Bluegrass Jams... and Martins!

[phydaux]

Am I crazy when I say that if I were a dedicated bluegrass picker then I'd play a J-200 and not a D-28?

I mean you're looking for loud, bright, and boomy. That's a maple body jumbo, right?

[Tnfiddler]

Originally Posted by phydaux

Am I crazy when I say that if I were a dedicated bluegrass picker then I'd play a J-200 and not a D-28?

I mean you're looking for loud, bright, and boomy. That's a maple body jumbo, right?

That's a Negative Ghostrider! You can bring and play whatever guitar you want, but I'd say stick with a dread! 99% of guitars you see at a Bluegrass festival/jam are dreads!

[EZYPIKINS]

Originally Posted by phydaux

My monthly acoustic jam is all Martins & Taylors, and me with my Guild D-25.

Bring the guitar you have, and play it with joy. Anyone gives you crap, don’t drink beer with them after.

Absolutely nothing wrong with a D25. One of the most underrated guitars ever.

Mine D25-M Would rival any D18 you could find.

[Jaxon]

the word jam makes me nauseous

[Wellington]

Originally Posted by columbia

I agree. It doesn't make any sense to buy a D-28 and not take it to bluegrass jams.

It's like buying a Camaro but only ever driving it in the neighborhood streets.

[UncleJesse]

Originally Posted by Jaxon

the word jam makes me nauseous

I prefer it over the word "pickin'"

[KevWind]

Good to hear BG Jams are becoming more guitar agnostic.
10-12 years ago when I was going , it was actually kinda fun to show up at one with my Taylor 810 ce which seemed to break many of the tradition check boxes
Not a Martin
Was a Taylor
Had a Cutaway
Had Electronics

In those days even if there was no outright negative comment there was often some uncomfortable squirming, and or gyrating eyebrow movement

But as has been noted since I was able to play good rhythm, both on beat and or syncopated interchangeably,, and can sing and blend my voice to whom ever is singing ..usually things would eventually gel to at least strained acceptance

[Robin, Wales]

Originally Posted by J Patrick

Â….from my experienceÂ…Bluegrass players are way more impressed by what songs you bring and how well you sing them than they are by what brand of instrument youÂ’re playingÂ….IÂ’d concentrate on working up a couple of great tunes to share and just bring the loudest but not obnoxious guitar you haveÂ….

Originally Posted by Tnfiddler

To add to that, if you can sing high tenor, PROPERLY and on Pitch, youÂ’ll be a big hit, no matter what guitar youÂ’re playing.

Yep - learn some bluegrass songs, by heart, with simple boom/chick rhythm backing and you will go down a storm. The better players need someone who knows the songs and can lay down a solid rhythm in order for them to do their stuff around the margins.

Originally Posted by H165

... However, show up with a resophonic or a bass.... many of the jams I attend are missing these two instruments And don't even get me started with fiddle players .... the more the merrier. I've heard some amazing lead/harmony fiddle duets at these jams.

I played dobro in a bluegrass band because they needed a dobro player, not another guitarist. However, now, I know a bunch of songs and can lead sing, and that actually puts me in a better position than turning up with a dobro. Except when I get together with a few of my old bands mates and get told to put the guitar down and pick up the dobro