Forum Activity for @stewart-mccormick

Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
07/15/18 08:27:37PM
65 posts

E. Dale Eckard/Smoky Ridge dulcimer?


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

I don't know yet, it should ship out on Monday! I have a cherry hourdrop built by Warren May and I love it for traditional tunes. Cherry is my favorite dulcimer tonewood.
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
07/15/18 04:34:38PM
65 posts

E. Dale Eckard/Smoky Ridge dulcimer?


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

I did find out he passed in 2013... I have found a couple examples of his work online, but was curious if anyone here owned an instrument or knew anything. I was just excited about the all cherry construction!!
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
07/15/18 12:24:33PM
65 posts

E. Dale Eckard/Smoky Ridge dulcimer?


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

Newest addition to the collection! It is all cherry, so I couldn't resist... Any info on the builder would be appreciated! Thank you in advance!


Screenshot_2018-07-15-11-13-12~2.png Screenshot_2018-07-15-11-13-12~2.png - 240KB
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
04/06/18 10:02:56AM
65 posts

Charity Case Pt.2: Side Crack and High Action


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

Hi, all!! I almost have it right where I want it... But I was thinking about taking to a shop and maybe switching the nut and bridge to bone? Anyways, it sounds good! Wish I know what it is made of, but tuning aside, the builder did a good job. I did put a little super glue on the inside to help strengthen the crack. Now, all I need is finish our move so I can make a cool work station for recording...
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
03/31/18 08:53:06AM
65 posts

Charity Case Pt.2: Side Crack and High Action


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

I messed with it to about 12, but I'm going to be gone for most of the weekend! It may be a combination of the fret pattern too. I did get it to play by flattening the the melody string... For 40.00, I'm not looking for miracles haha! I will look back at everyone's advice this week and see if I can work on it.
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
03/31/18 12:04:27AM
65 posts

Charity Case Pt.2: Side Crack and High Action


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

I just tuned the melody string slightly lower. My pre-revival also is a little sharp so I'm pretty much used to it! Not that hard considering I use thumb/finger pick technique.
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
03/30/18 10:35:30PM
65 posts

Charity Case Pt.2: Side Crack and High Action


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

The bridge was glued down, so I popped it off... Now I'm just sanding it and checking the intonation in various positions. Good thing it's Friday night and I'm a home body, haha!
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
03/30/18 08:16:54AM
65 posts

Charity Case Pt.2: Side Crack and High Action


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

Hi Ken! There is faint cursive pencil inside that says:
Philip Marks(?) 1971

He must have been a steady with decent wood working skills. It is super light weight, and the scroll, violin body edging, and tuners were carved out with a pocket knife.

The blob is probably my clip on LED tuner haha!
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
03/30/18 07:46:02AM
65 posts

Charity Case Pt.2: Side Crack and High Action


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

Thanks Matt and Jim! I think I will take a fine bristled, little paint brush and maybe put a small, light coating on the inside of the crack. Like I said, it doesn't push out when I apply pressure. But the action is off the fretboard by, at least, 1/2 to 5/8 by the bridge/tailpiece. Pictured below is open A and fretted A. Kind of shows how sharply it progresses. I have just tuned it slightly, flat so I can do some noter drone playing till I can get to Menards for supplies...


20180330_063556-1.jpg 20180330_063556-1.jpg - 42KB

updated by @stewart-mccormick: 03/30/18 08:18:13AM
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
03/29/18 09:35:13PM
65 posts

Charity Case Pt.2: Side Crack and High Action


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


After moving cattle panels and discing all day, I came home to find my pawn shop treasure on the porch! :D 

I realize that the bottom gap was not actually damage, like the guy claimed, but was a cut soundhole. But several things need to be addressed...

1. There is a crack in the side, probably happened while the builder was bending the sides. The date inside says 71', which was a good year... Because Led Zeppelin. I pushed against it with my finger but it didn't move. Should I shore it with glue or thin piece of spruce, like on a violin?

2. The super high action is causing intonation problems. If tuned DAA, the melody string is sharp by a quarter note all the way up the scale. Since it is always about a quarter, does that mean the frets are ok?

3. It has a thin wax finish that has several drops of walnut varnish spotting here and there. The pine or poplar is not eyecatching by any means. And the side crack damage. Maybe a black milk paint job is in order? Help? 


20180329_195126.jpg 20180329_195126.jpg - 66KB

updated by @stewart-mccormick: 10/27/19 12:02:25PM
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
03/25/18 09:46:10PM
65 posts

New Charity Case


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

Well, now I have two great people I need to meet up with, and hope a little of their playing Mojo rubs off on me!! This makes me very happy, what an awesome weekend...
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
03/25/18 08:34:15PM
65 posts

New Charity Case


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

My family is in Parkersburg and Marietta, with a few in the Wayne National Forest. We probably know quite a few of the same towns and areas! Just was curious!
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
03/25/18 08:09:51PM
65 posts

New Charity Case


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

Hahaha! Dulcimer find, a KU win, and getting to share them both with friends! This weekend is pretty great...
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
03/23/18 09:17:34PM
65 posts

