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What's In Your Case?

by Bobby Clark

This month we'll check the case of my old buddy, Roland White. His career spans several decades and includes stints with several legendary acts. Roland and his brother Clarence formed a group called the Country Boys in Southern California while still in their teens. They performed on a several episodes of the Andy Griffith Show and later became known as the Kentucky Colonels.

After a hitch in the military, Roland settled in Nashville and got a job playing guitar with Bill Monroe & the Bluegrass Boys. From there he went on to work with Lester Flatt & the Nashville Grass., Country Gazette and Nashville Bluegrass Band.

Roland presently heads up the Roland White Band, has written several instruction books and has a website called Rolandwhite.com. He also hosts "Bill Monroe appreciation night each December at the World Famous Station Inn in Nashville, TN.

Q- What's in your case?
A- Copy of a master model Gibson F-5 1968...By Randy Wood. I've owned it since February, 1969. Purchased it to work with Lester Flatt, and The Nashville Grass.

Q- What is your main mandolin right now?
A-The Randy Wood copy, though I have been playing a new Gibson Master Model built for me by The Gibson Company.

Q- How long have you been playing it?
The copy since 1969, and the new since April 2nd 2004.

Q- What are the things you like most about that particular mandolin?
A-The RW: From the beginning, it just seemed respond immediately, anywhere on the neck, which pleased me very much. It improved greatly within the first year. One of the ways I could tell that was by listening to the Martha White radio, and TV shows. The new Gibson is responding very well. It's my maininstrument at the moment, and will be for six months to a year, and then we'll see. I like it a whole lot.

Q- Any special setup?
A- It just has to be easy to play.

Q- Who does your setup work for you?
A- There are several people here in the Nashville area.

Q- What type of case are you carrying it in?
A- Calton

Q- What type of pick do you use?
A- Something close to a Fender extra heavy. You can always find them.

Q- What advantages does it provide?
A- That is what works best for me for guitar, and Mandolin

Q- What strings do you use and why?
A- D ' Addario. They work well on my mandolins, and Guitars.

Q- What kind of strap do you use?
A- I use a mandolin strap made by Jim Avery

Q- Any pickups, amps or effects?
A- None

Q- Any microphone preferences for stage or studio?
A- Mostly an SM 57 works well for stage, and all sound companies have them. For studio, I leave that up to the engineer.

Q- Any other equipment you can't do without?
A- I can't think of anything at the moment

BobbyClarktd58tn@yahoo.com
www.williamsandclarkexpedition.com