Bob Minner - "Fiddler's Dram / Whiskey Before Breakfast" on a 1936 Martin D-18

In the Fretboard Journal's 48th issue (now mailing), guitarist Bob Minner wrote about his most recent acquisition, "Frankie," a 1936 Martin D-18.
Since Bob was first introduced to the magic of a '30s D-18s via the music of Norman Blake (and Blake's wildly influential 1976 'Whiskey Before Breakfast' album), he decided to pay tribute to his guitar hero by playing "Fiddler's Dram / Whiskey Before Breakfast" on the guitar... just for us.
Filmed by Mike Luckett.
minnerguitar.com
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[@MTDesolator]

I really apreciate Bobs smooth and soft playing and his articulation of certain notes. He is playing this tunes really lovely and gives it his own smooth flavour :)

[@ztahs]

There are old Martins and everything else trying to sound like an old Martin. What a beauty. Great tone and great playing.

[@oldretiredguy7041]

A very talented artist playing a vintage instrument: doesn't get much better than that.

[@roadworthy1102]

Phenomenal talent. Kind and brilliant. Thank you.

[@dalehamon4295]

I’m playing my 1937 Martin 0-17 in my avatar in 1980 I was 25. I’m 70 now it is a great guitar. I just bought a Taylor ad22e with the v bracing. I like it too

[@dumena]

Such a gentle touch. Listening to this evokes images of a happy couple dancing in a field of flowers, round and round ever since 1936 :-). Thank you for posting this.

[@Zepfan321]

Such a full and balanced sound, great playing

[@jrcrawford4]

Such a smooth, mellow sound...

[@MrPrandall24]

beautiful playing

[@crispinpartridge4466]

Grand homage to the great Blake.

[@huliniswhoiam]

Wait Blake is still with us right? Your comment seemed a little ominous

[@crispinpartridge4466]

@@huliniswhoiam OED Dictionary definition: Special honour or respect shown publicly. No, definitely and defiantly not dead.

[@designsupplyfit]

This is my favourite version of this song. Beautifully played!

[@glenguldbeckmusic3410]

So beautiful!! What a great lesson in keeping the picking hand relaxed. Zero tension. Thanks for sharing, Bob.

[@PulsedPower]

Such clear and full flatpicking of the rhythm and melody; as if there is an accompaniment!

[@andychilds9167]

that was brilliant. I’m a Norman Blake fan too And that was it wonderful homage to him

[@torontolarrivee7965]

Just fantastic!

[@MM-ib6qh]

Amazing. Thank you!

[@jeffgough]

Excellent. I could listen to that all day.

[@3340steve]

Thank you for posting this beautiful music.

[@bennyblanko3]

Beautiful!

[@brantgarratt9873]

Beautiful, loved his interpretation!

[@dr.ricklandperry606]

That album cover and that sound had the same effect on me. That was 40 years ago and NB inspires me still, as did your picking!

[@bhawley1000]

Hello to Dr Perry. I have been the owner of the Norman - Whiskey album cover D-18 since 1975. I’m a passionate player of many styles and a multi-instrumentalist. This guitar has been my good friend all these years and every time I open the case I take a deep breath. It’s a great guitar. Due to inner ear hearing problems, I can’t appreciate its great sound anymore. I’m going to be selling this old friend pretty soon. I still play every day, and have another guitar that works well for me. The Whiskey album photos haunted me just as they did you and so many other pickers. It is truly a legendary guitar, with history, and provenance. Now you know a little bit of the back story. B

[@ventintothemic]

Great playing. Thank you.

[@frankdiscussion2069]

mesmerizing!

[@ultraparadoxical7610]

What a sweet guitar. So glad it’s in good hands. Great playing!

[@lowellcalavera6045]

Well done.

[@klippdachs]

Fine musician, fine playing! Thanks for posting.

[@johnlind5819]

Wonderful flatpicking Bob! And great choice of tunes. I'm envious of your calm hands. Thanks, John Gig Harbor, WA

[@GeneGruber]

Mighty fine ! !

[@752brickie]

Thank you Bob great playing as always !!

[@brownmonkeybananayellow]

That was great

[@SergeUnplugged]

Iconic instrument

[@luigicannizzo2669]

" Very Special Sounds and Great Musician Player on Great Guitar ". .. Many Complit for the Stuff - Freat board Journal for This Job and Work's on Music/Guitar Concept. .. So' Good ... ☺😊😀/💙💙💙/👍👌👏👋

[@jwilli726]

fantastic crosspicking. superb

[@mood103201]

Liked it!

[@desbehan2727]

Norman Blake Tony Rice Doc Watson the best BUT This Man understands feeling and staying on the note long enough to give it respect most greats as they call them play toooooo many notes without feelin and tooo fast, less speed more feeling. Let the music breath.

[@ethanrayment8157]

Well said. Although Tony had a really nice touch when he wanted to, he knew how to burn a tune, too.

