Big Mon's Million Dollar mando on display

[f5loar]

I see James Monroe will put on display his father's famous F5 the weekend of April 19, 2006 in Franklin,KY. I guess that is as close to Rosine,KY (66 miles south)it's going to get.
Does this mean The Rosine Foundation will have to buy tickets to get into the festival to see their mandolin?
I'm sure this will be a rare occasion and one that should not be missed by any diehard of the Monroe's music. Anybody planning on going?

[GTison]

I live in fla. I don't think that kind of drive would be waranted just to see THE mandolin when I've seen Monroe play it. The mandolin alone is kinda like looking at a car without a driver. I'd rather see it GO! Granted I would like to see it. And it is a drawing card for the festival. If they want that mandolin all they have to do is PAY for it. (Not just promise)

[danb]

Someone take pictures for the archives, if it's allowed!

[Hal Loflin]

It's going to be on display in Franklin, Tennessee at a new Bluegrass festival park that is being built by Bill's son James. Here is the link to the article

www.franklinfavorite.com/articles/ stories/public/200508/18/monroe8185_news.html

Looks like a new Bluegrass festival early in the year (April) plus weekly shows....

[Scott Tichenor]

Does this mean The Rosine Foundation will have to buy tickets to get into the festival to see their mandolin?
I have to ask...

By "their mandolin" do you mean that in your opinion the mandolin is the legal property of the Rosine Foundation? Please! I have no personal beef with you or that opinion if it is yours. It's just that they had something like two years plus to come up with the $1.25 million they bid on the mandolin and were only able to come up with $125K. This has been through the system and James is the legal owner and has possession.

[Pedal Steel Mike]

I think James should GIVE the mandolin to some deserving deciple like Sam Bush who is dedicating their life to carrying on the tradition.

Instruments are meant to be played, not put on display.

There's a lot of music left in that mandolin, and to keep it in some sort of vault or trophie case is a waste of a beautiful instrument.

[DryBones]

I think James should GIVE the mandolin to some deserving deciple like Sam Bush who is dedicating their life to carrying on the tradition. #

Instruments are meant to be played, not put on display.

There's a lot of music left in that mandolin, and to keep it in some sort of vault or trophie case is a waste of a beautiful instrument.
maybe like the Stanley Cup or the Tone Poets combined. Loan it out to some of the greats to record with and maybe do a few gigs before off to the next in line? Can you say "high insurance premiums"? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[evanreilly]

I beleive the Bill Monroe Foundation/Rosine Foundation had their last (tenuous) claim to #73987 rebuffed by an Ohio County Judge and now James has clear title to his father's mandolin.

[JimRichter]

As noble as it sounds that James should give the mandolin to some deserving disciple (which one? #it surely wouldn't be Bush--can someone say Mike Compton (or even Ronnie McCoury)?), it is the property of James to do with as he wishes.

Here recently we had an ongoing thread where listers with a few extra thousand bucks talked about throwing their money into a collective pot to commission a bunch of small builder mandolins. #Instead of spending your money that way, why don't we pool our money and buy Monroe's mandolin or help the Rosine Foundation? #And then we can have legal claim to decide what should be done with it.

I admit this is a little tongue in cheek, but I would personally never go in with a bunch of people on a message board to commission boutique mandos. #That's just me and not an indictment of those who do. #However, I have donated money to the Rosine Foundation and am a card carrying member. #I'm nothing big within the organization, just a "dues" contributing member. #

If somehow it's felt that James should donate something that may mean compromising financial viability for him because it's a loftier notion, maybe we should put our money where our mouth is.

The guys down in Rosine/Ohio County have had their chance. #If it hasn't worked out for them in the courts, it can at least be said they tried. It's now up to James to decide what he is going to do.

Jim

[Scotti Adams]

Im sure James used the mando as collateral(sp) to buy the property to have this festival to put his Daddys mando on display to make money off of his daddys name. Ive got nothing good to say about James....never have never will. Hell...Jesse James used a gun to rob and steal....ah..dont get me started.

[JimRichter]

I don't have any love for James either. But, he's following in a fine tradition of the young preying on the names of the elders: Hilton, Forbes, Rockefeller, Bush, etc. You can argue the morals of it, but he's within his legal rights.

