Forum Activity for @kevin-messenger

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
04/14/17 08:20:23PM
86 posts

Rest in peace, Brian Beach


OFF TOPIC discussions

Very sorry to hear of Brians passing . We had many talks about building and finishing dulcimer. Truly a kind and gentile man. Rest in Peace Brian.

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
04/06/17 09:19:06PM
86 posts

Our dear John Henry is on the cover


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Just got my copy, now how to get this celebrity to autograph it. Congrats on a fine tribute, well deserved.
I did see a young man holding a nice American made dulcimer.lol.
Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
12/31/16 08:02:38PM
86 posts

Hello friends, Does anyone know much about John D. Tignor dulcimers??


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

That's the first Tignor teardrop I have seen.  Very nice.  I have an early 70's small hour glass. Yes post a sound sample.


updated by @kevin-messenger: 12/31/16 08:03:32PM
Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
12/19/16 09:14:38PM
86 posts

Is this an Edsel or Fred Martin?


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

Edsel also used the paper label inside. I did look a little closer at the carving. It does appear to look a bit morr like Edsels carving. The only thing that dosent look right is the way thr martin is written, just a lot different than the signature on the label in mine. Maybe a closer look inside will tell.

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
12/19/16 06:57:53PM
86 posts

Is this an Edsel or Fred Martin?


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

George. I have one of Edsels very first dulcimers a coffin shape. Later he and his brother seemed to use the same style. Looking at the signature on the peg head , it is different than the way Edsel signed. I would tend to say it is a Fred Martin. Rob Lackey here on fotmd has a Fred Martin , he may be able to compare the writing on the signature.  Nice find, Kevin.

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
12/07/16 07:53:03PM
86 posts

A real Prichard Dulcimer


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Yep just like always day late and a dollar short. I wish I had seen that add first, it would be with me now. Oh well maybe some day...

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
11/24/16 09:17:55PM
86 posts

Remember Our Friend Oliver Ogden.


OFF TOPIC discussions

 I first met Oliver here through the chat, and then later in person at spring Wartz gathering. I also was glad to be invited to a gathering he was involved in in Lancaster . The truly was a kind and gentle spirit , who I will miss. Isn't amazing that this little instrument we all share an interest in brings us so close together,and bonds us in such a grand way. Oliver's love of music and the dulcimer was great and he was always ready to share that with others. 

      Oliver gods speed and I know you are making heaven a better place with your music, and love of sharing. I will miss you and hope to meet up with you again some day.

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
11/20/16 08:24:39PM
86 posts

Hindman, Kentucky


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Just finished reading,  great folks doing great work.  Thanks for posting Ken. 

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
11/17/16 10:05:17PM
86 posts

Offering sympathy to our dear John Henry


OFF TOPIC discussions

John Henry,  I am so sorry to hear of Mary's  passing.  I hope you and your family find comfort in knowing she is with the lord and is no longer in pain. You are a good man to have sacrificed of yourself for Mary's comfort the past few years.  If you need someone to talk to,  I'm here for you.  God bless you and your family in this tough time.  Your friend Kevin. 

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
09/21/16 01:18:39PM
86 posts

String that rings


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

A good music store would have the thin tubing that is used on some violin string and other instruments. The string goes through the tube and the tube sits in the notch on the saddle or nut.  Has worked for me when not wanting to fill and recut.

 

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
09/19/16 10:01:05PM
86 posts

Does anyone think this is an Edd Presnell dulcimer?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I would say not Edd, but, could be another Presnell. Dan ask his grand daughter on FB  she worked with him she may have some insight.

 

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
08/29/16 10:04:05PM
86 posts



Me too Lisa, I got one last fall in Williamsburg. Haven't got a good tune down yet. Guess I will stick with building dulcimers. LOL

 

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
07/25/16 09:48:34PM
86 posts

Most "Fun" Pieces.


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Redwing or Union Maid as it is sometimes called, is one of my fun to pay tunes.

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
06/30/16 09:02:05PM
86 posts

How to remove Grover 870 BR tuners with the wood buttons


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

Take the screw all the way out ,the peg will then come apart in pieces. The bushing will need pushed out from the opposite side.


updated by @kevin-messenger: 06/30/16 09:02:58PM
Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
06/26/16 07:46:28PM
86 posts

Who made this, and looking for wood peg tuners for it


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Ken, I have seen Frank SR. Dulcimers ,but, haven't seen any of Frank jr,'s . like I said that was just an option on a possible meaning of the logo. 

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
06/26/16 06:23:30PM
86 posts

Who made this, and looking for wood peg tuners for it


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I know this would be a long shot,but, looking at the logo. The logo looks to be made up of letters interconnected.  the top two looks like FP and the bottom of the logo looks like a JR.   Doubt that it is his ,but, Frank Proffitt Jr. was making dulcimers ,but don't have any idea what his dulcimers looked like. He lived in Todd ,NC  but could have been in Statesville . Like I said just a long shot.

