1) Elderly. Big Mick said it all.

2) Be Music, the local store in Rutland, VT., even though they have a relatively small stock of high-end instruments, because:

- They are always honest, courteous, and helpful, as long as you avoid the big guy with the whiskers;

- The management are clients of mine, and it's always well to keep the money going in a circle;

- They'll usually match mail order catalog prices, on anything they have in stock.

3) Musician's Friend. They're a huge factory, mostly dedicated to the needs of drug-crazed rock musicians, and I'd never in a million years buy an instrument from them, but when they have a sale on recording or PA gear, they have the best prices you can find; and when they screw up an order, you can usually get some satisfaction if you stay on the 'phone long enough.

Peter.