TESTIMONIALS Page 17
January/February 2003 Testimonials
From Our Wood-Wise Following

Subject: Re: Tracking Number
Date: Fri, 28 Feb 2003 13:58:35 -0800

Folk,
I got the replacement mando today, the complimentary copy of Intro to Mandolin by Mickey was a very nice suprise. You guys do a great job of taking care of you customers, you have my business forever as well as my friends if they ever need acoustic instruments or supplies.

Keep up the great work,

Joel

---

Subject: thank you
Date: Fri, 28 Feb 2003 10:18:20 -0500

I have found it extremely hard to find much in way of chords for banjo playing techniques etc.
I just purchased a Deering I love the sound. But I have no one to teach me this wounderful instrument.
These Free lessons are helpful to me. Again Thanks.
Sandy Spitzer

---

Subject: Deering Maple Blossom
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 16:35:59 -0800

Hi, I just wanted to drop you folks a note. The Deering Maple Blossom banjo I ordered from you got here yesterday. WHAT A BEAUTY!!!!!!! You know, the Deering hard case itself is way cooler than any "banjo" I've ever had. What a beautiful instrument and what a great sound. I couldn't be happier. Thank you all so much, Jerry Martin, WA

---

Date: Sun, 23 Feb 2003 10:54:11 -0600
Subject: Thank You!

I am so excited about learning the mandolin. My wife plays violin and I play trumpet so we don't do a lot of jamming if you know what I mean. I've been trying to gain interest in the guitar for years and it just never clicked. I recently picked up a mandolin some one gave my wife years ago and I can't put it down. I've got 6 months before we make our annual pilgrimage to Galax, VA. I'm tired of just listening each year and I doubt my horn will ever fit in. Thank you so much for posting free lessons on-line. When I'm playing with Mark O'Connor I'll give you all the credit. Ha!

Lance in Tennessee

---

Subject: Morgan Mornoe Banjo - MGB-2
Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2003 14:51:09 -0800 (PST)

Thought you'd like to know that my Morgan Monroe Banjo,
Model MGB-2, arrived today in wonderful condition -
just in time for Valentine's day. I hardly had enough
room in the trash can to dispose of all that packing.
Judging by what little pickin' I've done so far, I'll
have many happy hours of playing.

Thanks for your extreme promptness.

Bruce Mosier

---

Subject: Wildwood Long Neck Banjo
Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2003 02:01:18 -0500

Hello, out there, and please add me to your list of happy customers and players. The Wildwood long neck TuBaPhone banjo arrived yesterday. It is exactly as pictured, exactly as described and makes exactly what I've come to think of as "my" sound. It's in perfect condition, is gorgeous and weighs a ton -- as it should.

I've been playing for more than 50 years, and own more than a dozen "professional grade" guitars, banjos and autoharps. And this one's right up there with the best of them.

My thanks to Susie, who answered the phone yesterday, and was able, off the top of her head, to tell me about how to allow the banjo the time it needed to warm up. At the moment, it is 48 degrees in Ruidoso and 16 degrees here. During shipping, temperatures on board the UPS truck probably sank into the single digits. That much variation is murder on wooden necks.

So, now, 12 hours after that phone call, I have unwrapped and played the thing.

Absolutely lovely. Thank you.

Wes Richards in NY

---

Subject: Hooray for Tradd!!
Date: Wed, 12 Feb 2003 9:21:12 -0500

Hello Mickey and FOTW staff,
I wanted to let you know of the superb job that Tradd recently did installing the McIntyre Acoustic Feather pickup in my Weber Absaroka mandolin that I purchased from you last year. He spent a lot of time answering my questions when I called and treated the mando as if it were his own. I had been in contact with the folks at McIntyre before the installation and have included below a copy of the email I just sent to them. Thank you and everyone at FOTW for such great products, service and support. You all are the best! I understand that Tradd is a recent addition to your staff....congratulations, and don't ever let him go! Kathy Broyard

Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2003 8:59 AM
Subject: Re: Pickup Installed

Hi Judy and Carl (of McIntyre Pick-Ups),
Just a note to let you know I just got my Weber Absaroka mandolin back from Folk of the Wood with your Acoustic Feather pickup installed. All I can say is..."WOW"!!! It's awesome! Such a totally natural sound, clean, captures EVERY nuance (which means I better practice more!). It was installed by FOTW's recently hired technician, named Tradd. Tradd had nothing but great things to say about the Feather and did a superb job on the installation. You should be proud of your products... they are the best! And you also have great people out there installing them. Thank you!!!
Kathy Broyard

---

Date: Sat, 08 Feb 2003 18:09:39 -0800
Subject: Re: Rigel Resophonic

Dear Folks,
I received my new Rigel Resophonic this week and all I can say is... how sweet it is. I have been wailin' with a pyrex pinkie slide and wondered if there were any recommendations from the maker as to what type of slide was best to use. (Will the metal ones wear the strings or frets out faster?, etc. ) I love all of the new sounds. This is the most fun I've had in a while. I could hardly put it down to send this email. Thanks for great service and a very slick instrument.
Vicki Shell in TN woods

