Who is the best mando-player?

[Chris Travers]

Hey!

Who do y'all think is the best mandolin player?

crazylotrfan

[bienkow1]

The Dawg

[MandoBen]

Mike Marshall

[Scotti Adams]

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sleepy.gif

[Bigtuna]

I like apples some like oranges. I think it's all a matter of taste, not who's better. For me it's a tie between Mike Marshall and Chris Thile. But, I love the Dawg's style too. So, I've really told you nothing. How about they all get my vote for a spot in the top 3, in no particular order of course. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Jason Holmes]

It's got to be that one guy who plays that funny little guitar. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[AlanN]

Wilt Chamberlain.

[Doug Hoople]

The temptation to ask that question never ceases to beckon, but it's a siren's call and, rather than answer, you should stay tied to the mast and sail on to safe water!

There are an amazing number of players who could potentially qualify and, in a sense, all of them are the greatest. The world would be a poorer place without any single one of them.

I'm not going to name them, either, but you all know who they are. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Trey Young]

don't know about the best, but my favorite and the guy I look to most for style and technique pointers is Mike Compton...

[JeffD]

For which kind of music? Best bluegrass? Best classical? Best blues? Best jazz?

[Wesley]

It's impossible to say who's the best unless we what the criterion used. But I have the most enjoyment listening to the folks already mentioned. Mike Compton, Mike Marshall, Dawg, Thile, Ronnie McCoury. It's all good.

[Jonathan Peck]

I've really been enjoying the playing of Andy Leftwich. As far as best goes....I nominate

Doyle Lawson for best dressed

Marty Stuart for best Hair

and

Bill Monroe for best not to leave alone with your wife

[JEStanek]

This kind of question is kind of like asking what's the best ice cream flavor. #These topics occasionally spiral into fractuous disagreements. #It may be better to reply as if the question were who are the players you enjoy the most. #Nobody can argue about who you like the most.

I have too many, they change with the playlist rotation, moods, and music styles I'm into at the moment. #I enjoy Compton, Grier, Thile, Dawg, Marshall, Biemborn, Stanek (I'm more satisfied with me playing something OK than a great playing hard stuff very well too sometimes!), Garber, KC Groves, Sharon Gilchrist, Bruce Harvie..... I could go on... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Jamie

[BPV]

Anyone who can play and read up to tempo 220+ with TabEdit....

[floyd26]

I don't know if anyone can say who the best is, but my favorites to listen to would consist of bill monroe, mike compton, david long, ronnie mccoury.

[mandroid]

The one that hustles the most work?

[tkdboyd]

"The world would be a poorer place without any single one of them."
Sweetest response ever to this type of question...

[Brandon Flynn]

Oh no, not this topic again! As people always say, its subjective, impossible to tell. Mine would be Thile, Marshall, and Statman.

[Bradley]

My boys always tell me that I am http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Nuages]

Wilt Chamberlain.
Come on, the OP asked a serious question. Bill Russell all the way.

[Jim MacDaniel]

Wilt Chamberlain.
I hear that at last count, he's played at least 20,000 mandolins.

[Hallmark498]

I'm the best! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

At least where I work, and the only http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Lawsons not to bad.

[mrmando]

Who do y'all think is the best mandolin player?
The one who plays the best mandolin!

[fatt-dad]

According to my dog, that would be, "Woof Snort", which is dog for "Papa Gordo".

f-d

[Mr. Loar]

Andy Statman

[John Kasley]

Since the question didn't specify living or dead, I nominate Dave Apollon.

[Brad Weiss]

Since the question didn't specify living or dead, I nominate Dave Apollon.
Hmm, so just who IS the best dead mandolin player? #That's a far greater accomplishment! (Guess Wilt still qualifies...)

[lgc]

"Marty Stuart for best Hair"

ARE YOU KIDDING? Ronnie has BY FAR the best hair.

