Don't be scared to ask these bluegrass questions! feat. Hayes Griffin

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[@stixx3969]

I just bought a Recording King RD- 328 Martin clone. Now I suck on a better guitar than I had before.

[@swandiedrich]

This was highly entertaining. "The D-18 boys" was hilarious.

[@luthiermatt]

I heard a guy say, "if you want a good Martin, buy a Collings". I won't go to a jam that is more concerned about brand names than the notes coming out of the instruments. So many good non Martins out there. What matters is how folks are playing.

[@G_Demolished]

Or you can just be a D18 boy and spend the difference on a few hundred sets of strings. 🤪

[@BobbyCulpepper.srv3fender]

Think of it as a mechanic buy an important tool. Ideally people use old martins, but they are hard to find and sometimes need expensive maintenance, for sometimes less money you can get a guitar that meets the demands and that is Collings.

[@dpfljr]

Quality of craftsmanship also makes a difference

[@tomcoryell]

I’ve heard low end Washburns that sounded better than high dollar Martins.

[@sequoiaroseofficial]

I wish I had a better guitar. But I have a Martin lol. For the money, martins are the best you can get without spending an insane amount of money. I have a d18 and it’s a great guitar but I know a lot of guitars out there are a lot better.

[@notmyname3681]

Your banter is very entertaining, guys. Fun vid.

[@luthiermatt]

Love your tempo discussion

[@unsurprisingly]

Marcel you definitely need to do some more of these I enjoy these and I'm sure the other folks do too we are a lot this way it's a good learning tool thank you for doing it my brother I like to see you do some more with some other guitar pickers you do a good job brother and everything you do much love from Huntington West Virginia ❤️

[@tommythunder6578]

Hey Marcel, thanks again for your good and entertaining work! I have enjoyed this one a lot, since it covered a lot of questions that I've been asking myself - the speed, the guitars and the strap button 😄 Best regards from Germany and keep up the good work!

[@Esined956]

Keep up the good work. You’re two guys that know your stuff and make it fun for me to learn a thing or two.

[@JoshSnodgrass]

Good stuff guys!

[@rogertruesdale664]

I think y'all should do a weekly show together. Very fun to watch....and learn from.✌️

[@unsurprisingly]

Awesome brother 👍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@mayniac5.09]

Tim Stafford plays(ed) a CA composite acoustic D style guitar…. a great player can make anything sound good

[@wftoney1]

Afted over 50 years of playing acoustic guitar I, also, play a CA Legacy AE. I have owned Taylors (710, 314CE, Baby), Gibsons (100th Anniversary J200, Gospel), and a few others. I prrchased my CA at Gruhn's in 2004 and it is by far the most versatile guitar I have ever owned. Strangely, as I shopped for guitars over the years I have just never found a Martin that I loved. It has more to do with feel than tone. As for catching shade for it, I find it often, frequently from people who frankly don't care enough about actual sound and playability to even change dead strings. This is only my experience, YMMV. Peace and music forever.

[@scotimotti]

If your a Martin snob in this day and age, you are truly missing out. So many great guitar builders out there these days that are far less expensive than Martin and even Martin is building cheaper guitars just stay in that market, Blueridge, Eastman and many others are throwing out monster guitars for 1/3 of the price. That being said, in a bluegrass jam, one should never throw shade on a fellow picker.

[@wheninroamful]

I’m not a Martin snob, but I’m a grammar snob; it’s ‘you’re’ not ‘your’ for your second word. 😉

[@riceflatpicking4954]

I have a Collings CW. It’s a monster and can hang with any guitar. We really are in the second golden era of building.

[@robtsologtr]

I have a CW, dated July ‘89, pre Collings Guitar company signed by Bill on lable of “Bill Collings Luthier.” I got to show it to Bill a few years ago. He said it was one of 2 CW prototypes built side by side. It’s an astounding instrument.

[@samk4801]

In college a buddy of mine, who came from a bluegrass family, took me for a bluegrass weekend. It was early 70s. I had a 1956 J-45, he had an Ovation Balladeer. Some genius came up to me and asked me if I had a Japanese guitar, a, in his words, Gib-Son. A-hole.

[@KapaliLong]

Mahalo for sharing your Papas story and the Kalamazoo 🤙🏾

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Super cool video! I didn't know you were actually doing this😂

[@pilotdrew85]

nice Dawg sticker! On the timing, Mike Marshall always tells folks to try and feel the music in 2 instead of 4 because it's more relaxed and easier to bring the tempo up than feeling in 4

[@abates226]

I have a Martin. And a Taylor. And a Yamaha. I hate to say it, because the Yamaha isn’t special. It’s a real beater. But it still sounds better (IMO) and is easier to play than the others (which have pretty good set-ups.) I never could afford much of anything good when I was young. I sort-of can now, but have also learned to appreciate the mechanic a little more than the tools.