How many of us would not be tempted to sell any heirloom if it were worth over a million dollars? Who here would just donate it to somebody? There are obviously things he could do differently (sell it for less than appraised value to the Rosine Foundation or a museum), but it's a sizeable sum of money.

Jim

[Scotti Adams]

..personally I would love to see Marty Stuart have it...hes already the curator of Hanks pre war D45...and hundreds of other atrifacts of music history..then Compton. Im just wondering who will get Muns mando after James is gone...or will he take it with him....Ive never seen a hearse with a luggage rack...

[flatthead]

James Monroe can't sell hamburgers like Paris Hilton.....:)


I don't have any love for James either. But, he's following in a fine tradition of the young preying on the names of the elders: Hilton, Forbes, Rockefeller, Bush, etc. You can argue the morals of it, but he's within his legal rights.

[kyblue]

I don't know James from Adam, but if Bill didn't want James to have the mandolin and do whatever he wanted with it, he could have had an attorney take care of that for him before he died. Evidently he didn't, so maybe everyone who should just get over it.

[Scotti Adams]

..Paula..with all due respect..James has had a rich history of leading Bill down hopeless money avenues...get rich schemes...only to lose his hiney as well as Bills money...hes always rode on his Father's coat tails. Hes a shady business man..and to be honest I dont think Bill would have thought this much hoopla would occur concerning his tool..yes thats what it was to him a tool to get his job done. He certainly didnt treat it like it was worth the money James has to have out of it. Its just another shady business deal James is trying to make happen. I think Bill trusted James too much to go to a Lawyer...

[mpeknox]

which one? #it surely wouldn't be Bush--can someone say Mike Compton (or even Ronnie McCoury)?
I can't see James giving it to anyone but IF that were to happen, those are definitely better choices.

[Jim Rowland]

Maybe the Monroe mando could be handled like Yoyo's cello...owned by a corporation and loaned or rented to a master player. Or maybe we should just conclude that it's a so-so Loar with a glorious history,but not much of a future.
Jim

[Bob Sayers]

If it were me, I think that I would be looking to turn such a valuable asset into enough money to ensure my family's security for a long time. I'm not sure that showing it off at festival parks is the safest thing to do. But I wish James well. Ultimately, I'd like to see the thing owned by a stable organization like the Smithsonian or the Country Music Hall of Fame where we can be pretty sure it'll still be around for fans to enjoy a hundred years from now.

Bob

[AlanN]

Unlikely that it will be given to anybody. Plus, Ronnie has one now and Compton would likely not want it.

[Scotti Adams]

..your right Alan....plus..James doesnt think the way you mentioned Robert...its all about James..if you know what I mean.

[fredfrank]

Give it to me. I promise to play it relentlessly every day!
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[evanreilly]

In a recent post, Big Joe gave his opinion that there was a lot of good playing still in #73987 and it hadn't suffered froma all the work done to it.
I am wondering if there is some sense that Bill was not the best in manager for the things Monroe. After all, Gaylord Corp. did step up and buy his farm when it went on the auction block because of non-payment of taxes, I seem to recall.
Maybe that was tied into other failed ventures (the Restaurant, etc.), but it seems confirmatory of a certain lack of wise financial actions.
I don't want to make any further unfounded accusations, but I don't think James drove Bill into financial ruin. Let someone, if they choose, with more concrete knowledge, step forward.

[jim simpson]

All this talk of Bill's mandolin is interesting enough but I think we missed the boat by not collectively bidding/buying his toaster!!

[evanreilly]

No doubt it was purchased by a Japanese collector.... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Nathan Sanders]

I think somebody mentioned this earlier, but I would like to see David Grisman record an album, like Tone Poets, where the various players get a chance to play Bill's mando. But let's take it even further. It would be really cool if Grisman, or somebody, would record a whole album using the instruments the Country Music Hall of Fame has on display and in storage. Grisman would probably be best to produce the album, given the quality recordings he has put out.

As for Bill's mandolin, it might as well end up in a museum. I'd like to see it played though, but it should probably be in the Smithsonian. I know, James can just give it to me....ha ha ha ha ha.

