The merrill

[rmj50]

We have The Merrill which was handed down to us from family and we do not play. It has all of the strings, no dents and only some of the thin banding at the top of the bowl where wood top and bowl join has come off. Does anyone know what we really have here. Many thanks! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[Bob A]

You really have a Merrill aluminum-bowled mandolin. You may find more info at mugwumps.com.

They are decent-sounding bowlbacks; a few folks here have them. I've seen them on ebay and other places, selling for 4-800 depending on condition and on who happens to be looking for one at any given time.

[allenhopkins]

I bought a Merrill on eBay about 2 1/2 years ago; paid between $200 and $300. #In my experience their value is more as a curiosity, as an aluminum-bodied instrument, than as a top-line mandolin. #Having said that, I find my Merrill very serviceable, and I play it at gigs where I need to do "period" music (late 19th or early 20th century).

Here's a link (http://www.mugwumps.com/aluminum.htm) to the Mugwumps article on Merrill and his Aluminum Musical Instrument Co. #Were I the owner of your instrument, I'd take it to a repair shop and get the binding replaced. #There would be collector interest in what is a fairly rare and nearly unique example of century-old instrument technology.

[MikeEdgerton]

They have been discussed here a few times. Here (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=12;t=52292;hl=merrill) is one thread with some images and some other information. The Mugwumps article that Allen linked to is pretty extensive as well.

I think you'll find that the $800.00 figure quoted above is beyond the norm. Allen's price is probably closer to what you can get for one that isn't pristine.