[@DavidYarber]

I almost spit my coffee out when Hayes regaled us with the story of the Taylor 410ce in college. That is literally the guitar I own. I stumbled across your channel not long ago and find myself suddenly enamored with bluegrass and flatpicking. I have purchased some of your products and plan to take Skype lessons. So I guess I'm looking for a new guitar to take to the jams once I hone my chops! Love your stuff. You are an awesome teacher.

[@NoCoverCharge]

Got my first Martin A d-16e I love this thing ….a littler thinner easy to play and pops

[@megablazeikenTCG122]

I use my modded Brazilian rosewood Blueridge and, my Gibson advanced jumbo 1936 reissue. Their great bluegrass dreads.

[@joshuasaltzman2403]

I have a vintage Martin that's a family guitar, but it's too special to bring to a lot of places, so I picked up a beat up 1970s Guild D25-m for cheap - it's dread shaped but has a slightly rounded back. It's loud as hell and just cuts through everything, and you can definitely get a bluegrassy sound with phosphor bronze strings on it. Great guitar.

[@rhmlsiddle]

Hi Marcel, great video! I wondered if you had transcribed Tony's Galvaston Flood? I love the intro to that song. Nasty song but great music.

[@JoeMama410]

My only acoustic for the last 20 years has been a Taylor 410ce and it has served me well, though I haven’t met many bluegrass purists in Minnesota.

[@jasonstacey9460]

The first bluegrass festival I ever went to was really old time oriented. I almost got killed for using notes outside the major scale.

[@timeWaster76]

Long time jazz'r here. I am liking the if you call it you have to be able to raise it rule.

[@tankermanjake]

I got an old Korean Sigma I love best "Martin" I've ever played

[@TyeeHox]

The only thing I don't like about my D18 is it sounds so good I sold my '48 D28, and now in my golden years I wish I still had it. It provided a mountain of rhythm with very little effort, but it overloaded a mic pretty easy too.

[@frankpuryear3844]

I love bring my 51 southern jumbo. It turns heads for all the reasons but, Its very hard to ignore. And i love it. Its from a very Gibson family. Ill take the mud box anytime

[@charlesmorris6910]

One of the first things I learned when I started playing 60+years ago..the player makes the guitar.

[@tablature6121]

If you're worried about being looked down upon for bringing an other-than-Martin guitar to a jam, get an old Takemine with the lawsuit head stock and most people won't even know the difference. I can't count the number of people who have complimented me on my "nice sounding Martin." Whether or not to tell them the truth (I usually do) will be up to you. Great idea, this confab between two multi-talented pickers. Thanks and more please.

[@DSteinman]

The real faux pas - taking a guitar at all when there's not enough basses fiddles or banjos!

[@targon749]

Marcel, you need to make a shirt for your channel that's "D-18 Boys" lol Great discussion!

[@stevevice9863]

I have a buddy with an HD-28 and I have a 2009 Taylor 414 ce Limited Tasmanian Blackwood. He was blown away the first time he heard it. He said, "I thought Taylors were all thin sounding with no bottom end, but that thing sounds fantastic!

[@gregsanders7064]

I've had quite a few Taylor's and Martins. Taylor had the Performance bracing which was just a few years before Andy sold them the farm with V-class bracing. The Performance bracing Era was some of Taylor's best builds in my experience. The blackwood Taylor's before Vclass Rocked!

[@whimpypatrol5503]

Tasmanian blackwood can make a $7k midrange guitar sound like a $45k D45.

[@marnel7787]

When I first started flatpicking I had a Breedlove Focus with a cutaway, and I felt like a total Dweeb amongst all the Martins. Eventually I realized that, even though the Breedlove was a sweet sounding guitar, it did not have that "Bluegrass sound " that the Martins had, so I bought an HD 28 and I found that, not only did it sound much better for the style of music, but I could actually play better. I think that's beacause the guitar responds so well to that approach in playing.

[@ShawnGilbert1967]

I have Breedlove Concerto ( which is their dreadnought), picked one up recently with solid Myrtle wood top strung with a lot of tension on 13-56 string and Jesus does it sound boomin with a ton of sustain and clarity down there from open to F5....obviously it's not a Martin but I have compared them...I simply don't have the money, however as I learn I think this one can help me emulate the style...while being superficial and liking the looks so damn much it's beautiful...

