Forum Activity for @marg

marg
@marg
03/19/24 04:51:10PM
615 posts

Crack in the soundboard, by the sound hole


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

I talked about how we should handle our dulcimers in class (that you mention Dwain) & your workshop. We are just  north of Houston and it seems one of our players was planning on going to the Pocono Festival and will look for when your workshop is posted to registrar. 

Thanks, that will be great

marg.

marg
@marg
03/19/24 09:00:03AM
615 posts

Crack in the soundboard, by the sound hole


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

(a workshop for builders and repairers on how to fix )

this would be so helpful, wish I was closer. What a good idea, I have often thought of using an older (with problems) dulcimer to demonstrate a few things, to the newer players.

marg
@marg
03/18/24 10:14:29PM
615 posts

Crack in the soundboard, by the sound hole


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

Good information Dwain, I think I will share this with my class tomorrow. 

 

marg
@marg
03/18/24 11:16:14AM
615 posts

Crack in the soundboard, by the sound hole


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

Thank you again,

  All good & I took everyones advice and supported the sound hole, not just the one with the crack but I glued some wood under the overhangs in all the sound holes music

  Yes, very glad to I was able to repair the crack and learn much, along the way. 

marg


repaired crack.jpg repaired crack.jpg - 370KB
marg
@marg
03/17/24 09:11:12PM
615 posts

Crack in the soundboard, by the sound hole


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

I went ahead and reinforce all of the sound holes since each one has the grain running the same way and no support under neigh them.

  Interesting, always learning something new - this time, the shapes of sound holes and what support they have under neigh them. I went and check all my dulcimers and the students ones also. Most all others have smaller sound holes without such an unprotected curve. 

thanks again

marg

marg
@marg
03/17/24 05:51:31PM
615 posts

Crack in the soundboard, by the sound hole


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

Everything coming along well, I peeked & it looks good but keeping it clamped till tomorrow. 

  It made such a loud crack noise when it happened, maybe I should be glad it wasn't a larger crack.

  Is there any reason why it would have crack or been weak to crack -  because of it's age or how it was stored for years, or, or , or? Is it just soft wood and fragile by the sound holes? What should I be careful for, just be careful?

Again, thanks for the guidance 


updated by @marg: 03/17/24 06:05:35PM
marg
@marg
03/17/24 09:43:19AM
615 posts

Crack in the soundboard, by the sound hole


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

Thanks Ken will give this a try. I have tape on the inside now but was wondering if thin wood & glue would be better (hadn't thought of a business card). I will pick up some slow-set glue, I think mine is just the regular 10 second superglue. The  tape can stay on the inside till later if I decide I should have a bit more reinforcement. 

  Should I address the other sound hole to reinforce on the inside or just leave be?

  Not really sure how it cracked. I was setting up before the St Paddy Day performance and with the tight area and everyone else setting up & passing bags & things back behind us & over us - did I just lay my hand on the soundboard by the sound hole - I just don't know

marg
@marg
03/16/24 09:11:34PM
615 posts

Crack in the soundboard, by the sound hole


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

  I know this must have been asked several times but if I wanted to try and take care of a crack in (maybe spruce top)  soundboard - this is my Bob Lazenby Greenbriar Dulcimer, I just finished fixing the end pins & was going to use it today, at the St Paddy play. 

  What to use wood glue, supper glue - what about on the inside under the crack to reinforce, maybe some wood filler or a little piece of wood glued to the underside, for extra support????   

  The piece is still in tack, try and glue in the seam and tape to hold together, or take off and glue back on?

  Not sure how it crack, it did seem to follow the grain, about an inch. I was getting ready to play and maybe just laid my hand on the dulcimer - just not sure but it's at a point where the cut out section of the sound hole could come off

  Photo is still with taped, did this at the performance today. Looking for some information before I take the tape off. 

thanks in advance

marg


crack.jpg crack.jpg - 393KB
marg
@marg
02/28/24 03:32:19PM
615 posts

What Are You Working On?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

(Fas-n-Tite Brass (plated) Linoleum Nails - Those and a toothpick in the old hole might be a good choice.)

