Seems like a cross-variation on an Appalachian Dulcimer and a Sanxian. 3-string guitars have been around forever. "Strumstick" is just a name. If he has copyrights or a trademark on the name "Strumstick" then just leave him the fuck alone. Nobody is saying he invented 3-string guitars, he's just developed his own model. This is like getting angry at Fernandes because they improved on a previous guitar design. Fernandes didn't invent the guitar, they just made it better.
Claiming to invent this is valid because he is simply redoing something someone else has done for years. For about 120-125 years, 3 string cigar box guitars with this tuning and fret arrangement has been used to play blues all over the south, Because he removed the cigar box and made a small specific shape and changed its name does NOT mean he invented the "strum Stick". He simply reworked something that existed and named it as such. BIG difference.
@Rcksaltnnails In fact, many of the early ones look ecactly like this one only it is fretless and is mounted to a cigar box. I play Mandolin. If I change the standard shape of either the A or F style mandolin, can I say I invented the G style Mandolin? NOPE!
@Rcksaltnnails If what you say is true, which I have no doubt is, you inherently proved he DID invent the strumstick. Or reinvented it, like steve jobs did with the iphone. He brought "apps" to a forfront of the consumer market, even though "apps had been around long before. I love playing my strumstick, but I don't think I would have picked the instrament up if it was a cigar box glued to a piece of wood....
does anyone even know what a dulcimer even looks like its a fucking square you hit with mallets are you all seriously that retarded like look the thing up yo its a totally original idea and even if a dulcimer looked like that witch it doesn't at fucking all there would be wayyyy more notes on it thats a guitar for casual players your all fucking queer
@Kyle420ist Please look up mountain dulcimer. There are TWO kinds of dulcimers, similar in name alone. I would recommend that you follow your own advice and make sure you are looking up the correct instrument before attacking other's comments with a poorly written assault. Thank you.
Everybody stop hating you bunch of haters. If you have nothing better to say then "he didn't invent that" then go blow off some homeless man in the largest city near you. At least this guy is showing interest and love towards music and musical instruments. All he did was make it easier for non musically inclined people to pick up and enjoy playing an instrument. Maybe you people hating on this guy should give it a whirl and then maybe... just maybe you will screw off.
I did notice, however, that he gives the impression that he developed the diatonic fretting, and seemingly takes credit for creating an instrument that is easy to play. NO mention is given of the dulcimer from which it is a variation from and has the same ease of playing characteristics. Has he developed a style or type of stick dulcimer? Sure, but he needs to be careful and not seemingly take credit for things he had no part of.
The issue is the use of the word "inventor" in the title of the video. Mcnally has clearly copyrighted the name "Strum Stick" but that is the only claim he can really make. His own design? Sure, just as others have had their own designs of instruments they did not invent. The stick dulcimer is a variation of the mountain dulcimer that has been around for a long time. "Strummers" and other variations of 3 string guitars (cigar box and other primitive home made instruments) are part of history
I personally own a strumstickand enjoy playing it. I'm a professional guitarist, but playing this thing is really cool. it's different. Also, if you're going to slam the guy for copywriting his design, then do the same for leo fender, martin, les paul, the names go on and on. None of them invented the guitar either; they just designed it to their liking and patented it.
Bob come clean man, you did not invent the strumstick, you just modified it. Every poor kid in this world who ever dreamed of being the greatest guitar player al leat once attached strings to a stick. If you don't believe it ask Mr. Muddy Waters himself.
McNally didn't really invent anything here, and he hasnt claimed to, he just copyrighted his product. Like others have said; picking sticks, lap dulcimers, hog fiddles, and similar diatonic strumming instruments, which are similar to the strumstick, have been around for a long time. And the point of them is to have fun playing, and not to create something highly technical.
hmmmmmmmmm.... so this instrument basically takes no skill whatsoever? you just play it and it sounds good? thats pretty gay i must say. and you can't play any flats or sharps? hmm.. I want to try this thing..
Why not play guitar? Jesus, people can come up with shit and get thousands for something thats already invented but simplified more? Isn't the hand blocking the sound whole also?
Why have trucks and suv's when everyone could just drive a car. Innovation is taking something practical and re building it to make it even more practical. McNally designed the strucmstick. He took an already solid idea (guitar) and "simplified it more." Sounds to me like you're jealous that he invented it before you did.
