Kenny said “it’s a lot better guitar than I’m a player”. He’s being very humble, no guitar is better than Kenny😊. I’d say it’s a great match. One of my favorite flat pick guitarist and a super nice guy!

@BanjoBen

2 жыл бұрын

He's the best, all the way around!

Is Kenny even human?... I think he's a guitarist super power and this is his magical guitar!!! Seriously, beautiful guitar and very fitting for one of the greats!!

@BanjoBen

2 жыл бұрын

Still researching, will get back to you.

I had the opportunity to play alongside this man. I was in awe the entire time. He is as humble and honest as he appears to be. Thanks Ben for that opportunity.

@riceflatpicking4954

Ай бұрын

Besides Sam Bush, maybe the nicest guy I’ve ever met

What an amazing story... That guitar sounds INCREDIBLE

@BanjoBen

2 жыл бұрын

Man, it sure does.

Great guitar but a wife like that is even more rare...hats off to you sir.

@BanjoBen

2 жыл бұрын

Amen!

Kenny plays with such taste and musicality. He and that pre-war Martin make quite a team and both of them definitely hold up their end of the bargain.

@BanjoBen

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed

What a great video and concept! Id love to see more of these telling the stories of how some of the heroes came to acquire the prized instruments we all know and love. Let’s let Bobby Osborne tell us about that old Fern!

Wow!!! This was amazing!! I loved the story and greatly enjoyed Kenny's Kenny's pickin'. Thank you for sharing!

Awesome guitar Awesome story

Loved your guitar story Kenny Got bless and thank you for sharing

Cool story! Thanks for sharing!

Wonderful stuff!

Kenny has played on all our projects. Absolutely one of the very best

and great playing!

Thanks for posting, Ben! I really love Kenny's stripped back and fluid guitar playing. It sounds just as humble as the way he speaks is sounding friendly.

@BanjoBen

2 жыл бұрын

Man, what a great comparison and I know exactly what you mean. For those who know Kenny, they know his guitar playing fits him.

Kenny is one of my heroes and I love the sound he creates, no 28 for me I’ll take an 18!

I'm brand new to Kenny but I'm very glad I found him. And Banjo Ben for that matter. ❤

I love Kenny's playing, and that guitar is incredible. I would've liked a longer video of just him and the D18 after he told the interesting story. Thanks for posting.

@BanjoBen

2 жыл бұрын

We'll get him back in!

What a beauty. I can hear how special it is. I own a vintage 1962 Martin D28, which is a wonderful instrument. Martin is the ultimate as far as I'm concerned. To think that they were making such high-quality, fantastic guitars like this one way back in 1935 and before---- is testament to what a great American company Martin is to this very day.

@BanjoBen

2 жыл бұрын

Isn't that the coolest? I agree. Kenny told me he asked his dad if the pre-war Martins were that good back then. His dad said, "Yeah, why do you think everyone bought them?" 😂

Kenny is a tone monster. Incredibly tasteful! That 35 d18 is beyond amazing.

I met him and Amanda at a concert. Ended up holding a light for them to autograph by. Packed some of their merchandise for them. Tried to be the roadie. Both are awesome folks. I love the story of them meeting.

Beautiful, mature sound

She rings true... Such a great guitar 🤙🇺🇸🙏

Man that d 18 is great

I own a a pair of Martin D-18, but they are no where as nice as Kenny's 1935 D-18. Kenny is a really great D-18 player, thanks for this wonderful story and this really nice video.

perhaps the most Martin sounding Martin I've ever heard

Kenny has been my personal favorite bluegrass player, primarily for his touch - there are some hotshots out there who attack the hell out of their fretboards, like they're trying to gouge out divots - man they're working way too hard! Kenny's touch is accurate and precise and just right!

I like Kenny Smith, his playing is so smooth and clean

@BanjoBen

2 жыл бұрын

He's my fave!

@sasongs

2 жыл бұрын

@@BanjoBen I saw him at Merle Fest 2016. He is wonderful

Please do more story telling videos like this.

@BanjoBen

2 жыл бұрын

That’s the plan, thanks!

Vaya sonido!!!

A golden era love story

Kenny is the real deal.

Guys like Kenny are the ones that deserve a guitar like that, a player. A great player at that! It would be a shame if that guitar was in a collection somewhere and never played!

@BanjoBen

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed!

Kenny has been my favorite player for at least 15 years. While that guitar does sound incredible, he'd still be my favorite player without it. His touch allows the guitar to reach its full potential.

@BanjoBen

2 жыл бұрын

His touch is where it's at, yep.

Any chance you have more video of Kenny in your cabin playing ? I’d live to listen to more !

@BanjoBen

2 жыл бұрын

For sure!

