Hello Kevin, Because of your videos I bought a Smokey Mountain Strum Stick and I love it. I had it tuned on the second day and I have not retuned it since. And it was made 04/08/2011 and this is 05/26/2011. As you know, it is a DULCIMER based instrument, not a Dulcitar or MandoGuitar, etc. Please people, stop renaming or reclassifying it. And it's a finely handmade, light as a feather, precision instrument. Blaine is a nice, honest man- makes a great product for $85. Forget mass produced crap.
of course it isn't, and that's not what I meant. The strumstick is advertised as an instrument to help you learn to play guitar, which is utterly pointless. Using the Internet and help books available at a library or bookstore, virtually anyone can teach themselves to play guitar, without starting with this overly-expensive piece of garbage. The McNally Strumstick costs over 70 pounds, which is as much as a decent beginner's guitar. Think about it, and get it through your dull head.
Well, my "not a" Strum stick came today, and my girlfriend (who's never played anything before) fell in love with it, so I gave it to her and ordered a McNalley Grand Strumstick. In the mean time, she's already starting to sound like a pro on the thing.... Pretty cool.
Right after I discovered your videos, I went straight to ebay and ordered one of these things.. Can't wait to get it. Soon as I do I'll post some stuff up on youtube.. Looks like a wicked fun little instrument..
thanks for all your help! the star wars trick was especially helpful. this thing has been sitting in my room forever and i decided to pick it up and give it a try and i really like it now.
hey! i have the same strum stick from Smokey mtn dulcimer. It's great, sounds much better than the mcnally. Although I need some tips on playing it... the songs that came with the stick are all rather lame.
i know what you mean, when i saw mine in the pawn shop case, nobody knew what it was. I had to go ln-line to find out about it. wish i knew more about how to play it, they sound great.thanks for response. KEEP PICKIN'
sounded like an infomercial (NO SPELLCHECK) would have rather seen you and heard youplay more. I bought a Msnally Strumstick a year or so back and have not played with it much. I am posting a video on here with another guy playing one, that i think he built, at least that's the story he's telling. PLAY MORE!!!less talk more action
Well, it was definitely and introduction. An infomercial would have included, "Call in the next 10 minutes and we'll double - that's right DOUBLE - your order! And even if you're not satisfied, send it back and keep the pick assortment as our gift to you!!" :) Yeah, I really WANT to play more! But most people just aren't familiar with the instrument, so I felt some familiarization was in order. When my technical issues are resolved, I promise more actual music!
i agree, there's something so endearing and personal about reaching over and turning off the camera. like when your best friend's mother shows you pictures of your friends when they were little. it feels sort of like that, a little acknowledgment to the viewer, a little hug goodbye.
I didn't build this one. This is Blaine Horlocker's design. His is different from McNally's because it is hand made, is longer, and has a larger, deeper body. This gives it a richer tone and more volume. I'm also fairly certain that the neck and fingerboard are slightly larger. Most other designs are pretty similar to McNally's. You can read more about the dimensions and craftsmanship on Blaine's website. The link is in the description for this video.
Just a note. McNally's is also handmade. I saw a picture on his website a while back that I thought showed a big machine making them. It was just a drying rack! Sorry, I'm a little dense sometimes!
As far as I can tell, the dulcimer. A guy named Bob McNally, who owns the trademark "Stumstick" says he invented it in the last 20 years or so, but others say there are very similar instruments that have been made for centuries. This is true. The essential fundamental that ties them together is diatonic fretting, which has been around for ages. But the strum stick as we know it is most likely a descendant of the dulcimer.
Hey, I was holding back. You should see me when I get really enthusiastic! :) I just love this instrument. It makes me happy. I'm glad you liked the video. I'll be doing more real playing in the near future.
