Barnes & Mullins BM600 Wimborne Mandolin

Barnes & Mullins BM600 Wimborne Mandolin

A Perfect Model For Beginners Discovering Mandolin

The Barnes & Mullins BM600 Wimborne Mandolin is an ideal choice for beginners who are just starting to explore the world of mandolin playing. Named after Wimborne, a town in the English county of Dorset, this A-Style mandolin holds historical significance. It was in the late 19th century that Albert Mullins and S. Bowley Barnes first met in Wimborne, forming a friendship that would lay the foundation for their musical and business endeavors in the coming decades.

The Wimborne mandolin boasts a dark stained solid spruce top that pairs harmoniously with a corresponding dark stained solid maple back and sides. This combination produces a bright and well-balanced tone with a captivating chime that adds character to its sound.

Featuring an ovangkol neck and fingerboard, nickel hardware, and an adjustable ebony bridge, the Wimborne is not only perfect for beginners who are discovering the joys of playing the mandolin for the first time but also for experienced players looking to add a high-quality A-style mandolin to their collection. Its excellent craftsmanship and tonal qualities make it a versatile and appealing choice for mandolin enthusiasts.

Why Should I Buy an A-Style Mandolin?

A-style mandolins feature a tear drop or pear-shaped body with the upper sections of the body curving into the neck.

Although sharing very similar sound and playability characteristics with F-style mandolins, it's worth considering that given their smaller body design, A-style mandolins can feel more compact and therefore easier to handle and get to grips with if you're a beginner who's just setting out on your mandolin playing journey.

Common Mandolin Tunings:

• G, D, A, E – Standard mandolin tuning
• G, D, A, D
• A, D, A, E

Body & Construction Specifications:

• STYLE: A-Style
• TOP: Solid Spruce
• BACK & SIDES: Solid Maple
• BRIDGE: Ebony - Adjustable
• BINDING: Composite Wood
• FINISH: High Gloss
• HARDWARE: Nickel
• NECK: Ovangkol
• FINGERBOARD: Ovangkol
• FRETS: 20
• INLAYS: Mother of Pearl Dots
• TRUSSROD COVER: ‘Wimborne’ Script
• MACHINEHEADS: Open Gear
• NUT WIDTH: 28mm
• SCALE LENGTH: 350mm
• WEIGHT: 1.5kg

The Barnes & Mullins Story

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”..