The Amazing
Merlin
© Frank Ford, 1999; Photos by FF

A the height of what Martin Mull called "the folk scare of the 1960s" the five string banjo became popular again after a dormant period of nearly 50 years. Along with that new popularity came a flock of innovations, including this amazing piece of engineering.

I really don't know what to say about this instrument that could be any more descriptive than simply showing you these pictures.

This aluminum banjo is very different from the other Merlins I've seen, which have hollow cast metal necks.





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