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TESTIMONIALS Page 16
November/December 2002 Testimonials
From Our Wood-Wise Following
Date: Mon, 30 Dec 2002 18:46:00 -0600 (Central Standard Time)
Subject: Satisfied Customers
Dear Mickey and Staff of Folk of the Wood,
My husband and I have purchased the Morgan Monroe Cherry Burst Collectors Series Mandolin, the Deering Goodtime Banjo open back and the Johnson MA550 Octave Mandolin. We are very pleased with these instruments and the accessories which we have purchased.
We wanted to take this time to thank you and your staff, especially Susie, for patience in assisting us with these purchases and the promotional items that we have received.
We have received the Introduction to the Octave Mandolin and the Introduction to the Mandolin. We found the Intro. to the Mandolin very informative with very detailed information. We will be using it for both mandolins.
Once again, Mickey, we want to thank you and your staff for all your assistance and we wish you all a Very Happy New Year!
Verle & Linda Mulvaney
Date: Thu, 26 Dec 2002 11:15:08 -0700
Subject: god bless you
Dear Sirs, Thank you so much for sharing basics of the mandolin with the public.
I got one for Christmas and did not know where to begin thank you once
again I will make sure you hear about my progress and anything else I
need to order and support you folk.
Bright Blessing
Barbara in
Arizona
Date: Tue, 17 Dec 2002 12:34:57 -0700
Subject: RE: Lessons
Just one more quick note. I have been looking at your site on lessons and am very happy to find everything we need on it. I play a 12 string guitar and have been teaching my husband to play a 6 string I bought him. I have recently aquired a dobro, 5 string banjo, mandolin and our son is getting a 6 string guitar for christmas and my husband just got a fiddle for an early christmas present which he very much wants to learn to play. With all these lnstruments your site is very much appreciated so that we can all learn the instruments we want and with the lessons on how to tune them it will make our lives much easier. I do have an electronic tuner but didnt know the different string names to use and now I do. Again I thank you very much your site is a godsend to me and my family. Anything you might be able to send me to help further along our lessons would be much appreciated as I am a very quick learner and have always wanted to play the dobro, banjo and mandolin and would like to further my guitar skills as I only play basic rhythm on the 12 string.
Sincerely
Heather Langlands
Subject: Violin
Date: Tue, 17 Dec 2002 14:48:55 -0500
This is the ONLY place I've been able to find out which fingers to use and where to play them. I figured this would be basic information, but evidently not. You guys may have violated a sacred trust by making this general knowledge. :-)
Troy Allen
Date: Fri, 13 Dec 2002 15:14:46 -0500
Sorry, I was putting together a letter of thanks to all of you for your great service and expert advice regarding my recent purchase of the Doc Watson Gallagher guitar. You folks are great! And I haven't put down that guitar since I received it.
Thanks again, Joseph Allen
Date: Fri, 13 Dec 2002 08:50:43 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Thank
HI!
I also wanted to add that I think your online video samplers are incredible! I have spent hours just going through them and listening to all the tunes. Mickey is certainly a very talented person, so I would also like to say a special thank you for providing these samplers. They are very inspirational for a beginner like me!
Sincerely, Jeff Smith
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 2002 18:43:02 EST
Subject: GOLDTONE CRIPPLE CREEK 100R
Hey Mickey,
Wanted to think you again for your help in advising me on the selection of a travel banjo. After using this instrument for several months and making a number of air trips with it, the CC 100R was just what I was looking for. It came ready to go, plays well, has a decent sound, is light and easy to carry in a gig bag, has fit in the overhead of every airplane I've flown on. Thanks for steering me in this direction. Best regards,
Steve Hardy
Subject: Re: My new Morgan Monroe MCM mandolin!!!
Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2002 10:45:40 -0600
Hello Folks,
I got the Morgan Monroe MCM Mandolin last night. It sounds great, it has such a loud woody chop, and the notes ring very clear and bell like. I am glad to say that this mandolin is very responsive and it plays well whether I am playing loud or soft. I have to say I am also pleased with the quality of woods used, your pictures don't do this mandolin justice! The side woods are very beautiful not to mention the quality of that back piece wow! I am going to be very happy with this mandolin for a long time, you guys did a good job in helping me decide which one to buy. Daniel
Subject: Thanks Mickey!...and a question
Date: Tue, 03 Dec 2002 17:37:35 +0000
I received my KM150S on 11/22/02 from Folk Of The Wood. I absolutely love its sound and I have been using your "Intro to the Mandolin" video to get me on the right track. I have spent many, many hours on Chapters 1-5 and I am so proud of myself! This is my first time playing a stringed instrument and there are no mandolin instructors in my area. So, the video is all I have and I am actually playing chords on an instrument that I tuned all by my self! I'm on Chapter Six now. Is there a secret to the tremolo exercises? This is the only thing that is hanging me up, it doesn't sound smooth when I do it and my pick hits other strings when I'm concentrating on only one. If you have any pointers can you let me know? I really appreciate this video, more than you can imagine! ~ Carrie
Date: Tue, 19 Nov 2002 19:32:18 -0500
Subject: Got my banjo
I just got my Gold Tone BG 250-F today, and I can hardly begin to say how
pleased I am. It is so worth the wait! The banjo came in perfect
condition, carefully packed in a box almost as long as I am tall. I
started out on a no-name eBay banjo, and though it served me faithfully,
the joy of playing an instrument with such a beautiful tone will no doubt
make me want to practice even more. Getting that banjo today made up for a
lot of the sorrow and homesickness experienced by a Georgia girl living
without her banjo, far from home in New York city.
Everyone I spoke with in customer service was so patient and helpful. I
didn't really need much help, but it was nice that no one was ever cross
with me when I called to see when my banjo might be shipped out. You must
deal with a lot of anxious, eager people who wanted their new instruments
yesterday. I admire your willingness to offer such good values on
instruments that are obviously greatly in demand. It would be easy for
other folks to charge more, but y'all seem committed to helping people own
the best quality instruments they can afford.
Again, thank you so much. I think my co-worker, Ben Freed
(www.banjoben.com) has an eye to try out the BG 250-F. He has already
reviewed the Cripple Creek and Maple Classic very favorably. I'll likely
never play as well as Ben, and Earl Scruggs I will never be, but I feel as
though a little piece of my heart that was empty for a while just got
filled in again.
Many thanks,
Audra Steiner
Date: Sun, 17 Nov 2002 18:36:05 EST
Subject: banjo lessons
Thank you so much for posting your banjo lessons! I received a banjo last
Wednesday for my birthday and didn't know where to even begin. I purchased a
couple of 'beginner' books, but they didn't even tell me how to hold the
banjo - they weren't simplified enough. They all assumed I knew what the
strings were and how to read them. Your lessons are worth more than all of
the books I have looked at so far. You showed me how to re-learn reading
music - I kept trying to read the notes like a regular piano score. What a
surprise! Now I am already on lesson 5 and am working on chord progression
without pausing. I do believe that my several years of playing the piano
have helped me with the individual string picking, but your lessons have done
more than any number of years would have. I still need to take formal
lessons (at least once per two weeks), but your simple, easy-to-follow
lessons have given me a leg up. Thanks so much.
Sincerely, Robin Blazer, Newly 27 and a future banjo player.
Date: Thu, 14 Nov 2002 10:01:35 -0500
Subject: bouzouki received
Thought you might like to know that I received the bouzouki yesterday and it is fantastic. Thanks for getting it out to me so quickly.
Sandy Oxley
Subject: Saga Instruments
Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2002 18:17:30 -0500
Mickey:
Once again you've come through and once again I can't thank you enough. You and the " Gang " are " Top Shelf " in my book !! I said it before, and I'll say it again, I can't believe there are people out there (professional people) who are willing to help so readily.
Thank you my friend (s)
Ihs:
Dave
Subject: great instrument
Date: Tue, 05 Nov 2002 21:12:21 -0600
I received my new Bridger Octave yesterday. Just wanted to say that I think it's a wonderful instrument. The sound is amazing! (and easy to play too). Thank you very, very much. Scott
Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2002 09:56:15 -0600
Susan & Mickey.
Thanks for helping me buy a new Deering Calico. It arrived on Friday, and I have spent several hours playing it already.
Your fair trade in policy and excellent selling price were very "instumental" in my decision to make this purchase.
Both the Calico and the Sierra I bought from you last year will give me a lifetime of enjoyment!
