HEAVY aluminium Merlin banjo - Discussion Forums

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ARCHIVED TOPIC: HEAVY aluminium Merlin banjo

Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/393097

HanWestie - Posted - 09/29/2023: 06:06:54

I've inherited a few banjos and would like to know what I've got my hands on.

This one is so heavy! It is mostly metal - aluminium, I believe.

It's a 1960's Merlin, albeit with a couple of bumps and bruises, its still a really beautiful, unusual banjo.

If anyone has any information on this piece, I'd be really interested to hear.

Thanks

Hannah.

Edited by - HanWestie on 09/29/2023 08:39:08

Andyrhydycreuau - Posted - 09/29/2023: 08:36:53

Is it the one with photos in your profile? I didn't know Merlin made plectrum banjos, but I'm no expert, so that's not surprising. I've seen the big "sci fi" type long neck banjos they did. They have some value I think, perhaps cos they're such 1960s style pieces, perhaps because Luke Kelly had one for a while, perhaps because there weren't many made.
But I have no idea what they're like to play, or what they sound like.
Good luck with it!

HanWestie - Posted - 09/29/2023: 08:43:39

@andyrhydycreuau

Are there no photos attached to my post? Sorry, I'm clearly new here!

Emiel - Posted - 09/29/2023: 09:27:06

Really nice, these Merlin banjos, also as a plectrum banjo…

Andyrhydycreuau - Posted - 09/29/2023: 13:28:31

This is much prettier and even more 1960s chic than the huge five strings. It's beautiful. Not sure how many folks play plectrums these days, but this banjo is stunning. It should be worth lots of ££, but not sure it will be. I'd love to hear it.

Jbo1 - Posted - 09/30/2023: 09:49:13

Did Merlin make a standard length 5 string, or only long necks?

Shop the Folk - Posted - 09/30/2023: 16:31:44

I can confirm that Merlin did make standard length 5-stringers. I sold one to a journalist in D.C., he leaned it (out of the case) against his car the day he received it, knocked it over and broke the neck in half. A grown man cried that day.