Please stop talking and play the goddamn thing
MrHarbltron 1 month ago
Looks sort of like a sargija
davorb 2 months ago
talk less - play more
maobing23 7 months ago
@maobing23
Touche
ridin434 7 months ago
Hello Kevin, Because of your videos I bought a Smokey Mountain Strum Stick and I love it. I had it tuned on the second day and I have not retuned it since. And it was made 04/08/2011 and this is 05/26/2011. As you know, it is a DULCIMER based instrument, not a Dulcitar or MandoGuitar, etc. Please people, stop renaming or reclassifying it. And it's a finely handmade, light as a feather, precision instrument. Blaine is a nice, honest man- makes a great product for $85. Forget mass produced crap.
MasterK9Trainer 9 months ago
Top tip- Tune six string accoustic guitar to DADGAD.
JOB done.
You can now play guitar...
2nd string -2nd fret fretted.
Go from there
Pure dronal folkish freedom available right there.
GL
:-)
edshift 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
wow what a faggot
just get a guitar u retard
maybe ul get laid
i dont think girls like the lean strum sticker
metalheadrocker509 3 years ago
@metalheadrocker509 you don't deserve an instrument, you fucking idiot.
opti95 1 year ago
my grandpa makes these and their great for slide and they are not just for sucky guitarists!
haydenrice92 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
this makes me sick. just get a friggin guitar.
grovecityfan 3 years ago
That's right, grovecityfan. The guitar is the only instrument that should ever be played. Grubby little punk.
M0DEAN 3 years ago
of course it isn't, and that's not what I meant. The strumstick is advertised as an instrument to help you learn to play guitar, which is utterly pointless. Using the Internet and help books available at a library or bookstore, virtually anyone can teach themselves to play guitar, without starting with this overly-expensive piece of garbage. The McNally Strumstick costs over 70 pounds, which is as much as a decent beginner's guitar. Think about it, and get it through your dull head.
grovecityfan 3 years ago
It's not for learning to play the guitar. It's a completely separate sound. That's why I wanted it, I play both.
usehernamelol 3 years ago
This video reminds me of a bumpersticker I saw a long time ago--"Shut up and play yer guitar!"
LeoHareMusic 3 years ago
Is this also a kind of dulcimer?
mojave19 3 years ago
It is a relative of the dulcimer, as it has the same fretting and open tuning that a 3-string lap dulcimer has.
KevinCNeece 3 years ago
Well, my "not a" Strum stick came today, and my girlfriend (who's never played anything before) fell in love with it, so I gave it to her and ordered a McNalley Grand Strumstick. In the mean time, she's already starting to sound like a pro on the thing.... Pretty cool.
rpeek 3 years ago
Well, I'm glad you're spreading the love! I'll be interested to see what you think of the two instruments. Great video, by the way!
KevinCNeece 3 years ago
Yea, I figured since we've already got one in the house, I would try the other. Once we each have one we can jam!
rpeek 3 years ago
Right after I discovered your videos, I went straight to ebay and ordered one of these things.. Can't wait to get it. Soon as I do I'll post some stuff up on youtube.. Looks like a wicked fun little instrument..
rpeek 3 years ago
Hey, that's great! I hope you enjoy it and I'm looking forward to your videos!
KevinCNeece 3 years ago
Yea, I can't wait to get it. Looks like wicked fun to play..
rpeek 3 years ago
thanks for all your help! the star wars trick was especially helpful. this thing has been sitting in my room forever and i decided to pick it up and give it a try and i really like it now.
bhp309 4 years ago
Thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying it. It's good to see the 'Star Wars' thing pay off. If you have any questions, feel free to drop me a line!
KevinCNeece 4 years ago
very cool , I never heard of a strumstick . very cool
paintedhorse1957 4 years ago
I'm glad you enjoyed it! Check out my other videos for more info and better playing. Thanks for watching!
KevinCNeece 4 years ago
hey! i have the same strum stick from Smokey mtn dulcimer. It's great, sounds much better than the mcnally. Although I need some tips on playing it... the songs that came with the stick are all rather lame.
vesp33d 4 years ago
Hey, it's great to hear from a fellow player! I'd love to be of help if I can. Shoot me a message and we'll talk!
