I just got the Merlin with the mahogany so that it wouldn't be overly bright. All of these are going to be bright, by default. But the one I got dials that back a little as far as Merlins go. Like a commenter below, I've generally been a ukulele person as well.
@@HeyInglewood You know you're going to get a lot of bright from this thing, so you don't worry about losing that "dulcimer high end" when getting an only slightly warmer wood. Take care.
The Merlin’s have 7 frets so they can cover all the notes in an octave. The Cumberlands have 12 frets, with a “6.5” fret (flat 7th on the scale), and then the 4 notes above the octave mark (repeating the notes of the previous octave) Does that help?
@@HeyInglewood I never took music theory lol. Are those frets in the same order as one using a dulcimer fret calculation 20.75 x seven frets? That I understand if so? or are they in some special unique distance?
True, but, as mentioned, while they fill a similar musical function, they are not the same tier, and as such they aren’t the same price. I enjoy the Merlins for what they are, but after a few years it was clear a more precision instrument was required so I designed it, and now there are quality options… maybe not for everyone, but nothing really is, right? Hopefully we’ll be able to offer another tier later next year, so stay tuned. Thx! 😉
@@HeyInglewood Yes yours are 5 time's the price of any on the market now and from an unknown manufacturer. Most dulcimers are made for to help everyday people to have something they can sound good playing. Yours is priced outside the range of the average person who buys this. For a first run you should have kept it lower tier to build a fan base then higher priced later. You just cut off more than half your potential consumers especially with the economy so bad where people are struggling to buy groceries and gas.
@@Sabirwolf It never hurts to get ahead of a potential market, though. Who knows? Maybe these will eventually end up for dulcimers what some Martins are for some guitar and ukulele players.
I just got the Merlin with the mahogany so that it wouldn't be overly bright. All of these are going to be bright, by default. But the one I got dials that back a little as far as Merlins go. Like a commenter below, I've generally been a ukulele person as well.
It does sound a smidge warmer, I agree… I did a bit of a test on video for that 4-5 years ago… somewhere hiding on the channel, if interested!
@@HeyInglewood You know you're going to get a lot of bright from this thing, so you don't worry about losing that "dulcimer high end" when getting an only slightly warmer wood. Take care.
Yup!!
I have a Seagull Merlin and I love it. But I am more of a ukulele player. Your River Dulcimer is lovely, by the way.
Wow, thank you! I am rather proud of it!
Hello I am interested in one myself, but I noticed it only had seven frets. what frets did you leave off the scale at that length?
The Merlin’s have 7 frets so they can cover all the notes in an octave.
The Cumberlands have 12 frets, with a “6.5” fret (flat 7th on the scale), and then the 4 notes above the octave mark (repeating the notes of the previous octave)
Does that help?
@@HeyInglewood I never took music theory lol. Are those frets in the same order as one using a dulcimer fret calculation 20.75 x seven frets? That I understand if so? or are they in some special unique distance?
Not a unique setup, same as a modern mountain dulcimer. They have an extra fret that the Merlin’s leave off. Scale length is 21”.
@@HeyInglewood Oh I see, its just like a mtn dulcimer just seven frets calculated to the 21 vibration length.
How do they compare cost wise
heyinglewood.com/collections/the-cumberland
Seagull M4 is $150 or $210 with built in pick up and tuner. This is over $1000 with nothing.
True, but, as mentioned, while they fill a similar musical function, they are not the same tier, and as such they aren’t the same price. I enjoy the Merlins for what they are, but after a few years it was clear a more precision instrument was required so I designed it, and now there are quality options… maybe not for everyone, but nothing really is, right?
Hopefully we’ll be able to offer another tier later next year, so stay tuned.
Thx! 😉
@@HeyInglewood Yes yours are 5 time's the price of any on the market now and from an unknown manufacturer. Most dulcimers are made for to help everyday people to have something they can sound good playing. Yours is priced outside the range of the average person who buys this. For a first run you should have kept it lower tier to build a fan base then higher priced later. You just cut off more than half your potential consumers especially with the economy so bad where people are struggling to buy groceries and gas.
@@Sabirwolf It never hurts to get ahead of a potential market, though. Who knows? Maybe these will eventually end up for dulcimers what some Martins are for some guitar and ukulele players.