GUEST,Non-strumming Mum: It's probable that Barnes & Mullins were dealers rather than makers. Well, no. It's possibly the case. Some UK catter can clear this up, but I have a bowl-back Barnes & Mullins 'Special ten-string' mandolin ca.1910-20 that is unquestionably of Italian provenance.

So: were B & M the equivalent to, say, Canada's Long & McQuade (i.e.,a music shop), or an actual maker? OK!!! I broke down & surfed up the answer. Though started by banjo players, they are dealers.

It's two years since your post about your dad's 7-string instrument. Are you playing it yet?

keep on pickin'
dennis