Who plays what?

[NoNickel]

I thought it might be interesting to have a post that gives kind of a comprehensive list of what our favorite players use on a regular basis. Might be helpful to identify the sound of instruments (although I know its as much the player as the instrument). I'll start:

Mike Compton -- Gilchrist F5 and F4
Chris Thile -- Dudenbostel and new Loar
Bill Monroe -- Loar
Adam Steffy -- Daley
Ronnie McCoury -- Gilchrist F5 and new Loar

Have at it!

[JEStanek]

Dawg - Loar, Giocomel, new Red Diamond?

Bill Monroe isn't playing his Loar regularly anymore. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Jamie

[bradeinhorn]

frank doesn't play a lore.

[GVD]

I play a Kneeland!

GVD

[AlanN]

The 'best' mandolinist to play a 'worst' mandolin has to be John Moore. He makes that Kentucky sing!

[Frank Russell]

Pretty sure John Moore is playing a nice newer Gibson F5 now. At least he was at a SoCal festival a year or so ago. Frank

[lgc]

Joe Page in AK plays a Kentuky too. Pretty amazing.

[bradeinhorn]

tony rice's nephew jordan rice plays a kentucky a-5 and it sounds amazing. he used to have some clips of it up on his myspace page.

[jaydee]

John Duffey-the "Duck"

[Big Joe]

"Big Joe" Gibson mandolin, Eastman Mandola, Clayton electric mandolin http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif .

[fwoompf]

Matt Flinner - Gilchrist F5
Mike Marshall - Loar F5, Monte Mandocello

[floyd26]

billy bright - gilchrist f5
david long - gilchrist f5
jeff austin - nugget

[fwoompf]

Sharon Gilchrist - Gilchrist F5 I think...but no relation http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Jim Garber]

Classical world:
Alison Stephens: 1933 Embergher
Carlo Aonzo: 1994 Pandini
Richard Walz: Bowlbacks by Daniel Larson
Ralf Leenen: Emberghers galore

...more later

[Rick Schmidlin]

John Reishman: Loar F5

[NoNickel]

Butch Baldassari -- Unsigned Loar; Kimble 23
Sam Bush -- '39(?) Gibson F5
Dan Tyminski -- http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
Roland White -- Gibson something
Andy Leftwich -- Gilchrist F5
John Reischmann -- Loar

[dougjay]

Lou Reid: #F-5 by Ronnie Barnes (of Yorktown, VA)

[Steve Stewart]

I've played Joe Page's (from Alaska), Kentucky and it was a piece of cr@p when I saw it a couple of years ago, but Joe could still make it sound okay. #Page is a great player, and I hear he has a new mandolin now. # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Alex Fields]

Dan Tyminski -- http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

He plays a Daley.

Evan Marshall plays a Gilchrist F5C.
Radim Zenkl plays several, including a Capek and an Andersen.
John McGann plays Zeidler F5s.
Joe Craven plays a Kentucky (or did as of a couple of years ago anyway).
Andy Statman used to play an old oval hole Gibson A model (1920s I guess). I don't know if he still does.

[floyd26]

I think andy statman is also playing a kimble these days

[homeslice]

Drew Emmitt and Tim O'Brien play Nuggets.

......I play a Collings MT. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[floyd26]

I almost forgot my favorite mandolin player...ME...
I also play a collings mt and an old wave oval

[mandocrucian]

John Paul Jones:
Ian Anderson:
Andy Irvine:
Dave Pegg:
Dave Richardson (Boys of The Loch):
Arto Järvelä:
Petri Hakala:
Peter Ostroushko:
Ale Möller:
Duke Levine:
Ry Cooder:
David Lindley:
Fred Tackett:
Johnny Winter:
Dave Swarbrick:
Peter Knight (Steeleye Span):
Terry Woods:
Paddy Bush (Kate Bush's brother):
Yank Rachell:
Johnny Young:
Howard Armstrong:

[fwoompf]

Doesn't Peter Ostroushko play an oval hole by Gavin Baird?