[sgarrity]

Ronnie has the best bluegrass hair. Marty's hair is definitely NOT bluegrass hair! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif LOL LOL LOL

[sgarrity]

Hhmmm.....I got to thinking......Thile doesn't really have bluegrass hair either. I reckon that means Thile isn't bluegrass?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif LOL It was right there....

[mrmando]

Thile had him some bluegrass hair on the covers of his first couple of solo CDs.

But lately, between the hair and the cheap suits, he's looking more like Jim Traficant...

[mburkes]

To quote my sons, "Jethro Burns is a Beast too!!!"[I]
That is really good BTW.

[jimbob]

Compton...I am fairly new to the whole mandolin scene, but happened on to some videos on youtube....great stuff

Frank Wakefield...pretty unique

Bill Nesbitt....Little Rock AR...as good as anyone I've heard, very diverse in capabilities, very technical, great overall picker...( good teacher, too)

[Jim Broyles]

I consistently like everything I hear by Andy Ball.

[Doug Hoople]

Anyone who can play and read up to tempo 220+ with TabEdit....
I can play 'Come to Jesus' in whole notes at 220+ http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Jim Broyles]

<=======This guy isn't the best but he composed an outstanding tune called "Daybreak in Dixie" and played for my all time favorite band, the Stanley Brothers. It's Bill Napier.

[Mike Bunting]

Bill the Cat http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[cgwilsonjr]

Can't pick just one. I watched both John Rieshman and Sam Bush play from about five feet away and that about's as good as it gets. Also love the Tim O'Brien, R. Skaggs, Mike Compton, Dawg (playing bluegrass). Chuck

[lovethemf5s]

Don't know about best but a few of my current favs are Adam Steffey, Marty Stuart, Ron McCoury, John Reischman, Ron Thomason and Tim O'Brien. Oh yeah, Bill Monroe too.

[NoNickel]

I am the best mandolin player in my home. However, my 5 year old daughter wants to learn, so I would guess that my crown will be in danger pretty soon.

[Hans]

Vanilla....Julies!

[Jeff Hildreth]

Aco Bocina

[mandocrucian]

This guy's brother/nephew....http://www.halifaxslasher.com/hs/listmovies70_files/deliverance_banjo.jpg

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[West]

My ipod does a pretty good job.

[Patrick Sylvest]

Andy Leftwich, and I'm not just saying that because he played on my cd. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif No kiddin'!

[Richard Russell]

I don't know if he's the best, but, I'd listen to Peter Ostroushko more than all the rest.

[birdman98]

Jimmy Page.

[Scotti Adams]

Im kinda partial to Sir Paul..

[Doug Hoople]

Jimmy Page.
That would be John Paul Jones, now, wouldn't it?

[mandopete]

Sir Les Paul

[Daniel Wheeler]

My homies matt Conrad Ben and Jonathan oh and me.


Shameless self promotion.

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Jim MacDaniel]

My vote is for Mandolin Man (http://www.mandolinman.it/).

[John Flynn]

Ditto for Mandolin Man! And who's gonna tell him to his face he's not the best? I think anyone who did would "sleep with the fishes!"

[mandopete]

...yeah that and they would probably have to "take a dirt nap" too!

MANDOLIN MAN!

[Glassweb]

Eva Scow! You go girl!!

[Jim MacDaniel]

Either way, it's the big sleep for that dirty rat.

[fwoompf]

ludacris

[JeffD]

Anyone who can play and read up to tempo 220+ with TabEdit....
Yikes!

Yea, if you can recognize the tune its too slow!

[300win]

Sam Bush

[JeffD]

OK, a few of my favorites:

Jethro Burns -
Andy Statman -
Alison Stephens -
Dave Apollon -

These folks don't play mandolin, they play music; and it happens to be on the mandolin. They transcend the instrument itself like nobody else does, in my opinion.

[Jeff Hildreth]

JeffD

you got it

musicians that happen to play mandolin

and the reason I mentioned Aco Bocina

[Chris Travers]

Anyone like Adam Steffy?

[West]

I heard that Chris Brown is a huge Adam Steffy fan.

