that reflect the sound well. The Goodtime has a beautiful sound that even makes mistakes sound good! It is as loud as I would want for now.

The construction of the Goodtime is very simple and well done. The quality of the neck, rim and resonator is exactly as I had hoped. The Rock Maple neck is so dense and beautiful that I may have a hard time accepting anything else in a higher end banjo. I'm just not into the stained and highly glossed finishes. Also the light weight makes it very easy to handle.

I ordered my Goodtime II with a Shubb 5th string capo and reverse tuning machines. For the small upgrade price to do this, I think I will get more playing enjoyment and utility out of my Goodtime.

Your staff was very pleasant and helpful in the process. FOTW had accidently sent me your Intro to Dobro video when I ordered Intro to Banjo. I offered to mail the Dobro tape back but the very nice customer service rep said to keep it as I might one day decide to explore the Dobro. My Intro to Banjo video arrived a couple of days ago and I have saved it to open for my birthday.

And finally, your online lessons were a great help. After only about 10 days of 15 minute practice sessions, I am now playing Wildwood Flower in lesson #6 with only minor pauses. Can't wait to see your video. BTW the Dobro video is very good and my wife and I love your playing!

Thanks for FOTW and I hope this may help other beginners like me make their decision when buying their first banjo. I wish you the best success with your company.

Thank you,

R. Bennor

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Subject: Banjo information
Date: Fri, 19 Jul 2002 14:31:02 -0500

Dear Sirs,

I am in the market for a banjo and am interested in the Gold Tone OB 250
model. Before I ask any questions, I want to tell you what an outstanding
website you have. I have looked at quite a few while looking for banjos and
none equal yours. The pictures you have of the instruments along with the
written information is excellent & very helpful.

K. Porter

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Subject: Re: Octaves: TC or Johnson
Date: Wed, 17 Jul 2002 20:47:50 -0400

Hi again Mickey. And boy do I feel stoopid :)
I didn't realize you were the same person who'd written that crosspicking mandolin book. Great book, by the way!

I think I'll subject the wife to all of the video samples and see what
she likes the best. After all, I get to enjoy playing it, she has to
live with it!

Hope the above helps...Mickey

It helps a bunch. Thanks for taking the time to respond. That's very
rare these days. And also, my compliments on your effort to include,
not just sound, but video samples of the majority of your offerings.
It makes me feel like I'm truly in a virtual music store . That's rare
too!

Thanks again!

Garry

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Date: Wed, 10 Jul 2002 16:18:47 -0500
Subject: Re: Banjo deals

Charles,

I've GOT to ditto Michael's remarks pertaining to Mickey and 'Folk of the
Wood'. The 100% trade-in is true indeed. I bought a bouzouki from him via the
Internet, and the service was excellent - professional all the way! I've also
purchased a Celtic harp, cello, and (just today) a banjo - none from Mickey, but
all via the Internet. I've been completely satisfied with every purchase. BTW
- I just subscribed to this ng today and I'm excited about the sincerity and
genuine interest shared by this group. Good luck with your (future) purchase!
Joe
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Michael N. wrote:

Charles M. wrote:
Thanks. I was kind of leaning towards the Ome myself. However, the big
question is buying a banjo by mail, even from a reputable place. If you
don't like it, it'd be a pain to ship it back. Now I have to convince him
to buy it. Anyone have experience buying an instrument over the internet?

I've bought two Beard dobros and two Deering banjos over the net from Mickey
Cochran at Folk of the Wood. You see, they have a really good return
policy, where 100% of what you paid for your instrument (not including
shipping) is applicable on trade in on a more expensive instrument. I've
done that twice now, and it was as painless as it could be.

I *highly* recommend Mickey and Folk of the Wood.

Michael

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Subject: Thanks for the MMS-2 - for Mickey and Suze
Date: Wed, 10 Jul 2002 13:39:33 -0500

Please make sure Mickey, and ESPECIALLY Suze, read this.

Hi there,

Please thank Suzy and Mickey for the MMS-2 I received today. It is a beautiful instrument that sounds worlds better than the previous mandolin I had. It is loud enough for the bluegrass group I am playing in and makes a very deep, yet crisp tremolo sound. The action is also very, very smooth. I enjoy being able to play it without shredding my fingertips. As soon as I got it I tried out Blackberry Blossom and found I was able to play it with fluidity and accuracy. I then tried a basic cross-picking pattern (that I learned from your website) over a lulling Long Black Veil. It came out beautiful and I was actually able to add a pinky here and there on the G string. It is a feat in itself to have a G string I can actually play!

You can feel free to omit this part if you choose to add the above to your testimonial section. As Tom Petty recently said, "I am not a summer breeze." Therefore, thank you for putting up with my frequent pestering. I never doubted you would deliver on the mandolin. I was just eager because I knew I would be getting a very good product from you. The situation was largely out of your hands as far as all the customs hoopla goes. I just had to officially pester you so you would officially pester the manufacturer.

Thank you again. I will recommend you to friends. Take care.

Sincerely,

Kevin Briggs

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Subject: Oh yes!
Date: Fri, 05 Jul 2002 19:34:43 -0700

What can i say? This is she! This is the one and i felt it as soon as i removed if from the case and felt the neck. Before i even tuned and strummed it. Funny how that works when you know that this is the one for you. Thankyouthankyouthankyou.....infinity! I'm very pleased with this babe, for sure! I took it to RVK right away and he looked at it and said "It looks like an IKEA Octave Mandolin" ...he too thinks that this is a very good thing. We played his and mine together and by God, they complimented each other soundwise...they'll work together and that's the 1st time i've heard 2 o/m's that sound like they can play together without sounding mushy. he put a strap button on it and my fingers are sore now. I've been at it since she arrived. Now, what to name her...?

...Man, another night without sleep! A good thing! If you were in the room i'd give you a West Coast Bear hug, pal! Russ in Canada

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