Forum Activity for @marg

marg
@marg
07/28/21 09:48:16PM
593 posts

Who's dulcimer kit?


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

(the builder just shim something over the 0 fret)

What could act as a shim for over the 0 fret?

Could I maybe place something right in front of the 0 fret, creating another 0 - like the size of a tooth pic? I have sanded the nut but hesitant to sand anymore.

( found that how rounded off the side of the nut facing the headstock is can affect the pressure )

This was good info.

marg
@marg
07/28/21 01:25:17PM
593 posts

Who's dulcimer kit?


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

Update:

I Always like making a new (for me) dulcimer mine. This one had the rounded-off plug of wood where a hole had been bored into the scroll (I think Patrick's grandfather just didn't finish this part) anyway, I didn't like the look of the plug. While thinking of what I can do -

I inserted a fleur de lis  ⚜️ 🎶 💓


inserted  fleur de lis 01.jpg inserted fleur de lis 01.jpg - 514KB
marg
@marg
07/27/21 09:08:41PM
593 posts

Who's dulcimer kit?


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


(may be a modified kit)

Interesting idea. 

(rounded-off plug of wood was glued )

What would be the idea to 'bored in the scroll' only to glue a plug of wood (not something more decorative)? An idea starts but then changes needed? Maybe he was thinking of carving something but time ran out & just glued till he could get around to carving the plug.

  How ever this grandfather built the dulcimer - kit or not, he did well. I'm still thinking the high action and the 3 strings close together, he had to be using a noter.

thanks again,

m

  


updated by @marg: 07/27/21 09:32:51PM
marg
@marg
07/27/21 11:59:30AM
593 posts

Who's dulcimer kit?


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

( large hole was bored in the scroll, and a rounded-off plug of wood was glued into it.)

yes, but not all the way through - Do kits do the scallop raised fretboards? Lots different from a regular kit.

(eliminated the nails)

I think the nails were there to hold the 3 strings close together the 2 melody & the middle string -  maybe for playing with a noter. The Bass was where it belonged. 

marg
@marg
07/26/21 10:51:42PM
593 posts

Who's dulcimer kit?


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

(the nut is installed backwards) Not sure Ken if you meant besides sanding to also turn the nut around or switch out with the bottom bridge but I did turn it around and those two things seems to take care of  things. 

Thanks again guys,

m

Still the mystery of the kit, it does seem to have the leaves of Cripple Creek and the same nut & bridge but not the head scroll (circle on the sides - different) or the raised fretboard, or wooden knobs - hmmm

marg
@marg
07/26/21 07:43:08PM
593 posts

Who's dulcimer kit?


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


(the strings should touch the 0 fret)

Would I slit the nut or sand the bottom to lower it so the strings touch the 0 fret? I'm better at sanding some off the bottom, don't that.


updated by @marg: 07/26/21 07:45:43PM
marg
@marg
07/26/21 07:35:33PM
593 posts

Who's dulcimer kit?


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

Thanks Dusty,

Yes Cedar Creek, cripple Creek but the head scroll is different & it has the raised scallop fret board. 

Don't need who made the dulcimer but what kit it's may be from - and back in the 90's if that is different then kits now.

marg
@marg
07/26/21 07:12:03PM
593 posts

Who's dulcimer kit?


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


Someone's grandfather made this dulcimer sometime maybe in the 90's from a kit.      Can anyone tell who's kit it's made from? The case has a McSpadden sticker on it but that doesn't necessary mean it's their kit. Also there are leaves & hummingbird more like Cedar Creek.  Lots of photos and a raised scallop fret board - hope these clues help.

Questions also:

Why are there little nails to hold the strings in place up at nut?

The strings coming off of the nut, are they suppose to ride over the 0 fret (touch or above)? Maybe the slits were not cut into the nut - therefore high action and off a bit up at the 6+ fret. (I place a small stick under the strings up at 0 fret - that helps the tuning up the fret board - so maybe I just need the strings to ride over the 0 fret?)


IMG_20210726_174646412_HDR_2.jpg IMG_20210726_174646412_HDR_2.jpg - 385KB

updated by @marg: 07/26/21 07:21:57PM
marg
@marg
07/26/21 11:52:03AM
593 posts

Tabs for an A'Ad tuning?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

(The +3 tab conversion really works best)  Sorry, but what does that mean?

