Installing a cast mandolin tailpiece: DONE, with pics

[s1m0n]

If you keep a set of strings on for a long time (6 months to a year) they are going to stretch out to the point were they don't stay in tune anymore, even if they have a coating.

Back before he died Gibson's Charlie Derrington reported that every few months he'd practically have to tackle Bill Monroe in order to seize his mandolin to give it a polish and change the strings. Left alone, Monroe would have gone on playing the same strings until they broke.

[Tim2723]

There's always a story of some famous, eccentric genius that would do something unheard of. Another interesting question is, would Monroe have even come to fame if it weren't for Derrington and others helping him sound his best? Would the crowds have gathered if the great Monroe were out of tune all the time?

[s1m0n]

There's always a story of some famous, eccentric genius that would do something unheard of. Another interesting question is, would Monroe have even come to fame if it weren't for Derrington and others helping him sound his best? Would the crowds have gathered if the great Monroe were out of tune all the time?

Monroe (1911-1996) was famous long before Derrington (1955-2006) was born.