[@marnel7787]

@@ShawnGilbert1967 Breed loves are nice guitars. I loved the Focus for country rock and such. It actually costed $2400.00 new. My Martin was $1600.00 used. Of course, I realize I got a pretty good deal on the Martin.

[@ShawnGilbert1967]

@marnel7787 I wouldn't know what I'm looking at on a used Martin it would be real easy to get me....I'm super interested in Bluegrass..ive got health issues and let's say I'm on borrowed time and I love the idea of the sit downs...NOW I'm in an area near where this routinely happens..... Can I impose to ask one more question, how about a Big Eastman...it seems a little more traditional looks like in Springfield MO I can run up and grab one in the middle ranfd for around that 1500ish range....I hear them ( the acoustic shop) play them in that style..... Maybe I should show up and listen maybe ask advice there while I practice the style on my concerto ( dreadnought size )...thanks....

[@marnel7787]

@@ShawnGilbert1967 I wouldn't know anything about Eastmans, but if you're happy with your Breedlove you should maybe stick with it, though it wouldn't hurt to go to the shop and check it and get some advice.

[@mickeysoltys6960]

If you are hanging with people who do this, find some other players. Tony Rice used an Ovation on a lot of his recordings. Life is too short for this kind of stuff.

[@davestagner]

I don't even own a Martin! I usually bring my ol' Mossman to jams (ain't nobody throwing shade on a vintage Mossman, especially when it's better than most Martin D28s you'll ever hear), but it's in the shop right now and probably won't be done before the next jam. I'm thinking of bringing my Lowden instead, which is like bringing caviar to a barbecue.

[@Technical_ndn]

I’ve played mossman guitars and they are definitely capable of competing with Martin guitars

[@bpipermclean]

You should do one of these with Jake Workman! Please

[@jimmycollette9209]

I have two Martins d-35 and hd-28 and a Gibson j-45. I take the Gibson to jams as well as the Martins. I just alternate between the three. Nobody says a word when I bring my Gibson. I like the short scale length of the j-45.

[@chuckrrose]

Very amusing! I’ve been meditating for three years now to accomplish self-centering…if only I were a capo… my Fairbanks Nick Lucas with Adi top can ALMOST boom with them D-18’s…😎

[@Technical_ndn]

17:45 When Marcel broke 😂

[@wlillico]

then there is the Willie Nelson Trigger guitar strap 😀😀

[@timross3841]

As a lower level player, I will call a tune sometimes that I can't play, but, ONLY if I ask others if they are willing to play it for me.

[@foundosk2]

For the 2/4 vs 2/2 - I would say halftime is written so the notes are easier to read due to the speed of the music. Rather than reading straight 8 16 & 32nd notes, you can read half, quarter & 8th. I can see a little bit of feel difference, but it’s usually felt in 1 to me when half time. My 2 cents lol

[@jemiller31]

Excellent video guys. -D18 boy

[@jasoncoles6691]

The way I look at 2/2 is fast rhythm with slow melody. Like if I'm singing it feels like it's slower to sing that it is to play whereas 4/4 feels more lined up

[@fredfrank3347]

When somebody calls a tune in a jam and wants somebody else to kick it, or sing it, it has been referred to as “jukeboxing”.

[@cmcapps1963]

I would never throw shade or raise an eyebrow at WHATEVER guitar anyone brings to a jam. But for my two cents, after playing whatever guitar stores had in stock for years, is that only a Martin sounds like a Martin in my hands at least. Everything else sounds like a Taylor. Even my simple Road Series D-10 has a certain something that I can't get out of Blue Ridge, etc. Still, I know others can and more power to them!

[@travisrunyon]

I recently showed up to a jam playing a 000x1ae and actually got compliments on tone and volume! Of course there were 3 other dreadnought’s jamming as well.

[@Grindstaff09]

I love that guitar. Lots of fundamentals, good for bluegrass.

[@guitarman1477]

Not a word said about picks , particularly blue chip , and why they are so expensive

[@msspi764]

Walk into a jam with my Taylor 710, guy I sit next to says “I would never play a Taylor” Great welcome to the jam phrase. At the break he comes up and says “your guitar sounds great!” He listened

[@ClaytonWillisMusic]

Who asked him if he would buy a Taylor?

[@jackhargreaves1911]

This is why so many people avoid jams / bluegrass.