Hi, If I need to replace strings what do I ask for? I was given a G instrument and directly 'lost' the highest sounding string by tuning it too much !!!
Hmmmm? It looks like a 3 string dulcimer, sounds like a 3 string dulcimer! McNally is just stealing an age old design for himself!... he is a cock sucking man with no ideas of his own
no, its an instrument meant to play like a guitar or banjo, and sound like something in between, and tuned like a dulcimer so that anyone can play it.
Can you point to a reference backing up your claim Bob McNally is a liar? I'm sure wikipedia, or google would have some information on the strumstick, or other like-intrument if it was in existence prior to McNally. Thanks.
I agree, it's like claiming to have invented the guitar. It's a fretted string instrument. big deal they've been around forever. the diatonic tuning is nothing new either.
Setar and dotar are prolly the first of this type of instrument, although I think Bob made a version of a dulcimer that can be held like any lute, he may have come up with the idea without ever seeing the older versions, wed have ta ask him bout that,lol
@picassolama Well, it's the same principle as a stick dulcimer or minstrel dulcimer, which is also quite similar to an Appalachian dulcimer, except an Appalachian dulcimer is all soundbox while the former is a neck and soundbox at the bottom. McNally had the goodgrace however to put it in electric form (which, granted, is awesome), but he didn't invent the instrument he's playing.
@picassolama I've known about the Strumstick's existence for about 2 hours, and I already know that Bob McNally did not invent it. He simply patented the "Strumstick" as a name. "Struck sticks" have been around for ages.
Komuz, for example. And there are many more three string folk instruments of the like (dombra, balalaika). The concept isn't original, just a pretentious design.
The last time I heard, Bob McNally only copyrighted the trade mark on his product.
It's a fairly typical Appalachian picking stick with a few refinements. I don't think he claimed to invent it.
Homer Ledford of Kentucky expanded the body of the picking stick to create his Dulcitar, which is patented. The Smithsonian Institute has one on display, along with at least one of his dulcimers.
In 1980 Lindsay Buckland cut away most of one side of a teardrop dulcimer for use as a guitar.
Well...Manuel Nunes from Hawaii invented the Ukelele. The 'classical' guitar and cittern both came from Europe. So I'm not sure what you're driving at.
True, but the man who invented the little fluorescent lightbulb did patent the new innovation on the lightbulb. Bob McNally has created a unique adaptation of the guitar/ukelele/dulcimer and dubbed it the strumstick. He is not taking credit for inventing the guitar. He has also not copyrighted the name 'guitar,' but he has rightfully copyrighted the name 'strumstick.' The body form, and the unique sound of the instrument sets it apart from other instruments in the string family.
I would be willing to bet that this design has been made MANY years before your design.
In essence, this is part of the public domain.
As people immigrated to the states, various cultures, especially the Scottish, Irish people settled in the SW US and didnt have the money to buy premade instruments so they made their own.
As far as the sound, this sounds very much as it came from Ireland and not original as claimed.
It all depends on your amplifier. I have heard amps that simply 'amplify' the sound, and then you can add distortions to make a more 'electric' sound to the instrument. So it depends on what you want.
I should add if you want a more acoustic sound there is a pickup for the acoustic model of the strumstick. It's basically a microphone you attach to the body and connect it to an amp. That's what I have. It's much cheaper, and you can retain the sound of the acoustics.
"Whatever you finger, it makes a good sound". Best piece of advice I've ever heard :D
Nanovirus5995 3 months ago
Seems like a cross-variation on an Appalachian Dulcimer and a Sanxian. 3-string guitars have been around forever. "Strumstick" is just a name. If he has copyrights or a trademark on the name "Strumstick" then just leave him the fuck alone. Nobody is saying he invented 3-string guitars, he's just developed his own model. This is like getting angry at Fernandes because they improved on a previous guitar design. Fernandes didn't invent the guitar, they just made it better.