That guitar should be named "Amanda," or "Two Brothers." ❤💜💜

Very nice instrument and playing, sir. I believe Norman Blake has the same model. Do you know?

Does anyone know the name of the song he was playing in the opening?

I agree with Kenny because I know what he is talking about--- a really great Martin guitar is only as good as the person playing it. No matter how good you might be, it will give you even more than you're capable of.

Happy birthday Kenny 09 /19

Why do you have white bridge pins on a D18?

Kenny, what strings are on that guitar? I usually use daddario ej17. Something seems to have changed with their performance in last couple years. I have a 1948 d-28. They use to perform perfectly. Hope its not the guitar. Thx

@BanjoBen

2 жыл бұрын

From Kenny: D’Addario EJ-22 jazz medium -they’re a nickel string and it’s for an electric. I’ve been using them over 20 years.

Great sounding guitar, and fantastic player getting the most out of it. Sounds very "woody" to me. Wonder what strings he puts on it - Monels?

@MichaelMarkGuitar

Жыл бұрын

I believe Kenny uses d’Addario ej22s. They’re actually like a jazz electric string. Great sounding strings.

Wow, that's Amazing. I played a late 30's D18 here in Australia and it was most certainly all that but that instrument is totally special...and he got the girl!!! Could you tell me what stings Kenny is using? Are those Nickle wound? thanks.

@BanjoBen

2 жыл бұрын

From Kenny: D’Addario EJ-22 jazz medium. They’re a nickel string and it’s for an electric. I’ve been using them over 20 years.

@RickyPann

2 жыл бұрын

@@BanjoBen great info I’ll give them a try. I’m using Elixers because I have acidic hands that kill phospher bronze in one set!! Elixers are great but I’d like to try nickel (like Rice)

Out of your 3 Bluechip Signature picks, which size do you find yourself using the most? KS 40/50/60? Looking to pick one up.

@BanjoBen

2 жыл бұрын

I see him using the 50 and 60 more.

Hope my D28 '37 Authentic sounds that good over time....

@BanjoBen

2 жыл бұрын

Yep, you have a killer guitar, I bet it will.

"Amanda light of my life. Fate should have made you a gentleman's wife." -Waylon Jennings.

@BanjoBen

2 жыл бұрын

Love it!

HA, A GOOD FRIEND USED TO SAY " I NEVER BOUGHT A GUITAR I COULD AFFORD"

My friend owns a Martin d28 serial number 818794, how old would the be??? Anyone??

@bryangray8478

2 жыл бұрын

2001

Wow. Good stuff Ben. I'm a big fan of D18s and that's a grail guitar. I wonder if Kenny would be interested in trading? I'd trade him my 3 kids and toss in an old bag of marbles to sweeten the pot.

@BanjoBen

2 жыл бұрын

I'll ask!

The good news is the newly redesigned d-18 is pretty close to the sound of this vintage beauty ……

You married the right woman for sure!

He stated it cost more than a new car and that was in 1995..A typical/average new car in 1995 would have been $18000-$20000

Transcripton with TAB of the song he plays: m.kzread.info/dash/bejne/oWx_rpuKcprLeco.html

That last statement was untrue. Kenny Smith is one of the FEW guitar players that measure up to an instrument like that.

@BanjoBen

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed that he deserves it.

I hope you married her. That woman is a keeper, and so is the guitar!

So, how much did he pay for it ?

@BanjoBen

2 жыл бұрын

Around $10k, I believe.

I want a woman like that!!!!!!!!!!

Kenny is a class act

$60 is about $1200 in today's money. Still a deal, but quite a commitment at the height of the depression.

@mrjasondylan

2 жыл бұрын

Gibson j200 was $200 when they came out in 1937 lot of money indeed.

D-18 the pinnacle dreadnaught. Copied by a thousand luthier/companies and it all went down hill from there.

You might try cleaning it!

My gosh, I'm curious how much he paid for it...

@BanjoBen

2 жыл бұрын

I believe around $10k.

@dodgermartin4895

2 жыл бұрын

@@BanjoBen That sounds like a bargain. I thought they went for north of $50k. Good for Kenny!

I would like to marry Amanda as well.

What’s she worth?

@BanjoBen

2 жыл бұрын

Been appraised at over $100k.

waste of a good guitar-- all talk no demonstration of sound hardly. try tpbiii review on you tube

@MichaelMarkGuitar

Жыл бұрын

If you wanna hear the guitar just listen to basically any recording of Kenny playing. This video was intended to tell its story… definitely not a “waste of a good guitar!” 😁😁

What kind of a sucker saves up for a ring to give to some leech!? Lol, just get the guitar!

I have the same gutar