Thanks

marg
@marg
02/28/24 02:26:30PM
615 posts

What Are You Working On?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Wally:  right - other 2 are brass pins. Just deciding if I would go with the same type or replace all 3 with something else - yes, choices.

thanks

marg
@marg
02/28/24 01:15:44PM
615 posts

What Are You Working On?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thanks Robert -

Thanks Ken - (Glue the dowel in to the hole using wood glue. )


updated by @marg: 02/28/24 01:21:51PM
marg
@marg
02/28/24 09:26:51AM
615 posts

What Are You Working On?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thanks Ken,

I think  the  geared violin tuners like Wittners - may be something to try. I don't want to widen the holes so, I may just keep the Sam Carroll with it's pegs. I have changed the ones in my Warren May dulcimers with the Grovers, without any adjustments. I don't want to do anything to the dulcimer, that couldn't be undone - like putting screws on the sides for gears. 

Side note:  The Lazenby dulcimer I just got is missing it's end Bass pin. (Looks to me as if someone maybe tried tightening the string and instead of it breaking, it just pulled the pin out.) Should I find an end pin like the others or replace all 3 - also should I put wood filler in the stripped hole?


end pins.jpg end pins.jpg - 172KB
marg
@marg
02/27/24 08:45:25AM
615 posts

Birdseye Maple


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

"Greenbriar", I think was the name of the dulcimer shop.

Yes, the one you saw posted looks to be the same. This one,  was a custom one made back in '89 for someone. Bob Lazenby, joined FOTMD a few years ago but after his welcome - nothing ever was posted. With your help and everyone here (I read the post from about 8 yrs ago on adding a fret or not, to one of Bob's dulcimers), maybe all the information I will find out but its a beautiful dulcimer and plays so nicely.

It just needs a few fixes (like one of the end pins is missing - trying to decide wood filler & another pin or all new something) but soon, I hope to be strumming and let it's voice ring.

thank you all


updated by @marg: 02/27/24 09:14:00AM
marg
@marg
02/26/24 11:42:56PM
615 posts

Birdseye Maple


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

Thanks Ron for you reply and the images of the 2 different woods.

  Someone I play dulcimer with thought it was Birdseye, I was just going on that. It's a Greenbrian Pigeon River dulcimer by Bob Lazenby.

  You're probably correct, you would know and  your 2 photos  - this dulcimer doesn't look like the eyes in your photo but maybe more like the Leopard Wood grain. It didn't sound like the Birdseye made a good tonewood, so good it's not that. If it's Leopard Wood, hopefully that is a better wood for dulcimers. Are you familiar with Bob's Greenbrian dulcimers? I can't find out much information on them. 

  I love listening to your dulcimer samples on your web page. I tell many of the new players to check your site out. I have one of your capos but not one of your dulcimer's, as of yet. Thank you very much for your reply & steering me away from thinking - Birdseye

marg
@marg
02/25/24 10:49:32PM
615 posts

Birdseye Maple


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

John,

It is a lovely looking instrument with the Birdseye maple,  nicely done

Ken,

Thanks for the information. 

Ambrosia maple vs Birdseye maple - both maple but a good bit different - interesting.

( Flat sawn wood is not particularly recommended for instrument building as it makes the wood more difficult to bend without splitting. - After the finished applied, it is fairly stable.)      Hope so

marg
@marg
02/25/24 07:15:55PM
615 posts

Birdseye Maple


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

 What thoughts were you looking for:

(quality of it as a wood for a dulcimer or prone to cracking problems?)

I know nothing about the wood, was looking for some information - anything someone knew about Birdseye Maple, as a dulcimer wood

marg
@marg
02/25/24 06:21:14PM
615 posts

Birdseye Maple


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

thanks for your thoughts:

Yes, it does have a brighter sound - it has very good responsive.

Thoughts on the quality of it as a wood for a dulcimer. Maybe used more in the past for guitars but other woods maybe better now as tone woods or any problems with cracking?

