Selling my cherry possum board, made for a McSpadden Ginger. Helps the back of the Ginger resonate more (and maybe adds volume). The Ginger just sits in the possum board. Chrome strap buttons. I've never used it. It's in excellent condition. Asking $40 + $15 for shipping. (If it's less than that I'll refund the difference :-) Thanks for looking!
Great John!! Thanks!
Robin, great to see your post! I still rely on your YT videos for 'better' noter playing! Merry Christmas!
I've always loved this song - haven't we all had moments in our lives where we just want to skate away? Has anyone ever played this on the dulcimer?
Hi friends, I have Schaller planetary geared tuners on a pre-owned dulcimer that I purchased recently. They are extremely "stiff" - or have lots of tension when tuning/re-tuning (and right now I'm changing strings). Is there a way to reduce the tension (difficulty) in turning the tuning button? Is it with the screw on the end of the button? Do I need to loosen the nut on the inside of the pegbox as well?
Thanks!
I am working on the hymn: "What a Friend We Have in Jesus". Hymnals have it in the key of F with one flat which puts it in a good singing range. I put my dulcimer into F by capo-ing on the 3rd fret while the strings are tuned C G C. I have worked out the three basic chords F, B, and C to accompany my singing of this hymn. I'll do the video of this hymn for FOTMD soon for you to hear and see what I have done.
Hi John, Have you posted the video yet? Thanks for the info! p.s. I too have arthritis - really difficult to do big stretches for chords - but the good news is that I really enjoy noter/drone playing!
Thanks Dusty and Lisa! I haven't figured out all the icons! I got it hidden now!
Hi all, Somehow I got this "no room selected" sidebar on my FOTMD page (all pages) - how can I get this to go away? (It blocks some of my name at the top.) I'll attach a screen shot. Thanks!!
Thanks Dusty and Susie. I never thought about the pick marks on the fretboard. I didn't know that Martin uses micarta - and I was concerned that it would expand/shrink at a different rate than real wood. Susie, your cherry Ginger is lovely. I'd like to have Jim (he's still at McSpadden for now) make one for me that is very similar. My hand issues have been annoying and I need shorter and shorter scales as time goes on. I have a lovely koa/redwood standard McSpadden that I decided to sell - scale is just too long for me these days.
Thanks for not talking me out of the micarta LOL! Looking forward to ordering from Jim.
Hello friends,
I'm ordering a Ginger from McSpadden. I have a walnut/sycamore already - sold my older cherry to a friend so I'm replacing it with another cherry (different tunings between the walnut and cherry). I've always had an ebony - or at least a dark - fretboard. But on this new cherry I'm leaning toward no ebony or micarta overlay. I know ebony is a harder wood which is why luthiers like it for fingerboards. Please talk me into or out of the ebony or micarta overlay. Partially I'm not sure I like the looks of the "black" fingerboard on cherry (purely aesthetic), and partly is due to the extra cost. Thanks!
HI Robin! I bet we're the same height. Good point about the chair - I might just sit in the cockpit on a seat/bench, cross my legs, and play with the dulcimer on my lap that way. Not sure yet, but thanks (I have a nice, low, armless chair that I got at REI but I doubt I'll be taking it along - used it for playing the dobro!)
Re: HobbyHorse - we lived aboard our sailboat (a Valiant 39) for ages and had prepared to sail long-distances until our parents/in-laws needed help. I did sail from Hawai'i to Alaska, but that's about as far offshore as I got. Our current boat is a Ranger Tugs 31 - we purchased it in February with the intention of having it delivered in March (the boat is in WA, about 1200 miles from here!) - well, you can imagine that we have yet to take delivery - waiting to see if/when we should go there? Our plan is to cruise the Pacific Northwest for a season or two, plus Canada. Well, we'll see. Thus the dulcimer is coming along with me!!!
Thanks everyone! I forgot about string cutters, although we'll have (big) screwdrivers on the boat. We'll be on/in salt water so this is definitely a concern. We have de-humidifiers and also a generator for air conditioning (also helps to dry out the boat - I can't stand mildewy musty stuff) - yes, having di-silica (sp) gel/packets would be a good idea. I know on our sailboat for long distance sailing it was always best to keep tools coated with some kind of light oil before putting them in ziplocks. I just got some extra strings so I'll go but them in ziplocks and get some of those silica get thingys. Thanks!
Yes, Thanks Ken. And a capo (maybe two in case I drop one overboard LOL!)
Hi friends, I've traveled a lot - but this time (C-virus permitting!) we'll be driving 1200 miles to spend 4 months on our boat - on the water 95% of the time. I know all the obvious things (don't leave your dulcimer in a hot car, etc.), but I don't want to be gone 4 months, away from stores or shipping, and then find out, "oh, shucks, I should have brought ________ with me" (insert item here). I'm bringing extra strings, extra picks, digital and print tunes to play, and a strap. That's all I can think of! If you were traveling with your dulcimer for an extended period, is there something else you would bring? Thanks! I think that's all I need. I think....