[John Flynn]

If only Buckethead played the mandolin, he'd be the best!

[Don Christy]

my new favorite - from Jypsi

[jimbob]

I change my vote !

[AlanN]

Get ready, new moderator team, your time draweth nigh!

[Scotti Adams]

Get ready, new moderator team, your time draweth nigh!
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[John Flynn]

Get ready, new moderator team, your time draweth nigh!
Oh, come on, you worry warts! If the site can't show a pic of a nice-looking mando-babe, then as the saying goes, "the terrorists have won."

[PatrickH]

I know it is not fashionable to say so Chris Thile is the best player I have ever heard. He can do it all with both a style and technical ability that is just amazing.

If there is a doubt, go back and listen to Mark O'Connor's 2 CD live offering with Brian Sutton and Chris.

[Daniel Wheeler]

I hear 50 cent did a duet with brittney spears. That's why she's in the nut house.

[testore]

Tiny Moore, if we can talk electric too,Dave Apollon was unbelievable, as was Jethro Burns.RIP.
But people who are still kickin', There are three guys who always make me sctrath my head, Grisman, Tim O'Brian, and Mike Marshall

[Tim]

Simon Mayor

[Rick Jones]

If you're asking what mandolinists really speak to me, I'd have to stay

Don Stiernberg
Jethro Burn

In what order? That changes on an almost daily basis.

[fishdawg40]

Hey everybody I don't think it's fair to jump on the thread like this. The person who started the thread just joined the Cafe. I think he genuinely wants to know who everybody thinks is the best mandolin player. That's a valid question especially if you're a beginner. Why not leave the thread alone unless you have something positive to contribute. We all forgot how it is to be naive about things. I thought the saying went "the only bad question is the one not asked"? I don't understand why the moderators won't intervene here?

My favorite picker is the Dawg. Mike Compton though is right there with him. Man that guy can play...

[kudzuklunker]

I believe that once a player reaches professional level, he (or) she is good. Who has the style that appeals to you? Who is the better at capturing an audience? There are many things that make a musician great and individual appeal is at the top of the list. I believe Thile has the talent and Mccoury has the style, (not suggesting that he is lacking in talent). I like Ronnie.

[JeffD]

If only Buckethead played the mandolin, he'd be the best!
Yikes no.

In my opinion he's not even the best guitar player (a discussion for another website).

He may be the most acrobatic, and arguably the fastest, in terms of notes per second, but it ain't music.

His playing sounds to me like a virtuoso practice session - lots of cool riffs and blistering speed, but ultimately expressing absolutely nothing.

I would even say his mask is an indicator that he intends to show that one can play without sharing anything of the real self. Well, in my opinion its the real self, the person behind the instrument, the intentionality inside the musician, that makes it music for me. Buckethead can be replaced by a computer.

He is pretty good at those nun-chucks however.

[mrmando]

I propose that the present discussion and others like it be moved to a new "Dead Horses Beaten to a Bloody Pulp" section of the board, in which no member is allowed to post more than once per thread.

[RevJB]

If only Buckethead played the mandolin, he'd be the best!
Yikes no.

In my opinion he's not even the best guitar player (a discussion for another website).

He may be the most acrobatic, and arguably the fastest, in terms of notes per second, but it ain't music.

His playing sounds to me like a virtuoso practice session - lots of cool riffs and blistering speed, but ultimately expressing absolutely nothing.

I would even say his mask is an indicator that he intends to show that one can play without sharing anything of the real self. Well, in my opinion its the real self, the person behind the instrument, the intentionality inside the musician, that makes it music for me. Buckethead can be replaced by a computer.

He is pretty good at those nun-chucks however.
I don't necessarily think of Buckethead as the greatest guitarist, but he's damn good... and I don't just mean his technical chops, either. If you listen to his music catalogue, you get a very vast array of influences from classical, jazz, drum & bass, electronica, pop, kitsch, metal.