Photo of an older dulcimer, that so far is in beautiful shape.


updated by @marg: 02/25/24 06:23:11PM
marg
@marg
02/25/24 05:05:53PM
615 posts

Birdseye Maple


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

Thoughts on a  Birdseye Maple dulcimer - back & sides?

marg
@marg
12/21/23 10:30:19AM
615 posts

What Are You Working On?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Good hearing from you Robin, we have missed your post. I hope you and all have a Happy, Healthy Holiday Season.

marg
@marg
12/19/23 12:50:26PM
615 posts

What Are You Working On?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thanks Ken, I had not considered  geared violin tuners - may need to look into them.

marg
@marg
12/19/23 09:48:39AM
615 posts

What Are You Working On?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Good morning & Merry Christmas

I have a dulcimer with wooden pegs. My hands are not as good with turning them as they used to be and i'm looking to replace with friction pegs or planetary tuning pegs. I see the ones on stewmac for dulcimer/uke but I was wondering if I would do better contacting Warren May or McSpadden or someone instead.  I don't want to put screws on the side with other type gears, I have always felt dulcimers were a beautiful art piece and not looking to change the head design. 

What your thoughts

marg
marg
@marg
03/18/23 01:18:10PM
615 posts

Gary Sager


OFF TOPIC discussions

Yes, many of us knew of Gary's health issues but you wouldn't know speaking with him.

  I was able to get one of his deep body dulcimers not long ago, it is so easy to fret and has such a great overall tone. It is a treasure and more so now. When I did speak with Gary, after getting his dulcimer, he was so pleasant talking about his dulcimers and shop. He will be missed not only by his family and friends but all of the dulcimer community. 

Keeping him and his love ones in my heart

marg
@marg
11/03/22 03:36:39PM
615 posts

what to clean a dulcimer with


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


Thanks Ken but the little dots are in the Ebony fret board, they are not the pearl place markers. I will look into the fret board conditioners, that would be good to have on hand. 

I have cleaned the dulcimer and it now looks like new. You can see the difference between grimy strum hollow before & updated photo attached. 

I lower the action, just a hair to make it easier to play and sing as I slide up the fret board. It is a Prussia Valley Butternut & Walnut 3" deep dulcimer, I knew under the grim it would be beautiful with a full tone - and it is.

Thanks for all your help

Oh, I blacken the 1.5 until I get use to it - it will wear off in no time.


Gary Sager.jpg Gary Sager.jpg - 58KB

updated by @marg: 11/03/22 03:39:27PM
marg
@marg
11/02/22 11:01:53AM
615 posts

what to clean a dulcimer with


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

Ok, I got rid of the grime - thanks, that's all it was in the strum hollow -

The ebony fretboard still has the little dots (not as much but still there) and looking like it's needs oil or something to bring it back & protect it.

marg
@marg
11/01/22 08:23:30PM
615 posts

what to clean a dulcimer with


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


Need to clean an older dulcimer, I just got and I'm not sure how it was protected in the past - 

What would be the best to use:

Murphy oil soap, or lemon oil, or Howard's wood feed, or an instrument cleaner and what type. Mostly in just this spot of the strum hollow but a few little dots on the ebony fretboard.

Can it be cleaned or is it in the wood?

see attached photo

thanks,

m.


strum hollow.jpg strum hollow.jpg - 115KB

updated by @marg: 11/01/22 08:28:11PM
marg
@marg
10/25/22 09:53:31AM
615 posts

Thanks to our FOTMD welcoming "Greeters"!


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Special members greeting new members -

thanks 

marg
@marg
10/06/22 04:33:18PM
615 posts

Help identify this épinette.


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

(tuning is 1s and 5s)

sorry but what is that - could you say like Gg's or Aa's or Dd's

marg
@marg
10/06/22 11:54:21AM
615 posts

Help identify this épinette.


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

I checked your FB - what size strings do you have on it & what is it tuned to? Sounds lovely

marg
@marg
08/13/22 07:13:28PM
615 posts

Cripple Creek Dulcimer


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


Is this a Cripple Creek Dulcimer from about 20 years ago? Did they have a style like this with the pointed head?

