Acoustic America: Iconic Guitars, Mandolins, and Banjos

See unique details on authentic instruments owned and played by banjo superstar and bluegrass pioneer Earl Scruggs, folk icon Elizabeth Cotten, blues musician Mississippi John Hurt, stars of the Grand Ole Opry, and others. Notably, more than 30 special instruments from the personal collection of mandolin virtuoso David Grisman are on public display for the first time. Acoustic America illustrates the overlapping histories of exceptional soloists and songwriters, groundbreaking manufacturers, and novel inventions, illuminating how diverse origins combine into enduring traditions. Highlights include: · Earl Scruggs’s 1928 Gibson RB-Granada banjo. Owned, played, and preserved in original condition by Earl Scruggs, the world’s most famous and influential banjo player, this instrument is a rare treasure. · 1935 Martin D-28 guitar played by Elizabeth Cotten. This “Herringbone” D-28 made a significant impact on American music when folk icon Elizabeth Cotten used it to record her famous song “Freight Train” and others for Smithsonian Folkways in 1957. Loan courtesy of Peter McLaughlin · Mississippi John Hurt’s 1964 Guild F-30 guitar. Blues legend Mississippi John Hurt picked out this guitar before playing it at the 1964 Newport Folk Festival. A young John Oates idolized and closely studied Hurt’s music and borrowed this same guitar to record the first two Hall and Oates albums in 1972 and 1973. Loan courtesy of John Oates · David Grisman’s 1925 Gibson F-5 “Fern” mandolin. This iconic F-5 “Fern” model, notable for the elegant fern-style inlay on its peghead, is one of the most significant instruments from mandolin virtuoso David Grisman’s illustrious career. Grisman played it with the influential bluegrass supergroup Old and In the Way and with his groundbreaking original David Grisman Quintet. Loan courtesy of David Grisman · Peter Yarrow’s 12-fret dreadnought acoustic guitar. Tireless ambassador for civil rights and social justice Peter Yarrow played this guitar when Peter, Paul and Mary joined Bob Dylan and Stevie Wonder to sing “Blowin’ in the Wind” at the inaugural celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a national holiday in 1986. Gift of Peter Yarrow · John Hartford’s A. A. Farland open-back banjo. A favored vintage banjo played by the multitalented John Hartford, whose classic “Gentle on My Mind” became one of the most recorded songs in history. Loan courtesy of George Gruhn · Lloyd Loar’s personal 1924 F-5 mandolin. F-5 mandolins with famed Gibson acoustic engineer Lloyd Loar’s signature on the label are the most valuable and sought-after in the world. This mandolin—its label dated February 18, 1924—was Loar’s personal instrument, and this model is arguably his most iconic achievement. Tickets for Acoustic America: Iconic Guitars, Mandolins, and Banjos are $7 with paid museum admission or $10 special exhibition only for ages 20 and up, $4 for ages 4–19, and free for ages 3 and under. More information at MIM.org.

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Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/2056618-0

Website: https://go.evvnt.com/2056618-2

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