Looking for a Mandolin Store -Eastern Virginia

[ampig]

I'm looking for a shop where I can see and test drive some instruments. Where's the nearest place that has a good stock on hand?

[Schlegel]

Can you make Richmond? Charles Johnson has a lot of vintage mandolins...

[rgray]

Aside from local box stores (Guitar Center and Sam Ash) you need to go north. Take a full day and head up to Fredericksburg where you will find Picker's Supply. (About 140 miles from Norfolk.) Then it is about 65 miles up to either one of the Melodee Music Stores in Leesburg and Sterling (only about 10 miles apart) just outside DC. Make sure you hit both stores. If so inclined, another 50 miles further north and you can check out Appalachian Bluegrass in Catonsville, MD. Lot of driving but enjoyable on the right day.

[ampig]

Who? Where is Charles Johnson?

I'll check out Pickers supply for sure and maybe then up to Melodee Music

[jswag]

Charles Johnson, aka Mandolin world headquarters, RIchmond -check out his site online!
Also House of Traditional Music, in the Maryland/DC area- I think they are still there,- check their website also.
Jeff