I'd like to compile a list of sorts of famous banjo pickers (names on the level of Earl, J.D., Sonny, Don, or similar, deceased or otherwise) who were very well known for playing a Bowtie-era banjo (100, 150, 250, 500) as their primary (like Earl with his Granada or Don with his RB-75). I'm just sort of curious as to this, that's all.
Allen Shelton. John Hartford and many others played one early on in their careers.
Joe Mullins!
Troy Brammer I believe.
Doug Dillard , Jeremy Stevens
Gena Britt
Terry Baucom.
Don Reno took some pretty famous photos with a bowtie that’s been the subject of a lot of discussion here in the past.
Ronnie Stoneman
Tom Issacs
Dewey L. Barton
Larry McNeely played a bowtie early in his teenage years
JD Crowe : RB-100
Bobby Thompson: RB-150
Edited by - Oldtwanger on 10/15/2025 10:30:12
Clarence "Tom" Ashley; RB-250 (archtop); clawhammer.
quote:
Originally posted by Pick1949Terry Baucom.
Don Reno took some pretty famous photos with a bowtie that’s been the subject of a lot of discussion here in the past.
My parents bought a 1954 RB-250 from Don Reno in 1965. It was my first good banjo. $250.
I'm fairly sure I've seen an old photo of young Butch Robins wielding an arch top bow tie at the time of his first summer's work as a Blue Grass Boy.
There are also plenty of photos and video of Don Lineburger, the famous left handed Blue Grass Boy, playing a pre-1961 RB 250 bowtie.
Edited by - The Old Timer on 10/16/2025 09:56:08
theres this one, but i think its a prewar pot with a bowtie neck..
My dad (he's 90yr. old now) owns a'65 flathead bowtie that he bought from David Dougherty. Dave played for the Stonemam family in the 70s, and my dad took lessons from him prior to David going professional. Gibson gave David a new rb800 and my dad ran into him at a festival and David begged Dad to sell him the bowtie back! Look up Dave Dougherty, he was pretty phenomenal on the banjo. He moved to Kentucky and went old time/civil war era music and was known as Uncle Dave Dougherty and the troughsloppers. I was playing with a band and met up with Dave at a hazard,ky. Festival, and he was thrilled to know my dad still had the bowtie. It's the thin black rim, but dang it sounds very good for what it is. Dave passed away several years ago, but left a great mark on the banjo world. The banjo is nothing special, but for me it kinda is.