TheUjarak 3 months ago
These remind me of some small Indian instruments
NuclearLullaby 4 months ago
Definitely a dulcimer. (And no, not a hammered dulcimer.)
timeforcute 6 months ago
i'm going to try to build one today. i expect it to be very difficult but i have time
ishouldplayzelda 9 months ago
Claiming to invent this is valid because he is simply redoing something someone else has done for years. For about 120-125 years, 3 string cigar box guitars with this tuning and fret arrangement has been used to play blues all over the south, Because he removed the cigar box and made a small specific shape and changed its name does NOT mean he invented the "strum Stick". He simply reworked something that existed and named it as such. BIG difference.
Rcksaltnnails 11 months ago
@Rcksaltnnails In fact, many of the early ones look ecactly like this one only it is fretless and is mounted to a cigar box. I play Mandolin. If I change the standard shape of either the A or F style mandolin, can I say I invented the G style Mandolin? NOPE!
Rcksaltnnails 11 months ago
@Rcksaltnnails If what you say is true, which I have no doubt is, you inherently proved he DID invent the strumstick. Or reinvented it, like steve jobs did with the iphone. He brought "apps" to a forfront of the consumer market, even though "apps had been around long before. I love playing my strumstick, but I don't think I would have picked the instrament up if it was a cigar box glued to a piece of wood....
supitschillbro 5 months ago
does anyone even know what a dulcimer even looks like its a fucking square you hit with mallets are you all seriously that retarded like look the thing up yo its a totally original idea and even if a dulcimer looked like that witch it doesn't at fucking all there would be wayyyy more notes on it thats a guitar for casual players your all fucking queer
Kyle420ist 1 year ago
@Kyle420ist Please look up mountain dulcimer. There are TWO kinds of dulcimers, similar in name alone. I would recommend that you follow your own advice and make sure you are looking up the correct instrument before attacking other's comments with a poorly written assault. Thank you.
meademk 1 year ago
I want that electric strumstick!!!!!!! :D
darkmachete 1 year ago
bob mcnalltys a fag its a dulcamer not a strum stick he didnt invent it he just game it a new name
CoreyIsAwesome1 1 year ago
Everybody stop hating you bunch of haters. If you have nothing better to say then "he didn't invent that" then go blow off some homeless man in the largest city near you. At least this guy is showing interest and love towards music and musical instruments. All he did was make it easier for non musically inclined people to pick up and enjoy playing an instrument. Maybe you people hating on this guy should give it a whirl and then maybe... just maybe you will screw off.
Missioneer 1 year ago
Comment removed
CampDirectoryOnline 1 year ago
This is just a mtn. dulcimer that looks different, it is hardly an original idea... sorry bro.
CampDirectoryOnline 1 year ago 2
I did notice, however, that he gives the impression that he developed the diatonic fretting, and seemingly takes credit for creating an instrument that is easy to play. NO mention is given of the dulcimer from which it is a variation from and has the same ease of playing characteristics. Has he developed a style or type of stick dulcimer? Sure, but he needs to be careful and not seemingly take credit for things he had no part of.
djmaur 1 year ago
If Mcnally uses the word inventor himself, he is wrong in the evidence of history. Otherwise it is a case of the wrong word being used for the video.
djmaur 1 year ago
The issue is the use of the word "inventor" in the title of the video. Mcnally has clearly copyrighted the name "Strum Stick" but that is the only claim he can really make. His own design? Sure, just as others have had their own designs of instruments they did not invent. The stick dulcimer is a variation of the mountain dulcimer that has been around for a long time. "Strummers" and other variations of 3 string guitars (cigar box and other primitive home made instruments) are part of history
djmaur 1 year ago
I personally own a strumstickand enjoy playing it. I'm a professional guitarist, but playing this thing is really cool. it's different. Also, if you're going to slam the guy for copywriting his design, then do the same for leo fender, martin, les paul, the names go on and on. None of them invented the guitar either; they just designed it to their liking and patented it.
chrism5james 1 year ago 3
Bob come clean man, you did not invent the strumstick, you just modified it. Every poor kid in this world who ever dreamed of being the greatest guitar player al leat once attached strings to a stick. If you don't believe it ask Mr. Muddy Waters himself.
essolounnik 2 years ago
McNally didn't really invent anything here, and he hasnt claimed to, he just copyrighted his product. Like others have said; picking sticks, lap dulcimers, hog fiddles, and similar diatonic strumming instruments, which are similar to the strumstick, have been around for a long time. And the point of them is to have fun playing, and not to create something highly technical.
