Originally Posted by
JeffD
Mandolin development where, when? Most of the mandolin development was before bluegrass. Way before bluegrass. The iconic F-5 design evolved before bluegrass, and was primarily envisioned for classical. Bill Monroe played what was at hand.
My impression is that the "big emulation" came about in this country during I am guessing 60s and 70s, when Gibson could not be relied upon to produce an exceptional mandolin. Many makers chasing the Gibson 1923 F-5 sound that Bill Monroe made famous, cuz, well, somebody had to make 'em. There are a few history experts on here who will be much more informed than I can be.
All that said, folks even today, world wide, I believe bluegrass is a minority genre among mandolin and mandolinny instruments.
In this country mandolin is more often seen in a bluegrass context. That doesn't say much, as bluegrass is such a small part of the musical pie, and most people outside the bluegrass bubble identify the banjo as the iconic bluegrass instrument, and when you say mandolin, they picture a bowlback.
Bookmarks