[Paul Kotapish]

Niles, I think many of these are still correct:

John Paul Jones: Among many others, a Harmony just like Yank Rachell's and a triple-neck Manson Brothers extravaganza

Ian Anderson: He played an old bowlback for a long time, more recently it's been Ozark, Ibanez, and Fylde mandolins; Ozark and Manson mandolas

Andy Irvine: the classic pumpkin Gibson A (not sure which model, but I think it's an A-2)

Dave Pegg: Various over the years, but I think it's an Ibanez lately

Dave Richardson (Boys of The Loch): Stefan Sobell

Arto Järvelä: (Don't know, but I helped one of his cousins buy a very nice Flatiron when they were in Berkeley about 10 years ago.)

Petri Hakala: Gilchrist model 5 (1998), Gilchrist model 3, Joao Batista (Brazillian choro-style mando)

Peter Ostroushko: Gavin Baird

Ale Möller: Custom mandola/bouzouki with microtonal partial frets and individual-string capos at many frets for instantaneous changes in the tuning. (Edit: As per Dan B., made by Aidan & Ekvall)

Duke Levine:

Ry Cooder: Gibson F-4

David Lindley: Gibson three-point F-4 (I have the date at home somewhere)

Fred Tackett: Modern F-5 copy and vintage Gibson A (not sure what model)

Johnny Winter:

Dave Swarbrick:

Peter Knight (Steeleye Span):

Terry Woods:

Paddy Bush (Kate Bush's brother): (Paddy used to play with Kevin Burke when they were kids, too.)

Yank Rachell: Harmony cutaway model (He also played some other instruments, but that Harmony was the stuff. See it here. (http://www.mandolindy.com/yank))

Johnny Young: Harmony and Gibson A-40 or A-50

Howard Armstrong: Harmony mandolins mostly, I think.

[chip]

Anybody playing Givens?

[Greenmando]

Rhonda Vincent ; Smith Creek

[Clyde Clevenger]

Danny Roberts - Gibson MM

[bradeinhorn]

as for some of the younger folks - i think sierra hull and jesse cobb were both given gibsons and play them. pete frostic in osft plays an apitius i think. kym warner plays a collings a style. So does KC in Uncle Earl. I think Sarah Jarosz plays an F-5 Collings. Rebecca Lovell just got a duff recently.

[Bernie Daniel]

Mike Compton -- Gilchrist F5 and F4
Chris Thile -- Dudenbostel and new Loar
Bill Monroe -- Loar
Adam Steffy -- Daley
Ronnie McCoury -- Gilchrist F5 and new Loar #

"new Loar" and Loar?? #aka 1923 or 1924 Gibson F5? #I think that is what is on the headstock anyway. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[NoNickel]

Meant new Loar as in "recently acquired." To me Loar always means '23 or '24 Gibson F5. Sorry for the confusion.

[bradeinhorn]

Hey! Nobody's mentioned little Ricky Skaggs! I think that dude is pretty well invested in the Gibson Company.

[Big Joe]

NoNickel...I think you should add 22 to the list of Loar's. The mandolin world would be pretty poor without that year http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif .

[Alex Fields]

The guy from Waybacks whose name I can't remember playings a Collings A-style.

[jasona]

Anybody playing Givens?
Bob Applebaum.

[jasona]

Andrew Collins is playing Engelmann topped F5 and A5s by Michael Heiden these days.

[jasona]

Bob Hamilton of the Undertaking Daddies has a vintage Gibson F4 on the back of the album of theirs I have.

[Stephanie Reiser]

I went through this list fast, but didn't see a mention of Mike Marshall's '24 Loar.

Amy Ray and Emily Sailers both play a Gibson A-4, but not sure what year it is.

[Bernie Daniel]

NoNickel: To me Loar always means '23 or '24 Gibson F5. Sorry for the confusion.

