Forum Activity for @peter-tommerup

Does anyone know anything about Jim Hamilton Dulcijos?

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

Here's a banjomer to consider. Doug Thompson invented the banjomer & continues to make them. Here's his website:

http://banjomer.com

Another possibility: find a banjo-mandolin (or "banjolin") & simply change the strings around to emulate the string set-up on a dulcimer. You'll probably need a luthier or instrument repair person to help you with this changeover, unless you're familiar with repairing string instruments. This what I've done, & I have enjoyed the outcome. For one thing, the banjo head portion of my "banjolin-dulcimer" is much larger than you'll find on a purpose-made banjomer. It doesn't quite work (to my ear) to only strum it vigorously--as you might a regular dulcimer--but when flat picking, it works very well.

Randy Wilkinson tab book for Elizabethan Music

Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs

Hi Strumelia,

I believe Cynthia Smith in Orange County area of Los Angeles may be a good contact source for Randy Wilkinson. His arrangements of Elizabethan tunes are still wonderful to play! And his playing was really exceptional. I caught some of his performances at the Summer Solstice Dulcimer Fest in LA in early to mid 1980's. Not aware of what he's now up to. 

Best, Peter

1980 Rabbit Junction Dulcimer Festival.

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I believe that 2 of my then dulcimer students--Robin Mohun and Gail Larsen--went to this festival and had a very good time!

Peter

Dusty,

GOOD WORK! Did you remember this earlier discussion or find it by searching for similar laments and complaints about Cripple Creek instruments?

Dusty Turtle said:

As Yogi Berra (whose book is entitled I Didn't Really Say All Those Things That I Said ) did or didn't say, "it's dj vu all over again."

Check out this discussion from two years ago .

I've seen and tried both the first small Cripple Creek dulcimer that Siggie received sight unseen by mail, as well as the one she came home with after going back to the store and settling for the least bad of another 10 or 12 that she was shown.

The first one was TRULY THE MOST UNPLAYABLE DULCIMER I have ever seen in 39 years of playing and 36 years of teaching. I have never even seen a 1st time amateur built dulcimer so poorly designed or executed. It was atrocious and simply not a playable instrument. Compared to it, the Apple Creek dulcimers I've seen look extremely well designed and playable.

BTW, I don't believe the bridge and nut were accidentally swapped; I recall checking that out for Siggie and seeing that they were of different widths and placed into slots cut into the fret board, so one could not accidentally swap the one for the other.

The second short Cripple Creek that Siggie has now--the least bad of another dozen problematic instruments--again looks like it was designed by a first time wood worker. It seems to have a solid maple fret bar (not hollowed out), and still is problematic in terms of playing and tuning. One of its better qualities is that it's quiet enough that its poor design and execution aren't quite as apparent as they would be if it was louder.

The most amazing thing is that Cripple Creek seems completely oblivious to the exceedingly poor quality instruments that they seem to be pouring out at this point in time. Based on what I've seen, they make some shoddy and cheap Pakistani instruments look well made in comparison. Actually, calling them instruments is a misnomer since it implies that they can be played. The two I've seen are really just very expensive wall hangers!

Good advice at this point in time is to steer clear of Cripple Creek dulcimers--unless you're up for an exercise in being ripped off and frustrated.

All the best,

Peter