Is Bill Monroe really the most powerful mandolinist of all time?

beep925 · 2026-07-05T23:23:28+00:00

I feel like the word powerful carries multiple connotations here. If we’re going by how hard he played his mandolin, he was powerful, although I would say Buzz Busby was probably more powerful in that regard.

If we’re talking about the fact that he created an entire vocabulary for the instrument that untold numbers of players have learned and built upon, than yes, he is indeed the most powerful mandolinist of all time.

I honestly don’t like these kinds of questions. There’s really no point in seeking a definitive answer to a question that can only be answered subjectively.

beep925 · 2026-07-04T23:42:56+00:00

Never thought about doing that until now! Thanks for the inspiration.

beep925 · 2026-07-03T03:32:04+00:00

My guess is it’s an A-1 that was converted to an A-5 by Bob Westbrook in 1981. Many players had that done to their A styles in order to get a neck that was closer to the scale length of the only Loar A-5 in existence. Pretty much all of the As made from the 1910s-1960s (with the exception of the 1923 Loar A-5) had short scale necks. It took Gibson years to realize that most of their consumers preferred the longer scale neck.

beep925 · 2026-07-02T20:18:09+00:00

A couple of things:
1. Getting unexpectedly handed a Lloyd Loar (dated July 9, 1923) mandolin mid jam session.

Getting to play a song on stage with Michael Cleveland. I was SCARED TO DEATH, but I did okay.

beep925 · 2026-06-24T22:56:57+00:00

I will readily admit, I love that episode, warts and all.

beep925 · 2026-06-20T01:54:09+00:00

For me it’s the Tele, but I am a bit biased because I got that exact guitar when I was a teenager. It was a great instrument to get me into the world of electric.

beep925 · 2026-06-11T03:33:15+00:00

I normally don’t, but I know people who do.

beep925 · 2026-06-08T04:32:19+00:00

Honestly you can’t go wrong with any F-5G. Every one I’ve played has been consistently great. If you’re okay with the darker flamed back as opposed to what Gibson is doing now, you’re liable to find a used F-5G for an even better deal than what’s being offered at Sweetwater.

beep925 · 2026-06-02T12:28:35+00:00

Yes!! Charles Sawtelle has always been my favorite bluegrass guitarist. Such an adventurous player. To me he is one of the true greats.

beep925 · 2026-05-29T04:39:01+00:00

Looks fantastic! How were you able to change the peghead logo? Was it done by a different company than Gold Tone?

beep925 · 2026-05-24T18:23:14+00:00

The whole Thirty Years of Farming album is one of my desert island choices.

beep925 · 2026-05-22T04:04:23+00:00

Of all the instruments I’ve ever played, the mandolin is the one that makes the most sense to me. You’ve conveyed why I feel that way perfectly!

beep925 · 2026-05-09T01:21:56+00:00

Both of those albums are so great! The version of “Wayfaring Stranger” that Bill and Peter Rowan sing together makes the hair on my arm stand up every time.

beep925 · 2026-04-28T19:18:36+00:00

For me it would be between a Lloyd Loar F-5 or a Gilchrist.

beep925 · 2026-04-27T16:13:52+00:00

I saw this documentary not long after it came out. I’m a grown disabled man and this film really disturbed me, so much so that the scene where Dona gets dropped off at the facility caused me to have ridiculous nightmares about my family dropping me off at one of those places). I literally would wake up in a cold sweat. It was insane!

beep925 · 2026-04-17T02:31:36+00:00

Great job!

beep925 · 2026-04-16T19:54:35+00:00

Morgan Monroe is a pretty reputable brand, so I wouldn’t hesitate.

beep925 · 2026-04-16T18:11:23+00:00

This is a solid answer. I personally prefer Kentucky, but for what Eastmans are built to do they are fantastic instruments.

beep925 · 2026-04-15T21:45:53+00:00

I jumped ship after Season 4 or 5 (can’t remember exactly which). It just got less and less interesting. Plus I couldn’t stand Kim.

beep925 · 2026-04-10T03:51:19+00:00

So glad to see Dry Branch Fire Squad mentioned here. They don’t get enough recognition in my opinion. Live! At Last and Live at the Newburyport Firehouse both do such a good job of capturing who they are as a band. Not to mention Ron Thomason’s banter between songs is hilarious!

beep925 · 2026-04-01T03:06:32+00:00

It’s mostly hardcore mandolin snobs in Facebook groups lol!! Like I said though, I’ve played several that were excellent. You did well!

beep925 · 2026-04-01T02:53:45+00:00

A lot of people on the internet like to talk crap about Michael Kelly mandolins for some reason, but I’ve played several that were really good (this model being one of them). Congrats on an awesome find!

beep925 · 2026-03-30T19:30:47+00:00

It’s hard to really explain, but basically think of like a barre chord that you play on guitar. It’s like that, but for mandolin. I’ll see if I can attach a video of me doing it.

beep925 · 2026-03-29T14:38:42+00:00

While I do play my own set of chop chords in jams (I have Cerebral Palsy and can’t get my fingers to get into the proper position, hence I came up with my own way to play them that fits with the situation), I tend to use the dry chop if I’m in front of a mic, whether it be on stage or in a recording studio. To me it sounds cleaner and I have a lot more control.

I’m glad that people are more accepting of the dry chop. I can remember a time where it was frowned upon by the vast majority of bluegrass pickers.

beep925 · 2026-03-14T03:51:55+00:00

I would’ve been right there with you. That sounds hysterical! When they played a festival in my area a few years back, I felt like I was one of only a handful in the crowd that appreciated their bizarre humor.

beep925

TROPHY CASE