With that said, I would love to see Buckethead play the mandolin. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

And as far as who's the best, I don't know enough mandolin players yet to say for sure. Bryan Sutton is VERY impressive.

[Mike Bunting]

And as far as who's the best, I don't know enough mandolin players yet to say for sure.

Even if you knew them all, how would you decide who is best?

[mandolirius]

<Chris Thile is the best player I have ever heard.>

Makes a big difference when the last four words are added.

[RevJB]

And as far as who's the best, I don't know enough mandolin players yet to say for sure.

Even if you knew them all, how would you decide who is best?
Isn't it always implied that these are all based on personal opinion and experience?

This thread --albeit subjective-- still informs those who are not familiar with a lot of excellent players.

With that being said, it's like arguing who's the best boxer of all time... sigh.

[JeffD]

With that being said, it's like arguing who's the best boxer of all time... sigh.
A friend of my grandfather used to do that all the time. All kinds of theoretical match ups over time, and arcane discussions of techniques and stamina. I was to young to understand it all, but his enthusiasm and jesticulations were impressive. So was the way that cigarette could stick to his lower lip as he talked.

[mrmando]

At least with boxers, you have some objective data to go on.

[RevJB]

At least with boxers, you have some objective data to go on.
Not true at all!! As with anything there are nth ways to dissect data and stats... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Yeah at least in boxing we have ways of setting up theoretical matches trying our best to recreate empirical data of their physical attributes, and simulating fights.

[Rick Schmidlin]

Dave Apollon http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[mrmando]

At least with boxers, you have some objective data to go on.
Not true at all!! As with anything there are nth ways to dissect data and stats... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
But data and stats are still objective, even if there are multiple subjective ways of interpreting them. Based on their records, you could say that Tunney and Marciano were better boxers than James "Buster" Douglas, and I think most people would find that statement persuasive.

When we talk about our favorite mandolin players, we do have some data (note selection, tempo, etc.), but we're much more focused on our personal, emotional reactions to said data. In fact, many people plain don't seem to like a preponderance of notes at fast tempos ... witness recent threads on Chris Thile and Sierra Hull. For some reason, we're not as impressed by the fact that Picker X can play clean 64th notes at 128 bpm as we are by Tunney's 82-1-3 or Marciano's 49-0.

[RevJB]

Hmm you had to bring up Marciano... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

I just started listening to Thile and Marshall's live duet. Lovely stuff. I can't believe people don't like this. But then again music is and always been so subjective since its initial reaction is always emotional.

Maybe it's because of the mandolin's relatively lowly roots opposed to the violin in american music...? I'm just guessing here. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Daniel Wheeler]

Ok ok in all seriousness. I really love the sheer technical ability of thile the fat tone and "peppiness" of steffy Sam bushs NGR stuff mike marshalls ideas and my friend Ben rochester is not too shabby as well.

[AlanN]

Tyson came up fighting has-beens - Holmes, Spinks. The moment he met a match - Buster Douglas - he caved.

Now, if Thile could knock out Marshall in the first round, I'd crown him The Greatest!

Didn't Bela Fleck write a tune called Punch Drunk? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[sgarrity]

Maybe the Punch Brothers should think about recording Punch Drunk. That'd be a knockout! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Chippsta]

I'll answer this one like the famous singer/ songwriter Johnny Russell (rip). One if his bits in concert was to say "Here's one by my favorite songwiter" ... and then he says "I'll bet you're wondering who my favorite songwriter is aren't ya? Some are thinking Harlan Howard and he's great, but let me tell you something ... Harlan Howard's songs never put no 'taters on my table! My favorite songwriter writes songs that pay my mortgage and of course that would be me!" Then he would launch into his big hit "Act Naturally". So, my favorite mandolin player doesn't actually pay my mortgage, but he's bought a lotta beer and toys!