Use a DAd tab & count up 3 frets on melody? So, if it's a 2 I would play a 5? Same as a DAA tab

or - use a DAA tab & count up 3 frets, so a 3 I would play on a 6?

marg
@marg
07/26/21 10:56:41AM
593 posts

Tabs for an A'Ad tuning?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Strumelia,

Looking at your Noter & Drone Blog - Lots of info - could reversing tuning of DAA be the same as AAd 

(Tonic/home note which is on fret #4.) means d is 4 up from A - I still don't understand whats standard tab i have that I could just count up a few frets to make that tab work

marg
@marg
07/26/21 09:55:50AM
593 posts

Tabs for an A'Ad tuning?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions


Hi

I just ran across a tab (from Carolyn Brodgnisku 'St. Kilba's Lullaby' playing with 'Send in the Music') I tuned to this and tried it out, easy to tune my bass down to 'A. It did sound like bagpipe tuning. 

I usually play melody/chord in DAd/DAA/DGd/CGc etc.. Lately I have been learning how to strum down & much on the melody in AEA (the 50yr. old red dulcimer, I just finished working on) 

As I was just starting to try different tabs, I played a DAA tab on the bass string & again on the middle. 

(Tonic/home note which is on fret #4.)   If I can take my DAd tab & count up 3 & turn it into a DAA tab - does this mean I would count up to 4 for this tuning and would I need to play on the A string, or could I play on the d string?

(dorian tunes) Is that what this tuning is - Dorian?

Thanks, Strumelia - I love how I keep discovering new ways in playing the dulcimer


updated by @marg: 07/26/21 10:16:52AM
marg
@marg
07/26/21 12:52:43AM
593 posts

Tabs for an A'Ad tuning?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

If I am tune to say AEA I can play DAd tabs, does anyone know if there are any standard tabs for an A'Ad tuning? (Just tuned the D in my DAd down - base D down to A')


updated by @marg: 07/26/21 12:56:35AM
marg
@marg
07/16/21 05:07:02PM
593 posts

Ukulele Pegs for a dulcimer


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

Have you ever found any picks that were as nice as a finger?  After working on this 50 yr. old dulcimer & tuning it as a Baritone,  I find my finger strumming down sounds the nicest - any pick ideas?

marg
@marg
07/15/21 10:20:43AM
593 posts

Ukulele Pegs for a dulcimer


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

After spending time working on this 50 year old 'Sears' Christmas Dulcimer. Not knowing what I was doing, I learned a lot as I worked on the gears, knobs (I ended up getting longer screws & a nut for the gears & new black banjo knobs), nut & bridge (glued in & split), strings & a floating bridge up by the bridge to help the tuning up the fretboard - After much experimenting I have it tuned as a Baritone and it sounds lovely. After many tries, a $20. old broken red dulcimer with it's repairs & decorations has a new life and I think it's priceless

Thanks for everyone's help 


black knobs red dulcimer1.jpg black knobs red dulcimer1.jpg - 519KB
marg
@marg
07/04/21 08:22:04PM
593 posts

Ukulele Pegs for a dulcimer


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

Good suggestion Strumelia,  will think about it but don't want to sand a bit more then I should, no redo on the holes. I know about sanding a little at a time, I just did that with the nut and bridge. It's through this site I even knew to use the hair dryer to loosen 50 yr. old glue holding them both. 

Thanks Richard but I don't want to ship the dulcimer, it's not worth the expense but makes a good dulcimer for learning how to repair problems.

You are right Don, learning on my own as I try things out would come with risk of creating a hole to large - planning on going slow and not trying anything I am not ready for. As far as hammering - was not talking about the buttons, they are not a problem but tapping the new gear in - which I decided against. 

Thanks all for the suggestions

marg
@marg
07/04/21 04:42:54PM
593 posts

Ukulele Pegs for a dulcimer


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

In 2015 I purchase just the buttons (Banjo tuner buttons), they worked fine.

I tried replacing the whole tuner set since I can't keep the tuning from slipping & wanted black buttons.

The new tuners (Uke pegs) do not fit in the wooden hole, they are just a hair too large.  I can't find a shop near me that carries banjo or Uke peg sets, so I thought the Uke ones would work. they don't & not sure if the Banjo ones would or not, so after mixing the the new shaft & black button with the old gear, I'm back to the way it was & the new Uke set is off on the side.

