Forum Activity for @linda2

Linda2
@linda2
05/06/21 11:05:17AM
24 posts

John Frazier dulcimer


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I have a John Frazier dulcimer, and I think there is some info about him in one of the Revel's Music catalogues. Here:



Frazier Hourglass


Frazier is/was a small scale maker who started in the early 70s and was producing no more than 20 instruments per year at the height of the dulcimer boom.    Neat, classic-style elongated, tapered maple headstock with effective square rosewood (?) tuning pegs.  Wooden marker at 7th fret (now partly under new 6½ fret).  Bookmatched walnut back with slight unevenness on LB.  Wooden rosewood (?) nut and bridge (latter now replaced with compensated buffalo horn “floating” bridge for better intonation).  Overall length 38½”, upper bout 5⅜”, lower bout 7¼”, depth 1¾”, FBW 1½”, VSL 28¼” (medium/long scale), weight 2lb 8oz (1134g).  Originally no 6½ fret, now provided.

Mixed maple/walnut construction makes for a pretty, light sounding instrument, emphasizing the higher overtones but with clean mid and bass.  Easy action, suitable for all abilities, which could take slightly heavier treble strings to improve the tonal balance further.  Could also take geared modern tuners, but it looks so pretty as it is.


Linda2
@linda2
04/05/18 07:17:19PM
24 posts

Does anyone recognize this dulcimer?


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Here you go, Jim! Yep, I totally understood about the name and initials! 


IMG_1436.JPG IMG_1436.JPG - 72KB
Linda2
@linda2
04/05/18 08:31:25AM
24 posts

Does anyone recognize this dulcimer?


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Jim, I'm sending you these now because you are so eager! But they are pretty dark, so if you want me to try again later today I can. Mine clearly says H.A. Fleming 7-17-71 inside-- nothing William about it! But you did some good sleuthing to solve that mystery! Hope these help sate your curiosity!


IMG_1337.JPG IMG_1337.JPG - 68KB
Linda2
@linda2
09/02/17 07:54:30AM
24 posts

How do I tune this Bass Dulcimer?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

 Search George's posts, because he put up a sound clip just a couple of weeks ago! I think the thread was "How Do I Tune This Thing?"

 

I have one of these dulcimers now too, and when I got mine the two center strings were tuned an octave apart, with strings gauged for that purpose. I've just left it because it gives a very different, rich sound!

Linda2
@linda2
08/20/17 02:44:31PM
24 posts

Milford Blevins Bass dulcimer. How do I tune this thing


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Well, WOW! I think it sounds great, and I loved listening to you play! I especially liked the last part, but I enjoyed all of it--

 

I did not think he meant the Blevins. I have 3 (vintage) dulcimers where the fret board goes out past the end and two of them produce cringe-inducing sounds, so I concur with him! Both made by makers with the history of making many instruments, so a person would think they would know better. In all three cases the dulcimers had something else unusual that attracted me--a carved head stock, for instance. Hence I gave myself that mental note about not getting distracted in the future unless I strictly want wall art (which I don't!  I like functional art!)!

Linda2
@linda2
08/20/17 12:38:17PM
24 posts

Milford Blevins Bass dulcimer. How do I tune this thing


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

nod  Now I just have to remember that and not get distracted by other pretty details!

Linda2
@linda2
08/20/17 11:52:58AM
24 posts

Milford Blevins Bass dulcimer. How do I tune this thing


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thank you so much for your prompt reply, George! Just what I wanted to hear!  

And, Ken, I'm just twice shy now because I used that "Well, this is number 217, so the builder must have known by then what he was doing!" logic on a fairly recent purchase online, only to discover that the instrument was well put together but is completely unplayable. But as I write this I am realizing that the instrument I'm talking about does have a fret board that extends off the end, so perhaps warping has robbed it of any good intonation. . . .

 

Back to the Blevins --I could only find an obituary with a fleeting mention of being a dulcimer maker and one comment on Everything Dulcimer (aside from Dan's comment below). I'd love it if you could post a link if you've found more info. Thanks to you both!

Linda2
@linda2
08/20/17 12:54:28AM
24 posts

Milford Blevins Bass dulcimer. How do I tune this thing


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Were you able to tune this? Before I buy a similar instrument, I d like to know if the frets are correctly placed. Thanks!
Linda2
@linda2
08/13/17 10:30:02AM
24 posts

How do I tune this Bass Dulcimer?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Hi again, fellow compulsive dulcimer purchaser! I have a question on this Blevins dulcimer you bought. How does it sound by now? Is the intonation good? Is the sound full or tinny? Thanks!

Linda2
@linda2
07/14/17 02:47:37PM
24 posts

Does anyone recognize this dulcimer?