Greg Pack
SC
Date: Sat, 2 Nov 2002 17:38:21 +1000
Hi Guys
Great web page. I have searched the Internet for web sites on the violin for beginners. Its good to finally see a web page that actually has all the notes for us beginers.
Good stuff
Pabbo
Date: Fri, 20 Dec 2002 11:47:25 -0600
Thanks Mickey & Suzie. I rec'd the Golden Era a few minutes ago. Awesome, beautiful Banjo well set-up and playable right out of the case. It is hard to believe this banjo was sitting in Ruidoso yesterday eveing and is in my office in Tulsa today.
I probably won't be trading anymore Banjos for a while but I will send anyone I know that looking for a instrument to you.
I look forward to getting the Goldtone OB250 when you get one. I'll take either the blonde or ?
Thanks again and Merry Christmas to all of you at Folk of the Wood !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Frank Davenport
Date: Fri, 13 Dec 2002 08:50:43 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Thanks..!
HI!
Received my Goodtime yesterday, however it was shipped
to my home address instead of my work address as
requested. Just a minor mishap...everything turned
out fine. Thanks for your help with everything. I
look forward to doing business with you again in the
future!
I also wanted to add that I think your online video
samplers are incredible! I have spent hours just
going through them and listening to all the tunes.
Mickey is certainly a very talented person, so I would
also like to say a special thank you for providing
these samplers. They are very inspirational for a
beginner like me!
Sincerely, Jeff Smith
Date: Mon, 9 Dec 2002 19:21:50 -0800
Subject: Re: G110
Hi Mickey,
The thanks goes to you. Folk of the Wood is one classy operation. You have always treated me like I was your only customer. Your service is top notch. I hope that in the future I can do business with you again. Thank you very much, it's been a pleasure.
Jim
Date: Tue, 3 Dec 2002 10:23:37 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Spectacular Banjo!
Dear Mickey,
This past August, your shop made me the most excellent
trade of 3 guitars for one banjo, and I just wanted to
tell you THANK YOU VERY MUCH! I ended up with a
(slightly used) Wildwood Minstrel open-back, and the
only reason I haven't emailed you sooner is because I
have been transported to another world since acquiring
this banjo. Really! I am having fun playing music
again; the instrument itself is of such a good quality
that is extremely easy to play, and my fingers are
able to be so much more nimble playing it than they
were on my old instrument. The difference between the
two instruments is like night and day!
Your shop staff were very tolerant and helpful when I
came to the store to test-drive this banjo, and your
generous trade-in policy meant that even in my
"abundance challenged" financial state, I was able to
walk away with my Perfect Banjo. Having it has made a
quantum difference in my musical, and therefore
emotional, life. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Also, your technical telephone staff were very helpful
in answering my questions about string gauge and
intonation. That Nathan fellow gave me lots of very
helpful information which I am sure will further
advance my playing in the future.
Cheers!
love, A. W. Huff, Terlingua, Texas
PS Your brother (?) or maybe brother-in-law told me to
ask you if you have listened to the cd I sent along
for you. Have you? It doesn't suck, I assure you.
Date: Tue, 26 Nov 2002 13:17:53 EST
Subject: Yeah! Breedlove!
Mickey, Once again, you have sent me an INCREDIBLE instrument. The Breedlove
mandolin is the best I've ever played. Everything you wrote about is
absolutely true. The sound is so rich, warm, and the fingerboard so
comfortable. It's hard to know which to do-- stare at its beauty or play it.
As usual everyone on the phone from FOTW was superb in handling this and
getting the Breedlove out to me quickly. Sorry about some of the confusion at
my end of things. Anyway, I'm still playing a lot of klezmer and classical
and the Breedlove is perfect for it. Happy Thanksgiving to you, Susie, James
and everyone else I spoke with. Jenny Michaels
Date: Fri, 22 Nov 2002 06:54:52 -0700
Hello There,
Just a quick line to let you know how pleased I am with your company. I have
been in customer service for many years and was elated with the treatment
that I received from FOTW! I ordered my first Banjo last week, Brian (Thanks
Brian) took the time to answer all of my qustions and make some
suggestions - he really went beyond just taking an order. He was patient and
put me at ease with my first purchase, making sure that I had everything
that I need. Moreover, he's a great salesman - he has me thinking about my
next banjo already! I called a few days later to get a tracking number and
was informed that you guys were swamped and my banjo hadn't shipped yet (no
problem), I mentioned to Suzie in passing that my first lesson was Thursday
evening and to my complete surprise my Banjo arrived literally 15 minutes
before I had to leave for my first lesson! Aparently you took the initiative
to send me the instrument 2nd day air so I would have it for my first
lesson. I'm really impressed, in this day when everything is self serve and
impersonal FOTW made me feel like I'm truly important to your business, no
matter how small my order. You are true professionals and I will do business
with you again as well as recommend you to anyone who asks.
