A Little Flatt & Scruggs - Guitar Playing Banjo Player

Mr. Jelly · #1 08-12-2020, 09:50 AM

Check out the guitar playing of the banjo player.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE73TjcXIXM

PHJim · #2 08-12-2020, 10:07 AM

Earl almost always played with the capo high on the neck. Check out You Are My Flower.

BoneDigger · #3 08-12-2020, 10:09 AM

Earl was a good guitar player for sure!

frankmcr · #4 08-12-2020, 01:41 PM

Muhlenberg County style thumb lead, looks like.

Mr. Jelly · #5 08-12-2020, 05:22 PM

Those old grassers knew how to arrange a tune for acoustic instruments to come through and work a (one) mic. So simple but so effective.

MakingMusic · #6 08-13-2020, 08:11 AM

That’s got to be the biggest pick guard I’ve ever seen. Must cover half the top!

PHJim · #7 08-13-2020, 10:11 AM

Did Earl always install an adjustable truss rod in his Martins? I've seen this on later models too.

Mr. Jelly · #8 08-13-2020, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PHJim

Did Earl always install an adjustable truss rod in his Martins? I've seen this on later models too.

That is interesting. I don't know anything about it. I do see what you are talking about. Back in the day Martins had higher action then they do now days. That's why I look at playing bar chords on acoustic guitars as electric style of playing.

PHJim · #9 08-13-2020, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Jelly

That is interesting. I don't know anything about it. I do see what you are talking about. Back in the day Martins had higher action then they do now days. That's why I look at playing bar chords on acoustic guitars as electric style of playing.

I'm not sure how far back "back in the day" is, but I have a 1962 D-21 that has never had a neck set and I like the action just fine.

It seems like it would be a major job to install an adjustable truss rod in a Martin guitar.

RTR · #10 08-15-2020, 08:32 AM

[QUOTE=PHJim;6467173]Did Earl always install an adjustable truss rod in his Martins? I've seen this on later models too.
_

I have read about this famous guitar before. It is probably a 1953 D-18 with a heavily modified neck, including an adjustable truss rod, hence the truss rod cover on the peg head. see the story here:
https://www.banjohangout.org/archive/270112

Earl did like playing up the neck, here playing out of C at fret 7 to be in G to match Flatt. To capo that high and sound good requires some special set up I believe, but it does give a great sound. Of course with Earl picking....
The giant pick guard was a fashion of the era for Country pickers. Earl certainly didn't need it but it was on the guitar when he purchased it used. Couldn't help the sound much, but it sounds great in spite of it.