[Brian Aldridge]

Like it or not, the mandolin is James' property to do with as he pleases. It is his inheritance and that is the way WSM apparently wanted it. It's only a mandolin, not a magical object that belongs to the whole world. Every player that has been mentioned here as someone who "should" have it, already has great instruments, and are doing just fine without James' mandolin. As in most inheritance situations, there will be some who do not like the way the "stuff" is distributed, but just because you don't like the fact that someone got something, doesn't mean it can be taken away from them. A lot of rotten lazy kids have inherited fortunes that they did nothing to deserve. No skin off my nose.

[glauber]

It's only a mandolin, not a magical object that belongs to the whole world.
Yep.

[JimRichter]

Now, I just want to clarify my earlier post. #I was not suggesting that Mike Compton or Ronnie McCoury be given Monroe's mandolin--that was tongue in cheek and a reaction to the comment that Bush should somehow be awarded it. #It's me being my sarcastic self, not some declaration of entitlement.

Jim

[Scotti Adams]

..yea..its just a mandolin..right? I have no problem with James having The Mandolin....but it sure in the hell isnt doing anybody any good just sittin in James' closet...and just how many people are going to buy a ticket to see it?....My prediction..James new festival will flop and then he will try to figure some other way to recoup his asking price...maybe he will take it on a traveling road show http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Brian Aldridge]

Scotti, I must have missed something. What is the shady business deal James is trying to make happen with the mandolin? Do you mean because he didn't give the Rosine Foundation his inheritance? Is the mandolin for sale by James now? What is the asking price?

[bsimmers]

It belongs to James to do whatever. Personally, I like to think I know how other people ought to handle their money/valuables, especially since I've never had any of my own.
First, is the mandolin a Hamilton Beach or a Proctor-Silex? Will it toast a bagel? Does the lighter/darker slide work? Oh, that's the toaster. Sorry.
Back to the mandolin. It really is the single most significant instrument in all of music. All musicians have had many important instruments. BB King had many Lucille's. The 73987 is the real deal to all music. I am rather suprised that Skaggs or Marty didn't have the money to buy it. And play it. I predict that is what will eventually happen. James will run into money trouble and sell it to the highest bidder. And it won't be $1.125 million the next time. We haven't heard the last tone of 73987!!!

[GTison]

We haven't heard the last tone of 73987!!! #

But we have heard the last of Bill Monroe playing it LIVE. #I still say it's the master's touch that brings the tone. #A great mandolin to be sure. #Historic, Yes! #But where is the equivalent of Graceland for Bill Monroe? #There's not one and likely won't be one. #Let's face it about all there is to see besides the mandolin is pretty humble. (toaster) # Also Because of the limited popularity of Bluegrass I think a large financial business investment #may prove faulty if not included along with other more popular elements. #Therefore the Country Music hall of Fame would probably be the best place for it to reside. #Along with other arguably less significant musical artist. # It brings to mind Jimmy Rogers guitar. #I've seen it, in the safe in Meridan, MS #J. Rogers Museum. #It looks pretty insignificant. #Even though He was more celebrated and significant to American music than Monroe probably ever will be considered to be. #(more to follow)

[GTison]

Now if the IBMA or some organization wanted it to be their centerpeice of their bluegrass museum, I think that would be good. Too bad the Rosine folks didn't have the Money to do it upfront. Wherever it lands It won't ever make the same music. It may as well be in a glass case like the Jimmy Rogers guitar. Sam Bush, Grisman, McCoury, Compton, Osborne, and all the rest have their own special instruments they don't need or want the comparison to Bill by playing HIS ax. So then if it's JUST another Loar well then, so what, there's other ones to be had. If it was Bill Monroe's Loar, then WHO can play it. I say NO ONE.

[Big Joe]

Many of the instuments in museums are nice looking, but functionally they are not very sound. Many of them need substantial repair to be playable. It is not good for them to be sitting in a museum or under a bed or anywhere for years and years. The last time I heard Big Mon's mandolin it sounded pretty good. I doubt it would sound the same today. Sitting in its case...especially having be so heavily reworked...may substantially alter the tone of the instrument. F style mandolins do a pretty good job of staying playable but many other instruments do not. I'm not sure it would make much of a recording with instruments in largely unplayable condition. It does sound neat though.

[thistle3585]

I'm curious. Where did the original purchase price come from? Is that what James asked for it or was that a bid in an auction?

