Fretted Instruments
Fretted Instruments is a stringed instrument retailer located at 2906 Linden Avenue in Homewood. It was opened in 1974 by Herb Trotman with Ricky Stone, originally as a music education center. Though the shop has always offered lessons, Trotman quickly determined that students needed a reliable source for good quality instruments and turned to sales of guitars, banjos, fiddles, ukeleles and mandolins, as well as accessories and sheet music. Instrument sales are primarily transacted in person, so that Trotman can offer advice and get the instruments set up for playing.
In the late 1980s luthier Bob Tedrow began operating his instrument repair business at Fretted Instruments. After a few years he left to launch his own shop, the Homewood Musical Instrument Co.
In 2011 the store's building was renovated. Artist Ted Whisenhunt painted new signs for the business.
In 2015 Trotman donated five ukeleles to the Avondale Library for their lending program.
References
- Burttram, Charlie (November 29, 1990) "Businesses are in tune with dreams through music." Birmingham Post-Herald, p. C8
- "Avondale Library introduces ukulele lending program." (September 18, 2015) Weld for Birmingham
- Baker, Kaitlyn (March 1, 2020) "Musical Matchmaker." Homewood Life