Over the Easter weekend, we had the chance to stake out a little slice of mando heaven at Acoustic Vibes Music in Tempe, AZ, about 12 miles from Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix. If you ever have a layover or extended stay in this happening part of the southwestern US desert, you'll want to carve out some time to hang out in this wood and steel paradise.

World renown mandolin brands such as Breedlove, Collings, Weber, New Mad, Phoenix, and Eastman adorn the climate controlled wood slatwall room, along with a myriad of boutique guitar brands such as Baden, Santa Cruz, Bourgeois, and Huss & Dalton. We also spotted one of the country's most exotic displays of high end ukuleles including Koaloha, Pono, and Kanile'a.

Click pictures for close-up

Acoustic Vibes is a hallmark Weber dealer; we were most impressed with the sonic power of a cedar top red satin Gallatin, and charmed by a very well set up Weber Mandocello. The later was astonishingly easy to play.

Seeing the used red Kevlar laced carbon fibre New-MAD F-body was like visiting an old friend. Not many of these were made, but typical of the store's collection of rare, but highly desirable hard to find instruments, including the stunning matched pair of Rigels, tobacco-burst fraternal twins A+Deluxe and G-110.

Jeff Looker, Proprietor

See and purchase any of these on the online showroom: Acoustic Vibes Music

Posted by Ted at April 8, 2010 5:52 AM