I know I was just being a smart a..! No appologies needed.

[piknleft]

Don Rigsby- Red Diamond

[PseudoCelt]

Andy Irvine:
- Sobell OM, guitar-bodied bouzouki and mandolin/mandola, Stuart "Andylin" and bass bouzouki
(In the past he's played: Gibson A, A3 & H1 mandola (mostly tuned FCGC), various bouzoukis (by Fylde, Stevens and Takamine, amongst others), waldzithers and guitarras

Dave Pegg:
- He has, or at least had, a Vanden F5

Dave Swarbrick:
- Gibson A
- Gibson mandola

Simon Mayor:
- Vanden mandolins, mandola and mandocello
- Eastman F4-style mandolin

Martin Carthy:
- Gibson A (but not often)

[Rick Crenshaw]

Emory Lester: #Heiden
Alan Bibey: #his Loar or a Gibson MM
Hershel Sizemore: Loar or a Gibson MM
Ron Thomason: Loar
Frank Ray: Loar
Danny Roberts: Gibson MM
Sharon Gilchrist: #Gilchrist
Roland White: Gibson
GEFool: Daley http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif # just thought I'd throw that in there.

What's Wayne Benson playing these days?

[TeleMark]

Jeff Austin (YMSB) plays a Nugget. We saw his debut with the Nugget last year at the big kick-off show in Telluride.

[SternART]

Butch also plays a Gilchrist F5C
Don Steirnberg plays both a Monteleone GA & a Nugget.
Paul Glasse plays a Monteleone A model
Tom Rozum plays a Loar & a Gilchrist
Paul Kotapish plays a Gilchrist

[mandosis]

James Nash ("guy from the Waybacks") -- Collings

[Mike Bunting]

The guy from Waybacks whose name I can't remember playings a Collings A-style.
That would be Warren Hood from Austin. Met him in the Bergstrom Airport, he was on his way to Merlefest and I was heading to Edmonton. His dad, Champ Hood used to play with Jimmie Dale Gilmore. Yes, he plays an A style Collings.

[mandocrucian]

John Abercrombie: Schwab 4-string
Steve Earle: Ovation (what model?)
Levon Helm: Gibson F-4 (?)


Dash Crofts (Seals & Crofts):
Ray Jackson (Lindisfarne):
Allen Woody (Gov't Mule):
Eric Bazilian (The Hooters):
Nash The Slash:

Davey Johnstone (Elton John):
Peter Buck (REM):
George Marinelli (Bonnie Raitt):
Graham Preskett:
Mike Campbell (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers):

Steve Winwood:
Steve Howe (Yes):
Nigel Tufnel (Spinal Tap):
Zoot Horn Rollo (Capt. Beefheart):
Bernie Leadon:

Chris Hillman:
John Imergluck (Counting Crows):
Bruce Springsteen:
Rory Gallagher:
Chris Leslie (current Fairport lineup):

Anthony Thistlewaite (The Waterboys):
Nancy Wilson (Heart):
Midge Ure:

[PseudoCelt]

Ray Jackson (Lindisfarne):
- Harmony acoustic/electric, Overwater solid-bodied electric, Columbus mandolin (heard on Rod Stewart's "Maggie May")

Chris Leslie
- Ozark F-style with Vanden pick-up

Christopher Guest (aka Nigel Tufnel)
- currently plays a Collings MT or MT2, #I think

[Wilson]

Kym Warner (Greencards) plays a Gilchrist A and a Collings MT2.
"Pretty sure John Moore is playing a nice newer Gibson F5 now."--It is a stock Gibson Fern.
"Christopher Guest (aka Nigel Tufnel) - currently plays a Collings MT or MT2, I think"--He was playing a Collings MT2 in "A Mighty Wind."
Johnny Staats plays a Red Diamond (amongst others) as does Don Rigsby.

