I have the 1936 neck on my Merrill C-18 shaded top and its one of the reasons I like it so much. I do think neck mass is realted to tone, up to a point, more is better.

I didn't comment on the top previously, but the red spruce took the stain like a vintage Gibson Mandolin. Very unusual and handsome.

I have a student with a Merrill OM18 that is easily one of the best OM’s I’ve ever heard and played. It’s noticeably louder than most high end dreads I’ve played. It’s truly a monster guitar.

The neck shape on my merrill OM-18 is perfectly carved. I like it better than the Collings OM profile and let's not even discuss the Martin Modified V profile.

Best neck shape I have come across.

Mike

Collings CJ-G ss Varn
Merrill OM-18

quote:

Originally posted by Tom F.:
If your looking for a Merrill OM, Eric Schoenberg's shop in Tiburon, CA has in stock an OM18 and an OM28(Braz). I think there are pix of both on Eric's website.

I had the pleasure of playing the OM-18 at Eric's shop acouple of weeks ago.
OUTSTANDING!!!

quote:

I didn't comment on the top previously, but the red spruce took the stain like a vintage Gibson Mandolin. Very unusual and handsome.

Pics? I would love to see what you're Merrill looks like!

I own OM66 Brazilian/Adirondack. i have had it for 5 years and it gets better and better. It has lost some of the volume, but it gets sweeter and more musical every day.

I love it.

Thanks Jim.

Matt

"If your looking for a Merrill OM, Eric Schoenberg's shop in Tiburon, CA has in stock an OM18 and an OM28(Braz). I think there are pix of both on Eric's website.
Tom"
I just played those two a couple of days ago. Compared to the other guitars I played there (mostly some different Schoenbergs and Sexauers) they were a little more mellow sounding. In the environment of that shop, where there are a lot of hard wood reflections making guitars sound brighter, I liked them quite a bit. Playability was good. They are fine guitars so it is mostly a matter of personal tone choice. If you are thinking about buying a new guitar be sure you can test drive it at home for a couple of days first before being committed to buying.
Rick

On the negative side, my friend's Merrill OM-28, which he thinks won our OM shootout a year or so ago, has had the bridge lift, and neither he nor the selling dealer can get Jim Merrill to respond by phone, despite many calls.

Not good. The instrument is less than three years old and is kept in a "vault" with constant temp and optimum humidity.

That's odd. I called Jim recently and he wasn't in and he called me back right away. Have you tried email?? Maybe he is on a vacation.

I am sure there is some mix up and I hope it all works out.

Hi Guys,
We have just recently moved into our own ( we are buying it! ) shop. We set up the phone company to give out the new number 804-462-7777 which it did not do. We were packing up one shop and setting up another shop all at the same time with no communications due to delays with Verizon and no DSL availability in our more rural location. After many days of modifications in the new shop ( taking down walls, putting up walls, painting, wiring, etc...) we had to have a break. We are not pros in the construction business so it is harder for us to get things done. Anyway, if we can hook up with Dave A we will certainly take care of any problem he has with his guitar. We are alive and well here in Lively Va. Take care.

If there was a lifetime achievement award for master craftsmen who overcome setbacks and still produce impeccable, highly functional instruments, David Flammang would have won it a few years ago, and Jim Merrill would be up for it now.

You take care, Jim, and don't stop building.

Richard Kane
C-18
OM-18

Elderly shipped me a Merrill OM-18 in a dreadnaught case a couple of years back. Jim was willing to fix the problem (even though he had sent the guitar in the correct case) while Elderly was still trying to figure it out. People said he was hard to get in touch with back then too....