New Charity Case


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

Not to turn this into ESPN but... Biting nails right now!!!
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
03/23/18 09:08:00PM
65 posts

New Charity Case


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

Haha, sorry if my messages sounded a little passive agressive! I was busy watching the KU game... I just re-read them... Thanks for the add!
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
03/23/18 07:39:30PM
65 posts

New Charity Case


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

He's only three hours away, my GF's father lives in Lincoln too...
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
03/23/18 07:38:23PM
65 posts

New Charity Case


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

Mr. Randy needs to accept my ability to follow him!! Please and thank you! Promise I won't spam you with too many questions.
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
03/23/18 06:59:05PM
65 posts

New Charity Case


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

Thanks Randy! And thanks Robin, I have been listening to a lot of your drone playing... So it only stood to reason that I needed a another dulcimer dedicated to noter/drone! At least that's what I'm going to tell the GF when it comes in, haha!
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
03/23/18 05:32:17PM
65 posts

New Charity Case


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

Found this beauty online! Looks like poplar or pine? Hopefully with a little hide glue and TLC, and she will be my next dedicated Noter Dulcimer! What do you think?


Screenshot_2018-03-23-16-25-37.png Screenshot_2018-03-23-16-25-37.png - 240KB

updated by @stewart-mccormick: 10/27/19 12:02:25PM
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
03/21/18 08:58:04AM
65 posts

Warren May still going strong in 2018!


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

Ken, I was watching a cool video of I. D. Stamper on Appalshop! That man could really "zing around" with a noter! I'm still perfecting my style, but I love watching videos of how everyone else does it. I hope you will post lots of pictures and videos, if you can!
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
03/12/18 09:31:31AM
65 posts

Warren May still going strong in 2018!


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


I really enjoy listening to builders talk about their passion for the instrument, even after 40+ years!


updated by @stewart-mccormick: 10/27/19 12:02:25PM
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
02/19/18 05:49:42AM
65 posts

David Schnaufer "Hex" dulcimer


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

Right, but as you explore the Vanderbilt site, it has several links to the Omeka site... But everytime you follow the link, it shows a message about it no longer existing. Sadly, not only did this site show his collections, but also had little recordings of what most of the dulcimer's unique sound. Since Omeka is a site building platform, I guess I should contact whoever is over the collection at Vanderbilt...
Screenshot_2018-02-19-04-45-26.jpg Screenshot_2018-02-19-04-45-26.jpg - 110KB
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
02/18/18 09:37:03PM
65 posts

David Schnaufer "Hex" dulcimer


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

Hello all! I used to visit a site that hosted information in regards to the late Mr.Schnaufer's collection. Including one piece in particular he called the "Hex" dulcimer... I can no longer get onto the site (Omeka?), would anyone have any information, specifically on dimensions of this piece? Thanks in advance!!
download.jpeg download.jpeg - 10KB
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
11/21/17 10:07:06PM
65 posts

Fretboard separation from soundboard...


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

I know Erin Rogers teaches a class for all dulcimer players, of all styles and skill levels, in Hutchinson!! I have always wanted to go, but it seems to be on weekends that I have something else planned...
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
11/21/17 09:10:22PM
65 posts

Fretboard separation from soundboard...


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

Thank you all for your help!! As soon as Thanksgiving is over, I will have a little to time evaluate and try your suggestions! And @CD, it's nice to know someone is close that also loves the Mountain Dulcimer!
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
11/20/17 06:32:33AM
65 posts

Fretboard separation from soundboard...


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

@cd, it is just in the one arch next to the headstock! And thank you Ken! I'm trying to get all the tools needed to try to fix both the headstock crack, and this separation. I thought I better ask the pros first!
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
11/19/17 09:55:28PM
65 posts

Fretboard separation from soundboard...


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

Hello! I am needing any helpful suggestions on how to address this separation on my instrument! Sorry if the pic is grainy, the other side of the fretboard is still holding strong.
20171119_115548.jpg 20171119_115548.jpg - 68KB
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
11/13/17 10:35:52AM
65 posts

Fretboard Crack!!


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

This image is the only other example of his/their work I was able to find! And this article from 1999...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1999/05/16/a-pursuit-plucked-from-the-past/2c8f6e56-ba54-4e5a-b484-d286e8fe9224/?utm_term=.9372412fbf9a
dscf0980_4.jpg dscf0980_4.jpg - 83KB
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
11/13/17 10:03:13AM
65 posts

Fretboard Crack!!


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

And thank you Ken Hulme and Ken Longfield for your suggestions! It is driving me crazy, not being able to see for myself...
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
11/13/17 10:00:01AM
65 posts

Fretboard Crack!!


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

Hi Bob! It is, I guess a modern take take on the Mountain Dulcimer's predecessor? I was thinking of converting it to a five string? I won't know for sure until it arrives and I see what exactly I am working with...
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
11/11/17 03:40:19PM
65 posts

Fretboard Crack!!


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

Is there danger of the crack spreading further down the board though?
Stewart McCormick
@stewart-mccormick
11/10/17 09:43:03PM
65 posts

Fretboard Crack!!


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

Thanks Matt! I was thinking it might needed clamped, glued, and possibly some thin cleats to hold...
1