Acoustic Music Testimonials for Folk of the Wood December 2003

TESTIMONIALS Page 20
December 2003 Testimonials
From Our Wood-Wise Following

Date: Mon, 08 Dec 2003 17:15:26 -0500
Subject: Re: Fwd: Ovation Guitars

Mickey,

Thanks for the info. My current axe is a late 70's upper-end Alvarez that's a nice Martin copy...while it's a great guitar (especially for bluegrass and folk settings, and I have no desire to do anything but keep playing it) it's beginning to show some wear. I must admit that I'm still in the shopping phase and have yet to decide whether I'm going to get a new acoustic or go with a round-necked resonator and pursue some blues (with which your site has been helpful wrt Dobro construction, value, etc), but I may well be calling Tradd in the next few days.
Again, thanks for offering your current level of service--it's greatly appreciated!

Chuck Stoddard

Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2003 12:55:39 EST
Subject: Re: Crafters of Tennessee

I appreciate your information. I find it refreshing to be able to ask for help and not be hit with an aggressive sales pitch. I think that you are being quite honest, and I find it welcoming. It is very difficult to purchase an instrument that one knows very little about. You have made that process a little easier.

James

Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2003 16:04:59 -0500
Subject: The Phoenix in flight

Hi Wood folk,

Greetings Larry,

On Thursday I e-mailed an inquiry about the Phoenix NeoClassical...got a
quick note back from Mickey...I followed it up with a phone call to
James...and before the day was done a Phoenix Bluegrass was being shipped to
me. Wow!

We do our best...and, we appreciate your faith in us...

Can you e-mail the tracking # on that order so that I can make sure someone
is around to receive it on this end.

Yes, however, the shop is closed down right now...my suggestion would be to call James first thing Monday Morning for a tracking on your Phoenix: ...

I told myself I'd never again order a highend instrument sight unseen but
you folks inspire confidence. Mickey, your video demonstrations are most
helpful (love your fingersytle mando cuts!!); and, James, your enthusiasm
and articulate discription of the instrument over the phone...well, you won
me over.

Whoever played the instrument for me over the phone did a fine job. Even Ma
Bell and her zillion miles of phone lines couldn't stop that mandolin from
ringing through the receiver.

I was nervous (actually, still am a bit) that the Bluegrass model will be
TOO bright and/or edgy since I'm not particularly a bluegrasser. I'll know
soon.

Keep in mind, you'll always have our 100% trade-up policy which can be applied at any time for as long as you own the Phoenix. This will protect your investment and ensure that you do ultimately end up with a perfect instrument that fits your needs for a lifetime.

Mickey

Thanks again to everyone out there in The Wood.

Holiday best,

Larry May

Subject: Instructional Video
Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2003 08:36:47 -0800

Hello Mickey;
It is hard for a country boy to be too serious on a video huh? I feel relaxed watching your tape on how to play the mandolin. I am happy with my Kentucky KM-675S. It is beautiful and has a great sound. I would like to thank Nathan for his help in my selection. You folks are really organized and as they say in radio jargon, no air time is wasted. Thank you so much for your honest words. A soon to be mandolin player. Don Curry ( A very satisfied customer)

Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2003 10:27:30 EST
Subject: Thanks for Your Quick Turn Around

You guys are great. We learned about you all from a friend that has purchased many instruments from you will great success. We'll continue to spread the word.
We fell a little behind holiday shopping this year. Nothing new for us. We just didn't get around to sending our order for a banjo to you until Dec 15th. Nothing better then the gift of music for our youngsters.
Well the instrument arrived in great shape today, ready to play with two days to spare.

Thanks again for pushing the holiday orders out !

Have a safe and wonderful holiday.

Scott (Alexandria Virginia)

Subject: Phoenix follow up
Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2003 11:57:41 -0600

Hi MIckey, James, Trad

The Phoenix "Bluegrass" is a keeper. Thanks for your patience. Thats the short end of the story. The long rambling version is below.