[seanonabutton]

I know Bryce Milano plays a heiden and josh pinkham a red diamond. i forget what dominick leslie plays...

[jasona]

Peter Buck said in an interview with Guitar Player Magazine he played a Flatiron on Losing my Religion. Last time I saw him it looked like an F5-L Gibson.

[PseudoCelt]

Terry Woods: Paul Hathway mandolin and bouzouki

[Jim MacDaniel]

Luke Plumb - Gilchrist F-5 and (Peter) Daffy black-top A-5

[mandosis]

The guy from Waybacks whose name I can't remember playings a Collings A-style.
That would be Warren Hood from Austin. Met him in the Bergstrom Airport, he was on his way to Merlefest and I was heading to Edmonton. His dad, Champ Hood used to play with Jimmie Dale Gilmore. Yes, he plays an A style Collings.


Both James Nash and Warren Hood play mando with the Waybacks; James Nash has been in the band longer, I thought of him first.

Warren Hood joined the group more recently and primarily plays fiddle incredibly well and sometimes adds some mando. But then James Nash primarily plays guitar incredibly well and sometimes adds some mando. James played at Mandomania (Merlefest) last year where he shared he is very pleased with his Collings.

James Nash and Warren Hood are both most excellent musicians.

[mandolirius]

Is it just me, or are the mandolinists cited becoming more and more obscure? Luke Plumb?

[Mike Bunting]

Both James Nash and Warren Hood play mando with the Waybacks; James Nash has been in the band longer, I thought of him first
Yeah, but I thought of Warren Hood first!
He was carrying his fiddle and a mando case which turned out to be the Collings A. He told me that he hadn't recorded with them, just touring. A very personable young fellow and a wonderful player.



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

[G. Fisher]

What's Wayne Benson playing these days?
Last time I saw him play @ Wintergrass I asked him and he said it was a Distressed Fern.

[fwoompf]

Is it just me, or are the mandolinists cited becoming more and more obscure? Luke Plumb?
STATUS UPDATE: Mike Compton still playing Gilchrists


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

[45ACP-GDLF5]

Emory Lester: #Heiden
Alan Bibey: #his Loar or a Gibson MM
Hershel Sizemore: Loar or a Gibson MM
Ron Thomason: Loar
Frank Ray: Loar
Danny Roberts: Gibson MM
Sharon Gilchrist: #Gilchrist
Roland White: Gibson
GEFool: Daley http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif # just thought I'd throw that in there.

What's Wayne Benson playing these days?

Danny plays his DMM on stage more than his MM.

Wayne Benson is playing a varnished Gibson Fern that he has personally distressed.

Doyle Lawson is playing his Signature Gibson and a DMM every now and then.

[45ACP-GDLF5]

Butch Baldassari -- Unsigned Loar; Kimble 23
Sam Bush -- '39(?) Gibson F5
Dan Tyminski -- http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
Roland White -- Gibson something
Andy Leftwich -- Gilchrist F5
John Reischmann -- Loar
Sam's HOSS is a 1937 Gibson F5 that's had a LOT of work done to it. Tony Rice gave it the name, HOSS.

Dan Tyminski used to play an Oliver Apitius, but he now plays a Sim Daley F5.

[Stephanie Reiser]

Wilf Clark of the Misty Mountaineers plays an '84 Kettler.

[mandosis]

Both James Nash and Warren Hood play mando with the Waybacks; James Nash has been in the band longer, I thought of him first.

Mike,

My "I thought of him first" comment was only meant as "he came to mind for me before Warren"

I hope my wording didn't confuse you to think I was getting into some kind of "spitting match" over who offered the information first. Not meant in that way at all.

Warren Hood is an awesome player, your conversation with him must have been very enjoyable. I'm looking forward to once again seeing/hearing the Waybacks at Merlefest in April.