[West]

Shouldn't the cafe have a FAQ that answers these questions:
1. Who is the best mandolin player ever?
2. What mandolin should I buy for (a) under $1000, (b) $1000-$3000, © $3000-$5000, and (d) $5000 and up?
3. Are expensive mandolins worth it?
I know that there is a wide range of opinions on all of these questions, but surely a diplomatic faq could be written that gives a range of opinions (some people think x; some people think y). . . no?

[Scotti Adams]

Shouldn't the cafe have a FAQ that answers these questions:
1. #Who is the best mandolin player ever?
2. #What mandolin should I buy for (a) under $1000, (b) $1000-$3000, © $3000-$5000, and (d) $5000 and up?
3. #Are expensive mandolins worth it?
I know that there is a wide range of opinions on all of these questions, but surely a diplomatic faq could be written that gives a range of opinions (some people think x; some people think y). . . no?
Right on brother!

[sgarrity]

Or how about making a few of these "sticky" topics. #That way a new thread wouldn't be started by a new 'cafe member every month. #But what are message boards for, right? #;-)

[sgarrity]

On the other hand, I wouldn't get to use this lil guy much if ya did that LOL

[mrmando]

Maybe it's because of the mandolin's relatively lowly roots opposed to the violin in american music...? I'm just guessing here. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Maybe somewhat ... but even in the classical violin world, people used to rag on Jascha Heifetz for being all technique and no soul. I think they used to say similar things about Midori. There's a certain amount of consensus about who the great players are and what it takes to be considered one of them, but ask classical music lovers to name the best violinist and you'll get as much of a catfight as you will here on the "best mandolinist" question.

[JEStanek]

When these threads are kept light hearted (and a little punch drunk) I think it's good to revisit them from time to time by new members. Lord knows the search function can take a little getting used to (it took me a while to understand it fully) as can the finer nuances of forum behavior.

That's what we're here for, answering questions often the same ones for each other. If you don't like to play in the repeated threads you don't have too. I like to answer the same questions over and over again (my kids are still little - it's like a default setting in me now) and look what it got me! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Jamie

[royboy]

Sam Bush

[Ken Olmstead]

The guy who inspired me to play was Grisman. I still rank him as my all time favorite player AND my favorite musician. The cool projects he has done and musical taste of the guy is off the charts. Thanks to him, I listen to so much more music than if I had never discovered him. Funny, lately I have been listening more to the two guys that inspired him when he was starting out Monroe and the incredible talent of Doc Watson. There are more technical musicians out there but these guys inspire me. The Doc & Monroe and Grisman & Doc duets (with all due respect for Mr. Jack Lawrence) are the recordings getting the most rotation on the ipod at the moment. Sorry I can't pick a "best" player but my personal favorite is THE DAWG!!

[West]

Jamie -- I agree. I was thinking less about the (non-existent) burden on members of answering the questions than I was about the ease of getting info for newbies. If a newbie read a FAQ, maybe he'd have a better idea of what kind of question to ask. Instead of "who's the best," for instance, he might ask "who is the most influential on your decision to play?" or "who do you think has the best tone?" or something like that. I could be wrong, of course -- it might lead to "Is Nickel Creek bluegrass?"" And a FAQ might have pre-empted the Wilt Chamberlain answer in this thread, which would have been a real shame!

[JEStanek]

I have a long commute home and I was thinking, about how over the years I've been here how some of the potential answers to the FAQs have changed. The Best Mandos for <$1k have changed a good bit and now the field has a few shining stars, some of our shining stars are no longer here or have changed names.

As much as I think a FAQ is a good idea, I find that many people are like me and jump into things before they read directions. Sometimes this makes waves sometimes not. This is an interesting place for real pro-level players and hobbyist pickers and keeping the discussions lively, entertaining and nurturing is the goal.

Jamie

[fwoompf]

I think that's a great point, Jamie. How much has the mandolin world and market changed since the beginning of the mandolincafe? The answer is completely. And that's a good thing!

Otherwise we'd get pretty bored talking about it. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Chris Travers]

Sam Bush
OH YEAH! He's WAY up there with the best of the best!