KevinCNeece 4 years ago
i know what you mean, when i saw mine in the pawn shop case, nobody knew what it was. I had to go ln-line to find out about it. wish i knew more about how to play it, they sound great.thanks for response. KEEP PICKIN'
GRASSROOTSGOSPEL 4 years ago
i think he was shooting for more of an intro to the instrament and i think he did it very well :P nice video Kevin...make some more!
1KentuckyRob 4 years ago
I will. ASAP! Thanks for the kind words.
KevinCNeece 4 years ago
sounded like an infomercial (NO SPELLCHECK) would have rather seen you and heard youplay more. I bought a Msnally Strumstick a year or so back and have not played with it much. I am posting a video on here with another guy playing one, that i think he built, at least that's the story he's telling. PLAY MORE!!!less talk more action
GRASSROOTSGOSPEL 4 years ago
Well, it was definitely and introduction. An infomercial would have included, "Call in the next 10 minutes and we'll double - that's right DOUBLE - your order! And even if you're not satisfied, send it back and keep the pick assortment as our gift to you!!" :) Yeah, I really WANT to play more! But most people just aren't familiar with the instrument, so I felt some familiarization was in order. When my technical issues are resolved, I promise more actual music!
KevinCNeece 4 years ago
Hi Kevin,
You have made a great video on my strum stick. Thank you for the good word. Thanks again, Blaine
sweetpee50 4 years ago
Hey, great to hear from you! Yeah, I love it! I hope to post more soon. I've had long-standing technical issues. :( But I'll be back soon.
KevinCNeece 4 years ago
i agree, there's something so endearing and personal about reaching over and turning off the camera. like when your best friend's mother shows you pictures of your friends when they were little. it feels sort of like that, a little acknowledgment to the viewer, a little hug goodbye.
KablamoKelli 4 years ago
Hmmm... Perhaps I should just start hugging my camera.
KevinCNeece 4 years ago
Damn, you sold me--and I don't even know how to read music, let alone create it. But I love your personality, its so entertaining :)
brokenbacktango 4 years ago
:) Thanks! You're too kind. If you need any info or help, send me a message.
KevinCNeece 4 years ago
but why the form of your strumstick is different from the one they sell?
tdaneri 4 years ago
I didn't build this one. This is Blaine Horlocker's design. His is different from McNally's because it is hand made, is longer, and has a larger, deeper body. This gives it a richer tone and more volume. I'm also fairly certain that the neck and fingerboard are slightly larger. Most other designs are pretty similar to McNally's. You can read more about the dimensions and craftsmanship on Blaine's website. The link is in the description for this video.
KevinCNeece 4 years ago
tHANK YOU FOR YOUR INFO, kEVIN!
tdaneri 4 years ago
No problem. If you need to know anything else, just drop me a line!
KevinCNeece 4 years ago
Just a note. McNally's is also handmade. I saw a picture on his website a while back that I thought showed a big machine making them. It was just a drying rack! Sorry, I'm a little dense sometimes!
KevinCNeece 4 years ago
As far as I can tell, the dulcimer. A guy named Bob McNally, who owns the trademark "Stumstick" says he invented it in the last 20 years or so, but others say there are very similar instruments that have been made for centuries. This is true. The essential fundamental that ties them together is diatonic fretting, which has been around for ages. But the strum stick as we know it is most likely a descendant of the dulcimer.
KevinCNeece 4 years ago
What came first the strum stick or the dulcimer?
wvlavender 4 years ago
great video! it seems like a fun instrument.. they should put you on a show as a salesperson for the strum stick! u did a great job
shawmasta 4 years ago
Hey, I was holding back. You should see me when I get really enthusiastic! :) I just love this instrument. It makes me happy. I'm glad you liked the video. I'll be doing more real playing in the near future.
KevinCNeece 4 years ago