Discover Folkway
Comparing early-40's Gibson J-35s
In case you missed this video the first time around...
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Comparing Kel Kroydon and Gibson Guitars from 1930
Join Mark - AKA 'The Gibson Guy' - as he tours us through the differences and similarities between two Gibson L-size acoustic guitars.
The guitars in the video are a 1930 Gibson L-1 and a 1930 Gibson-made Kel Kroydon KK1 that was branded 'Bauer'.
Lefty Vintage Gibsons?
They’re out there!
Pre-WWII left-handed Gibsons are phenomenally rare, but they do exist! Here’s Mark with a look at a few.
Watch the Video NowTestimonials
Stopped by for my first time today. They were busy - the phone rang a ton, and yet the sales team did a great job balancing those needs while still giving me their attention. Knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. There are some places you can just tell the staff loves working at. This is one of those places... and that's without getting into the incredible inventory they have on the walls!
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I have purchased and sold many instruments at Folkway over the years, and it’s always a great experience. They have the best selection of vintage instruments and to me they are easily the best store in Canada, and maybe the planet. Mark Stutman is a legend in the guitar world and they have a great and friendly staff. You can’t go wrong shopping at this beautiful store.
- Steven Mucci
Killer vintage store with the most knowledgeable staff around, truly a heart of gold in this shop.
- Mike Kerr
Over the past 16 years I’ve bought, sold and repaired vintage instruments at Folkway Music. Their honesty, integrity and professionalism keeps me coming back... hopefully for another 16 Years! Thanks to Mark and everyone at the store for making me feel like family.
- Brian Gibson
Having bought and sold guitars through Folkway, I've found it to always be an easy experience. They are fair in their pricing both in buying and selling. My only complaint with Folkway is the distance they are from my home. If closer, I would be there frequently to experience the unique collection of instruments for sale and pick their brains for the vast knowledge they possess.
- John O. Loeb
Once again, it was worth the drive to Waterloo! Mark Stutman and his staff at Folkway exemplify what all high-end music shops should aspire to. They truly are the reference standard. The front end operation is anchored by a back end repair shop that is second to none. Right from the get-go, you just know you're in good hands. When I noticed the bridge on my Guild F50 starting to lift, there was absolutely no hesitation as to where I was going to have the repairs done based on previous work completed on my D28. Ryan kept me informed all through the process and the finished result is flawless with nary a trace of the precision regluing work that was done. He was also instrumental (pun intended) in contacting Guild and securing some bonus warranty coverage for the required repairs. Thank-you, Folkway!
- Jerry De Stefanis
Folkway Music has evolved into a very important part of my musical career. It started when searching for a repair shop in Canada that was skilled in working with rare vintage guitars. Mark’s work is absolutely the best you can find. Over time I’ve also purchased two of the most amazing guitars I’ve ever owned from them. Everything a bricks and mortar shop should be.
- Clement Bray
If you’ve met Mark Stutman, founder of Folkway, then you already know he’s one of the most knowledgeable, talented boys in the biz. If not, go check ‘em out and see for yourself the new high water mark for sales, service and the finest repairs on the planet.
- TJ Thompson
Folkway Music is Canada’s premiere storefront & restoration centre for heirloom-quality stringed instruments. They offer an intimate setting staffed by talented, knowledgeable people you can trust. They have a personable, client-centric approach to business, and their disciplined and ethical practices inspire confidence. They offer a good selection of fine quality new instruments to meet the needs of most players, and they consistently have some of the most iconic vintage instruments available in the north-east. There is always something special to see. Their instruments are presented beautifully, properly set up with fresh strings, and in tune. Their prices are fair and the quality of services delivered is high. If you have a passion for life-changing instruments, get to know these guys - they are worth the drive.
- Phil Wright
If you are a musician, Folkway Music should be a required visit on your musical bucket list. Between high-end boutique guitars and coveted vintage gems, there’s plenty to satisfy your tonal cravings. Not to mention the world-class repair shop upstairs, where Mark and crew offer unparalleled services. Folkway is both a destination and an experience.
- Bob Minner
I’ve been making the trip to Folkway from Toronto for over 10 years. Mark and his team offer expert repairs, a stunning showroom, and a rare and welcome truth-telling with respect to the merits and liabilities of the various vintage guitars on offer. Mark has talked me out of more guitars than he’s ever tried to sell me, and that is rare indeed. He has an uncanny knack for knowing what I’m going to like, and he has yet to be wrong. His attention to detail on setting up my guitars and maintaining them has been a real asset to my life as a touring guitar player.
- Jason Fowler
I live 3883km away from Folkway Music. That's roughly the width of Europe. Despite the distance, there is no other place I would rather use. Mark and his team are so incredibly knowledgeable, honest and fair; I find the customer service at Folkway is unparalleled - not only among fine instrument dealers, but among any store I've ever dealt with. I think this stems from their genuine love and care for old instruments. It's more than a business to them.
