Bill Monroes other mando

[b.pat]

Well this one is interesting.

Mr. Monroe's A2 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10179&item=3741447219&rd=1)

If this is varifiable, what does this do to the value?
B.Pat

[Strado Len]

I wrote to the seller earlier today; have not yet received a response. I asked if he had a signed letter from Monroe attesting to the mandolin's ownership, or a photo of Monroe with the instrument. Since the seller is keeping his identity hidden, I suspect this may not be legit. More ebay entertainment.

I also own an A-2 from this same era. Perhaps Monroe owned it previously. It was missing the pickguard and had a lot of wear on the top where the pickguard had been, both known characteristics of Monroe's F-5.

[pathfinder]

If a letter of authentication can't be produced, there's another way to go, depending on whether you want to invest in a telephone call before the auction ends.

The seller claims his/her father was a physician who got the mando as a gift after Bill's 1953 car accident.

According to Richard D. Smith's book CAN'T YOU HEAR ME CALLIN' - THE LIFE OF BILL MONROE, Bill and Bessie Lee were in a serious car accident in the early hours of January 16, 1953. #Bill was taken to Nashville's Memorial Hospital with severe injuries and a prolonged rehab period.

The hospital's records should divulge who the attending physicians and surgeons were. #If the seller isn't prepared to prove who their father was (one of these 3-4 doctors), I'd say that Strato Len is probably correct --it's an eBay scam. #FWIW.

[maroon]

Hmmm. The seller says, on the one hand, the mando is in VG+ to Excellent condition. On the other hand, Mr. Monroe supposedly used the mandolin "for many years." Kind of inconsistent, I would think.

[Keith Newell]

Careful guys. We've been through this before and been proved wrong.
Keith

[Big Joe]

The fact that Mr. Bill owned or played a mandolin in itself does not increase the value. The Loar he played and is known for does carry a considerable value but that is really an exception. The other mandolins if known to be actually owned and performed on by Mr. Bill may have a slight increase in value but not much. Be careful in spending good money just because someone famous owned that product at some time. Remember, it is still what it is and nothing can change that.

[Tom C]

In his feedback somebody states that the seller is actually in Australia.

[Strado Len]

I was mistaken about the seller's keeping his identity hidden. Seems what he or she sells most on ebay is vintage Barbie dolls. Still have not received any response to my email for proof of Monroe's having owned the instrument.

[ourgang]

Monroe's "other" mandolin, aside from the one he got from Gibson during the repair of his Loar, was an F-7. He used this mandolin on the "Master of Bluegrass" album. Cross-tuned to C#m for "My Last Days on Earth". Never saw him play an A model, nor even a picture of him with one.

[Mike Bunting]

I wouldn't trust anyone who would say he was "gifted" the mando rather than "given"

[JeffS]

My parents owned a van that was used to shuttle Kenny Rogers around on a movie set. I learned to drive in it and I still can't sing. Not sure what that means. But it's a nice looking A2 though and probably doesn't need a BS story like this to sell. Too bad Monroe didn't autograph it.

[Moose]

ourgang: Monroe did use/play an "A" Gibson... years ago. There are pictures "in circulation"(books, bio's AND I once(!#) owned an old "song Folio") -w. pics of Big Mon playing this style mando ; perhaps the period when he sent his F5 back for "repairs" to GIBSON. No harm intended, ourgang'... just a "correction". Our man "EVAN"(CAFE).. I think..., can also verify this. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Lee]

If the seller is able to inform the serial number would the fine people at Gibson divulge if the original warranty card were mailed in, and who the purchaser was?

[8ch(pl)]

I believe I read somewhere that Mr. Monroe played an Epiphone, I think the model was Rialto. He had to have had something before the Loar, I think it came to him about 1947. Can anyone confirm this?

[Moose]

re: Monroe's "other" mandolin(s) ; EVAN.... Oh...EVAN ! I know you're out there - or maybe you're AWOL(working!!##) today. (Evan...,our "resident authority" on Mssr. Monroe). http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[GVD]

8ch(pl) Posted on Aug. 11 2004, 11:43
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I believe I read somewhere that Mr. Monroe played an Epiphone, I think the model was Rialto. #He had to have had something before the Loar, I think it came to him about 1947. Can anyone confirm this?

