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Seagull Merlin Mahogany SG Dulcimer Guitar Natural
Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | Seagull |
Color | Mahogany |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 30 x 18 x 3.5 inches |
Top Material Type | Mahogany |
Back Material Type | Maple |
Finish Type | Polished |
Instrument | Guitar |
Item Weight | 2 Pounds |
Operation Mode | acoustic |
Number of Strings | 4 |
About this item
- Solid mahogany top
- Rock maple, string-through body.
- Rock maple neck, drive-through neck design
- Nut Width : 1.280"
- Tusq nut by Graph Tech
Frequently bought together
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This Item Seagull Merlin Mahogany SG Dulcimer Guitar Natural | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | $165.62$165.62 | $179.95$179.95 | $199.95$199.95 | $139.99$139.99 | $189.95$189.95 | $239.95$239.95 |
Delivery | Get it Mar 26 - 27 | Get it Mar 25 - 28 | Get it Mar 25 - 28 | Get it Mar 26 - 29 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26 | Get it Mar 26 - 28 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Sold By | GearTree | Jaromin | Jaromin | Andreas, Inc | Instrument Alley | Instrument Alley |
instrument | Guitar | Guitar | Guitar | Banjo | Guitar | Guitar |
number of strings | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
operation mode | acoustic | acoustic | Electric | Manual | Manual | Manual |
top material | Mahogany | Mahogany | Mahogany | Spruce | — | Spruce |
back material | Maple | Mahogany | Mahogany | Lacewood, Spruce Wood | — | Maple |
string material | — | Phosphor Bronze | Phosphor Bronze | Alloy Steel | — | Stainless Steel |
finish type | Polished | Lacquered | Lacquered | Lacquered | — | Polished |
weight | 2 pounds | — | — | 2 pounds | 3 pounds | — |
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Product information
Item Weight | 2 pounds |
---|---|
Product Dimensions | 30 x 18 x 3.5 inches |
ASIN | B00PPYIPAI |
Item model number | 39098 |
Customer Reviews |
4.6 out of 5 stars |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | January 1, 2010 |
Back Material | Maple |
Body Material | Mahogany |
Color Name | Mahogany |
Fretboard Material | Mahogany |
Top Material | Mahogany |
Neck Material Type | Maple |
Number of Strings | 4 |
Warranty & Support
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What's in the box
Product Description
Inspired by the dulcimer, the Seagull Merlin is a portable 4-string diatonic acoustic instrument that's just simply fun to play and hard to put down. The Seagull Merlin Natural Mahogany SG features a solid Mahogany top with a mustache-style Tusq bridge, compensated saddle, 3-piece rock maple body with drive-through neck design and tune-up with vintage style open-geared tuners.
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the ease of use, sound quality, appearance and quality of the stringed instruments. For example, they mention it's easy to pick up and learn, has a wonderful tone and is great for beginners. They also appreciate the value for money.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the stringed instruments easy to use. They say it's easy to pick up and learn, has a unique sound, and is fun to play around with. Customers also say it is great for beginners but still a lot of fun for more advanced musicians. They mention that the tuning is simple and intuitive, and the action is easy on the eyes. Overall, customers say it’s hard to put down and fun to pick out tunes by ear.
"This instrument is really fun, sounds good, at a great price. Adds a new dimension to song writing sessions." Read more
"...not a master of my dulcimer guitar but regardless this thing is a blast to play!..." Read more
"...it has a nice folksy/celtic sound, it is proving to be far easier to get into than I thought it would be, and it looks nice too...." Read more
"...It comes with a soft polishing rag, a couple picks, and a basic instruction book, along with a sticker and some advertising...." Read more
Customers like the sound quality of the stringed instruments. They mention that the tone is wonderful, the volume is incredible, and the action is great for an acoustic instrument.
"This instrument is really fun, sounds good, at a great price. Adds a new dimension to song writing sessions." Read more
"...Very pleasant sound. It looks beautiful. I have it on a wall rack. One of my cats loves when I play. I love it!" Read more
"...All in all, I am happy with the instrument, it has a nice folksy/celtic sound, it is proving to be far easier to get into than I thought it would be..." Read more
"This little Merlin is amazing! I love the sound! It doesn't sound as "hillbilly" as a dulcimer does. It is so easy to play!..." Read more
Customers find the appearance of the stringed instruments to be beautiful, nice, and attractive. They also say it looks and sounds beautiful, and is a sweet addition to their stringedinstument library.
"...Very pleasant sound. It looks beautiful. I have it on a wall rack. One of my cats loves when I play. I love it!" Read more
"...to be far easier to get into than I thought it would be, and it looks nice too...." Read more
"This little Merlin is amazing! I love the sound! It doesn't sound as "hillbilly" as a dulcimer does. It is so easy to play!..." Read more
"...Its solid, well built and aesthetically nice looking. I see a lot of people playing it with a neck strap, but I didn't find that necessary...." Read more
Customers like the quality of the stringed instruments. They say it's nicely made, beautifully made, and solid. Some mention that the design is lovely and well executed.
