Grubisa Merlin

Purchased from: N/A

Features: 9
Made in 2000/2001 by Frank Grubisa of Sydney, Australia. Sperzel Locking tuners, 22 frets, Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard, 10" Radius, Mother of pearl inlays on a Mahogany neck shaped similar to a 1960 Les Paul neck which I specified. The body is a one piece Mahogany back with a flamed maple top. The bridge has six adjustable saddles just like a Strat on a fixed baseplate which is set into the body.The body also has sound chambers and a string thru/body design. All the hardware is gold plated. Frank recommended Joe Barden Two/Tone humbuckers which can be split via the 2-tone controls (this is a part of the pickup design).
The guitar is medium weight, heavier than a Strat but lighter than a Les Paul. The Merlin's have a very classic look to them (bits of Les Paul/Gretsch/Rickenbacker) but with a timeless original look all there own.

Sound: 10
Depending on the pickups you use this guitar can be used for virtually any musical style. This guitar has a responsive sound to it unplugged. With the Joe Barden's the tone is very balanced and smooth, they convey whatevers happening with your hands. Combined with the sound chambers the sound is full and rich with nice sustain. Very similar to Robben Ford's tone on "Tiger Walk". I heard in a magazine that this guitar sounds the way a Les Paul should, and it does! (I sold my 1960 Classic Reissue Les Paul so I could fund this guitar). The bottom line is this guitar can do whatever you want it to do depending on how you're playing it.

Action, Fit, & Finish: 10
The guitar was set up spot on. Frank makes the guitar from start to finish (one man show). The cherry sunburst is superb as is the finish. The guitar has the same look as a '59 Les Paul but with gold plated hardware.

Reliability/Durability: N/A
Haven't had the guitar long enough to comment, but I feel confident in it. It's hand made, not mass produced!

Customer Support: 9
Very helpful with his customers, he was very busy doing repairs when he was making this guitar so I had to wait a bit longer than usual to get it but it was all worth it in the end.

Overall Rating: 10
I've been playing for twelve years and am only interested in using gear which is inspiring to the player. It cost less than a new Les Paul or PRS but plays and sounds twice as good. If it was stolen I'd be on the hunt!

Submitted by Robert Bozic at 02/26/2001 19:02

Purchased from: N/A
A reluctant musician

Features: 9
My particular Grubisa Merlin was built in 1995 by Frank Grubisa in Sydney, Australia. Starting from the small headstock downward, the angle backward is 10 degrees, almost a straight string pull, Sperzel locking tuners which give an extra 2 degrees angle over the nut, 22 Dunlop "6100" frets set into a Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard, 25.5" scale, 12" radius(?) on a one piece large and wide mahogany neck, bound in cream platic. Grubisa uses abalone inlays shaped like triangles with two inwardly curved sides and placed like Gretsch thumbnails. The bound body is made of one piece mahogany with a moderate flame maple carved top covering 2 semi circular tone chambers. The maple top is carved in a Les Paul type manner but also in a unique way so that the bridge is raised up on a stylishly carved platform. This allows for the neck to be set deep and straight into the body with no neck set angle which gives great stability and rigidity.....no movement there at all. The double cutaway body shape is a combination between a Rickenbacker (total neck access) and a Les Paul with a pointier rear end.....nice. The Merlin was fitted with Duncan 59 neck and bridge humbuckers but I replaced them with Tom Holmes H450 and H454 humbuckers...with better string definition. Frank Grubisa has designed his own bridge for the Merlin and it is an oval shaped base utilising six individual rectangular saddles with string through body anchors. The controls are typically 2 volume, master tone and 3 way pickup selector....I may go for a coil tap push/pull pot later. I have fitted Dunlop Strap-loks. The finish is nitro-cellulose in honeyburst which looks great. Weighing in at 7.5 pounds, it is a delight to wear all night.

Sound: 9
The Merlin is a very interesting guitar in that it can sound like a Gibson, a Tele or somewhere in between. Obviously the pickup choice is important here but with the Tom Holmes humbuckers and Grubisa's unique bridge and string thru/body system, I find that all manner of sound are possible. The sound chambers are great for not only making the guitar responsive but also in weight reduction. I like my sound to be full and rich sometimes and bell-like at others. This guitars delivers. I am using the Merlin with two Rivera amps, slaved, and a Fender Twin for clean and I play Blues/Jazz and fusion. This combination of amp and guitar is first class.

Action, Fit, & Finish: 9
Even after 4 years out in the world, the original frets were still beautifully seated and there was no wear on the fingerboard. All I did after initially purchasing it was to raise the action just a little, fit Strap-loks and change the knobs to "top hats" (I'm a little pedantic).
From the day I got it, it feels as if I have owned it all along.

Reliability/Durability: 10
The Merlin has developed a few lacquer cracks but the finish is very good overall. An air of confidence comes over when you pick it up and play it....built to last. I always take a backup when playing...sound insurance.

Customer Support: 10
Frank Grubisa is genuinely interested in keeping his clients happy. Even though I bought a Grubisa Merlin secondhand, he was happy to discuss the guitar with me and offer suggestions. From this experience, I WILL get Frank Grubisa to make me another Merlin with a few changes and options.
He listens, is very obliging and nothing is too much trouble.

Overall Rating: 9
I have been playing a long time and have many nice toys. I rate this guitar as the one that always makes it to the gig. My next Merlin will have the pickup selector in a different position although this one is not a problem.
If it was stolen, I'd hunt down the culprit.

Submitted by Alex at 04/25/1999 05:09