pooeyegg 2 years ago
hmmmmmmmmm.... so this instrument basically takes no skill whatsoever? you just play it and it sounds good? thats pretty gay i must say. and you can't play any flats or sharps? hmm.. I want to try this thing..
awesomeness23456 2 years ago
No, there are flats and sharps. You need to play it for awhile then you'll find potential with the instrument as this.
korndogvideos 2 years ago
now just make it look like a guitar so i can pretend to be jimi hendrix. :)
N1CKF3D 2 years ago
this is pretty much exactly the same thing as a minstrel dulcimer. this dude is full of it to say he invented that thing.
bjbrady147 2 years ago 10
Why not play guitar? Jesus, people can come up with shit and get thousands for something thats already invented but simplified more? Isn't the hand blocking the sound whole also?
MIkeCampbellCKY 2 years ago
Why have trucks and suv's when everyone could just drive a car. Innovation is taking something practical and re building it to make it even more practical. McNally designed the strucmstick. He took an already solid idea (guitar) and "simplified it more." Sounds to me like you're jealous that he invented it before you did.
Marks256 2 years ago
This is easier to make in woodshop class ;)
UltimateLPs 2 years ago
Hi, If I need to replace strings what do I ask for? I was given a G instrument and directly 'lost' the highest sounding string by tuning it too much !!!
Look forward to any advice.
Howard
uthund 2 years ago
Who gives a care who invented it, just enjoy the music of go play a tuba.
cpttrent 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Hmmmm? It looks like a 3 string dulcimer, sounds like a 3 string dulcimer! McNally is just stealing an age old design for himself!... he is a cock sucking man with no ideas of his own
markmckaytnt 3 years ago
no, its an instrument meant to play like a guitar or banjo, and sound like something in between, and tuned like a dulcimer so that anyone can play it.
ilikescreaming 3 years ago
1 word can sum that up:
no
AgZarp 2 years ago
I bought a strumstick from Mcnally at a fair almost 15 years ago, still have it good as new and still sounds sweet.
elroto 3 years ago
This instrument was around years before McNally was even born.
McNally is a liar.
haunter112 3 years ago
Can you point to a reference backing up your claim Bob McNally is a liar? I'm sure wikipedia, or google would have some information on the strumstick, or other like-intrument if it was in existence prior to McNally. Thanks.
picassolama 3 years ago
It is extremely similar to a Dulcimer.. look it up... Though its a sweet sounding thing.
Regards
asg2401 3 years ago
I agree, it's like claiming to have invented the guitar. It's a fretted string instrument. big deal they've been around forever. the diatonic tuning is nothing new either.
dannyknapp 3 years ago
Setar and dotar are prolly the first of this type of instrument, although I think Bob made a version of a dulcimer that can be held like any lute, he may have come up with the idea without ever seeing the older versions, wed have ta ask him bout that,lol
7Matahari7 2 years ago
@picassolama Mcnally is a queer and its a lame excuse for him inventing this because he couldnt play guitar
Confleezy 1 year ago
@Confleezy Get back under the bridge troll.
Missioneer 11 months ago
@picassolama There is another instrument called Shamisen. It's a Japanese guitar that is similar to this strumstick. But is not a strum stick.
I saw one of these strumsticks while in Telluride. SUCH a cool instrument!
darkmachete 1 year ago
@picassolama Well, it's the same principle as a stick dulcimer or minstrel dulcimer, which is also quite similar to an Appalachian dulcimer, except an Appalachian dulcimer is all soundbox while the former is a neck and soundbox at the bottom. McNally had the goodgrace however to put it in electric form (which, granted, is awesome), but he didn't invent the instrument he's playing.
ChemHandbook 1 year ago
@picassolama DULCIMER. its like the perfect example all he did was take that scale and make it more guitar like
fluteking100 1 year ago
@picassolama I've known about the Strumstick's existence for about 2 hours, and I already know that Bob McNally did not invent it. He simply patented the "Strumstick" as a name. "Struck sticks" have been around for ages.