[Big Joe]

It was the price he negotiated with the foundation originally. Shortly after that he was offered 2 mill by another group. Amazing how he wanted to cancel the first contract after that. Oh well, what do I know???

[Keith Wallen]

First off I have to agree with Brian. Even if it did go out to different musicians to play how do we know they would even want to play it on a show. I am sure they would all like to check it out but to use someone else’s mandolin that you’re not comfortable with would be hard. That said I can't let the tongue and cheek comments about Bush not being suitable fly. Bush is more like Monroe than any other in the fact that he is an innovator. Monroe didn't try to copy other mandolin players so I wouldn't want to see it go to a copy cat...

[A.N. Orange]

I like Huey Lewis and the News. Now he's innovative! Let's give the mando to him.

[GTison]

Years ago I would have said that Monroe didn't like that "hair" or his music. BUT I think he respected the creativity of other musicians. I'm not sure he would have called it bluegrass even yet. And late in life he seemed to be good friends with John Hartford the "creator" of "Newgrass". But I don't think Sam would be any more deserving than Grisman or the other inovators I mentioned above. It's like Excalibur (the sword ) The only one who could wield it was King Arthur; then he threw it back into the lake. Bill's mandolin achieves mythical status!! What we need here is for Pete Rohan to write another "alagory". (anyone else remember that in the BU mag)

[GBG]

I think James may want to "rent it out" by the hour, or part of an hour, at his new music center in Franklin. You would go in this little room, no windows, only one entrance/exit, with a guard by the door with a timer. How much an hour should he charge?

James should pay me for this idea, or give me a free hour.

[Brian Aldridge]

I'd certainly buy a ticket. I'd pay $50 for a half an hour, set up a camcorder, and start off with Lonesome Moonlight Waltz.....

[f5loar]

The CMHF has over 600 vintage instruments not on display.
In fact in their vault lay such vintage as the Merle Travis Custom made Super 400 guitar and several Loars and Ferns so putting Monroes Loar in their hands does not mean it will be display. Have you seen the tribute they show to Monroe? Pitful, just plain pitful. They had more on Monroe at the old place than this new big one. In fact James donated a pretty good stash of Monroe memoribilia to the CMHF over 4 years ago and they have not as yet displayed the first piece to the public. Next month they are doing a special 6 month display of the high end guitars they have in the vaults like the Travis guitars, Cash's D45, etc.
Monroe's mandolin should go on display somewhere else. They had their chance to get it the first time around.

[thistle3585]

I wonder if a lot of professional performers wouldn't want to play it because their performance would be overshadowed by the instrument.

[Brian Aldridge]

Tom, is it known which Loars and Ferns (serial #s) are being held hostage by the CMHF? Are there any pics available? Also, to comment on what thistle3585 said, very good point. Also, I seriously doubt anyone could make Monroe's mandolin sound like Monroe made it sound.

[GTison]

Thistle, Exactly. What real artist wants a comparison of his art to another. He wants his to stand on it's own. Maybe the CMHF would not be a good place. I'd like to be able to see it too. I like the Rosine idea, just not enough support. Too bad Bean Blossom can't have it there. That's about as good a museum on Monroe as I've seen.

[Links]

This entire thread reminds me of the old farmer who picked up a friend hitchhiking one day. #As they were riding along, the hitchhiker asked the farmer #- "Big Joe, if you had two brand new Cadillac automobiles, would you give me one of them". #Big Joe answered, "we have been friends for many years, of course I would". #The hitchhiker then said, "Big Joe, if you had a million dollars, would you give me half of it"? #The farmer answered, "of course I would". #After a few more of these questions, the hitchhiker finally asked, "Big Joe, if you had two mules, would you give me one". #Big Joe answered, "Ole buddy, you know I have two mules"! #The moral of the story is that we are always willing to give away half of what we don't have!<u> (My pastor, during stewardship drives, likes to say that the Lord expects 10% of what you do have and not half of what you don't have).

I suggest that any of you that think James "ought" to do this or that, why don't you give your mandolin to a young up and coming player, donate it to a museum, give it to Marty Stewart, sell it to a foundation, etc., etc. #Once you have done that, I'll listen to your suggestions of what James should do with his</u> mandolin!

[Brian Aldridge]

thanks Links. That certainly drives the point home.