---

Subject: Anton Breton AB-20
Date: Sun, 9 Feb 2003 08:30:42 -0600

Just wanted to let you know that I received my AB-20 a couple of weeks ago
and had my first lesson yesterday. The instructor could not believe what I
paid for the whole outfit! (I did have new strings and a better bridge
installed.) She said that the bow was very good and that the violin had a
nice, soft tone. Now, if I can just get used to that bow thing. I have
played guitar for 36 years and also play mandolin, banjo, bass and piano, so
anything with a pick is pretty easy for me to pick up. Thanks again.

---

Subject: Regal Arrival....
Date: Wed, 5 Feb 2003 09:16:47 -0600

James and Suzie....

I just wanted you to know that my Regal Resophonic Guitar arrived in fine shape this past Monday.
The Quarterman cone upgrade was good advice and your installation makes it even better, I think.
Anyway, everyone loves the big beautiful sound of this instrument and we are happy to have it. Someone forgot to send the picks I needed, but other than that, this is my second FOTW instrument purchase (both in one month), and I'll be back for more. You folks are great to do business with.

Thank You All: George Cooper, Texas

PS. You might be interested to know that when this "Dobro" left FOTW, it went all the way to Louisville, Kentucky (Bluegrass), to Nashville, Tennessee (Country), Memphis, Tennessee (Blues),
Dallas/Fort Worth (Country Swing), Austin, Texas (a touch of Willie and the Boys), and finally here to San Antonio (Honky Tonk). That's what I call a REAL setup! No wonder it sounds great!

---

Subject: MMS-3 mandolin
Date: Wed, 29 Jan 2003 12:47:48 -0500

Hey FOTW folks - received the Morgan Monroe MMS-3 mandolin today in the usual great packing - everything is fine!! Thanks again for all the swaps lately - I wore out poor Suzie and Cheryl (hope the throat is better!) but they never complained!!

Must get back to pickin' the MMS-3, but had to say thanks again for the great help!!

Take Care - dave  

---

Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: To Mickey about my Morgan Monroe.
Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2003 23:01:15 -0600

Greetings!!! To Mickey and everyone else at folk of the wood!
I would like to let you know what an absolute pleasure it has been doing business with all of you. You folks have definitely gone above and beyond all of my expectations concerning my selection and purchase of a Morgan Monroe MCM Sunburst Mandolin. You have made selecting this mandolin very easy considering both my budget and my desire to have a great sounding professional instrument. You were extremely helpful in the many informative e-mails and phone conversations.

I am glad to say I received my mandolin last Friday and was pleased to have it in just three days. It had arrived safe and sound; your attention to packaging is indeed top notch. As for a review on the mandolin I must say, it sounds great, it plays wonderfully, and it looks absolutely fantastic. This mandolin has such a deep and woody chop, (a lot of bark) it most certainly stands up well against my Martin and Banjo. Another great aspect of this mandolins sound is its high yet warm tone that rings out clear and bell like! Just fantastic!  I am glad to say that this mandolin is very responsive and it plays well whether I am playing loud or soft. The action is also as I requested and it fells very smooth. 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! Although I had some of these same opinions about my last mandolin, this one far exceeds the others bass end, and this quality makes me very happy.  

I brought it in to the major folk music shop here in Minneapolis and let me tell you it was received well by even the most discerning players. Honestly! I had to sit and wait for an hour and a half before I could get it back from everyone wanting to play it!! People could not believe what a great looking and sounding mandolin this is. When I told them what I had paid they just couldn't believe it! Thanks a lot guys. I am very happy with this Mandolin and I can't wait to do business with you again!
Thanks Again! Daniel Libby

---

Date: Wed, 29 Jan 2003 09:31:06 -0500

Dear All,

Thank you very much for sending the Korg Tuner, received it 1/27/03. Appreciate your customer service. Am enjoying Learning Dobro Very much, will be ordering Intro to Dobro Part II very soon. Thank you once again for a good shopping experience.

Yours truly,


Ian Rose

P.S. Guitar is Great, perfect for me at the moment.

