Re: Bluegrass instruments
This thread has become terrain fought over so many times, it's become (IMHO) both tiresome and un-resolvable.
Willie's original question was interesting. And yes, I can think of several instruments -- played in a "bluegrass style" and sticking to bluegrass-type repertoire -- that have been, and could be, used in a bluegrass band without making it "not bluegrass."
But most of us aren't talking about that any more. We're quibbling over the same old question: since Bill Monroe (sorta) invented bluegrass, and since his "Original Bluegrass Band" c. 1946 included those five instruments, do all subsequent bluegrass bands have to be set up similarly to be called "bluegrass"?
I don't think so, many others do, but we won't resolve this -- and a stimulating line of inquiry, has been led into a familiar swamp and left to sink.
At least that's how I see it.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
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