[Big Joe]

Hey links..my pastor always says "God loves a cheerful giver...but he will take money from a grouch!" Oh well, had to add that. Do you need one of my mules? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif . It might be better if we all thought of our instruments as us being the caretaker, not the owner. Oh well, good thought!

[Moose]

That's some "heavy" stuff there, Joe. hee... hee... Moose. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[GBG]

Brian, I was thinking of charging at least $500/hr.,$300 for 1/2 hour, and $175 for 15 minutes. For $50 you can touch it for 5 seconds(after you wash your hands).

[Moose]

...just to wonder that Mr. Monroe would say about this "hoop-a-la'($$$###??)... - My "spin" is..., I'm NOT so sure he'd approve of it!!?? (he MIGHT be watch'n ya know!?) - Just IMHO. Moose. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[mrbook]

I haven't been to the new Hall of Fame yet, but I made several visits to the old one, and really liked seeing the instruments played by my heroes. I was appalled by the display (in the old museum) of one of Garth Brooks' smashed guitars, and I've noticed that every museum that got bigger ends up with less on display. I also visited the Acuff collection at Opryland (don't know if it's still there, but well worth the trip) and saw many great instruments with big cracks that were painful to look at.

I'd rather listen to the music and play it, and not worry about where the mandolin is. If it ends up some place where I can see it I will probably do so, but not make a special trip. Every estate settlement has something that could have ended up in better hands, at least as far as outsiders are
concerned.

I don't know about professionals, but I don't know if I would want to play it. If anybody can pay to do it, it sort of becomes a high-class amusement park ride (buy your ticket and climb on board). I still won't sound like Monroe.

[Tim]

...just to wonder that Mr. Monroe would say about this "hoop-a-la'($$$###??)... - My "spin" is..., I'm NOT so sure he'd approve of it!!?? (he MIGHT be watch'n ya know!?) -
I suspect that if Mr. Monroe has the ability to view things on earth at this point, the mandolin cafe would be low on his list of things to look at... # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Links]

Hey Big Joe! I know you have two mandolins! Do you need my address?
(The farmer's name was actually Larry - I just used Bug Joe for effect - I hope I didn't offend any farmers!)

[Moose]

Tim: Your "point" is well taken - I DO think he would say that "his" Music is alive, well and in good hands for the future. Actually, I think some of the rather lengthly "threads"(i.e. string gauges, picks, tailpieces, radiased/flat f/b's....., "scooped/scalloped"...,etc.) on CAFE would immediatly bore him to other "interests" -I certainly mean NO harm here to (us) or any CAFE contributors - but someone has already stated the opinion that "his" mandolin was a "tool" only!- nonetheless a very valuable - perhaps even "priceless" - cultural/historical/musical artifact. Moose. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[f5loar]

The CMHF Loars and Ferns were documented up to about 1988.
They also display instruments on loan like the time they displayed Jethro's cherished Red A5 custom. People like Emmylou and Marty Stuart have loaned them instruments to display from time to time. Since 1988 it's hard to imagine if any more have gone to the valuts since many will donate them to the musuem for tax reasons or as a bequeth in their estate also for tax reasons. It does not have to be a famous instrument. It's a nice tax shelter for the well to do. If James would do that he would probably not owe Uncle Sam for the rest of his life.

[Moose]

Hey Darryl: Not to hijack this "thread" - re: Marty Stuart - I happen to think Marty deserves - as you intimate - "honorable-mention" for his deep love and respect for the "greats" in both Bluegrass AND CW music. Witness his "collection" of memoribilia - particularly instruments(guitars, mandos, etc..) Look past the spiked-hair and/or "stage" costumes(s) - Thanks Marty! - Moose. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[A.N. Orange]

I don't know where y'all came up with the idea that he thought his mandolin was simply a tool. He also had serious reservations about his mandolin being played after his death which emphasizes, in my mind at least, the previous point.

[Moose]

Did HE tell YOU that...!? - Moose. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[A.N. Orange]

He mentioned that to the woman that worked with him on the plans he began for a monument and museum for him in Rosine.

