The Carter Guitar

[Scott Tichenor]

http://tennessean.com/entertainment/news/archives/04/05/51697089.shtml

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

Actually, Scott, there is mention of Bill's mandolin later in the article. So I guess the site owner won't mind your post.

[evanreilly]

the site owner is too busy either doing them dirty dishes or some geeky pranks to read the entire article..<G>

[mrbook]

I'm glad I saw the guitar a few times before it left the building. It is also interesting to note that while people here are shocked at the prices of Loars, one of the many instruments played by Jerry Garcia or George Harrison can bring prices far higher than the ultimate bluegrass mandolins. It's food for thought.

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

The price of Jerry's or George's guitar, outrageous as they may be, doesn't make the Loars any more affordable for the vast majority of us.
I also believe that the association of the famous person is what adds value to most of these instruments. I know of one Loar that because it was owned by a famous player (Monroe, I think the name was), was reputed to be worth over a million dollars to a Japanese collector. LOL

[pathfinder]

I see it this way. #Unlike the careers of Monroe and Maybelle 75 years ago, Garcia and Harrison enjoyed their early success at a time when millions of baby boomers had access to Ed Sullivan, radio and records. #And, unlike their own parents, youthful boomers 40 years ago also had the money, the leisure time and the wheels to travel to live performances by the GD and the Beatles.

Like many rockers, Garcia and Harrison both passed away while only in their '50's (a relatively young age). #But their dying during these past ten years reminds us all of the fleeting nature of life. #With the wealth many boomers have squirreled away during their own careers, perhaps they feel it's important to acquire the artifacts of two prominent guitarists of a fondly-remembered generation. Or alternatively, as a speculative investment of the future value of such guitars.

So the disparity in the auction prices comes down to nothing more than boomers' affluence and an eye for a good investment. #Anyway, I'm just thinking out loud on a sidebar issue.

What I'd really like to know is, why did Maybelle use her newfound wealth from the Bristol sessions to buy a jazz-style archtop guitar instead of a flat top? #Did she have a single-minded devotion to Gibsons? #Wouldn't a Martin have better suited her chording and picking technique for the folk-type ballads she did? #Can anyone offer any insight or anecdotes?

[Charlie Derrington]

Well, Neil....

When she bought it in 1928, there was no such thing as a jazz guitar....yet. I think she probably just bought the "best" guitar she could find.

Just like the F-5 became the bluegrass mandolin of choice, the L-5 style ended up (because of its carrying power) becoming the jazz guitar of choice. But, not in 1928.

Charlie

[Scott Tichenor]

the site owner is too busy either doing them dirty dishes or some geeky pranks to read the entire article..<G>
Well, very little mandolin content then. Did Campbell Mercer ever find out who pulled that terrible prank on April Fool's Day? Sure fooled me. Kind of emberrasing since I was the only one to link to it.

[evanreilly]

James William still has a reward posted for the head of the perp on a platter, hahahah!!!

[pathfinder]

Thanks for the explanation, Charlie. #So it was something as simple as what you said, that it was the best guitar she could find, and that the Gibson archtop wasn't yet discovered as being the Holy Grail of jazz players. #

You don't have to sell me on Gibson mandolins, though. #I've owned and prized my F-5 for 10 years. #But I've never figured out why the Carters didn't use one, since they fit so well when playing their old numbers (still the best music for newbees to learn on, IMHO). #

Anyway, let me sort out what I've learned here. #First, that country music's original guitar soloist was a woman (always a good bit of trivia for scoring points with the ladies at a jam session)! #Second, that she played a Gibson, which she used for 50 years from 1928 to 1978. #And thirdly, that I'm hogging Scott's thread with non-mando content (although he did start it)! #OK, I'll take my leave now, with wishes for a good weekend of pickin' to one and all. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[jbrwky]

Although.... Gruhn's line about the "guitar seems to play Carter Songs" seemed funny for an instrument asking half a million dollars. For that price I guess it should play itself.

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

Heck, for that kind of money it should book the jobs and load the bus, too!

[John Rosett]

so-as long as we're off of mandolin topic, if there's anyone out there that wants to buy me that gibson es-140/byrdland guitar that's on gruhn's site, you'd have my eternal gratitude.......
john

[Jim Garber]

When she bought it in 1928, there was no such thing as a jazz guitar....yet. I think she probably just bought the "best" guitar she could find.

Just like the F-5 became the bluegrass mandolin of choice, the L-5 style ended up (because of its carrying power) becoming the jazz guitar of choice. But, not in 1928.
Maybe so, but didn't Eddie Lang at one point buy the same model? I have a 28 L5 and they are honeys. I got mine partly for my admiration for both Eddie Lang and for Mother Maybelle.

Jim

[Brian T]

More food for thought. In 1928, most flat tops were gut string. The Gibson was a steel string guitar that could really project. Was probably the best recording guitar that she could find as well.