good mando shops in Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia

Hi all!

I'm going to be traveling from Columbus Ohio to Charlottesville Virginia next weekend, and I'm in the market for a new Mando. I was wondering if there are any stores worth checking out. The budget is max $700.

Thanks in advance!

Archie

https://www.instrumentshopcolumbusoh.com

Welcome to our fair city of Charlottesville. The closest really good mandolin shop to Charlottesville is Picker's Supply in Fredericksburg, which is about another 1:20-1:30 farther east. They do have a good website and seem to keep their inventory up to date, so you can check online prior to driving over (if your itinerary allows for that).

If you go by way of Elkins, W. VA, contact Smakula Fretted Instruments.
I believe that their shop operates by appointment, so call to find out more.
They have been operating for decades and are straight shooters.
They have several Kentucky's in stock in your price range.

www.smakula.com

I'll also mention that they are perhaps more competent than anyone else at restoring high quality open back banjos such as Fairbanks/Vega, Cole, Stewart, etc.

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Originally Posted by Scotter

https://www.instrumentshopcolumbusoh.com

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Thanks for the suggestion I will be checking them out for sure!

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Thanks for this! This is just the type of place I wanted to swing by!

You may want to check out Drum and Strum in Warrenton, VA.

https://drumnstrum.com/instruments/m...ns-and-banjos/

I'll Second Picker's Supply in Fredericksburg. I was there a couple of weeks ago and they had a good supply of instruments around your price range. They are an Eastman dealer and usually have a few in stock. You will also enjoy their selection of used and vintage instruments. I was checking out some of the older Gibson A styles. They had lots to choose from. I just did a quick scan of their website and they seem to be well stocked at the moment. They are nice folks, too.

Go through Pittsburgh and check out Acoustic Music Works!

Not sure how your route works out, but if you are coming east on I-64, there are two shops in Virginia to consider. They are both a mile or so from the highway.

Fretwell Bass (https://fretwellbass.com/) is an upright bass specialty shop (really!) in Staunton, maybe half an hour before you get to Charlottesville. I haven't been there since they moved away from their downtown storefront, and they are by appointment, now. But when they were downtown they had both new and used mandolins. I played several Eastman 305s there that were amazing, and I have friends that bought old Gibsons from them.

Before you get to Staunton, there is Rockbridge Music in Lexington, about 30 miles south. They always have some mandolins, but I don't know what brands they stock. They have always had a couple handmade mandolins by local builder John Schofield, who may be there if you stop in. Those would be out of your price range, but they will have others. They have a minimalist website, but there may be more info on Facebook.

Fretwell is no longer in business.