I began playing the mountain dulcimer after seeing one at Toledo's Swan Creek Metropark in 1985. Since then my interests have focused on the traditional aspects of dulcimer playing. I now play in mostly a noter-drone or finger-dance style. I have done extensive genealogical research on the dulcimer families of Watauga County, North Carolina in an effort to decipher the path of the dulcimer's dissemination throughout northwest North Carolina. Highlight of my dulcimer life include meeting Ralph Lee Smith, Frank Proffitt, Jr., and Clifford and Maybelle Glenn.
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Latest Group Discussions
AllSource of Non-Fancy Noters in Different Hardwood Choices
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@Banjimer 4 years ago - Comments: 38
Clara Callahan Weave Shop Dulcimer Player 1930
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@Banjimer 5 years ago - Comments: 10
William Duke Tester - Beech Mountain Dulcimer Maker
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@Banjimer 5 years ago - Comments: 10
Standard, Baritone, or Bass Dulcimer Tuning
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@Banjimer 5 years ago - Comments: 6
Ralph Lee Smith Interview Podcast
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@Banjimer 6 years ago - Comments: 2
Nathan Hicks and the Dulcimer He Sold to Maurice Matteson - Where is it now?
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@Banjimer 11 years ago - Comments: 2
Frank Proffitt at Pinewoods Music Camp in 1961
Here is a link to a 1985 article in the Country Dance and Song...
@Banjimer 7 years ago - Comments: 2
1930s Kentucky Dulcimer Recordings Free Online
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@Banjimer 6 years ago - Comments: 2
1764 Moravian Zitters or Not?
For those of you that may not be following the history discussions on...
@Banjimer 15 years ago - Comments: 16
Two Zitters in Lititz Moravian Collection
I ran across this article while searching the internet today and...
@Banjimer 6 years ago - Comments: 6
Beech Mountain Dulcimers Millard and Smith Oliver?
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@Banjimer 6 years ago - Comments: 8
Great Resource for Music Theory Group
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@Banjimer 10 years ago - Comments: 6
Frank Proffitt's Grandfather and Civil War Tunes
Frank Proffitt's grandfather, John Wesley Proffitt, was a southerner...
@Banjimer 11 years ago - Comments: 1
Phyllis Gaskins New Book Is Out
A couple of months ago, I pre-ordered a copy of Phyllis Gaskins' new...
@Banjimer 12 years ago - Comments: 5
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Comments
Hi. I read your post in the civil war about the Profitts. I was delighted to see your comments about Captain Daniel Ellis Carter Co. TN. I have family stories of things that went on there between my ancestors in Carter Co., and Captain Ellis.
I’ve never talked with anyone that knew anything about him.
pam Lacy
I have a June Apple dulcimer. It doesn't have the light silvery sound of the J.E. Thomas reproductions that I own. Nor does it have the resonant sound of the larger bodied dulcimers. The sound falls somewhere in between. You could probably describe it as a balance between the two. Keep in mind that Carl and his staff at June Apple Dulcimers manufacture several different models of dulcimers and dulcimer ancestors. The June Apple model has a somewhat smaller size than other models made by June Apple, so it's not surprising that the sound is somewhat closer to traditional than it is to guitar-like. June Apple also makes a larger-bodied dulcimer. I don't have personal experience with the larger model, but I would assume that its sound is more resonant and similar to other dulcimers with wider, deeper soundboxes. In short, the difference in sound is more a combination of volume and resonance. Everything else being equal, smaller-bodied dulcimers have less volume and less resonance. Larger-bodied dulcimers have more volume and more resonance. Other factors to consider are the type of wood used, particularly the soundboard (top), and the thickness of the top, back, and sides. I'm not a builder. A builder would be more qualified than I to describe the various factors affecting the sound of any given dulcimer.
Greg,
I saw a post almost a year old about your June Apple dulcimer. How do you like it?
What is the sound like? I tend to prefer more traditional rather than guitar like.
Thanks.
Greg thanks for the interest. The Prichard is 350.00, plus shipping. I ask for a third down to cover costs and the balance is due when ready to ship. I look forward to talking with you more about the possibility of building you a Prichard , they are great sounding instruments, and are exact copies of the originals. Thanks Kevin.
Glad you made it over -- now join us in the Dulcimer Ancestors group, and we'll solve the mysteries of the universe. Or something.Dick