Merlin's Joy (instrumental)

Pine · April 06, 2016, 08:13:20 AM

You guys know i'm a big fan of acoustic instruments, especially ones that are found in Appalachian Mountain music...like banjos, fiddles, dobros, mandos...and Mtn dulcimers. A luthier friend built me a beautiful Mtn. Dulcimer which has a lovely tone...but playing on my lap is gonna take awhile to get used to (a rubber pad would help to keep it from sliding around). Recorded a few tunes with it which are on my jukebox here. I then bought a McNally "Grand" strumstick on which i recorded some songs (here as well). Great tone but SO neck heavy! I actually have to tuck the body into my waistband to play it! This summer, i bought a Seagull "Merlin". It plays in a guitar position and is balanced just fine. Nice mountain tone and really fun to play. Rather than share all the tech stuff and picture, i'll just post a direct link for anybody interested in such a thing.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MerlinMSG

Here is my first recording with it. I first fingerpicked, then strummed (and added a second little melody track)

Caution: I used an outboard tube pre-amp so it recorded a bit hot...so turn down your volume before you hit play.
Thanks for listening!

Merlin's Joy

Redler · April 06, 2016, 08:31:21 AM

Really fine piece of instrumental music! Liked this from the first note!

I checked the link out and MMD looks fine - not an expensive instrument..! The neck of it looked a bit odd, or the frets indeed...?

Nice tune!

Pine · April 06, 2016, 12:21:48 PM

Thanks Kari. Happy that the little Merlin spoke to you!

The frets look odd because it's a diatonic, or "whole tone" scale. No sharps or flats like the chromatic scale on a guitar fretboard. In addition, it's only a one octave neck per string, which is why it balances weight-wise so nicely. The first two strings, where the melody is generally played, are very close together, like on a mando, and are tuned to the same pitch, giving the melody a fuller, louder sound. It has surprisingly good sustain due largely to the one piece, thru the body neck. Very nicely made up in Quebec, Canada and very affordably priced. In this song, I have it tuned D-A-DD. Gives it that happy, major key sound.

cuthbert · April 06, 2016, 03:56:28 PM

Oh yeah, the Merlin sounds really fine, and that's a nice little tune you made with it, Pine!

Seagull makes really nice instruments for the money, and I actually have one of these Merlins myself (the spruce one) but I haven't used it in a recording yet. I tend to just pick it up and play it a lot though.

I really should record something with it someday, because I frequently use my Appalachian dulcimer on various songs because I love what it adds. Hmm, now that gives me an idea...

Hook · April 06, 2016, 04:42:23 PM

Dude your killing me!! Great song and sound from your merlin. I've seen these In stores and kinda just passed it over since I feel pretty comfortable on my Appalachian Dulcimer. This tune however is making me rethink my dismissive attitude. Well done brother!
Rock on!

Groundy · April 06, 2016, 10:41:57 PM

Pine, You are some musician my friend,
This is fantastic, I am so glad you did'nt decide to stop playing some months back,
Thanks for sharing this with us....
More-More-More-

Alex

Johnny Robbo · April 07, 2016, 01:16:22 AM

This is a gorgeous piece. I love the timbre of the instrument - it really hits the bullseye when it comes to getting that authentic Appalachian sound. I have a bit of a fascination for musical styles & instruments that pre-date the equally tempered 12 note scale that we take for granted these days & it's so cool to hear such an instrument being used to produce such a superb tune. Bravo!