Forum Activity for @bob

What an amazing and even historic instrument! And that seems like a big issue to fix. Just curious, Jim, have you talked to a professional instrument restorer?  A quick Google search discovered the Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute  https://www.si.edu/mci/english/learn_more/taking_care/musinst.html

They can give you leads to conservators in various locations in the US and Canada. Not sure if it's financially feasible but they may have some good ideas for you.

Best wishes for your project.

~Bob

Thats an incredible dulcimer!!

Ken, I think if the string height at the first fret is fine, but too high at the 7th fret, the bridge/saddle (not the nut) needs to be lowered.

Thanks Strumelia :-) The bellows-pipes (aka cauld wind pipes ) are an interesting animal to tame but when you got it they are really enjoyable. I had the Scottish Small Pipe chanter made specifically to fit the Scottish Border Pipes, so the volume was much reduced and the fullness of the Border drones really was evident and makes for an almost haunting tone.

They can accompany and compliment Mountain Dulcimers nicely also. A few small pipe players I met also play Mountain Dulcimers. Must be a drone thing

Hi Strumelia, I just posted a  you tube video of my piping. The tune is a favorite of mine- MacPherson's Lament.

I play a type of bagpipes called the cauld-wind pipes;  Scottish Small Pipes (a set in "D" and one in "A"). Also Scottish Border Pipes. I need to get them out more often!

Just to clarify the original question- Red78445 has an instrument that (presumably) already has a finish on it and wants to enhance the finish.

Some finishes cant be applied over another type (i.e., applying boiled linseed oil over a cured shellac finish). If it was a specific type of finish, I would go with a newer application of the same on the prepared surface.

If its just a 'spit shine', I think some furniture or paste wax might be the best option. There are tons of suggestions available in various woodworking/luthier forums.

What is the original finish on the instrument?

Thanks Robin !

I build solid wood Dulcimer Cases, fully lined and hand-painted.

 denise 5 sml.jpg - 85KB

From the photo, it looks like the spruce top (?) has broken away from the fret board and some spruce is still attached to the fret board. (A good glue joint is stronger than the wood, so that may be the case.) If that's so, (and it looks like the joint between the head stock and fingerboard is firm) then the wood may have shrunk and separated. At any rate, consider fixing/filling the gap with a liberally glued and snug fitting shim. That would secure the two parts again.

Is that a hollow fret board with four strings above and four inside it?

I have been "naming" mine by the month that it was made. ("October"  is just getting started, though.)

Wow Ken- looks like a great (and extensive) project! Hope you keep us posted, along with photos, as to how they are  coming along!

I am wondering now if it would be better to have floating bridges rather than fixed bridges?

Dulcinina- Where are you located?

Its always so interesting to see the many creative designs and elements used for dulcimer sound-holes. There are some true beauties on display on this thread that sparked my design interests with the creativity and artistry of these unique elements.

I always have liked the traditional Heart and Weeping Heart motifs and used them on the few dulcimers I have made, including my recent March's Dulcimer. Also beautiful are the various Rosettes that are on many dulcimers. I have used them in my April and May Dulcimer (as well as soon completed June's Dulcimer), tinting some with a splash of color for a nice effect.

This is a wonderful discussion!!

 March Dulcimer.jpg - 115KB

It does look like sassafras.

 sassafras.jpg - 128KB

Would love to hear it!

I am glad to learn this information also, thanks for the question and the responses.

I am  personally learning by experience the variations, with my newest 25" VSL and the other  26 1/2" ones. They each have lovely tones and it will be interesting to know what one I favor most (nt yet sure!). I may do a 25 1/2" on the one I am making now....

Thats a GEM!

Thanks hugssandi and others- your comments are indeed helpful. I decided to use a 25" fret board pattern for my April dulcimer

Thanks friends- I am tossed up between a 26.5 and a 25". Thanks for sharing your choices and why.

Just wondering, with all of the various sizes an styles of dulcimers out there, what is your favorite VSL / Finger Board length between bridge and nut?

I have been making 27 inchers and think I might try a 26.5 inch one on my new dulcimer (less finger stretching...)

I am using brass frets on my newest dulcimer. I had a question about their longevity and I spoke with a pretty noteworthy luthier supplier who said they should last a good long time, not to worry, if they are the style you are looking form. They do look nice on the Bolivian Rosewood fret board.

Thanks Robert and Ken. Very helpful !

Yes, this is really interesting! 

I was thinking of designing, for a JI fingerboard, a sound box to set a blank fret-board on top. I would rig a dulcimer string to stretch over it to mark off the notes using an electronic tuner, and then cut in the fret slots... I wonder if it would work.

So... if I was going to build a dulcimer with the idea that I would offer it for sale,  would it be better to have the scale in Equal Temperament or Just Intonation?

Are the pre-slotted fingerboards sold by Folkcraft Just Intonation or Equal Temperament?

(I am planning to make a JI finger board using an electronic tuning meter to locate fret positions...)

Just found this discussion- it is so interesting.

My new project is a 5 string dulcimer with double melody string. Its my first at this style. The body is 2 1/4" deep so it should be nice and full sounding.

That is a BEAUTY! I love the lines, the sound holes and the hearts in the strumming hollow. The simple chip carving adds a whole new element to the design that is splendid and simple. Thanks for sharing these photos. Its a very pretty dulcimer!!!

That's cool Sam! I wouldn't be surprised if his dulcimer comes down from that wall and becomes a well-prized musical instrument, as it was born to be 

(BTW, what net site do you have?)

It's great that you're dedicated to this 'investigation'. a veritable history sleuth    I wonder if the owner knows how interested people are of the 'decoration' hanging on his wall!!

Very cool. It sure does look old. It has a lovely shape to it, and the top end of the box is very interesting... not like most I have ever seen. The heart cut-outs are so lovely and scream "folk art".  Hopefuly you can get more info on it! Love to see more details (particularly the peg box!).

Thanks for sharing this. (What State are you in?)

Thanks Steven :-)

Hulme, have you checked out some of the piping sites (I like Dunsire bagpipe forum). There is a "for sale" section where you could get a set of used pipes for a very decent price (I have had such luck!)s well as Facebook Small Pipes groups.

Thanks! I know McPherson's Lament. I will look at this one as well. I cant read music (yet), so thanks for the numbers as well as the dots!

A Seagull "guitar-dulcimer" (my 8 year-old's), a mountain dulcimer (made by me), Scottish Border Pipes (key of A), Scottish Small Pipes key of D, and another set of Small Pipes, key of A.  There's a penny Whistle and two practice chanters as well.

Here is a link to my Youtube with a bunch of my piping (I am a novice, though)

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbc0Wjxm0ZW_bK_4zqFrxHA

Thanks Lexie. Learning how to navigate the site :) 

Thanks Sheryl! Glad you enjoyed it!