[@msspi764]

@@jackhargreaves1911 One bad apple doesn't mean the whole tree is rotten. At least not where I live, your mileage may vary. Besides, why should I let one guy ruin my time with other friends? If that's your style, have at it, your choice. Me, not so much.

[@thumbstruck]

Dreadnoughts came about because Hawaiian musicians before WWI wanted a louder "bass" sound - competing with ukulele and acoustic steels.

[@whimpypatrol5503]

My thumb wear looks like fret markers. I also have left thumb nail marks down the middle of the neck from pressing hard of some tricky chords

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi guys, I'm a Britand "fell into" a bluegrass hotspot in 1975. (Bluegrass hotspots in the UK are where there were USAAF bomber airfields in WW2. I bought a '73 D35, and played it in various bands for 21 years! It was a superb Martin (still is - I sold it to a friend) From '99 on I played a Collings 12 fret DS2h (for another 21 years, and now have three Collings 12 fret dreads. (a newer EIR, and two Hogs). I suspect that Taylors are (rightfully) regarded as suspect, but Prewar, Collings, Bourgeois, and some other Martin Clones are accepted If they make the cut! I'm subbing!

[@gam1471]

Taylors are good enough for Dan Crary - neeed more be said? 🙂

[@charleshill9649]

Wonder if anyone was bold enough to throw shade at Tony's Santa Cruz? But like you said, if not a Martin dread, it's probably made like one

[@stinger223]

on the unofficial martin guitar forum, not so much festivals or jams, Blueridge is somewhat looked down on. If you ask a question about Blueridge, one of the first 3 responses is (insert brand) is better! Admittedly, after hearing this so much, I stopped wanting to even try a Blueridge out for a while.

[@whimpypatrol5503]

I'm not in the traditional bluegrass groove since I use bango style guitar picking and jazz chords. But i would think the Taylor would be awful while the Gibson L00 (or whatever it is called) is a fantastic guitar with great mids. The only question concerns how it an L00 fits in the mix and whether it's a bango killer or not.

[@strangsnsuch4765]

I don't mean to brag, but I used to come into jams with my special epiphone j-45. Trust me, I don't think I'm any better than you guys... it was just hard work.

[@whimpypatrol5503]

So, my interest is in a modern guitar made for acoustic jazz and how it would work against other acoustic instruments used by bluegrass players.

[@marnel7787]

Marcel, whta is the name of that self centering capo you showed? I didn't quite catch it. I am assuming that V shape works with the Martins that have that V type hump at the base of the head stock? If so, what I've been looking for.

[@LessonsWithMarcel]

You can check them out here! www.kateyzcapos.com/

[@marnel7787]

@@LessonsWithMarcel Thanks Marcel. One other question. Does it's shape make it so it can be clamped behind the nut over the Volute on an HD28 when not in use? If so, that would be the one I need. Thanks again! Marty

[@canyoneeringqueen]

Who knew a capo could be $105!? 😯

[@ShawnGilbert1967]

Been looking at big body Yamaha like LL16 ect canons, how do they fair in this genre?

[@musik102]

In the UK/Irish folk/Celtic music scene, lots of guitar players will often strum with their picking hand fingers and this results in a lot of tonal/sound variation. And, of course there is the "thwack" which is closer to a percussive flick. Now, does this ever happen in bluegrass?

[@gam1471]

Bluegrass backup/rhythm guitar is almost exclusively flatpicked. Notable exceptions were Lester Flatt and Carter Stanley, who used a thumbpick and finger combination. Some use this technique today, but it's not widely used.

[@BirdDogg]

Most post 80’s martins are trash anyways. I haul a Bourgeois country boy deluxe around.

[@TypingHazard]

Well, most of my gear was a gift, so what I own is what people were willing to give me v0v what do I get to play?

[@charleshill9649]

And I seem to rembember that Wyatt has stated that early on Tony recorded with an Ovation

[@jasonkeisermusic]

That’s correct. Tony recorded the tune “Manzanita” on an Ovation, as well as 6 of 7 tunes on the “Backwaters” record! The 70’s model Ovations don’t disappoint, Wyatt still has 2, and I also use one previously owned by Wyatt that is the same make, model, and year Tony used on “Backwaters”.

[@nixternal]

What brand capo was that you showed? I tried googlin' for what I heard but didn't come up with anything. Thanks!

[@HayesGriffin]

Marcel uses a Kat Eyz capo and I was showing my Elliot Capo. Paige Capos are also a good, affordable alternative to those two brands.

