Seagull 'Merlin M4' Device, anyone ?

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Proboscis
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Joined: 28 Aug 2019

11 Jun 2020

I was visiting a friend of mine recently, and he insisted on loaning me one of his instruments, of which I've never seen before.

The Merlin M4 is a very nicely made instrument, does not feel like some cheap, mass produced garbage. Made in Canada.

Sounds like a Dulcimer, but played in the position as one would play a guitar.

Excuse the dust. I'm note sure my friend played it too often :lol:


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Proboscis
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11 Jun 2020

Here's a 'first pick up' , and not quite knowing how it's tuned.


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MrFigg
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11 Jun 2020

Looks a bit like an Appalachian Dulcimer
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DaveyG
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11 Jun 2020

Proboscis wrote: ↑
11 Jun 2020
Here's a 'first pick up' , and not quite knowing how it's tuned.

My review:

Interesting fret spacing and sounds better than a bloody ukulele. :thumbs_up:

Proboscis
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Joined: 28 Aug 2019

11 Jun 2020

MrFigg wrote: ↑
11 Jun 2020
Looks a bit like an Appalachian Dulcimer
Yes, that's what I also concluded, from a search on the origin of the Merlin. Sweet Kentucky Twang !

I should make mention though, that the 'straight up' dulcimer is not either reminiscent of the Merlin nor the Appalachian.

The latter seems to be a 'hill-billy' southern American instrument.

Proboscis
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11 Jun 2020

DaveyG wrote: ↑
11 Jun 2020
Interesting fret spacing and sounds better than a bloody ukulele. :thumbs_up:
Tuned as D, A, D(doubled).

The fret spacing is diatonic.

Not that this fact means shit to me. I'm no player :(

I do like the rustic vibe of the Merlin though. And plan to explore it a little bit more.

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MrFigg
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11 Jun 2020

Proboscis wrote: ↑
11 Jun 2020
MrFigg wrote: ↑
11 Jun 2020
Looks a bit like an Appalachian Dulcimer
Yes, that's what I also concluded, from a search on the origin of the Merlin. Sweet Kentucky Twang !

I should make mention though, that the 'straight up' dulcimer is not either reminiscent of the Merlin nor the Appalachian.

The latter seems to be a 'hill-billy' southern American instrument.
Yep. Dulcimers are played with hammers in big greenhouse cafes by old men with berets and stubble who smell of tobacco.
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Proboscis
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Joined: 28 Aug 2019

11 Jun 2020

MrFigg wrote: ↑
11 Jun 2020
Yep. Dulcimers are played with hammers in big greenhouse cafes by old men with berets and stubble who smell of tobacco.
Smoked or chewed ?

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MrFigg
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11 Jun 2020

Proboscis wrote: ↑
11 Jun 2020
MrFigg wrote: ↑
11 Jun 2020
Yep. Dulcimers are played with hammers in big greenhouse cafes by old men with berets and stubble who smell of tobacco.
Smoked or chewed ?
Smoked and hand rolled. They also have comfortable shoes and maybe no socks.
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DaveyG
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11 Jun 2020

Proboscis wrote: ↑
11 Jun 2020
DaveyG wrote: ↑
11 Jun 2020
Interesting fret spacing and sounds better than a bloody ukulele. :thumbs_up:
Tuned as D, A, D(doubled).

The fret spacing is diatonic.

Not that this fact means shit to me. I'm no player :(

I do like the rustic vibe of the Merlin though. And plan to explore it a little bit more.
I was using one of my guitars to try to work out those frets. Diatonic makes sense and explains why the noises it made in your somewhat inexperienced hands did not sound too bad. You're holding a precursor to the modern MIDI keyboards and Reason Players where you can force them to be in one key!

You should definitely make a track or two with that. (You could call the first one "My Video Is Mirrored" :) )

Proboscis
Posts: 1004
Joined: 28 Aug 2019

11 Jun 2020

DaveyG wrote: ↑
11 Jun 2020
I was using one of my guitars to try to work out those frets. Diatonic makes sense and explains why the noises it made in your somewhat inexperienced hands did not sound too bad. You're holding a precursor to the modern MIDI keyboards and Reason Players where you can force them to be in one key!

You should definitely make a track or two with that. (You could call the first one "My Video Is Mirrored" :) )
Yes, very inexperienced hands.

As it turned out, that clip was done with D# A#m D# . And they were WAAAAAY sharp as well. Almost to the next semi

Weirdly, now Ive tuned it 'properly', I dont dig it as much :lol:

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MrFigg
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11 Jun 2020

Proboscis wrote: ↑
11 Jun 2020
DaveyG wrote: ↑
11 Jun 2020
I was using one of my guitars to try to work out those frets. Diatonic makes sense and explains why the noises it made in your somewhat inexperienced hands did not sound too bad. You're holding a precursor to the modern MIDI keyboards and Reason Players where you can force them to be in one key!

You should definitely make a track or two with that. (You could call the first one "My Video Is Mirrored" :) )
Yes, very inexperienced hands.

As it turned out, that clip was done with D# A#m D# . And they were WAAAAAY sharp as well. Almost to the next semi

Weirdly, now Ive tuned it 'properly', I dont dig it as much :lol:
Tune all the strings to E and play Hawkwind songs.
πŸ—² 2ΰ₯ ᛉ

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DaveyG
Posts: 2499
Joined: 03 May 2020

11 Jun 2020

Proboscis wrote: ↑
11 Jun 2020
DaveyG wrote: ↑
11 Jun 2020
I was using one of my guitars to try to work out those frets. Diatonic makes sense and explains why the noises it made in your somewhat inexperienced hands did not sound too bad. You're holding a precursor to the modern MIDI keyboards and Reason Players where you can force them to be in one key!

You should definitely make a track or two with that. (You could call the first one "My Video Is Mirrored" :) )
Yes, very inexperienced hands.

As it turned out, that clip was done with D# A#m D# . And they were WAAAAAY sharp as well. Almost to the next semi

Weirdly, now Ive tuned it 'properly', I dont dig it as much :lol:
It sounded pretty good as it was although it might make it trickier to add any backing tracks.

Proboscis
Posts: 1004
Joined: 28 Aug 2019

21 Jun 2020

MrFigg wrote: ↑
11 Jun 2020
Tune all the strings to E and play Hawkwind songs.
I don't enjoy a lot of Hawkwind....

But when I do............ it's this vibe

>

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MrFigg
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21 Jun 2020

Proboscis wrote: ↑
21 Jun 2020
MrFigg wrote: ↑
11 Jun 2020
Tune all the strings to E and play Hawkwind songs.
I don't enjoy a lot of Hawkwind....

But when I do............ it's this vibe

>
Thats the one.
πŸ—² 2ΰ₯ ᛉ

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