[Jim MacDaniel]

Is it just me, or are the mandolinists cited becoming more and more obscure? Luke Plumb?
Even the most "famous" mandolinists are usually unkown to people outside of their fan base, or to those with little or no interest in their genres. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif #(FYI, Luke is referenced in many discussions here at MC, but usually limited to the Celtic and CBOM forums, as well as a Gilchrist thread or two.)

[NoNickel]

Great thread. Glad I thought of it http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif Sorry to leave out the '22 Loars. Did anyone remember:

Evan Marshall -- Gilchrist F5c

Any pros play:

BRW
Brentrup
Mowrey
Weins
Silver Angel
Weber
Givens
Collings F
Gold Rush


In the most recent Bluegrass Limited Rhonda Vincent is holding a Weber.

[bradeinhorn]

Doyle Lawson is playing his Signature Gibson and a DMM every now and then.
last couple times i saw doyle he was playing a Carver.

[Chris "Bucket" Thomas]

Pete Frostic of "Old School Frieght Train" plays an Apitius.

That mandolin's was tone is clear & bell-like (even in my hands)

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

I Know you Rider
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaYKytFgGfs

Dunedin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rySnZIlZfOk&feature=related

[Mandodan12]

LED ZEPPILIN?? on "battle of evermore"? anyone know what tyope of mandolin that was? thanks

[Jim MacDaniel]

Hamilton de Holanda: 10-string bandolim from Tércio Ribeiro
Joel Nacimento: 8-string bandolim, also from Tércio Ribeiro

[danb]

Terry Woods: Paul Hathway mandolin and bouzouki
Also plays a steve owlsey smith mandolin (very early) and a sobell OM

[danb]

Peter Ostroushko: Gavin Baird

I saw him playing an old A2 maybe 8 years ago


Ale Möller: Custom mandola/bouzouki with microtonal partial frets and individual-string capos at many fretsfor instantaneous changes in the tuning. I believe it was a Swedish luthier who made this unique instrument.

Aidan & Ekvall I believe is the make. Multi-scale, with "outriggers" for the low course. I think they called that instrument a "Bass drone mandola"

[Richard.g.hampton]

Quote;"John Paul Jones: Among many others, a Harmony just like Yank Rachell's and a triple-neck Manson Brothers extravaganza"

JPJ also has a great-sounding F5-copy mandolin and a gorgeous mandocello, both made by Andy Manson from Crediton, here in the UK

[Dale Ludewig]

GEFool:

No offense intended. Emory playing Heiden. Only part of the time. Michael is a great builder. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Jim M.]

Darol Anger has been playing a BRW, when he puts down the fiddle.

[BRW]

Jason Dennie JasonDennie.com (http://www.jasondennie.com) also uses a BRW. He is a fantastic guitar player but you can check out his website for upcoming mandolin show dates.

[NoNickel]

Here is the current, and very rough count. #Notice the prevalence of Gibsons, which makes sense. #Gilchrists, though expensive are pretty prevalent. #The "Other" category contains brands that were mentioned only once (so Thile's Dudenbostel doesn't show up except in Other. #There's also one Eastman, one Ozark, etc in there.) #For this count, I only chose Mandolins. #Totally unscientific, I know.

Gibson (recent) 13
Loar 11
Vintage Gibson 11
Gilchrist 11
Nugget 5
Kentucky 4
Red Diamond 3
Sobell 3
Collings 3
Heiden 3
Vanden 3
Montelone 3
Daley 2
Apitius 2
BRW 2
Kimble 2
Ibanez 2
Other 33

Draw your own wild conclusions. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Steve Perry]

I saw Wayne Benson at the end of September and I'm pretty sure he told me he was playing a '25 Fern. #At least, for that day, he was...

[surfandstrum]

Does anyone play a Wiens, Stanley or Ellis?

[NoNickel]

I believe that Dan Beimborn just got a Wiens. I don't know if he has recorded with it.

[f5loar]

World reknown mandolinist Evan Reilly plays Dudenbostel exclusively.