Thanks,
Larry

-----------------------

I spend a fair bit of quality time with the mando Christmas day and came to understand that the Phoenix is a bird of a different feather.

The past 10 years I've spent playing "other high-end models".

However the Phoenix IS a more refined instrument than "these other high-end models". The refinements come across in the fretwork, the clarity, the "in tuneness", the evenness up and down the neck, and the togetherness of the composite sound. Good job Rolfe!

It has a voice of authority while maintaining a rich warm sweet tone. It feels like the whole instrument is working together toward a common cause. The response can be delicate, and yet it CAN move some air with thick "woof".

Extended play time on the Phoenix definitely opened up the instrument, especially the low end. My initial problem with a dull G string was simply the way I was holding the mando and tucking it against my body.

It was a surprise to discover how much sound comes off the back. The Phoenix back contrubutes hugely to the resonance of the top. More so than any mando I've ever played.

By holding it in such a way to leave the back free to vibrate, the G string sprang to life and the lowend became airy and articulate. Why didn't I think of that sooner?

I forsee a long happy relationship with this versatile instrument.

Thanks again. Great new year to you all.

Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2003 16:51:27 EST
Subject: New Fiddle

You don't know how excited I was to find your instructions!!!! Won New Fiddle on
ebay auctions. There are not any instructors in my area and took instruction from
close childhood friend across US I have kept in touch with. We Instant Message
every weekend so could ask her questions about her 5 year Violin instructions.
Do have a long ago history in music, just has been at least 35 years since being
active in Piano, Baretone (SP?) Guitar. Please don't think this is a dumb .
Just want to tell you how much it is needed to help start up a great hobby again.
Music is everything and with people like you helping to share and spread it we all
can enjoy!!!!!!! Thank you!!!! Linda Smothers
PS will not play for anyone untill I can master THE DEVIL WENT DOWN TO GEORGIA. LOL Don't turn blue waiting!!!!!!

All music is heart renching, soothing, or just plain what life is about!
The strings and beat produced by them takes us to unreachable boundries. A memory regained, a boost of energy, unforetold dreams yet to unfold. Play, Play, Play. Carry us through our highest hopes. Linda Smothers

Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 23:32:17 -0500

Mickey,

Thanks so much for your input on what mandolin might be best for me. I
ed you a few weeks ago for advice. One day in your absence, the week
before Christmas, James gave me a great price on a Breedlove Quartz OF. It
was that or the Weber Hyalite and I went with the Breedlove. I couldn't be
happier with it! What a wonderful sounding, beautiful instrument! James
threw in the sunburst whatever-you-call-it for minimal charge. My wife and
children miss me, but other than that I am in hog heaven with this thing.
It didn't take long at all to learn how to transpose from guitar on the fly.
All I have to do now is develop taste. It's definitely a different
instrument than guitar.

I feel like a whole new world has opened up for me. I was playing with a
friend the day I got it and after 5 minutes he said "you have found your
instrument, you need to divorce your Taylor (guitar)". That I could never
do, but the point was well taken, I love this Breedlove mandolin!

Again, thanks for your personal help in picking out my mandolin. And thanks
to you or whoever set it up, the action is great.

Stephen
Charlotte, NC

Subject: Thank you
Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2003 13:47:30 -0600

I'm not a musician and can play nothing but a harmonica, however I found your web-site trying to answer a question on differentiating between Violin and Fiddle.

Y'all are excellent. What a great resource!!!

Best regards,

Ray Holm

Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2003 11:34:42 -0600
Subject: RE: Fwd: RE: Fwd: Regal squareneck

Mickey,

After much waiting and anticipation, I finally received my RD-45MS with the QC upgrade and I am very pleased with the tone, volume and feel of the instrument. I thought there would be a considerable learning curve as I am new to dobro, but I was making music in 20 minutes and have already recorded with it. I am very pleased with my purchase and would definitely recommend you to anyone looking to purchase an instrument over the phone/web.

Thanks again!

Devin Nowakowski
Bartlett, ILm