[AlanN]

To the poster who said <And a FAQ might have pre-empted the Wilt Chamberlain answer in this thread, which would have been a real shame! >

That post was mine. Can never tell inflection on a web thread, but I detect some scorn/sarcasm/ridicule; if I'm wrong, skip the following:

I have been on this board since Day1 of the new forum, and since Day1 of the previous forum. The number of times this topic has been discussed is too many to remember. It's old, boring, subjective and ultimately unanswerable. And before someone says - "Well, don't read it" - that's my call to make. I like this message board (mostly), which is obvious by my long tenure on it.

The Wilt comment was made in jest, agreed being rather puerile, but it was a knee-jerk reaction to the umpteenth iteration of the same ole same ole.

[John Flynn]

Quote (jflynnstl @ Feb. 08 2008, 00:22)
If only Buckethead played the mandolin, he'd be the best!

Yikes no.

In my opinion he's not even the best guitar player (a discussion for another website).

He may be the most acrobatic, and arguably the fastest, in terms of notes per second, but it ain't music.
For the record, my Buckethead post was facetious. However, I liked the part of your reply about "most acrobatic, and arguably the fastest, in terms of notes per second, but it ain't music" because I think that descibes some of the mando players that people gush about as "the best" here. Different instrument, different music and they don't have the mask or the KFC bucket on thier heads, but the same principle applies.

[West]

Jamie -- Good point about change over time. I guess we could have a wiki-like FAQ page. But then we'd miss out on the dialogue, which brings me to . . .

AlanN -- I thought it was hilarious and appropriate, precisely for the reasons you say! Still, another poster did have a point about Bill Russell. And it's unclear whether either is better than strawberry ice cream, which is often said to be the "best," though some say it is merely technically proficient and lacks expressiveness.)

[JEStanek]

Wilt and Buckethead kinda fit the spirit of a "who's the best thread" to me.

Mando players I like the best at any given moment I forgot to mention earlier.... Statman, Burns, Marshall, Skaggs, Peter Mix...

Jamie

[AlanN]

Whew, West...

I couldn't bear having a stranger p.o.'ed at me http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Josh_Akins]

The answer to the question is purely subjective.

For me, the best is Bill Monroe, followed by Doyle Lawson, then Paul Williams, then Rick Skaggs. The main reson being, is that's my style of playing.

I love listening to all mandolin playing, as it's a beautiful instrument, but those guys just "do it" for me.

I'm rambling, so I'll hush now.

[Tim]

The fact that this topic has been discussed before doesn't mean much. #There is plenty of evidence that people don't read the current threads they are posting in.

When these come up I ignore the semantics of best, favorite, etc. and just scan the entries. #Occasionally I see a name I'm not familiar with and I do a little research, sometimes I buy a CD. #It was precisely because of threads like this that I own and enjoy CDs by Don Stiernberg and Simon Mayor. #I don't worry too much if who is best but I got something significant from a similar thread.

[mandolirius]

<...strawberry ice cream, which is often said to be the "best," though some say it is merely technically proficient and lacks expressiveness.)>

strawberry has tons of expression compared with vanilla, plus chicks dig it way more http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Gutbucket]

Paul McCartney, he's made the most money.

[56 Gibson Hoss]

Wilt Chamberlain.
I hear that at last count, he's played at least 20,000 mandolins.
That is a slam dunk of an answer.............

[auteq]

Though this is like asking which is rounder a circle or a sphere. I hope or think that people will listen to or seek out those listed in threads like this. So on the classical front Detlef Tewes. Great tone!

[JeffD]

Hmm you had to bring up Marciano... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

I just started listening to Thile and Marshall's live duet. Lovely stuff. I can't believe people don't like this. But then again music is and always been so subjective since its initial reaction is always emotional.

Maybe it's because of the mandolin's relatively lowly roots opposed to the violin in american music...? I'm just guessing here. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
If that's the duet up on the Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour archives site, I have seen it.

My thoughts are that while the playing is awesome, the music, especially the encore stuff, is, (I will be shot for this), kind of boring.

