Barnes & Mullins BM700 Piercy Mandolin

A superb scroll top mandolin named in honour of the ''Piercy'' sisters to whom Bowley Barnes and Albert Mullins were married. Historically favoured for bluegrass music, this BM700 scroll-top has a soundhole in place of the F-holes usually found on most other scroll-top mandolins. This soundhole lends a broader tonal range to the player, with a more complete sound across the spectrum. However, F-hole equipped instruments are considered to have more 'cut-through' in a ensemble situation. 

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Top: Solid Spruce
• Back & Sides: Solid Maple
• Neck: Maple
• Fingerboard: Ovangkol
• Frets: 25
• Bridge: Rosewood, adjustable
• Hardware: Gold
• Inlays: Mother of Pearl Dot
• Machineheads: Open gear

Barnes & Mullins Origins

In 1894, Mr Albert Mullins and Mr S. Bowley Barnes started “The Jo”, their famous musical instrument journal.

Specialising in all things banjo, they soon began manufacturing their own banjos as well as importing many other instruments. The original Barnes and Mullins banjos are still sought after today, with collectors seeking them out all over the world.

Sadly in 1914 at the age of 40, Albert Mullins drowned when the ‘Empress of Ireland’ sank on the St Lawrence River. He was on the home leg of a 2 year sales trip.

Bowley Barnes continued the business thereafter, and what he had started with his partner years earlier in Bournemouth now moved to Rathbone Place, London.

In 1976, Mark Barnes – son of Bowley Barnes – moved the business to Grays Inn Road, Bloomsbury. Sadly in 1986, Mark Barnes died. He was greatly admired and respected by employees and customers alike who were quick to tell of his fair and generous nature.

In 1999, Bruce Perrin – a Director since 1986 – became Managing Director and moved the business from London to the current location – Grays Inn House – a modern 46000sqft warehouse and office facility in Oswestry, Shropshire.

Bruce Perrin says “We are excited about the future and are constantly looking at ways to innovate and evolve, yet Barnes and Mullins has always endeavoured to put the customer at the top of its priority list”.