Just my tuppence worth; Though an Aussie, I was in the UK in late '05 and made a point of hanging around in Bristol until Hobgoblin opened its doors there on the day to buy a beautiful 'Alba' Low Pipe (D) - they were superbly supplied with instruments, CD's and more sheet music and music 'anthologies' in book form than you could poke a mandolin at.

Their Manchester store was, if anything, better.

If those two 'out in the sticks' establishments were that good I should expect the two in London to be so much better - They would be my first stop.

I got onto them via a brilliant folkie and occasional friend Troy Donockley who recommended them highly.

Not sure what Chris B (Born-again Scouser's) grief is with them - - - - - - maybe he's just a poor Toffee's supporter who couldn't possibly know any better!! :-D

Muttley (YNWA)