MrWally417 7 months ago
@picassolama @picassolama
Komuz, for example.
ulyaniv 3 months ago
@picassolama
@picassolama
Komuz, for example.
ulyaniv 3 months ago
@picassolama @picassolama
@picassolama
Komuz, for example. And there are many more three string folk instruments of the like (dombra, balalaika). The concept isn't original, just a pretentious design.
ulyaniv 3 months ago
The last time I heard, Bob McNally only copyrighted the trade mark on his product.
It's a fairly typical Appalachian picking stick with a few refinements. I don't think he claimed to invent it.
Homer Ledford of Kentucky expanded the body of the picking stick to create his Dulcitar, which is patented. The Smithsonian Institute has one on display, along with at least one of his dulcimers.
In 1980 Lindsay Buckland cut away most of one side of a teardrop dulcimer for use as a guitar.
Hikikomori013 2 years ago
can u connect pedals to it?
xtremeweezerfan 3 years ago
You can connect pedals to anything with a jack output (check out my youtube for an example of a stick duclimer wired up :o)
owenniblock 3 years ago
That electric strum stick sounds cool.
mojave19 3 years ago
Its a variation on a dulcimer. Look it up. Still a cool idea though
leamog 3 years ago
That man did NOT invent that instrument, and the trademark should definately NOT be valid
redking15ca 4 years ago
Ok...so who did invent the Strumstick if not Bob McNally?
picassolama 4 years ago
Who invented the classical guitar, the cittern, or the ukellele?
redking15ca 4 years ago
Well...Manuel Nunes from Hawaii invented the Ukelele. The 'classical' guitar and cittern both came from Europe. So I'm not sure what you're driving at.
picassolama 4 years ago
It's dumb to take credit for something you didn't invent. This type of instrument has been around far longer than since he "invented" it
The man who "invented" the little fluorescent lights the same size as a normal lightbulb did not take credit for and copyright the name "lightbulb"
redking15ca 4 years ago
True, but the man who invented the little fluorescent lightbulb did patent the new innovation on the lightbulb. Bob McNally has created a unique adaptation of the guitar/ukelele/dulcimer and dubbed it the strumstick. He is not taking credit for inventing the guitar. He has also not copyrighted the name 'guitar,' but he has rightfully copyrighted the name 'strumstick.' The body form, and the unique sound of the instrument sets it apart from other instruments in the string family.
picassolama 4 years ago
I still don't agree with the copyright of the name "strum stick"
but ok...
redking15ca 4 years ago
I would be willing to bet that this design has been made MANY years before your design.
In essence, this is part of the public domain.
As people immigrated to the states, various cultures, especially the Scottish, Irish people settled in the SW US and didnt have the money to buy premade instruments so they made their own.
As far as the sound, this sounds very much as it came from Ireland and not original as claimed.
Hangover0 3 years ago
i am a guitar player from way back and i see
this as a super KooL innovation... x5
pbeachmike 4 years ago
does the electric one sound like the acoustic at all? there seems to be a lot of efefct on it and i cant really tell.
wazzup925 4 years ago
It all depends on your amplifier. I have heard amps that simply 'amplify' the sound, and then you can add distortions to make a more 'electric' sound to the instrument. So it depends on what you want.
picassolama 4 years ago
I should add if you want a more acoustic sound there is a pickup for the acoustic model of the strumstick. It's basically a microphone you attach to the body and connect it to an amp. That's what I have. It's much cheaper, and you can retain the sound of the acoustics.
picassolama 4 years ago
whoa! that is a great gift of anyone.
onoringo 4 years ago
Woohoo, no wrong notes - I need on of those :) Very cool!'
Cheers,
BB
BanjoBoog 4 years ago
that electric strumstick is pretty nice sounding great tone
Sk8brdr323 4 years ago
thats pretty cool. i think i might pick one up in the future.
fknavid 4 years ago
I still want to get one of these! Which model would you suggest for a beginner? Excellent vid!
Frequency100 4 years ago
How much do these retail at Bry?
leftofleft 4 years ago
You can purchase the basic model at strumstick dot com for $140...the electric model is $550.
picassolama 4 years ago
Thanks Bry, cheaper than I thought! Going to get one.
leftofleft 4 years ago
An electric strumstick. Well, I guess I'm done thinking "what will they think of next."
allenhuffman 4 years ago