skydawg - Posted - 02/02/2026:  18:55:25

I`m new to the banjo and just heard Perry Bechtel for the first time...is he considered the GOAT of plectrum players? Incredible chops,especially his tremolo picking,as fast and smooth as Eddie Van Halen.I`m sure there must be current players in that category,any suggestions on players I should hear? Thanks.

Andrew Roblin - Posted - 02/03/2026:  05:52:53

He's definitely one of the very greatest. Historic players in his league include Eddie Peabody and Harry Reser.
There are great modern players too. I particularly like the music of Buddy Wachter.
And there are many others. Jump in, listen and enjoy.

keluja - Posted - 02/03/2026:  06:39:06

I would add Ken Aoki.

Bill Rogers - Posted - 02/03/2026:  08:11:20

Cynthia Sayer

Omeboy - Posted - 02/03/2026:  09:57:43

In addition to Buddy Wachter and Ken Aoki, check out (on Youtube) Scotty Plummer, Lee Floyd, Doug Mattocks, Brad Roth, Dave Marty and Don Van Palta.

All of them tip their hats to Perry Bechtel and Eddie Peabody.

Edited by - Omeboy on 02/03/2026 10:00:52

Omeboy - Posted - 02/03/2026:  11:08:59

I forgot to add another plectrum great, Peter Mezoian (see above post).

jbalch - Posted - 02/03/2026:  12:55:37

I had a good friend from Franklin, TN who was a huge fan of Perry Bechtel.



The late Jim McLellan was a fantastic plectrum banjo player who studied Perry's style and mastered many of his tunes. Jim traveled to Atlanta and met Perry when he was living and teaching there. 

I got to know Jim after he became interested in clawhammer banjo.  For a few years before his untimely death, Jim and I visited often.  He introduced me to Perry's music and shared a few of his records with me.  We had some incredible jam sessions with a diverse group of Nashville musicians ... great times!

Did you know that Perry is credited with helping Martin create the modern "OM" model guitar?  Martin OM Perry Bechtel

Edited by - jbalch on 02/03/2026 12:59:37

banjot - Posted - 02/04/2026:  07:06:45

A few years ago, I met a gentleman who had studied with Perry Bechtel. He was from Atlanta and was working as a Santa Claus in the mall in Winston-Salem. Because of the crowd to see Santa, we weren't able to spend any real time together. Anyone else know of this gentleman or others who had studied with Bechtel?

guitarbanjoman - Posted - 02/04/2026:  16:19:33

My old banjo buddy Bill Stewart was a keen student of Perry Bechtel’s and I believe he even went down south and got some lessons with Perry in the sixties or early seventies.



I’ve lost touch with Bill but last I heard he had moved back to Scotland from his former home in London, Ontario.



Bill was the first plectrum player I ever met.



His wonderful playing inspired me take off my fifth string!

Edited by - guitarbanjoman on 02/04/2026 16:20:09

Mojesty - Posted - 02/05/2026:  13:53:37

To: guitarbanjoman
Yes, Bill Stewart spent a week taking lessons from Perry Bechtel. We were friends for over 40 years, and we did many gigs together.He was a great plectrum player, and credited Perry. Bill passed away in 2024 of cancer. Jim