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
06/12/16 01:53:18PM
86 posts

Just intonation and limitations


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Paula for DAA the melody and middle are the same, an octave above the the bass D.

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
06/11/16 04:13:35PM
86 posts

Just intonation and limitations


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I fret all my noter drone specific Dulcimers in JI. Like Robert I have no trouble playing with others . No I wouldn't buy a JI dulcimer if I was a melody chord player, not what it is designed for. But if you are wanting to play noter drone style you can not have a better fret board layout,it just sounds far better than an ET instrument. So It all comes down to what you want to play. I play with groups of players that some are melody /chord , some noter/ drone and we all play well together. I don't look at the differences as limitations ,but, as special qualities that the different instruments have. 

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
04/12/16 11:38:51PM
86 posts

Can you help us identify the builder?


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

You're right Ken H. They are said to have learned from Bud Ford. I think I read the Dulcimer factory produced close to 30,000 dulcimer's . that's a lot of building.

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
04/09/16 11:02:33PM
86 posts

Recent article in a local paper.


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thank you Stephanie, I really enjoy doing it.

 

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
04/09/16 09:46:14PM
86 posts

Recent article in a local paper.


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thanks everyone for the kind comments. Ron yes that is #19 in the pic. Gail I'm glad you are enjoying your Prichard.

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
04/08/16 09:13:29PM
86 posts

Recent article in a local paper.


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thanks guys, wasn't sure about doing it at first,but, now seems ok. Randy my prices have been the same since I started, may have to go up sometime

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
03/29/16 09:12:32PM
86 posts

Hello friends, Does anyone know much about John D. Tignor dulcimers??


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

I have an early 70's Tignor , made of Cherry ful frets. It is a fine noter player,but, chording is not out of the question. Yes John had his own scale, and it doesn't match any JI scale I have tried. He started building the larger dulcimers late 70's ,due to pressure from the buying public. Rob Lackey a member here has a couple of John's dulcimers, a small one and a large one. You should talk with him.  John's dulcimers play and sound as sweet as they come. He wasn't the finest wood worker ,but, I like what he created.

 

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
03/16/16 09:43:30PM
86 posts

Jerry Wright death


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Did not know Jerry, but, my prayers to his family .

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
03/13/16 08:48:39PM
86 posts

I scored a Robert Mize dulcimer!! Have a question about the wood.


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Yep, that's quarter sawn Sycamore. Very often it will appear to look like snake skin.

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
03/05/16 10:07:48PM
86 posts

Sad news- Rest in peace our good friend John Phillips


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I am saddened to hear this news. John and I had shared a lot of good conversation. My prayers are with his family. John you will be truly missed. 

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
01/08/16 09:34:23PM
86 posts

Warren May Dulcimers, Feedback?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Mary, I would like to say most modern instruments are fretted in equal Temperament. Mean tone fretting is just a slight shift in tone and is a little more sweet sounding than ET. JI is another way of fretting that Gives you an even sweeter tone,at least most who try will tell you. I have used all three on my instruments, and prefer JI for noter style playing , just sound's better to me. As Ken said ,it has nothing to do with extra frets.  JI instruments can be played in most tunnings, but  I have found some sound better than others. I usually use a 155 tuning, usually DAA.  I have found that in that tuning a playing with others in D that they play well together.  It's all about what sounds good to you,and what you want to try.

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
09/24/15 08:26:49PM
86 posts



The strings that I use on the Prichard dulcimer and others are , .013 melody and middle and .020 on the bass . These srtings are hand made plain steel piano wire. That's what I sent to Ken also.

 


updated by @kevin-messenger: 09/24/15 09:19:43PM
Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
09/24/15 07:15:16PM
86 posts

Recommendations for a bow to play a Violin Uke


Adventures with 'other' instruments...

Very nice job Patty, Looks like it will be a fine bow.

 

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
09/01/15 08:00:38PM
86 posts

Champion tuner up grade


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Great idea Bob, will def. try this on some old Champions I have.

 

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
08/15/15 11:18:00PM
86 posts



Thanks Ken, I appreciate that.

 

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
08/15/15 08:14:43PM
86 posts



If I could be so bold, you can check out my website, it is all I build . Traditional dulcimers,fretted either Equal Temp. , meantone, or just intonation, no extra frets.   kmdulcimers.com

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
07/30/15 09:11:28PM
86 posts

Recommendations for a bow to play a Violin Uke


Adventures with 'other' instruments...

Patty look on ebay there is a 1/4 size bow for 6.99  free shipping from NJ.

 

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
07/22/15 08:31:57PM
86 posts

Clifford Glenn


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thanks for passing this along Ken. Heaven is gaining a wonderful Dulcimer legend. My prayers are with his family. 

Kevin Messenger
@kevin-messenger
07/12/15 10:46:09PM
86 posts

Rebuilding an old friend


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Robert, That is a great looking dulcimer, and I am sure it sounds great too. I haven't fretted a dulcimer in anything but JI since I did the first. They just seem to be what I want to here.

 

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