Seagull Merlin Mahogany SG diatonic string instrument

General

If you'd like to play music but haven't mastered a specific instrument yet, then this four-string instrument by Seagull might be just the thing for you! The Merlin is portable instrument that is particularly easy to play and guarantees years of musical fun. It was actually inspired by the dulcimer, which looks quite similar to the Merlin in a number of ways.

Seagull Merlin Mahogany SG

Seagull is a company with a keen eye for detail, and as such they are known for producing high-quality instruments. The Merlin was made in Canada, just like all of Seagull's instruments, and features a 3-part hard maple body. The top of the Merlin is made of solid mahogany to produce a warmer, fuller sound with plenty of sustain. Furthermore, the 7-fret hard maple neck runs through the entire body of the instrument, in what is called a neck-through design. The four strings are guided through the vintage tuners over the string nut (which has a width of 3.25 cm) toward the body and the bridge, where they then disappear into the body, in what is referred to as a string-through-body design.

Playing the Merlin Mahogany SG

This string instrument can actually be played the same way you would a guitar, and you have the freedom to adjust your body position for the most comfortable playing posture. The Merlin is meant to be plucked, which you can do with your fingers or a pick. The thickest string is tuned to D, under which is the A string; the other two strings are both in D as well, though they're an octave higher than the first D string. Because the bottom string is double (just like on a twelve-string guitar), you get a beautiful effect when you play them both simultaneously.