What looked to be a rainy day at the lake turned out to be a beautiful one when we did a road trip to Traverse City and later to the Leelanau peninsula. This post is about our first stop to Strings by Mail, an international mail order business in Traverse City for what has to be the largest collection of strings for all kinds of instruments including (not surprisingly) the classical guitar! Naturally, Rick had to stop!
Rick has known owner John Wunsch for quite some time, though they've only met physically several times. Wunsch had been a performer as well as a teacher for his earlier career, including at Interlochen Arts Academy. He purchased the company in 2009, expanding it. They recently moved to the new building for which he designed the renovations, bringing in loads of light.
Rick had ordered some strings and a CD, so we stopped in for coffee with John and to take a look. I know some of my blog buddies either play a stringed instrument or have family/friends who do, and if so, you should take a look at their link. While they aren't open for retail business (you can find their catalog online if you are into music for strings or accessories and strings for stringed instruments HERE.)
This place was the most organized of any spot I've ever been -- a good thing, too, as organization is key to fulfilling mail order requests.
Everything was numbered and that included sheet music, CDs and string accessories, too.
There was row after row, box after box of picks! He said sometimes people buy many different kinds to try them out -- the thick or thinness makes a difference in tone. (Who knew?)
In the basement is a recording studio and for some lovely music, go to the "more" section on their page and listen to any number of artists who have recorded there.
They also have video performances of some of their sheet music artists. A number of years ago, Rick brought Italian guitarist Giorgio Mirto to Strings by Mail to record some of the sheet music John has in his inventory. You can see his video performance HERE (and click through to youtube if you want to see it full screen.)
It was a great first stop to our day! I learned a lot and truly enjoyed getting to know John.
But now it was time to go off and do something else -- Hint. Wine is involved, and so are dear friends!
You and Rick have such interesting friends!
ReplyDeleteIt was a delightful beginning to your day, offering the opportunity to reconnect with a longtime acquaintance and explore a distinguished establishment dedicated to stringed instruments.
ReplyDeleteWell this is a niche post! I didn't know there was this much to know about strings. So long since I stringed or strung my violin.
ReplyDeleteHi Jeanie, I don't play any instruments but I enjoyed this post.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great store for those who need it!! Glad Rick enjoyed stopping there. Looks like you two had fun.
ReplyDelete...a niche business.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun thing for Rick to do. A day spent in the company of his passion, music. My son-in-laws both play the guitar, and it is such a delight to listen to them. It must have been such a treat for Rick to be there, learning and enjoying.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Such a unique place!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are really stringing us along here. I was in Traverse City maybe around 1995, but I didn’t see much of the place. The people we stayed with said they called the tourists Fudgies.
ReplyDelete