[Lorenzo LaRue]

Joe Craven plays an '80's KM-1000 that he "detunes" occasionally by tweaking the neck forward, sounds great, never stays for long, always springs right back, thank Jah http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[Andrew Reckhart]

Jessee McReynolds- Stiver

[Rick Crenshaw]

GEFool:

No offense intended. #Emory playing Heiden. #Only part of the time. #Michael is a great builder. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Sorry, Dale. I saw Emory the last two years at Kaufman Kamp and he had the Heiden(s) then. So that was only as recently as 6 months ago. Emory knows just what he wants out of a mandolin. If he's playing one of yours now, that should be noted.

[f5loar]

I didn't see Bobby Osbrone listed. I think he's back to using his '27 Fern and his '24 Loar.
Dean Webb formally of the Dillards using a '87 Gibson custom made F5.
Was Roland White mentioned? A MM I think or a DMM
Marty Stuart still using his 70's Warner F5 copy
Vince Gill using a DMM these days also has Monroe NO.1
Red Henry still hanging on to Randy Woods NO. 1 and No. 3
Dewey Farmer a personally distressed and reworked 2000 F5L
and Autman F5
Rick Alread a 70's Dean Clawson F5 copy
Frank Wakefield a '23 Loar
Byron Berline a '23 Loar
Chris Hillman a '24 Loar
Nancy Blake a '23 Loar
Jeff Foxall a newer F5L
Tony Williamson a '24 Loar or 20's Fern
Bobby Clark a late 20's Fern
Dick Staber a 30'f F5
Barry Mitterhoff a 40's F5
Tom Rozum a '24 F5
Mike Seeger a 20's Fern
Gene Johnson a Rigel but for bluegrass a '24 Loar
David McLaughlin a '23 Loar
Ronnie Reno a '23 Loar
Butch Waller a '23 Loar
Darryl Wolfe a '23 Loar
Andy Owens a '23 Loar
Ron Thomson a '23 Loar
Brian Alridge mostly Loars but Ferns too.
Charlie Gentry a MM that was reworked to a DMM
Curly Secklor a F5L
Paul Williams a Sam Bush Gibson
The mother in Cherryholmes a Sam Bush Gibson
The guy in Sugarland a Rigel
Brooks of Brooks and Dunn a F5G
That guy with JD Crowe New South a 30's Fern
Buck White a Ellis F5 last I remember
Larry Stevenson a Davis F5
Larry Lynch a 70's MK Kirk F5 copy

This should help up your Gibson count!

[Big Joe]

I believe Dewey Farmer also plays a Loar. Buck White has a Luke Thompson he plays often.

[f5loar]

Dewey Farmer never owned a Loar. He had a '26 Fern which he sold several years back and then got the F5L from CD at Gibson.
But you reminded me that Mark O'Conner plays a Thompson F5.

[sgarrity]

Roland plays a custom lacquer Gibson F5 made a few years ago. It's a very nice mandolin.

[AlanN]

Yep, Dewey had a beauty 26 that he recorded The Ol Red Barn with. He also picked Wards along the way.

[jasona]

<BigJoe> Buck White has a Luke Thompson he plays often...
<Tom>But you reminded me that Mark O'Conner plays a Thompson F5.
I really liked the Thompson I got to play at Buffalo Brothers a few years back. Didn't look like much, but had it where it counted!

[Mental Floss]

JIm Triggs makes a world class mandolin. Who plays one?

[f5loar]

there are many high end makers that don't seem to have any pros out there playing them. Sad but true. Triggs might be one of them.

[surfandstrum]

I was wondering about that...For those high end makers would a pro-endorsement cause the prices to jump? But who would be considered a pro? I've watched Dude's just sky-rocket over the years (thanks to Chris) to compete with Gil's and Nugget's prices...Could we see Duff's jump with Lovell playing it? Smith Creeks are still reasonable with Rhonda gigging with it...Why hasn't a pro jumped on a Triggs, Stanley or Ellis? Granted that could be bad for those saving for one of their mandolins...