Regards, John P Watts
Subject: Questions and a compliment
Date: Mon, 18 Nov 2002 19:24:05 -0800
Dear Mr. Cochran;
First the compliment. I think your demo videos are wonderful! They
definately separate your site from all the rest! I not only learned that I
like more music styles then I thought I did, at least like you play them, I
heard some beautifully textured music that I don't know that I've ever heard
from a guitar before ("wow, you can do that with a steel string?"). In
particular, the tune by Marcel Dadi on the BR-6S Fingerpicking #1 and RD-20
Flatpicking #4 just blew me away! (It might be the instrument or the
arrangement, but I liked the BR-6S version over the RD-20 version. If you
track web statistics, and wonder why that one got so many hits, that would
be me!) I also liked "Hummingbird Train" one a lot. (Later: while generally
wary of music with titles like "Arkansas Traveler", I really liked it! It
almost sounds like two guitars playing counterpoint the way one tune is
interwoven into another. Is that the cross-picking technique at work?)
If you're wondering how I happened to drop you an email out of the clear
blue sky, it was your videos. It was cool to see how you would start out not
looking at the camera and then get pulled into the music. Ok, I feel silly
now :)
Regards, David LeBlanc
Subject: Video
Date: Mon, 18 Nov 2002 09:16:02 -0600
Mickey,
I received your video last week on Introduction to Mandolin. I have been learning to play for a little over two years and have learned mostly from Bert Casey's method. However, there are a lot of holes in my playing ability that you have provided the answers. I could not believe what I was watching. Almost every question that I have about methodology was answered. And guess what, it is not that hard. I really believe that you have provided me with the tools to really become a really good mandolin player. I consider myself high average on what I have already learned but this approach will do nothing but make me exponentially better at playing. I spend at least an hour each day practicing, and now this hour will provide much,much more fruit!!!!
Kelly Pugh
Richmond, MN
Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2002 16:49:23 -0500
Folk of the Wood,
I have enjoyed your website for a while now. I have used your free guitar, banjo, and mandolin lessons with much success. I also encouraged a friend to order a Cremona violin from you. I was VERY impressed with it and your service.
I have played mandolin for about a year. I am interested in either a Kentucky 140S or 150S. First off, your new introduction to mandolin video looks WONDERFUL. I'm torn between the 140S WITH the video or the 150S WITHOUT the video. This is due to budget constraints. I am leaning towards the 140S with video.
Thanks in advance,
Chris
Date: Thu, 07 Nov 2002 10:59:54 -0600
Subject: Breedlove
Hello to Cheryl, Nathan and Mickey.
I wanted to thank you for all the time you spent making my somewhat
complicated trade-in on a new Breedlove Quartz KF work. Mickey approved
the transaction, Nathan advised me on brands and models, and Cheryl
patiently made the whole thing happen. I've spoken to her so many times
I now immediately recognize her voice on the phone. Your customer
service is wonderful.
The mandolin arrived Tuesday, when I was swamped and ended up working
until almost 2 a.m., so I didn't get a chance to really dig into it
until yesterday, when I spent three solid hours playing it.
Nathan steered me well. I am very happy with this instrument. The
radiused fingerboard and oversized frets make for easy playability. It's
also LOUD, right out of the box.
The tone is quite nice, also. I am quickly learning the proper attack on
this one, as it seems to make quite a big difference in tone. I recently
spent a weekend afternoon playing nine mandolins ranging in price from
$980 to $2,500. Honestly, none sounded better than this Quartz.
...Anyhow, again, thanks to all for the transaction and I am loving this
mandolin.
Best,
Eric