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

This Fleming dulcimer is wonderful! It is missing one mechanical tuning peg--the outer part you turn--but sounds beautiful as a four-string! Definitely glad I got it and thank you for the recommendation that gave me the little push, Jennifer! And guess what--no buzzing! Once I got the bridge set correctly (and the strings, which, holy smokes, I'm not sure what  previous owner was thinking. . .!!!) intonation is excellent and tone is warm even with mostly old strings! Sigh. So lovely!

Linda2
@linda2
07/11/17 11:51:55AM
24 posts

Does anyone recognize this dulcimer?


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

That Fleming ad was from a different Fleming, though (who is also listed in the Directory of Contemporary etc.)!

Linda2
@linda2
07/11/17 10:51:14AM
24 posts

Does anyone recognize this dulcimer?


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

How lovely! And good to know that using a capo can make it playable, in the event that mine suffers from the same ailment as yours. I have plenty of dulcimers that need special accommodations to be played :), so perhaps this will be one more of those-- I will ask about the fret buzzing, but I don't think it will be productive since this person doesn't know dulcimers (that's the story, anyway!!).

Linda2
@linda2
07/11/17 10:30:54AM
24 posts

Does anyone recognize this dulcimer?


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

HA Fleming is in the 

Directory of Contemporary American Musical Instrument Makers


but that doesn't guarantee playability ! ;)

Linda2
@linda2
07/11/17 10:29:49AM
24 posts

Does anyone recognize this dulcimer?


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

The maker is HA Fleming, but I can't hear or play it before buying. It looks great. . .

Linda2
@linda2
07/11/17 09:59:50AM
24 posts

Does anyone recognize this dulcimer?


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Jennifer, Thank you for your prompt reply! If this is not too presumptuous to ask, would you say 100.00 was a fair price? That's the cost of the one I'm looking at, but can't play.


updated by @linda2: 07/11/17 10:00:08AM
Linda2
@linda2
07/09/17 05:44:07PM
24 posts

Does anyone recognize this dulcimer?


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

How did this dulcimer turn out? I'm thinking of buying one like it. Thanks.

Linda2
@linda2
03/12/17 10:07:14PM
24 posts

Is this an Edsel or Fred Martin?


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

The quality isn't the greatest on these because they are from my phone. See what you think!


edsel head blurry.jpg edsel head blurry.jpg - 128KB
Linda2
@linda2
03/12/17 03:00:26PM
24 posts

Is this an Edsel or Fred Martin?


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Looks more like an Edsel to me, especially with no paper inside. The face looks a lot like my Edsel, and the nut material is the same as my Edsel's (vs the one I have that Fred made). Just my two cents.

Linda2
@linda2
03/12/17 02:58:46PM
24 posts

Is this an Edsel or Fred Martin?


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Estes George:

Recently picked this up after doing as much research as I could. Has the same look/design as either Edsel or Fred. There was another brother, Wade, but from what I'm finding he didn't build many dulcimers, it was Fred and Edsel. 

 They both used the same design as far as the dulcimer body, the biggest difference being the carvings on the "scroll". 

 Fred's carvings were, from what I've seen, were a bit more "rustic", where it seemed Edsel's were more refined. I looked at some of Edsel's figure carvings and the style seems to be consistent with what I'm seeing on the dulcimer itself.

 I can see no label or signature inside, although looks like there may have been at one point, but really can't tell for sure.

 The seller included 2 sweet old vinyl LP's. The Mill Run Dulcimer Band, and Edsel Martins Appalachian Dulcimer Music. Both in great condition and play great with no skipping.

 The Edsel one has Photos on the back of him holding his dulcimer, It looks liek this one, although the photo is grainy and you can't see the figure carved clearly at all, the style is definitely the same. 

 I have posted pictures of the dulcimer, The album cover, a couple of photos of Fred Martin to compare the carving styles.

 Let me know what you think!!

 And I'm only guessing here, so am curious what you all think.

 

 

Linda2
@linda2
06/07/13 09:30:02AM
24 posts



Thanks for the info! It turns out the one I'm looking at is from 1981. Would it probably be better to wait & bid on a newer one?

Linda2
@linda2
06/06/13 04:17:39PM
24 posts



Would you share your serial number? I'm contemplating buying a McSpadden signed by Larry but am not sure how old it is. Thanks.


Van France said:

I bought a 1992 M12W made by Larry McSpadden and it is a very fine instrument. If you don't like yours, let me know and I'll buy it! Good luck and enjoy! BTW, if you need anything for it, send or take it to Jim Woods at the Dulcimer Shoppe and he will go over it for you and put it in tip top shape. He worked over my M12 while I waited (and played with some great players!) and that instrument looks and plays like new. Congratulations on your purchase.