Forum Activity for @cd

I look at this and see two questions. One a playing question and another a building question. Personal opinion is to start very basic to learn the instrument, the fretboard, the different tunings and so forth. I would use a realatively inexpensive student dulcimer for this. Once I got a feel for the instrument and made some discoveries into what you can and can't do with the basic dulcimer and the type of music you desire to play, then I think it would be easier to answer your second question as to what type to build.

I hope you get where I am heading. Pain Meds kinda cloud what I am trying to say but I hope it comes through. If not ask more questions.

CD

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

OFF TOPIC discussions

Thanks for being there for all of us.

If you could only keep ONE of your dulcimers....

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Choices 1-2-3-4-5 are gone! Of what is left probably my electric chromatic practice board. I never listed it for sale. Compact and easy to take anywhere. Gary Sager did a great job on that one. He is quite a craftsman!

How many dulcimers do you own... lets see the lists..

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Walnut Valley DulcimerChromatic TMB made by Dave LynchMcSpadden Custom made Dulcimer6 String Heatherwood DulcimerCripple Creek DulcimerWarren May DulcimerKeith Young DulcimerBob Thomason DulcimerJohn Tignor DulcimerBanjo DulcimerA W Jeffries DulcimerAll Walnut Teardrop Dulcimer (I made this one)Chromatic electronic practice board (yes this is a dulcimer made by Gary Sager)

You are so welcome. I am glad to be of service. Did something worthwhile for once in my life. Bah Humbug it's Christmas time.CD

A W Jeffreys Jr.

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

Is the book copywritten?

A W Jeffreys Jr.

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

Thanks!! How do ya reckon a guy can find Jan's address? Mine is no. 2063 and has his initials in it but no date that I can find. I would like to see if she can tell me more. Pristine2 maybe you know more.......CD

A W Jeffreys Jr.

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

Back in Wichita now. Leave for Great Bend and Branson on Monday. I too thought walnut but it is such a light color. Anyway it sounds pretty good but the durn thing is so small compared to today's dulcimers. Small but with a big voice.CD Rod Westerfield said:

looks good CD... your getting a connection in KC worked out ok...look forward to hearing and seeing it sometime.. I was also going to say that it looked like walnut... enjoy... a very traditional dulcimer...

A W Jeffreys Jr.

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

Figured lemon oil would do the trick. The string action is a little high to what I am used to but haven't played it much yet to see if that is a problem or not.CD Patrick O'Brien said:

Hey CD
Very nice indeed,could be a twin sister to mine.Hows the string action look?
The back is walnut btw.A little lemon oil will do wonders for the finish.May need some peg dope for the tuners.

A W Jeffreys Jr.

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

Yes that is a dowel out the rear! Strings go on it. Andy Huffman said:

It's nice looking. I will say that. Is that a dowel stick out of the bottom? Like an old banjo? I think Homer Ledford's early dulcimers were also like that. Thought I read that in his book.

A W Jeffreys Jr.

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

Here is my Ebay purchase. Tape mark on back came off very easy. Seems to have really good sound for such a narrow and thin body. Needs new strings badly but has a nice full sound to it even with the dull sounding old strings. Red Cedar top and not sure what sides and back are. Looks like the grain of Walnut but is reddish and light toned in color. Needs cleaned up, new strings, and a little loving attention. I know it is hard to tell much from a picture but would be interested in any thoughts or input before I do anything to it.CD

A W Jeffreys Jr.

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

Well it happened one night in downtown KC, MO. I was sittin' in the bus and noticed there were wireless connections available. I got online and was lookin' around. Ya see that ole dulcimer just popped out at me. I was curious so I decided to put in a bid on it. I Bid $105 maximum and it went for $103. Not in pristine condition and I knew that going in but I sure didn't expect to get it for what I got it for. I'll probably refinish it, but, can only decide that when I see it. May have just thrown a $103 away but I just don't seem to think so. It looks like it suffers from sittin' in a closet way to long. I figured it would probably go about $150 but some have sold for $400 To $500 recently as well in not much better condition. Let ya know more when i get it.CD

A W Jeffreys Jr.

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

I just pick one up accidentally.CD

A W Jeffreys Jr.

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

Is A W Jeffreys Jr. the same person as A W Jefferys and what would dulcimers he made in the 60's be worth today?CD
updated by @cd: 08/01/23 11:49:31AM

How did you first discover the mountain dulcimer?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Nah. But I get a little green with envy because he won't let me play his and it is green. Paul Rappell said:

CD, is it a little green dulcimer?

How did you first discover the mountain dulcimer?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Now that's what I tell folks so they don't worry about me. What really happened was I was driving along close to Area 51 and just minding my own business when this little green man comes sitting on the dash of the coach. His was playing this hourglass shaped thing and I fell in love with it. He helped me get one and has been teaching me how to play since that night! Now you can see why my playing is "outta this world" (LOL no ROTFLOL). This little green man has ridden with me ever since being my navigator and friend.CDP.S. As Paul Harvey would say now you know the rest of the story!

How did you first discover the mountain dulcimer?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I had a group out at Silver Dollar City and Troy sold me a cardboard one. At the time he said if I kept the original receipt and kept it in good condition I could trade it up for a better model. I took it to the bus and a half hour later traded it up for a nice teardrop. I had heard them but never imagined I could play one. Now I am still wondering if I will ever learn to play one. That is how I got started. Just liked the sound.CD