Its like a collection of tone poems. Its all emotion and no story. Its I mean its beautiful and absolutely brilliant and all, but its like a marble in a bowl, it moves around but gets nowhere. After its done I walk away saying wow that was some awesome playing, but for the life of me I can't remember a single line of it. No tune interesting enough to remember, or even sustained long enough to whistle.

If we are talking about the same duets, it makes sense to me why its not more popular.

[James P]

Jethro is the best. #
This Trvth can not be argued. # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blues.gif

[Bing Cullen]

I tried to stay away from this , but someone did say it was a siren call, luring us to self destruction with its offering of the unattainable. Ill smash myself against the rocks and say Adam Bibey, or is that Doyle Bush Reischman? Aaaaagh.

[kmiller1610]

Can't pick just one. I watched both John Rieshman and Sam Bush play from about five feet away and that about's as good as it gets.
Heard Reischman on the Tony Rice bluegrass collection (cut 20 Birdland Breakdown) and was quite blown away. Looked for more Tony Rice Unit stuff from that era right away (no luck so far)......

[woodwizard]

I don't think that I can come up with just one as the greatest mandolin picker. As a matter of fact it would be a little hard for me to narrow it even down to the 10 greatest. There's just so many really great ones. And if you count past and present... forget about it. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Gutbucket]

This past Saturday night, it was me. The night before, I totally sucked! Couldn't play a break for love or money. Most other times, I think Sam Bush is tops for being so versatile.: http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[CrazyMandolin]

Impossible question to answer. I've always thought the more concrete way to phrase it would be: if you could completely absorb and master the style of any one picker, who would it be?

I'm not saying necessarily to do everything the way they would, that's practically impossible, but to have their bag of tricks at your disposal and to understand music in a similar way. From my experience and taste I have to go with Sam Bush. He can play just about anything, sound unique, and he doesn't seem to ever get too far away from the melody.

My two cents, though playing like me has always been the most fun.

[bienkow1]

The kid asked a simple question. David Grisman is the best mando player.

[CrazyMandolin]

Aren't opinions great?

I don't think I would put Grisman in the top 5.

[Got8Strings]

I think we should move on to "what is the best pick color?"

[gabe]

me

[AlanN]

I already said it pages ago, guys...it was Wilt The Stilt, or maybe Tyler Hansbrough. Sheesh.

[bienkow1]

I think we should move on to "what is the best pick color?"
Good question..Burnt Sienna (Dawg Picks).

[JeffD]

Anyone who can play and read up to tempo 220+ with TabEdit....
I play up to 440, so nyea nyea ny... ... what?... oh...


Never mind.

[kmiller1610]

Has anybody ever tried this question by category?

bluegrass
newgrass
jazz
classical
exotic
international

I think if you had to pick someone who has really excelled in the most categories, you have to end up with Mike Marshall.

[Patrick Sylvest]

Ever hear Andy Leftwich play with Three Ring Circle? There 'tis!

[JeffS]

I like (in no particular order) Peter Ostroushko, Chris Thile, Mike Marshall, Ronnie McCoury, Andy Leftwich, and Ricky Skaggs.

In the not so famous category I really enjoy the videos posted by Cafe members, Das Punk, Jim Richter, and Dan Biemborn. There are a few others too but I don't recall the names. My apologies.

[seanonabutton]

not necessarily the best but Thile has the most musical knowledge of any of them... including Mike Marshall who is phenomenal.

today in my music theory class my instructor spent 45 minutes on examining Nothing, then off of Thile's new album... my professor has a doctorate in music and thinks he is brilliant...

[mandozilla]

Big Mon...nobody taught him, he made it all up.

[swiba]

Monroe...Then
Compton....Now
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[West]

Bjorn Borg

[mandoboy07]

Bluegrass: Bill Monroe
Newgrass: Chris Thile
Blues: Rich DelGrosso

But theres just so many that are great.

[bootinz]

John Z