The perfect marriage of artist and instrument

**David Rambo** · Jul-09-2012, 7:13pm

Perfect? I'm not sure, but how about Futureman (Roy Wilfred Wooten) and his drumitar? OK, maybe it's a stretch.

**Fretbear** · Jul-10-2012, 10:57am

In both Vishwa Mohan Bhatt's and Junior Brown's case, they basically forged the instruments they wanted to play out of their imaginations. Junior Brown had a dream where he saw himself playing his guit-steel, and Bhatt started out with a Concord archtop he frankensteined into his Hindustani slide "Mohan Veena" that he found in his family home where everyone played Indian Classical music on traditional instruments. I spent a day with him and his tabla player once, I will never forget it.
Vassar Clements and his Gaspar Duiffoprugcar (Vassillie) fiddle made a good team.

**mrmando** · Jul-14-2012, 2:40am

Originally Posted by Fretbear

In both Vishwa Mohan Bhatt's and Junior Brown's case, they basically forged the instruments they wanted to play out of their imaginations.

Yes, you're catching on. The same can be said for John Jacob Niles, Washington Phillips and U Srinivas ...

Here's one more: Clara Rockmore and her theremin.

**Ivan Kelsall** · Jul-14-2012, 3:17am

Earl Scruggs & his Gibson Mastertone banjo. Earl did for the Gibson banjos what Bill Monroe did for their mandolins.At that time,the '5-string' was almost dead in the water because the Tenor banjo was more in use for dance bands & Jazz bands. When Earl popped up as part of the Bluegrass boys,the banjo really took off - BIG TIME !!,& like the mandolin,it's never looked back. I'm currently waiting for my copy of the 'Give Me The Banjo' DVD to arrive from Janet Davis. It just might get me back in the saddle,
Ivan
http://video.pbs.org/video/2164506461

**billkilpatrick** · Jul-14-2012, 3:36am

glenn gould and CD 318

nick drake and his Guild M-20

**Gary S** · Jul-14-2012, 5:32am

Dizzy Gillspie and his trumpet.

**David Lewis** · Jul-14-2012, 6:05am

Brian may and the red special

**Wilbur James** · Jul-14-2012, 9:14am

Keith Richards and his telecaster.

**Mandolin Mick** · Jul-14-2012, 10:17am

These guys come to mind ...

**Fretbear** · Jul-14-2012, 11:27am

Originally Posted by Wilbur James

Keith Richards and his telecaster.

His main axe is named "Micawber..."

**Schlegel** · Jul-14-2012, 11:41am

Originally Posted by farmerjones

im thinkin of Vasser and that carved head fiddle. There a lot of fiddlers and violinists that settle into one instrument. Marriage is a darned good word for it. I sort of feel bad for piano pickerz.

When my mother ran a club, one of the better pianists in town always charged her half price,claiming the impeccably maintained 20's Steinway Grand it had was the best piano in town. I guess he did get tired of making do.

**mrmando** · Jul-16-2012, 12:40am

Vladimir Horowitz would have his personal Steinway taken apart, flown to his gigs and reassembled.

Here's one guy whose instrument travels easily enough, but the things he can do with it are pretty unbelievable:

**dcoventry** · Jul-16-2012, 12:53am

Originally Posted by mrmando

Vladimir Horowitz would have his personal Steinway taken apart, flown to his gigs and reassembled.

Here's one guy whose instrument travels easily enough, but the things he can do with it are pretty unbelievable:

Martin,

In all honesty, Howard Levy has impressed as much or more than all of my favorites. His stint with BFFT in the early 90's was a high point in live music for me. I recently had occasion to see the Flecktones reunion tour at the Sunset Center in Carmel, Ca. Howard gave my youngest son one of his harmonicas!!

**mrmando** · Jul-16-2012, 1:18am

Yeah, that's why Howard may not quite fit here ... I doubt there's one particular harp that he's strongly identified with. It's more about his technique, irrespective of which individual instrument he's playing.

**fatt-dad** · Jul-16-2012, 7:29am

Janis Ian got her d-18 back.
Joan Biaz has had one fancy small body Martin for a few decades.

I just loved that crazy fiddle of Vassar.

I completly understand being unfaithful to an instrument. Thinking that one "voice" may trump another. I bet though learning what to do with what you have is the true musical journey.

f-d

**DougC** · Jul-16-2012, 8:11am

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Piano players have to learn how to adapt to other instruments all the time.
There are very very few players that can bring a piano to all of their concerts. So in a philosophical sense, they overcome this 'restriction'.
Also they get very good at figuring out the instrument's good points quickly and they emphasize thoes points in performance.
Good guitar players choose certain tunes for certain guitars at guitar shops for the same reason. Mando players too?

James Taylor loves his baby James Olson the best, but his old Gibson has a lot of memories.