Thanks Dusty! I do have Gorilla Tips - and when I use them on my fretting hand I wear a thin silk glove over them so I'm able to slide. I've not heard of the guitar gloves - I'll look them up! Another thought you reminded me of - when I (try to) play the harp, (same hand issues), I tape my fingers with paper tape. I'll try that on the dulcimer and see if I can finger pick that way. Thanks so much!
UPDATE: Just ordered the Guitar Glove. Will see if that is an option for my picking hand....
Hi all,
I love to fingerpick with my fingers/pads - but my hands have "issues" and they rebel. Are there any fingerpicks that don't sound like finger picks? That sound like bare fingers?
Thanks!
Thanks Robin! I saw this somewhere the other day - I LOVE LOVE LOVE his playing!!!! Check out his CD with Stephen Seifert!
Thanks Dusty. Yes, I have a few fretless Ubasses and used to play the 'cello and violin. I've played "skinny" instruments before and sometimes they are really tricky to hold. I don't know how Aaron can hold that at his normal angle - you'd think it would be awkward? Maybe if it's held flat, or on a stand, it would be just fine. I like the poly strings (the tone) - but the price sure went up lately!
Hi all. Does anyone have experience with the Beede bass dulcimer? Would love to know your opinion. Because it's so narrow it looks like it would be 'unstable' if held on your lap? Have you compared the fretless model vs. the acu-fretless? Thanks!
Does anyone have experience with the Beede bass dulcimer? Would love to know your opinion. Because it's so narrow it looks like it would be 'unstable' if held on your lap? Thanks!
I don't have a porch either...got a patio tho! I don't know if I have the nerve to play out front for people....maybe some fiddle tunes with a noter?
Hey, @jill-geary-- the thread can be deleted. First, though, I want to tell you to feel free to post photos of the new-to-you JRitchie model when you get the chance. :) So glad you're able to get one!
Thanks Robin! It is about 18 years old, looks brand new, and of course it sounds better than new!!! Unbelievable that Janita helped me out :-) Well, knowing Janita, it's actually not unbelievable! Still trying to figure out how to play the tunes on your most recent CD!
Thanks, Jan. I knew the different airlines were talking about these changes but haven't flown lately.... Good to know. There are also new regulations (Federal? International?) regarding traveling between countries with rosewood (endangered). I had a luthier tell me to have a receipt with me for any instrument that I travel with, out of the country, that has rosewood or its cousins (fingerboard, bridge, etc). - the receipt proves I purchased it within the United States and I did not buy the instrument 'out of the country' and then am bringing it into the U.S. illegally (without paying the penalties). Sorry I don't have all the details on hand at the moment...but something to look into if you're going out of the country.
Cute, John! I don't think I knew that many songs at that age?? You seem to have control over the group LOL!
Finally made the decision - my sister and I will go to KMW! Question, how can I contact a member on FOTMD? I am taking one of John Keane's classes at KMW and I have a question for him. I tried to figure out a way to message or email him through FOTMD but I can't figure it out!
Thanks, Jill
Jan - it was so wonderful to meet you at Warren A May's in Berea last week! Thanks for your lovely playing and for the fellowship over lunch. I hope to get to KMW next year!
Jill
Thanks John, and Jan. All great information, and very much appreciated! I'm leaning toward KMW, primarily because I could drive there from my sister's in Berea (KY), and maybe treat her to some classes as well. No matter where I go it's a bit of a challenge (air fare, rental car) - but I have such wonderful memories of my time at Dulcimer U (WCU) that I have to make it a priority to get to another festival!
Is KMW primarily dulcimers? From what I can find online it looks as if they cater to dulcimers, but also offer whistle, etc
Jill
p.s. BTW Jan, I'll be in Richmond/Berea about mid November. Hoping to bring my Ginger.
Thanks Dusty! (I used to live in Alameda :-) I just might do that! Usually I'm busy with work/school in the beginning of May - but 2016 might be different. Taking the train would be fun!
J
Hi rob-n-lackey ,
Yes, I have David's/Butch's album. It's wonderful! The baroque period is my favorite - please arrange baroque for the MD and let me know! I know what you mean with Festivals - so many great teachers and options it can be overwhelming!
John K, I'm not familiar with your festival (but I am familiar with your music!). Thanks.
Jill
Hi everyone,
I would like to start thinking and planning for a good MD festival next summer (2016). I'd appreciate your thoughts. I went to WCU to Larry and Elaine Conger's about 5 years ago - my first. Loved it! But it's really a challenge for me to get to WCU from San Diego! I have family in Kentucky - any thoughts on Kentucky Music Week? What about Swannona (sp)? I particularly enjoy Celtic and harp-like playing, but I'm also starting to learn Old Timey music on the MD as well. For what it's worth I have a background in bluegrass (mandolin) - and also play classical mandolin as well. But I'd like to focus on the MD this year and I probably can only get to one Festival.
Thanks for your help!
Jill Geary
San Diego