"...So, solid, solid construction, but could have used just a tad more love after it was completed...." Read more
"...It really seems like a good quality instrument. The 7 frets allow you to play a "do-re-me-fa-so-la-ti" scale...." Read more
"...Its solid, well built and aesthetically nice looking. I see a lot of people playing it with a neck strap, but I didn't find that necessary...." Read more
"...great, Celtic stuff will work really well on it, and the construction is....bizarre...." Read more
Customers appreciate the value of the stringed instruments. They say it is a great product at a reasonable price.
"This instrument is really fun, sounds good, at a great price. Adds a new dimension to song writing sessions." Read more
"...And the price is great. The tone is nice.If anyone knows how to fix intonation problems, I hope you will post the method here...." Read more
"...And with the low price you won't be so worried about anything happening to it." Read more
"...Overall it is well built,light as a feather,and worth the money. It also has a strong, full voice,and VERY easy to play...." Read more
Customers find the shape of the stringed instrument very comfortable to play. They also say it feels smooth and comfortable in their hands. Customers also mention that the instrument is well built and has a thicker, more weighted feel than expected.
"Very much enjoying the Merlin! The shape makes it very comfortable to play...." Read more
"...It just felt smooth and comfortable in my hands. Then, I played it for four hours: I believe it to have therapeutic properties...." Read more
"...Very well built, has a thicker, more weighted feel than I expected...." Read more
"Great to relax..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the tuning of the stringed instruments. Some mention that the diatonic tuning makes it simple and intuitive, while others say that it's very difficult to keep it in tune and gets out of tune quickly.
"Received it in perfect condition, almost perfectly tuned. Got her tuned up and played for the next 3 hours straight...." Read more
"...I also noticed it gets out of tune quickly. I'm assuming that is because the tuners aren't very good...." Read more
"...Its diatonic tuning makes it simple and intuitive, and it takes a real effort to make an unmusical sound. Great fun!" Read more
"...As you progress to the higher frets you'll notice it's out of tune...." Read more
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Top reviews from the United States
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The instrument itself is light, very nicely made out of quality wood. Seagull has a reputation as making some of the best made guitars in their price range and that craftsman ship comes through here as well. I won't say one bad thing about the structural makings of the instrument, although a clear coat on the body would have been a nice touch to help protect the bare wood that is all over and it does feel kind of rough along the back of the body when you run your hand down it. So, solid, solid construction, but could have used just a tad more love after it was completed.
What you get with this instrument is an instruction book and that is all. It has a peg for attaching a strap (which amazon sells) and there is a gig bag (which amazon also sells) and if you aren't finger picking, consider getting ukulele picks instead of plastic ones (amazon sells those too) as the Merlin doesn't have a pick guard over the sound hole and the strings are low enough in tension that the felt picks will work fine. There is no tuner either, a simple tuner will work fine, but if you don't have one as this is your first instrument, then consider buying one of those as well (guess where you can buy one of those at.....)
All in all, I am happy with the instrument, it has a nice folksy/celtic sound, it is proving to be far easier to get into than I thought it would be, and it looks nice too. I feel that a combo pack with a strap, the gig bag, some ukulele picks, a tuner, and the instrument should be offered for about $150-$160 to make a total package available to folks wanting to get a complete gift for someone instead of having to buy all of the stuff needed to play and store this instrument purchased separately though. Get on it, Amazon. Make it happen.
As an aside, The Seagull Merlin is the name of this instrument, but it doesn't roll of the tongue to well for me. I got a buddy who plays a bard in Dungeons and Dragons and naming his instrument Merlin is pretty thematic, but having a folksy sounding instrument with a name like Merlin is odd. So, given that it is of Canadian make and when viewed from behind it looks similar to boat paddle given its solid wood design, I call a Beaver Paddle. Here's hoping it catches on.
And 30 minutes after I opened it, I had it tuned (D-A-D), and was playing songs! It's a super forgiving instrument and you can get a lot of milage out of it just playing around, even if you have little or no experience. Interestingly, it has very similar sound qualities to some other string instruments I also have tried, so with a little research, I was able to find tabs for songs for American folk music and traditonal music from 4 other countries, which added some unexpected fun to trying this thing that was entirely new to me.
Its solid, well built and aesthetically nice looking. I see a lot of people playing it with a neck strap, but I didn't find that necessary. This one did not come with a bag, althougnthe company also makes a bag sized just for it.
Top reviews from other countries
As a seasoned guitar player I find this fun and easy to work out tunes, but it is by no means a toy!
Some people may find the number of notes available as limiting, but perhaps they are trying to make this instrument something it is not.
It works just the same way as a flat dulcimer (except how it is held) and sounds just as good.
This instrument is a great entry into the stick dulcimer family with a big sound that even top-end instruments fail to achieve!
I've already been to picking sessions with this and it holds it's own against what some people would call "proper instruments"!
It is good for accompanying solo voice or adding a different sound to an acoustic folk group. Because chords can be played with one finger its also good if you want to concentrate on strumming or simple finger picking patterns. In this respect also great for just messing about, improvising and coming up with song ideas because almost everything sounds right as the notes are limited.
Limited scale means complex tunes not possible, not suitable for jazz chords and not ideal for heavy metal, but then you might have guessed that.