Forum Activity for @wayne-grachow

depth of fretboard + soundboard when choosing a new dulcimer-- is it just loud vs quiet?

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

Ken, thanks for the maker refs, I'll check them out. I also get hypnotized when I look at Keith Young's 1830's replica! Can't afford it right now. If you have a copy of Ralph Lee Smith's The Story of the Dulcimer, you'll see what I'm referring to on p 39 in figure 63, dulcimer no. 47, what he calls early Galax-style. For the probable age, check the catalog listings starting on pg 61. I see a lot of depth on these early MDs, wonder if it's about standing/playing at a table, being handed down from scheithold and scandinavian dulcimer playing? Ever since I saw these early Virginia ellipticals/teardrops, I've been hungering to acquire one (my two MDs are hourglass). Something about the amount of wood you have on display with a Galax in front of you pulls me in even more (haven't held one in my hands yet.) Of course, I forget they're for making music not just looking at! Ken Hulme said:

Wayne - what do you mean by "look Galax"?

The quintessential Galax dulcimer is an elliptical shape - not a teardrop - with very deep sides (approx 3"), wide body (9" or more), scroll head, and often a doubled back.

An elliptical shape has the wide spot at the center of the length of the body, A teardrop shape has the wide spot 3/5th or so aft of the center of the body.

Elliptical dulcimers with scroll heads showed up in Virginia as early as 1835. But they were not deep/wide bodies; they were narrow/slim

Keith Young makes a replica 1830s Virginia of $400 (the one I lust after). Bill Berg/Mountain Made Music makes two ellipticals $135 and $160. Ron Ewing makes them too, write for a quote. I believe harpmaker Dave Lynch also makes a true elliptical, call/write/email him.

depth of fretboard + soundboard when choosing a new dulcimer-- is it just loud vs quiet?

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

Thanks, all and sorry to be replying late (taxes & spring cleaning), I'm not used to blogging, seems odd to reply in a discussion a week later. I've definitely fallen in love with the look of the Galax style dulcimer, but would rather have charm & sweetness when I sit down to play (for now). I don't have my two dulcimers handy to measure, but have found the fretboard depths (around an inch+) not to be a problem so far when noting. Both teardrops, one short with wide bouts, neither very deep. I won't know how to judge their sound until I've done more listening and playing, with a variety of strings and tunings. I'm still in the honeymoon period when any music 'we' make seems wondrous! I will likely go ahead and get the June Apple teardrop. Now have to look at my wood choices. There's a discussion on that elsewhere here. I have a choice of black walnut, cherry, sycamore, & ambrosia maple. Leaning toward the sycamore. Aren't there dulcimers that look Galax showing up in the middle of the 19th c?

depth of fretboard + soundboard when choosing a new dulcimer-- is it just loud vs quiet?

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

I'm looking to spend tax money on something impractical and essential-- a new dulcimer. This dulcimer doesn't need to be loud (I have neighbors just downstairs) or distinguished in sound, it's really for learning (i'll reward myself with a Galax some day). I'm considering the June Apple Juniper or Teardrop which are inexpensive, but i noticed that the depth measures at 1 3/4 ". Is this meant to be both soundboard and fretboard? Seems a little thin, especially for the Juniper which is billed as 'early' in style, but I thought that these early instruments had the kind of depth you see on a Galax. Maybe June Apple is just keeping their cost/price for this model low by leaving out some wood. I'm running this question by them at the same time. Also, any opinions about June Apple's dulcimers?
updated by @wayne-grachow: 06/08/16 09:24:05PM