Forum Activity for @phil-myers

Phil Myers
@phil-myers
12/28/23 04:49:16PM
27 posts

Modern Mountain Dulcimers?


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

Yes, it's true. A good friend of mine, John Hawk, has been the Modern Mountain rep for many years and he confirmed that David is no longer building dulcimers.

Phil Myers
@phil-myers
10/10/21 11:09:40AM
27 posts

RIP Bill Taylor


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I had Bill for several workshops at Mountain Dulcimer Week in Cullowhee. What a fine gentleman, great teacher, and musician. I don't own one of his dulcimers but know many people who do and love them!

R.I.P. Bill

Phil Myers
@phil-myers
01/05/20 11:52:16AM
27 posts

North Carolina dulcimers getting media attention


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I happened to be watching the news on WLOS when they aired this story. Melanie and Mack Johnston are good friends of mine and we play together whenever possible. Melanie is also a whiz with Tabledit and teaches classes on it at festivals.

Phil Myers
@phil-myers
02/01/18 05:13:55PM
27 posts

Modern Mountain Dulcimer


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

I just talked to John Hawk who is a dealer for MMD. He told me the action should be the width of a nickel sitting on top of the seventh fret. Most people buy MMD's because of the low action. I have 2 myself and to me the action is perfect.

Phil Myers
@phil-myers
04/11/17 01:17:25PM
27 posts

Amazing Grace in Cherokee


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions


 

This video was taken on October 9, 2013-Fran Cargill's 93rd birthday. She is accompanied by Sally DeLawter. Fran passed to her heaven ly home April 10, 2017. There is beautiful dulcimer music and singing in heaven today!


updated by @phil-myers: 10/27/19 12:02:25PM
Phil Myers
@phil-myers
12/27/16 08:28:12AM
27 posts

Placement of Schatten outside transducer pickup


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


 

I stick mine on the back below about the tenth fret. Works well and doesn't get in the way of strumming. In the attached picture I'm using it and you can't even tell it's there.


Phil at StreetFest2.jpg Phil at StreetFest2.jpg - 133KB

updated by @phil-myers: 12/27/16 08:35:05AM
Phil Myers
@phil-myers
12/05/16 08:27:36AM
27 posts

Quick Release metal capo's


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

With the lever down loosen the nut on the end so it will fit on the fret board. Place on the fret board with the lever still down and tighten screw till it fits as needed. Then release lever to remove. It is now set.

Phil Myers
@phil-myers
09/27/16 10:40:02AM
27 posts

Strings for Modern Mountain Dulcimer


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

I should have said that the strings I referenced above are the ones that come on a MMD (David McKinney's default strings).But you can order individual strings from juststrings.com in whatever gauges you like

Phil Myers
@phil-myers
08/03/16 05:44:12PM
27 posts



The Schatten comes with putty that works well and doesn't leave a residue

Phil Myers
@phil-myers
08/03/16 04:34:25PM
27 posts



The best external pickup I have found is a Schatten Dualie. Depending on what kind of amp you have, it may require a preamp. I stick it on the back of my dulcimer so it is not in the way. here's a link to it on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Schatten-Dualie-OutsideR-External-Pickup-Jack/dp/B002MVJQMS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1470256064&sr=8-2&keywords=schatten+dualie

Also, the best acoustic amp I have found is a Fishman Loudbox Mini. It weighs only 20 pounds and no preamp needed.

https://www.amazon.com/Fishman-Loudbox-Acoustic-Instrument-Amplifier/dp/B003S3S0DU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470256393&sr=8-1&keywords=fishman+loudbox+mini

Phil Myers
@phil-myers
09/03/12 08:41:07AM
27 posts

Stand for Modern Mountain Dulcimer


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

The stand is adjustable for width and depth-I think it would work for just about any guitar.

