NGD - Manson #2, active preamp fun...

blobb

This was in the GH auction last week and the chance to own a second Merlin was too strong to resist.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1922/43160397740_ce0b6f95f0_k.jpg


Slightly younger than Merlin #1, this one has some developments. The body is now carved on the upper bout and feels a lot more comfortable to hold. The brass bridge now has more of a 'knife edge' to it but there are two significant changes. Firstly, the fretboard has a radius! - and what a radius it is. Hugh is known for extreme radii (?) and this must be the smallest diameter I've ever come across (#1 is completely flat). What a difference this makes to the feel of it, two almost identical guitars but completely different to hold and play.

Secondly, and it's not long when talking about Mansons, electrics come into the discussion. Merlin #1 has what you might call conventional electrics. 2 pups, vol/treble on each and switches for splitting / phase. When I opened up #2 (sold as 'electrics need attention!) I found this....

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1937/44253069674_66d0637c69_k.jpg

Gulp. That's some circuit going on in there.

You can get sound out of it but the preamp is dead (or not connected) so some digging to do until it's back to it's original glory. Cue a quick mail to Mansons to see if they think it can be saved (if anyone here has any insight feel free to chip in). Until then, watch this space.