Article: Bill Monroe and The Bluegrass Boys in Boulder

[Mandolin Cafe]

You can view the page at https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/c...oys-in-Boulder

[Mandolin Cafe]

Great version of "Wolf Trap Blues" starting at 12:50 of Tape 2.

[chasray]

Yes, Wolf Trap Blues! Impressive

[Timbofood]

I wonder if that's the Aaron Cowles F-5L prototype or, early production?
How kind of you to share this!
See, every mandolin needs mid tune tuning adjustment, even in Big Mon's hands!

[FLATROCK HILL]

I was wondering about that mandolin too. Is it the same one he used for the Denver show, only without the pickguard?

[FLATROCK HILL]

Just got a chance to watch the entire Boulder show. Fantastic! Thanks to all who had a part in recording, saving and making available this historical event.

[Timbofood]

Flatrock' once again we are in the same canoe! What a fantastic piece of footage! My watching has been a bit broken up but, this is great stuff!
I love the "Choose and Pick" request part of the set, how appreciative of his audience and, what a great way not to have toe write a set list!
I miss the panache, few have the confidence to give a show so "Off the cuff" as that.
Thanks for sharing, will some young pickers dive in like this ever again?
Nothing wrong with the evolution but, there are always the "old school" fans out there. I hope there is the respect and understanding there. How many can push dancers like that anymore, I love Bill!

[Jim Hilburn]

I have no idea why I missed this show because we went to everything back then, but I do know my friend Tom Beaman supplied the PA and ran sound. I helped him load in for a Grisman show there and ended up backstage with Mike Marshall when his Monteleone mandocello was brand new and also helped at a Jethro Burns show. That was the time I wanted to show Jethro one of my early mandolins and he said "Son, I already have a mandolin!"

[Don Grieser]

Thanks, Scott. What a treat!

[f5loar]

yes, this is the '78 F5L without the pickguard. I had told Charlie Derrington in early Feb. about Monroe having a problem with the pickguard making a rattle and him making a little piece of wood to jam up in there to keep it from rattling. Once I told Charlie the story Monroe told me about why he left the pickguard on there and would not remove, Charlie told me he would take care of the problem the next time he had it. So Monroe gets the Loar back and Charlie gets the F5L for some minor set-up and removed the pickguard. He gave it back a week later and told Monroe he removed the pickguard because he knew he didn't like them and Monroe thanked him. Because Gibson Co. removed it, he was good with it. That pickguard has not been found since. Funny how I saw the pickguard to the '64 F5 in the case of the 2nd Loar which sold at the first estate sale. Then I remembered Monroe bought it new himself. It was not a gift from anyone, so he removed the pickguard right away. I would assume in this June, 1986 video, Charlie had taken the Loar back in for more adjustments since it was "settling" in from being glued back together, so Monroe was back to using the F5L. I remember Charlie telling me about taking it back in a few times for adjustments as it did settle in.

[Timbofood]

Tom, does that mean it's the Aaron Cowells prototype or is it page one new production?