Phil Myers
@phil-myers
09/02/12 09:09:09PM
27 posts

Stand for Modern Mountain Dulcimer


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

Hey CJ, I use a guitar stand-the kind that doesn't have an upper part.It adjusts to fit any dulcimer or guitar. Our friend Dave-O uses guitar stands with the upper part but he modifys them to fit his MMD's (which he has many of)

Phil Myers
@phil-myers
08/15/12 06:06:01PM
27 posts



Hey Julie, a friend of mine has one and he tunes in Dad but an octave higher than a standard dulcimer. When he and I play together, that is our favorite combination of dulcimers to play. Go to my page and listen to Possum Up a Gumstump. That's a Modern Mountain dulcimer (played by me) and a 6 string Ron Ewing dulcimette (played by John Hawk).

Hope this helps!

Phil

Phil Myers
@phil-myers
11/13/10 07:43:56AM
27 posts

Show us your sound holes!


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

This is my favorite because it is my golden retriever,Ellie, who is now 8 years old. It was made by Tom Yocky in 2005. All I told him was I wanted a golden retriever and paw prints and he took it from there. It will always be my favorite dulcimer!

Phil Myers
@phil-myers
10/16/10 08:27:55AM
27 posts

***THREE CHEERS for Robin Thompson !!!***


OFF TOPIC discussions

I would also like the honor of joining Robin's fan club and would really like to play together sometime.You rock, girl!!
Phil Myers
@phil-myers
07/26/10 11:39:27AM
27 posts

FOTMD one year anniversary on July 29th, 2010 !


OFF TOPIC discussions

I'll certainly be playing it! Robin Thompson said:
Strumelia said:
Robin Thompson said:
How shall we mark the day?
I'm thinking I'll listen to our official song a time or two.

Ah yes...the official theme song.


Strumelia, I'd play our official tune if I knew it. Who knows, maybe I'll learn it by Thursday.
Phil Myers
@phil-myers
02/07/10 09:07:03AM
27 posts

cats & songs


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Here's my version of "The Old Black Cat Couldn't Catch a Rat". It was, however, played on a "dog dulcimer" so you might hear some barking in the background.
Phil Myers
@phil-myers
02/06/10 09:51:21AM
27 posts

dogs & songs


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thanks Flint! Here's a picture of my dulcimer "Ellie" that I played the tune on. You can see why it is an appropriate instrument for a song about an old yellow dog.
Phil Myers
@phil-myers
02/06/10 08:38:28AM
27 posts

dogs & songs


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Here's my version of Old Yellow Dog. It probably should go faster but I tried it both ways and kinda like this one better.
Phil Myers
@phil-myers
10/25/09 10:23:35AM
27 posts

the Queen family of Jackson Co NC


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Hey Robin-yes, we have a good many dulcimer players in these parts. I am a member of 4 clubs, so there is usually something going on. If y'all ever come this way give me a holler and we'll do some playin'. Robin Thompson said:
Phil, are there many other dulcimer players in your neck of the woods?
Phil Myers
@phil-myers
10/22/09 05:41:31PM
27 posts

the Queen family of Jackson Co NC


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I don't know the Queens but I live in the next county over from them-Macon county. There are alot of very good musicians around these parts-mostly banjo, mandolin, guitar and fiddle. I have played at places where the bluegrass musicians are fascinated with the MD. They can't believe all of the music we can play on those little things and they ask all kinds of questions.Phil
Phil Myers
@phil-myers
09/14/09 07:29:57AM
27 posts

Strings


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

Bill, on juststrings site, click on guitar strings and then single strings. They will all be ball end. I use the juststrings brand for the melody and middle and Elixir for the bass (the phosphor bronze nanoweb coated are really nice!). The gauges I use are .012,.015,.024. You can order several at a time and save on shipping.
Phil Myers
@phil-myers
08/17/09 05:13:21PM
27 posts



I think their next tune was "My Sweet Lord"! :)
Phil Myers
@phil-myers
08/17/09 02:35:53PM
27 posts



Yes, that's where I got the tab to get me started. Then I just made up stuff from there. Dang cute fiddler I'd say!