- Matt Patershuk
Mark and his crew at Folkway are the best. Customer friendly, knowledgeable and always pleased to spend some time to understand exactly what you are looking for. Fair prices and a wide selection of instruments (yes, including lefties) and amps make this a real gem of a shop.
- Patrick Loubert
As an avid guitar enthusiast living in a remote area of Canada with nowhere to “try before you buy,” I have made my share of mistakes buying and selling guitars online. Since discovering Folkway, those days are behind me. Building a relationship with Folkway has been a fun and immensely rewarding experience. The peace of mind that comes when buying or selling a guitar at Folkway, or having a treasured instrument lovingly repaired by Mark and his expert team, has made my guitar hobby fun again. Thank you, Folkway!
- Gordon Yamazaki
After twenty successful years in business, Folkway Music has evolved into one of the best, if not the best retail and repair shop in Canada.
Two decades in, they have repaired and restored pretty much every acoustic and electric instrument that you can name. They're especially adept and knowledgeable when restoring and breathing new life into vintage Martin and Gibson instruments. This is the shop to go to knowing that when you pick up your repaired instrument, it will likely be better than the day it was made. Highly recommended.
- Joe Yanuziello
I always look forward to popping into Folkway and seeing what’s hanging around the shop. Mark and his staff are super knowledgeable and their repair/restoration work is truly amazing. I’ve found several ‘grail’ guitars at Folkway and always know I’m getting the best. Plus, they laugh at my jokes!
- Bahamas
I always feel like an instrument from Folkway has been carefully considered. From its structural integrity, to its sonic performance, even to its inherent soul.
More and more, instruments are bought and sold across distances, so you need to trust who you’re dealing with. And I always feel like I can trust Folkway Music. To some of us, these instruments are more than wood, wire, and glue. They have a soul. Thank goodness there are places like Folkway where that’s appreciated. Folkway is a dangerous stop on the web for me. Those glorious photos and explicit write ups too often send me considering that instrument sitting in my lap.
I believe that there’s a responsibility of owners and luthiers to treat these righteous old instruments properly, and apparently so does Folkway. Nothing comes from there that hasn’t had a caring, knowledgable examination.
- Kirk Stirland
I am a huge Folkway Fan. Since opening their doors, Mark and his trusted team have done ALL my major work - set-ups, re-frets, neck resets, new tuners, bone nuts/saddles, pickup installs, neck and crack repairs. They do it all with knowledge and skill – yes, better than anyone around. And, as a guitar and gear retailer, their advice, attention to detail and recommendations are always worth seeking out.
- Bob MacLean
My relationship with Mark is like mine with a longtime barber: I trust both to do critical thinking for me – to be the eyes in the back of my head, seeing what I cannot; and to work around delicate and precious areas with the sharp tools I should not be handling. And both do so with an humility that understands, if they are on their game, that much of their handiwork shall remain unnoticed and, thus, rarely fully acknowledged.
My alliance with Mark began innocently enough with a guitar purchase in 2006, but quickly developed to a level of engagement that I now classify as “exclusive” – which means I do no such business with anyone else. My loyalties might be selfish in nearly all dimensions, but they are nonetheless genuine.
All to say that I trust the man as I hope he trusts me: for matters both epic and mundane, urgent and elective. And for all-time.
- Joe Henry
I have been regularly visiting Folkway Music's site for more than ten years now and, besides the great inventory, they are among the best in the business when it comes to detailed descriptions and excellent pictures. I have purchased four guitars from Mark and they were not only perfectly represented but each one is also a wonderful instrument. Mark Stutman has a lot of passion, knowledge and honesty and this can be easily seen and appreciated when dealing with him. I would not hesitate to recommend Folkway Music as a highly reputable source of vintage and new instruments, and I'm looking forward to my next purchase.
- Dario Ronco
My guitar is such a big part of my sound and I trust Mark Stutman of Folkway Music with all my guitar work. He's gotten to know me as a player so when an instrument he thinks I would love comes into his shop, he lets me know. Mark is an absolute expert in his field, truly cares about his customers and is a very important member of my team.
- Rose Cousins
Mark Stutman and his extremely friendly staff can boast that they are one of the finest museum-grade vintage guitar repair shops in the world. If you want your repair done properly, so as to keep the value of the instrument intact, go to Folkway.
- David Gillis
Enough good things can’t be said about Folkway. Mark and his crew are extremely knowledgeable, helpful and straight forward. The quality of their work is amazing. Every instrument they have sold to or worked on for me has met the highest standards. Throughout the past many years I have owned over twenty five vintage and high end guitars. This experience has given me the opportunity to see the work of many luthiers and the sales quality of many high end guitar shops. Having dealt with the highest quality shops throughout the country it is clear that Folkway stands right in there with the best.
- John O. Loeb