---

Subject: DEERING D-6/ATTENTION: SUZIE
Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2003 16:53:01 -0800

SUZIE: ONCE AGAIN YOU HAVE COME THROUGH FOR FOTW. YOUR EFFICIENCY,  ATTENTION TO DETAIL, AND PERSONALITY, MADE MY RECENT PURCHASE OF A DEERING D-6 A PLEASURE. THE INSTRUMENT ARRIVED YESTERDAY AND IT IS WONDERFUL. DEERING PRODUCES A GREAT BANJO, AND FOR ME, FOLK OF THE WOOD IS THE ONLY RETAILER I NEED FOR ALL THINGS ACOUSTIC. THIS, OF COURSE, INCLUDES MY LATEST ORDER FOR A GALLAGHER GUITAR, WHICH I ALSO ENTRUSTED TO YOUR CARE. AGAIN, MY THANKS TO YOU AND ALL THE OTHER GOOD PEOPLE AT FOLK OF THE WOOD. REGARDS, CHAD WETZEL

---

Subject: Re: Fwd: Are all mandolins this hard to play?
Date: Tue, 21 Jan 2003 11:33:05 -0800

Dear Folk,

I just wanted to write to let you know that my mandolin arrived yesterday -
the Morgan Monroe MMA-1 - with no problems! I have been anxiously awaiting
its arrival, tracking it on the UPS web daily since it was shipped. Well,
let me just say that once I got it in my hands and started picking, its
beautiful tone and ringing bass notes fulfilled all my hopes for a fine
instrument. I had been working hard on a Rover model these last few weeks,
(just to see if the mando and I were going to get along), so, taking up the
Morgan Monroe with its fine action (thanks to your careful setup work,
Tradd!), my playing seemed to improve instantly! (An illusion that, I'm
sure, will disipate with time, but enjoyable, none the less). And most
importantly, my wife can tolerate my practicing much better, due to the
Morgan's lovely tone.

You now have a very satisfied customer, and I look forward to a long
relationship with your company. Blessings on you all for your commitment to
your craft and to your customers.

Sincerely,

Brad Smeltzer
California

---

Subject: Thanks
Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2003 15:32:59 -0600

Thanks for all the videos! I am hoping to learn bluegrass banjo eventually, and I really enjoy watching your videos. Thanks for your web site, too.

Milt

---

Subject: Phantom of the Opry
Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2003 22:21:32 -0500

Hi Mick

Loving my black beauty even more now that I've replaced the stock tailpiece with an Allen. Better sustain and tone. Just seems to have a more balanced tone across the strings.

I thought maybe it was just me, but my future son-in-law was blown away by the sound. I'm using D'Addaro EXP medium lights on it.

Thanks for selling me a great instrument.

Ray Silva

---

Date: Sun, 12 Jan 2003 18:59:49 EST
Subject: Re: Mandolin Intonation?

Thank you so much... I really do appreciate the fact that you're able to
tolerate computer morons like me who can't find the info:-p on your site...I
will be sure to save the email...with a little bit of time the intonation
improved dramatically and while it's not perfect it is much better.......when
I change the strings in the next couple of weeks I'll know what to do...

Again, thank you for your patience...I can't tell you how great your help
has been...You guys ROCK in an acoustically kinda way:-)

PeacE
bc

---

Subject: Praise
Date: Wed, 08 Jan 2003 20:18:50 -0500

FOTW,

I would like to send some praise your way, or at least in the direction of one of your people. Tonight I called with some questions regarding Rigel and Breedlove mandolins. Susie assisted me on the phone. She was insightful, helpful, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and informative. Our conversation moved to my current mandolin and she once again gave me some valuable information on my Kentucky that I wasn't aware of. Went well above and beyond what is considered "good" customer service. Well done to Susie!! Thank you.

Loren Bailey
Faithful FOTW web site frequenter.

---

Subject: The "Ladye" arrived...
Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2003 23:08:19 -0600

Hello, Bryan:

Just so you know, our Goldtone White Ladye was delivered late this afternoon (1/8/03), in perfect condition, in perfect tune. My son opened the box and case and instantly played his new banjo. Three hours later I had to make him pack it away and sent him home. I can't imagine a sweeter sounding instrument, at any cost...and I grew up with one of the best banjo players ever...I know. Please express my appreciation to everyone who made this purchase a joy for me and my family. Regards: George Cooper Sr.

---

Subject: Banjo and Mandolin videos
Date: Tue, 7 Jan 2003 21:18:36 -0700

Mickey-Purchased your banjo and new mando video. WOW These are really great! I love your instructive approach. After just three weeks on the banjo I am actually able to use my pinky for something!  When I saw how great the mando video was, I gave it to my son-in-law for Christmas. My daughter purchased a mandolin for him, thru you, and I knew he would really enjoy it. He does! So now I have to order another for myself when my Breedlove arrives.
Thanks for all you do Mickey-Jim

---

Subject: Beard Dobro
Date: Mon, 06 Jan 2003 16:07:46 +0000

Hi Mickey
I picked up my new Beard and I am very happy with it. It is beautiful to look at and sounds great!! Thank you so much. I am happy with making it an even trade on the Breedlove as we discussed before. Thank you for extending the trade-up policy to me.
Dan says "hello".He would like to see you some time.
Thanks again
Mike

---

Date: Thu, 2 Jan 2003 12:02:39 -0500

I received the Kentucky KM-350S and it is beautiful. Thank you for the great service. My boyfriend is interested in picking up a book or video on how to learn to play the mandolin...are A-styles and F-styles taught the same? Julie

---

---