[@desbehan2727]

@ethanrayment8157 Tony will always be my favourite musician and when I said most greats play too fast with no felling I'm not talking about the three I mentioned above, they wer the greatest and always will be, keep jamming Man.

[@tylerdixon8178]

Awesome player sir!

[@cherylwatson4293]

I love your playing and that is one of the best Pre-War Martins I have ever heard.

[@kevinwilson3942]

great job! norman blake would be proud!

[@tribestribes2555]

Great D18 Martin.

[@charleskesterson7384]

Hi Bob, I think played in a band with you, Bruce Punches, and Craig Coletta just out side St Louis, MO area back in the day. You were playing claw hammer banjo back then. Good to see you have mastered the music. Bruce tells me you are a mighty fine steel guitar player.

[@robertshorthill6836]

That Fiddler's Dram was an obsession of mine for many months, played capo 3 w/ a C shape. Then I tried to get it on mandolin in a different key. I got it pretty well, I think, but haven't kept after it. Too many other great tunes. Then along came Elzic's Farewell....My, my!!!!

[@wvmiller]

I owned two 1936 D-18s and I think they are the best of some very fine prewar Ma rtins.

[@victorjcano]

OWNED??? WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU EVER GET RID OF THEM???

[@victorjcano]

OH, I GET IT NOW, YOU WANTED TO PUT YOUR KIDS THROUGH COLLEGE LOL

[@velvetunderpants44]

Nice playing

[@CanadaBlue85]

What a coincidence, I was just finishing my morning bottle of whiskey before breakfast!

[@Zephyrwood]

tasty playing very melodic

[@TheoDahlemPickups]

Great like always. Sounds big even w. the capo

[@JasonGinsbergRKC2]

Hey Theo, fancy seeing you here : )

[@TheoDahlemPickups]

@@JasonGinsbergRKC2 I made it through the rest room window,...saved me the entry. LOL. Naw, seriously, I enjoy Bob's playing a lot.

[@lesterpaul9657]

Maybe the best sounding D-18 I ever heard. Don' t to forget this is played with a capo at the third fret and still sounds big. And so glad you don' t mistreat it with a bloody pu system.

[@billdedrick1914]

wow what a tone, bottom end on that D18...What strings were on here

[@billdedrick1914]

Hi Bob excellent tone and playing...I see you are using an Elliott push button capo.. Do you prefer that to an Elliott/Mckinney type? Some don't like the Elliott due to the saddle enveloping the sides which cuts down on room for the fingers while playing say a B7 chord.

[@billdedrick1914]

Incredible sound/tone/balance/bass....NB13 strings here? Flat pick used?

[@kevcolt1702]

Pick is most likely a bluechip, don't know about the strings tho :)

[@wintertimetrio]

Lovely! Can someone tell me what capo that is?

[@55TeleMark]

It looks like a Paige capo. I have 2 and like the fact they are small and do good job.

[@wintertimetrio]

@@55TeleMark thanks

[@mattbarker8598]

@@wintertimetrio while similar to a Paige capo, I believe this one is actually an Elliot capo. Elliot capos are the top of the mark for cradle style capos. Paige makes cradle capos as well at a much more affordable range, around 22-25 dollars. The elliots are 120-200. I use a Paige myself and if taken care of properly it will last the average player a good while.

[@belascialoja4812]

@@mattbarker8598 -- Speaking of cradle-type capos, remember the old Hamilton cradle capos? Most players used the Hamilton that works more like a Kyzer. It has a "trigger" and a strong spring that presses down, but slightly angled, so it tends to push the strings sharp. The Hamilton cradle works, though! You can remove the super-hard plastic/rubber/whatever sleeve, and replace it with a softer "Paige" material, and _VOILA_ !!! A thumbscrew, cradle capo that'll last forever. Not as precise as the newer ones, but good in a pinch!

[@missouriboy66]

It’s an Elliot push button.

[@davidbaggett3207]

What kind of capo do you use??

[@mattbarker8598]

Looks like an Elliot cradle capo

[@aaronhardy8239]

#skillz

[@davemiller6884]

I'm wondering what strings he uses?

[@christianlenz8970]

Looks like d’addario Nickel Bronze Strings

[@los_rubos]

Sweet as honey

[@JohnRitchhart]

Eb?

[@petrvacek7057]

Y U M

[@TwangThang57]

Monel or Nickel Bronze?

[@robertgrunau6285]

Nickle Bronze I believe

[@missouriboy66]

Yes NB-13s.

[@michaelmccrary5037]

@@missouriboy66 Beautiful playing. And the strings sound beautiful. I'm using NB 13s Balanced Tension and love them. I have a friend in Lexington, VA who has a 1937 D-18. It is gorgeous in every way.

[@lloydsplace101]

Sounds just like norman

[@redbed1604]

Norman's D-18 s a 12 fret slot head.

[@ulrichfriehe3459]

Great pickin', I mean crosspickin'.