[@nixternal]

@@HayesGriffin Thanks! Yeah, when I become a D-18 boi I'll get an Elliot :p Until then I wouldn't mind trying out one of those over my Shubb.

[@guitardoctordon]

Yeah, me as well.

[@babecapo6919]

Are you ever back up to Denison to Jam at all. I live just outside Granville and been to many jams.

[@evad6220]

Talking about strumming ark, do you mean don't imitate Johnny Cash?

[@HayesGriffin]

Haha I believe that's the direction we were headed with that answer... 😅

[@UpasakaTX]

Marcel's boom-chuck looked like a way slowed version of the SRV figure-eight fanning.

[@TinyTurboTuna]

Wait till someone busts out a good mossman. Dare ya to shade it lol I own a Martin. But if you think they are the only worthy box you’re crazy.

[@bobc1836]

Which music notation program do you use?

[@DSteinman]

Musescore has come up from behind and kicks butt

[@tomehCanada]

Lot's of discussion on speed/bpm but less on "does it sound better at xyz bpm?" Most tunes and song have a better groove speed. Try recording it at various speeds and then listen back. Wild speeds are very entertaining at a Formula One race, but not so much in music. 🙂

[@NickBishop]

I've got an old 80s Washburn D68 SW Harvest. Thought it was an 80s, but the model # starts with 94, that Washburn says means it was made in 94, but says they were stopped being made in 93, so idk haha. But ive taken that thing to jams and people have always been interested in it. its a beautiful guitar. Been a couple years since ive jammed with anyone now tho, but usually one of the only 2 non martin players haha.

[@thefreese1]

Inagodadavida ....2:2 time lol

[@bbowersock1]

I just relax where my thumb goes. I'm way to busy trying to figure out where my other four fingers go. Just saying...

[@johnjriggsarchery2457]

I've never been to a jam where people were instrument snobs. The closest I came was a guitar player complaining that I snacked too much.

[@joshwright2379]

000

[@jamesdoctor8079]

I’m pretty sure throwing shade on another person for any reason is generally not acceptable in any social interaction, period. In most cases, it’s guised as friendly banter because they are projecting their insecurities for owning a Martin that doesn’t sound half as good as my Yamaha. I say seethe and cope, I genuinely don’t want to interact with imbeciles in the first place. So you’re doing me a favor, narrowing down the bunch.

[@ksgant]

Listening to this, it seems to be that Bluegrass jams are just as pretentious and stand-offish as jazz jams. This is why I avoid playing with anyone or even venturing out to play with others, because it seems if you don't have the right guitar, or the right technique, or don't know exactly some secret handshake or whatever, then you're either looked down upon or laughed at. Adam Neely talks about this too with jazz get together. I was hoping it would be just something to go to and have fun with other people, but it seems to just be judgemental BS sessions. This isn't the first time I've heard about things like this either.

[@jj339c]

I started learning flatpicking and bluegrass back in the early 90's when the festivals had a resurgence. I showed up to a couple of those and soon found out walking up and joining one of those breakout sessions with the Aria dreadnaught I paid $179 for while serving in the military was worse than showing up for a Harley group ride on a Honda. They didn't run me off, but boy the jokes, pokes and whispers was something else. I stopped going to those and went back to playing pop and rock.

[@sequoiaroseofficial]

Just follow the rules of bluegrass and you’ll be fine lol

[@ClaytonWillisMusic]

Who gives a shit what brand someone else thinks you should play. Play what sounds good to you, fuck the rest. Shame on the teacher he mentioned, shouldn't be in the position of inspiring musicians.

[@bubbajoo]

Play a crappy sounding Martin then a stellar sounding non-Martin, your typical Martin cult, dweeb will swear the Martin sounded better.

[@biffbifferson5042]

Showing up with a Taylor is disrespectful and cheesy.

[@jimjambananaslam3596]

How about two Taylors?

[@shreddykrueger3776]

How about one of those Yamaha FG800 that Reddit says blows away any Martin they have ever played?

[@biffbifferson5042]

@@shreddykrueger3776 it certainly blows something.

[@pilotdrew85]

hey my wife's name is Taylor!

[@biffbifferson5042]

@@pilotdrew85 there are always exceptions to the rule! 🤣

[@JN24185]

Couldn’t agree more on the tempo speeds. Some of these fiddle tunes completely lose their beauty if pushed to hard. He used Whiskey Before Breakfast as an example of this, and I definitely agree. I like Whiskey right around 95-100 BPM. Anything over that, in my opinion, loses the connection to the melody and the beauty of the song.