Unfortunately I have been infected with a bad case of CRS syndrome so I can't offer any details at this time but but Richard D. Smith's book CAN'T YOU HEAR ME CALLIN' - THE LIFE OF BILL MONROE does have a little info about the mando and or mandos that WSM played before he found the fabled Loar in a barbershop of all places. If Evan or somebody else hasn't responded by then I can look it up tonight.


Moose Posted on Aug. 11 2004, 10:37
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ourgang: Monroe did use/play an "A" Gibson... years ago. There are pictures "in circulation"(books, bio's AND I once(!#) owned an old "song Folio") -w. pics of Big Mon playing this style mando #

I've seen that picture before too but durned if I can remember where now. Wonder if I can remember my way home tonight? #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

GVD

[Strado Len]

The Epiphone that Monroe has been pictured with is the "Strand", an A-style, f-hole model. He did own, but seldom play, a number of other mandolins, which were sold at auction after his death. Many of these were given to him, including an Ibanez F5, which he actually endorsed.

[Moose]

GVD : "....remember my way home.." - Ask the nurse.., she'll "remember".. ; she helps me lot's of times... hee.. hee.. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Tom C]

This was an A from his auction. but if he gifted somebody the mando we know it would not have been from his estate auction.
http://home.comcast.net/~ukecat/mandolin/mandos/Bsa.jpg

[Jim M.]

Well, the auction was ended early and all bids were cancelled.

I have the 4-disk Bill Monroe collection and it has some great early pictures, including one with an A (I'm not sure what kind but I don't think it was a Gibson), and one with an F4 or F2. I believe there are at least a couple of tracks that he recorded on the oval-hole F.

[Moose]

Hey Jim M. ; I didn't hear about the auction "ending early" & bids cancelled. I'm sure others didn't either. Can you give any "scoop"/info.. Thanks. Moose. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[mandonewbie]

I wrote to the seller via e-mail. He lists a Florida address and I am in SC. I offered to drive to Florida to see the mandolin in person and try and authenticate the original ownership.........I have NO REPLY.

[Jim M.]

Moose - That's all I know. No explanation was given, and as others have noted, this seller was not very communicative.

[Big Joe]

Mr. Bill played many mandolins and owned many. He had another Loar at the same time his now famous one was damaged. It too was badly damaged and repaired by Charlie. That mandolin has vanished sometime after he got it back. Over a lifetime most of us will have had or played a bunch of different instruments. I used to be able to list every instrument I've owned. That was many years ago. Now I'm not even sure I can list the ones I own now, and there aren't that many http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif . Again, remember that just because Mr. Bill or anyone else has owned a particular instrument does not mean it will have any better value than if it were owned by someone noone knows. Actually, it could be worth more. Mr. Bill did not take very good care of his instruments. They were just tools to him.

[ourgang]

Greetings Folks

I stand corrected. I got home and went through the info I have on Monroe and found two pictures of him with "A" model mandolins. One photo is dated 1927 and shows him with Charlie (round hole) the other is a two point pictured on a song folio, sure can't tell you what they are though. But, based on all the photos I can come up with, the F-7 was the other mandolin and appears to be his first choice up until '41 when he bought the Loar.

Sorry 'bout that.

[John Rosett]

heck, bill monroe was hawking ibanez mandolins in the '70's. i remember seeing the adds in pickin' magazine. i also think that there was an ibanez f-5 in the auction.
john

[8ch(pl)]

Strado Len, as soon as i saw your post about the Epiphone Strand I remembered that was the model. I don't know whwere the Rialto thought came from. It may even be an Epiphone banjo model. Thanks. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif Going for coffee soon.

[evanreilly]

I doubt that Bill played his F-7, which he bought new while playing with Charlie, past the time he bought #73987 in a barber shop in Miami. #I heard (read on the 'Cafe??) he used a 60's F-5 on 'My Last Days', rather than his second Loar.
I asked him once how many mandolins he had and he told me he thought he had about 14.
No telling what was under the bed, along with the F-7.

[grandmainger]

I'm always careful with sellers that have a good feedback rating based mainly on $3.99 sales, when they come up with $1200 items... may be perfectly legitimate, but I'd only buy if I can collect.

[pickinpox]

Bill Monroe had a Michael Kelly which he actually preferred to the Loar. #Really....he did.... I have a picture of him with it...honest... It is in my Photoshop folder. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Moose]

...mmmmmm ; NOW things are REALLY gettin' stirr'd up. No disrespect intended.., but.. a MK!? .. "...better then his Loar.." - Inquiring minds would like to know. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif