Sorry for cross-post with thesession.org
I would like to read as many opinions as I can get.
I will open an Irish traditional music store in Kyoto this November.
Now I am only selling flutes and whistles online, but when I opened the store, I am wishing to sell some other instruments such as the harp, hammered dulcimer, bouzouki, tenor banjo, concertina, bodhran, and so on.
Would you recommend some instruments that the price is acceptable, waiting time is not so long, and has a good quality?
In order to see music stores and makers, I will go to Europe for 2+ months from June to September.
I’ll visit France, Ireland, Spain, Germany, Belgium, UK, and Sweden.
Do you recommend any good music stores and makers in those countries?
I know Hobgoblin, Custy’s, Walton, Knotted chode(does it still exist?)
How about Folkfriends and Coda music?
The space is not quite big but I also want to sell CDs and music books.
If you have a chance to visit Kyoto, please come to my store. Its lower floor is an Irish pub which has regular sessions and upper floor is a B&B. Wow, Irish musicians’ heaven!!
At least when it comes to bouzoukis and octave mandolins, a lot of the entry-level instruments are coming out of asian factories in the first place, often China and Korea. These appear under a bunch of different brand names, but probably come from a much smaller number of factories. You might find a source for these closer to home than Europe.
They’re not awful, thought most in comparison with a luthier-build* are are over-built and over-lacquered. Still, I’d accept one.
*But, I suspect that importing luthier-made instruments from the west will at least triple your price. I’m sure that the best will be worth it, because in any high-end instrment, 3/4 of the money is in the last 5% of the sound. Or more, for really high end instruments.
Here’s an idea: Surely there are good Japanese luthiers. If they’ve never made a 'zouk, give 'em a good one to study. Buy local, as my dad always said.
If you check at https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/ you might well find that someone there can give you much more specific info about how to find these manufacturers, or at least how to contact their primary distributors.
Reminds me of when Cody had Hobgoblin Music in San Francisco…music store up stairs, with a lawyer next door if I remember correctly and a pub downstairs. Get to the session and find you forgot your whistle…no problem…run upstairs and buy another.