[Keith Wallen]

Wow so I guess Huey Lewis really does play the mandolin... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[glauber]

One of the things is wonder is why all this talk about The One mandolin ("oh yesss, my preciousss"), when there were two! What happened to the other one?
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Santiago]

Some people like James, some don't. Bill loved him and left him his prized possession. It is his to smash on a rock if he is so inclined. Thank God he isn't. He's giving the public access to view it. I think the mando world should be appreciative of that. He could put it back in a vault. Selective playing could come later if we respect his rights.

[f5loar]

Ah the missing "other Loar" is still missing from action so we say. Labeled as being "stolen" shortly after his death it was not considered his favorite mandolin. Far from it. He bought it in near mint conditon in the 70's and used it as a back-up and for most of it's life before the "crashing" it stayed on the bus in the Get Up John tuning rarely seeing the light of day. There is speculation that it's wearabouts are known but for insurance reasons shall remain "unaccountable".

[Moose]

I understand.... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[glauber]

That's what i thought. Charlie D., who worked on both mandolins after they were vandalized, seemed to think #2 was very good too. I expect #1 will quietly "pass out of this world" too, eventually, to use another LOTR phrase. Bluegrass is a fierce tribe, but not large enough to create the amount of revenue needed to justify having it in a museum.

[Bluegrass Boy]

This talk about the fate of Big Mons mando amuses me somewhat. Loars have not been around nearly as long some of the old violins. As far as I know, there is no reason they wont be around for centuries. Long past the lives of those who saw WSM play his. It reminds me of the movie, "The Red Violin," which I actually thought was pretty boring. It tracked a great violin through many years, and the lives that it passed through and the stories it became part of. We know part of the story of Bill's mando (haven't heard anything about it before he found it in the barber shop window). We can only imagine what stories it will take part in in the future. The current regime under James is just one segment of time. It will be around long past all our worry about it.

[Hal Loflin]

I have been working on the Bill Monroe/Sam Bush videos for a couple of months and noticed that Bill is playing a Gibson with the peg head intact (no missing ear and the Gibson not scraped out). Is this the "missing" Loar that is referred to a couple of threads ago?

[kudzugypsy]

ooohhh yeah, the "stolen" loar. i remember when i first saw a posting in Bluegrass Unlimited stating that the mandolin was "missing". anyone with info , please contact James. yeah, i thought, this is exactly the type of thing you would expect.... can you say prison time, and not for the "thief".

[pickinpete]

...just to wonder that Mr. Monroe would say about this "hoop-a-la'($$$###??)... - My "spin" is..., I'm NOT so sure he'd approve of it!!?? (he MIGHT be watch'n ya know!?) - Just IMHO. Moose. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
I dont know about that....I seem to remember on the homespun video set, He was pretty proud of the fact that someone offered him $40,000 for it and he wouldnt take it. And as far as all this talk about it being nothing but a tool to him, rethink that too.Monroe was very fond of that mandolin and if you cant find enough evidence through his fond speaking of it or the fact that when it was damaged he picked all the pieces and went running to gibson for help (in a panic I would imagine) then just take a look at that famous photo of him giving it a great big hug, that picture says it all.

[evanreilly]

The Homespun video featuring Bill and #73987 was made long after Gibson had repaired the damaged peghead (1979??) and the later damage from the vandalizer with the fireplace poker.

[Hal Loflin]

So this picture is not what Bill's mandolin looks now?

[evanreilly]

That picture appeared in 'Life' magazine prior to Gibson's repair of the instrument, which included a new scroll, peghead overlay with Gibson restored, and several other minor tweaks.
The mandolin as seen in the Homespun video is how it looked from the late 1980's to the present.

[pickinpete]

The Homespun video featuring Bill and #73987 was made long after Gibson had repaired the damaged peghead (1979??) and the later damage from the vandalizer with the #fireplace poker.
Evan, I didnt intend there was a particular chronology to those events, just examples of monroes affection for a "simple tool"

[danb]

Post repair:
http://www.mandolinarchive.com/images/73987_after_repair.jpg

could really use more pictures (http://www.mandolinarchive.com/perl/show_mando.pl?55)

[Michael Gowell]

I just saw the Homespun Monroe/Hartford/Bush DVDs for the first time, and what caught my eye was the suit Bill was wearing - it looked like BM was a-swim in a vastly oversized garment. #I can only assume Big Mon shrank considerably in his later years while still wearing clothing acquired decades before.

Apologies for being off-topic, but it was really noticeable.