Monroe's mandolin smashed to bits

[Mandolin Cafe]

It's the anniversary of the date Monroe's mandolin was smashed. Seems this video is fitting--the only interview with Charlie Derrington about the process of its repair. Full article that accompanied the interview here.

[AlanN]

Fascinating to watch, all over again.

[farmerjones]

Didn't take the tailpiece off. Probably a heavier gage metal than today, but still the same "string sheering" type tailpiece. Amazing.

[fscotte]

And people get all worried about a little lacquer crack.

[PJ Doland]

When do we get to stop repeating the collective delusion that the mandolin was smashed by a vandal? Is there a specific date on that? Is it like the JFK papers?

[Br1ck]

Ask any luthier who has been in the repair business a long time and you will find destroying instruments in anger is a very common practice. I have friends who have experienced this first hand. Deserved or not, I think this says more about the perpetrator than the victim.

Ask Frank Ford how many he's seen in his long career.

[FLATROCK HILL]

When do we get to stop repeating the collective delusion that the mandolin was smashed by a vandal? Is there a specific date on that? Is it like the JFK papers?

Help me understand your question.

Just what is the "collective delusion"? Since Bill's Loar was vandalized (meaning it was deliberately destroyed or damaged), it follows that there was a vandal. The gender of that vandal, or the vandal's relationship to the owner don't change that. Neither does the method of the vandalizing (i.e a fireplace poker or a stick of dynamite).

As far as the "Is there a specific date on that?" question... the mandolin was vandalized on November 13, 1985. If you're waiting for the unsealing of documents that will reveal another vandal in a grassy knoll, you'll probably be waiting a while.

[fscotte]

I heard that Bill's real Loar, not the stand in stunt mando, was packaged and shipped off to Argentina to escape damage. Bill would occasionally reunite with his real Loar when he took "vacations" down south. The location has been hidden, but there are apparently clues to its whereabouts in the lyrics of some of his songs...

[jesserules]

... there are apparently clues to its whereabouts in the lyrics of some of his songs...

... when you play them backwards ...

[Br1ck]

Yes, one of the great insurance scams of modern time.The mandolin was insured by at least four companies. Insurance fraud investigation was not as advanced as it is today.

Bill did have to pay off a guy who snapped a picture of the real Loar being boxed up for shipment. Still made a tidy profit though.

And it opened up a nice market for the smashed reproductions of witch at least four were sold on the black market.

[fscotte]

Thus, the stand in Loar is housed in a glass cabinet (how convenient) at the Country Music Hall of Fame... where nobody can play it cause, you know.. wouldn't wanna hurt it... or inspect it for authenticity...

[Timbofood]

True story, there was an altercation following my wedding in which a banjo was done fatal damage. Granted, it was not a “holy grail” instrument but, vandalism most assuredly does happen. Jilted lovers, even the perception of the errant behavior of a lover can elicit passion which cannot be believed!

Well, it was just a banjo....

[farmerjones]

If anyone can tie this in with Bigfoot and Alien abduction, it would be a Trifecta! Given Mr. Monroe's large stature, and his propensity for wild out-of-control sideburns, we're nearly there. The truth is out there!

[FLATROCK HILL]

True story, there was an altercation following my wedding in which a banjo was done fatal damage.

Wow. Don't know how the general public would react to that story Timothy, but in my book that's pure 'street-cred'.

[Jeff Mando]

Certainly not to belittle the great artistry of Charlie Derrington, but my first impression seeing the above picture was, "I've seen worse, much worse!" Many instruments get sat on by accident doing similar damage. Of course, those instruments, if they are worth saving, probably get a new top and that's that. But, in this case and considering who the owner is (was) the instrument had to be restored using as much original material as possible -- and there lies the artistry and talent of such a repair, IMHO. Good work!

[Ronnie.]

Interesting and informative thread, I just got the book "Can't you here me Callin" making time to read it.
Thanks to all that commented here.

[JEStanek]

I've got mixed feelings on Monroe but, what Charlie Derrington did to rebuild those mandolins (remember both were smashed) is nothing short of a masterpiece of restoration. Charlie was humble and always willing to offer his experience and knowledge to others here on the Cafe. His passing was a diminishment of the mandolin world, in my opinion.

[Willie Poole]

I have read the interview twice and it seems that building a new top would have been much easier so my hat goes off to Charlie for trying to keep it as original as possible...I wonder if the posts about it being shipped to S.America are true or just some form of joking around?

Willie

[DataNick]

It was/is an unsurpassed work of art that arguably was the greatest restoration ever of a fretted instrument!

[Bill Kammerzell]

This is why I don't have a fireplace in my house.

I have a gas one. No poker.

[Bill Kammerzell]

I heard that Bill's real Loar, not the stand in stunt mando, was packaged and shipped off to Argentina to escape damage. Bill would occasionally reunite with his real Loar when he took "vacations" down south. The location has been hidden, but there are apparently clues to its whereabouts in the lyrics of some of his songs...

I heard it was a remote island somewhere in the Bermuda Triangle.

[Bill Kammerzell]

Interesting and informative thread, I just got the book "Can't you here me Callin" making time to read it.
Thanks to all that commented here.

You will enjoy that book. I hope you enjoy it as least as much as I did.

[Mandolin Cafe]

Another anniversary of the famed fireplace poker incident from this date, 1985.

[AlanN]

33 years, boys, is a mighty long time...

[Buck]

True story, there was an altercation following my wedding in which a banjo was done fatal damage...

I realize this post is a year old, and perhaps it's not my place to say, but mixing banjos and matrimony is bound to cause issues. :-)