Ragic
Wholenote
Posts: 170
|
Post by Ragic on Jan 6, 2020 11:00:40 GMT -5
I just bought one. Build quality is awesome. Sounds great too. I'm sure it will sound better when I actually learn how to play it. Anyone else have one? Seagull Merlin
|
|
|
Post by hushnel on Jan 6, 2020 17:37:51 GMT -5
Dulcimers are big down here in North Central Florida. I don’t play one, I’ve never seen one like the Merlin, it looks well made. Do you play it guitar style or on your lap?
|
|
Ragic
Wholenote
Posts: 170
|
Post by Ragic on Jan 6, 2020 22:28:20 GMT -5
So far it's guitar style. I'm going to try on my lap too. I got a Merlin song book and I'm watching quite a few You Tube videos as well.
|
|
jeffscott
Wholenote
Rickenbacker Guru..............
Posts: 136
Age: GOF
|
Post by jeffscott on Jan 7, 2020 20:30:00 GMT -5
I've played one of those, or perhaps another brand's version, a few times. Weird. I haven't owned a real dulcimer in many years but when I do, I want it on my lap.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2020 22:15:50 GMT -5
I have a Merlin. A mahogany top one. And yeah they are really nicely made. It’s a pretty fun instrument to write with. Being diatonic it has been breaking me out of certain patterns I’ve been stuck in. I also found it gets REALLY fun when you mess with the tuning and different modes. Mine’s been tuned to DAcc for the last while.
I think they might have been renamed to the M4 or something like that. Plus there’s also a G version (same instrument just different strings/tuning) and they’re also available with a pickup now. I wouldn’t mind one of those myself just to mess with some pedals.
|
|
Ragic
Wholenote
Posts: 170
|
Post by Ragic on Jan 8, 2020 22:38:11 GMT -5
Mine is also the mahogany D model. Once I get used to playing it for a while, I'll do some experimenting. I've seen the G model but bought the D.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2020 23:54:20 GMT -5
Mine is also the mahogany D model. Once I get used to playing it for a while, I'll do some experimenting. I've seen the G model but bought the D. Awesome! The songbook is great, and some of the videos are well done. One thing I’ve found, and another guy I know has said the same, is the fret height means I have to lighten my touch a bit. He thought his had an intonation issue but it turned out to be a death grip issue. I have a tone deaf issue so I didn’t notice until he mentioned it.
|
|
|
Post by LTB on Jan 22, 2020 22:11:16 GMT -5
I bought a hand built dulcimer from a shop in Eureka Springs Arkansas many years ago. It was pretty, sounded good but I never learned to do much with it so I sold it.
|
|
michael
Wholenote
Recent Retiree
Posts: 620
Age: old enough to know better and not care
|
Post by michael on Jan 26, 2020 5:10:58 GMT -5
i can't get the link to work but i used the seach box and found some images. i've never seen that style. i couldn't tell if the frets are low enough to be played as a guitar type instrument of with a "noter" like the regular lap dulcimer.
my wife is a dulcimer fan and i've tagged along with her to several dulcimer festivals. the dulcimer is an amazing instrument for what it is... from simply holding it in one's lap, strumming with one hand and using a small stick to press the strings (like a dobro) to multiple strings and adapting guitar like playing techniques.
she has a collection of dulcimers made by a fellow that lived in winchester, ky. he was "THE" dulcimer guy band in the 60's when Jean Ritchie was making them famous. i can't think of his name right now.
i found one that is made in a loose copy of a banjo. the guy used a small remo drum head (maybe from bongos) in a thick, multi-layered wooden body with 4 strings. it can be tuned many ways and sounds like the old gourd banjos.
there were several dulcimer bands around the area a few years ago, but life has been busy and she's not participated in a long time.
i bought a chromatic hammer dulcimer that's fun. kind of a like playing a piano with sticks.
|
|
twangmeister
Wholenote
Posts: 349
Formerly Known As: Twangmeister
Age: 72 and fading fast.....
|
Post by twangmeister on Jan 31, 2020 18:39:49 GMT -5
I have one. I am surprised that it is as loud as my Deering dulcimer. Nice for the price.
|
|