Or was it by someone else but sold at Cripple Creek?


Cripple Creek front.png Cripple Creek front.png - 209KB

updated by @marg: 08/13/22 07:15:29PM
marg
@marg
06/01/22 01:22:25PM
615 posts

Removable Magnetic Pickup for Dulcimers


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

Ron

I have a Boss GT-1 Guitar effects processor I make my own sounds with, I am not sure what or how many effects went into the humming tone of the lullaby. I try and create the sound that would go with the music & tone I am after, for the lullaby I was after something that sounded like rocking the baby at 3:00 in the morning

marg
@marg
06/01/22 01:18:21PM
615 posts

Removable Magnetic Pickup for Dulcimers


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


CajunJam

If the other's amp has more then one connection you could, maybe but what ever setting they have it set to, would also be the setting you would be using.

I didn't buy a floating pickup, I made it myself. If you notice the photos of the 2 dulcimers with the pickups you can better see what I am describing. Also, notice in the lullaby iI am playing a different dulcimer, that's because you can make the floating pickup to go on top of several of your dulcimers.

Yes, a humbucking (a little taller) or Seymour Duncan (a little thinner) would work, you just need to place either pickup on 2 little post that fits on the sides of your fretboard and tall enough the strings are not bothered. I am using 2 small wooden screw blocks from the kids wooden construction set & just some mounting putty to hold it all together for my floating pickup.

I do have a dulcimer that has a flat strum hollow and the Seymour Duncan just slides under the strings - but most dulcimers don't have a flat area. That's when I came up with the idea of above the strings. these pickups are great, they read the strings not the vibration of the sound board, so you get a better tone & more responsive. 

I hope this helps

m.


updated by @marg: 06/01/22 01:26:30PM
marg
@marg
04/17/22 10:18:19PM
615 posts

Various Tunings


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

This is the first time I have seen the different tunings make some sense 

thanks

marg
@marg
03/07/22 05:48:19PM
615 posts

'Peace in the Family'  dulcimer tab


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I do like my tab (still not posted) but after many tries & not liking any of the dulcimers sounds, or picks, or tones, I created - stopping for today - but this is what I have. Trying maybe to put too much in (explosions, marching, crying, hope) and it just sounds the same. Oh well



m

marg
@marg
03/06/22 09:23:11AM
615 posts

'Peace in the Family'  dulcimer tab


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

What if we have a challenge to play - any instrument (music & chords included with tabs) - 'Peace in the Family' - Ukrainian Folk Song?

How many peaceful music hugs can we share to our groups & friends and ones in need - world wide?

What can we do as musicians? Any ideas?

marg
@marg
03/05/22 07:44:26PM
615 posts

'Peace in the Family'  dulcimer tab


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

By the By - both of the dulcimer tabs of "Peace in the Family"

by Peggy Carter & Laurie Alsobrook can be shared.

So, share with your group - Pass on this Hug.

marg
@marg
03/05/22 05:48:49PM
615 posts

'Peace in the Family'  dulcimer tab


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions


Dulcimer Music Tab for 'Peace in the Family' recording, I posted March 1. My tab is just a handwritten tab under Corey's (NHCDS) music notes so not included - but below are 2 dulcimer tabs that you have permission to share and we hope you do.  It's a beautiful song and not hard. Their are 2 different tabs, both similar & different - play both arrangements. 

Music is so powerful, it can bring Tears to our Eyes, Smiles to our Faces & a Warm feeling to our Hearts. We hope you do share; to offer a hug, a prayer & the hope of peace - from our hearts to many others

Peace in the Family - Ukrainian Folk Song

Dulcimer Tab Arr: by Laurie Alsobrook - Send in the Music March 5, 2022

and

by Peggy Carter, Dulcimer Music


Ukranian Folk Song -Peace in the Family.pdf - 84KB

updated by @marg: 03/06/22 09:12:44AM
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