[danb]

I believe that Dan Beimborn just got a Wiens. I don't know if he has recorded with it.
I've only had it a couple weeks, but I did some noodling around (http://www.mandolinarchive.com/sound_clips/wiens23_noodling_around.mp3) the other day. Large mp3 clip.

Hopefully some more recording this spring.

Also I wouldn't call myself a pro or compare myself with the names in this thread!

[AlanN]

there are many high end makers that don't seem to have any pros out there playing them. Sad but true. Triggs might be one of them.
Bobby Clark picks one. He *had* a '29 fern that was great, so much so that none other than Big Mon hisownself couldn't put it down one night.

[Red Henry]

If Bobby had it, and Bill liked it, it must have been a fine one.

At last report, Roland was playing a recent F-5 which Gibson made just for him, to his specifications, with some characteristics of his old axe, Randy Wood #2. (May have been Gibson's second try, too). He sold RW#2 through Gruhn's several months ago, and I don't know where it went.

BTW, Tom McKinney had RW#4 for a few decades, but sold it several years ago. (That mandolin was the first high-quality bluegrass mandolin I ever played, one night in 1970 at White Springs.) The instrument may have gone to Texas.

[Big Joe]

John Moore and Joe Craven both have Gibson Ferns that they play. Roland's mandolin is an incredible mandolin. I worked with him on that project and we were able to build exactly what he asked for. His mandolin is lacquer and he did not want varnish. Also Frank Ray has a couple custom Gibsons from about 04 that are killer including a Distressed Lawson I think.

[mandolirius]

Bobby Clark's '29 Fern is one of my favourite mandolins that I've never played. He's a great player, wonderful tone and very clean, but that mandolin has always stood out. I'd love to have clean copies of his solo albums "Top Dog" and "One-Legged Gypsy", but even on my old cassette tapes, that mando stands out. That said, I read an interview where he talks about playing a Triggs.

[doc holiday]

I saw Emory 2 months ago at a workshop in Alberta. He was playing the Heiden.
When I saw him 4 years ago he had the Stealth by Dale Ludwig. Emory lists both builders on his website. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[f5loar]

Red, you let RW2 and RW4 slip through your fingers? What a quartet you would have had! Where's your wife when you need her!

[Red Henry]

Sure would be nice to have the quartet, wouldn't it? I didn't know Tom was going to let RW#4 go-- wish I had known! That was several years ago, and he wishes he had it back. But then by the time Roland sold #2, the prices had gotten way over my head. Progress marches on...

[Peter Hackman]

The 'best' mandolinist to play a 'worst' mandolin has to be John Moore. He makes that Kentucky sing!
I've been listening the last couple of days to two CD's with Swedish singer/songwriter Totte Bergström, featuring John Moore on mandolin. And while I think he has absolutely great ideas on what to do behind a singer his tone sounds a bit lean to me; probably partly the result of low action. The CD's were recorded about 1996-2000. Which axe would that be?

[sgarrity]

Probably his Kentucky. But I'm not exactly sure what year he got his Fern

[Big Joe]

It would have been his Kentucky. He is one of my all time favorite mandolin and guitar players. In addition, he is a really cool guy. Very little ego. A rarity in any musician!

[Windflite]

Gotta say that John Moore is probably the best bluegrass mandolin player most folks have never heard of. #He's kind of a combination of Reischman, Steffey and Staats. #In fact, if you listen closely you'll here a young Thile in there too. (He was one of Thiles private teachers along the way.)

If anybody is interested, pick up a copy of any of the 'Bluegrass Etc.' albums. #(You get to enjoy Dennis Caplinger's banjo work, too!)

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

[fatt-dad]

For the bluesmen, HERE (http://www.earlyblues.com/blues_singers.htm) is a link to who played what. Mostly acoustic guitars, but there are a few mandolin players in the mix. Hope you enjoy!

f-d