I would definitely get the 8 1/2 fret. When I capo on the 3rd fret to play in the key of G, I see the 8 1/2 fret is like the 6th fret if I'm playing in D. This way it helps me to play the same chord shapes as if I'm playing in D. For example in D 0 6 5 is the 4th chord (G major) when capo up to 3rd fret. 0 8.5 7 is also the 4th chord (C major). Hope this makes sense.
In case you haven't our podcast. we have an episode telling the story how Joni got her first dulcimer from Joellen at the Big Sur music festival. Here's the link.
Hi Ed,
I talked to Steve Palazoo today got some info on your dulcimer. Steve is now a guitar teacher in Santa Cruz. In the late 70's and 80's he worked for Folkroots, the dulcimer company in Felton (near Santa Cruz) and he also worked for Santa Cruz guitar company. According to him there was a dulcimer maker in Santa Cruz named Ray Popelka in the early 70's. From what he described your dulcimer your dulcimer looks very much like Ray's dulcimer. Ray also taught how to make dulcimer thru Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation in the early 70's. Steve told me his girlfriend in high school had a Ray Popelka dulcimer in 1973. According to Steve, Ray is now living in Colorado.
Very interesting. This does not have the body shape of a Folkroots/Capritaurus dulcimer. I'll ask Howard Rugg if he knows Ray Watkins.
One more thing. You might want to contact Howard Rugg about this. Howard is one of my friends In FOTMD. He started and ran Folkroots dulcimer the time your dulcimer was made
Wayne Jiang said:
I know a few luthiers in Santa Cruz. a lot of them made one of two dulcimers at one point in the 70's. The otherpossibilityis it could be build by one of the employee of Folkroots or Capritaurus dulcimers in Felton, Ca which is just few miles from Santa Cruz. Folkroots and Capritaurus was biggest dulcimer producer at the time in California if not the west coast in the late 70's.
Can you post picture of it. If it has body like the Folkroot/Capritaurus there is a good chance it was made in Felton.
Ed Day said:Made 1978, dont have a luthier name.
Wayne Jiang said:What year is it made? Do you have the name of the luthier?
I know a few luthiers in Santa Cruz. a lot of them made one of two dulcimers at one point in the 70's. The otherpossibilityis it could be build by one of the employee of Folkroots or Capritaurus dulcimers in Felton, Ca which is just few miles from Santa Cruz. Folkroots and Capritaurus was biggest dulcimer producer at the time in California if not the west coast in the late 70's.
Can you post picture of it. If it has body like the Folkroot/Capritaurus there is a good chance it was made in Felton.
Ed Day said:
Made 1978, dont have a luthier name.
Wayne Jiang said:What year is it made? Do you have the name of the luthier?
What year is it made? Do you have the name of the luthier?