I thought about using violin peg compound on the gears - would that help in holding the tuning or just gum up the hole?

  Running in circles & getting no where other then learning about repair work. I also took the old bridge & nut out (50 years of glue & dirt) and replaced it with new ones, I sanded to fit - good job on that but it took time using hair dryer, mat knife, pliers. & & & 

marg
@marg
07/04/21 01:59:14PM
593 posts

Ukulele Pegs for a dulcimer


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

(rectangular shaft has 2 flat and 2 rounded sides)

The banjo button fit these shafts, does that mean the older tuners are banjo geared tuners or just geared tuners? the Uke tuners are round all around, not 2 flat sides

Thanks Strumelia for your help

marg
@marg
07/04/21 09:43:43AM
593 posts

Ukulele Pegs for a dulcimer


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

(amber buttons are very good quality banjo planetary tuners)

The amber buttons (amber, vintage oval shape) were old and brittle and I replaced the buttons years ago (2015) with banjo buttons. Now I need to replace the tuners - can't hold the string tension - slips

The rectangular shaft has 2 flat and 2 rounded sides, does this mean it's banjo pegs & not Uke pegs?

Are all banjo pegs the same size or how do I order ones to fit the holes in the dulcimer?

marg
@marg
07/03/21 10:34:51PM
593 posts

Ukulele Pegs for a dulcimer


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

Seems I had replace the buttons before with maybe banjo buttons someone on here had suggested years & years ago, not a Uke peg set but wanted to try a new peg set to hold the string tuning better. I thought the Uke peg set would work & almost did. I found my old photos of the old buttons and the pegs that came with the dulcimer. 


side view.jpg side view.jpg - 104KB
marg
@marg
07/03/21 10:05:13PM
593 posts

Ukulele Pegs for a dulcimer


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


 6B BlackButton Ukulele Pegs -



I had ordered Uke pegs years ago, are they making them to fit larger Uke's now?  The pegs do not fit in the holds, they are a bit too large.



Do you know if they make  Uke pegs with different size gears, ones just a tiny bit smaller? 



   The reason I was replacing the ones I have is because they were not holding the tuning and I wanted black buttons. If I was to tap them in, would that be a bad idea (not turn or eat away the inside of the hole)?

What if I try replacing the screws on the old pair, would that help in holding the string tension?

 

Do you have any ideas? 

By the way, this was for an old dulcimer (Sears) and Uke pegs have fit the instrument - in the past. It never had a great tone but has been good for learning on how to fix Dulcimers.

I ended up with the new set except the gears, I used my old one - mix & match kinda.

Photo is of the old pegs, not a close up or details of the gears or the hole. Just looking for suggestions I can try or if you know if Uke pegs sets come with different size gears

 

thanks for any help you can suggest


red dulcimer pegs.jpg red dulcimer pegs.jpg - 376KB
marg
@marg
06/15/21 09:01:59PM
593 posts

Any info. on Jimbows


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Demo of Hammered dulcimer with Jimbow

marg
@marg
06/15/21 12:37:43PM
593 posts

Any info. on Jimbows


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions


How long should the rosin work before you need to reapply. I am trying one out on a MT. dulcimer and the rosin wears off the bow & it wont sound after about 8 measures.

Any ideas?

Do they work better with H. dulcimers (the bow are a bit bigger)


Jim Bow Rosewood.jpg Jim Bow Rosewood.jpg - 100KB
marg
@marg
04/07/21 09:41:14PM
593 posts

How many tunings


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Dusty, thanks for all the info. I like trying out new possibilities, hearing all the new discoveries that are possible with the dulcimer. With an extra dulcimer & extra time, it's fun to explore 

marg
@marg
04/07/21 09:29:48PM
593 posts

How is the COVID-19 coronavirus affecting you?


OFF TOPIC discussions

Venni,

Take care & hugs from all of us

marg
@marg
03/24/21 01:13:59AM
593 posts

How many tunings


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

(However, if you only fret on the melody string,)

I don't just use the melody, I was using that as an example - I know I can play in DAA using a DGD tab & the other way around, the melody string tab is the same with both - I just need to change my cords. So, I was wondering if the 157 or 154 could be played in tabs I had a lot of, like the DAd or DAA or DGd on the melody string - I could than put the cords with it or if they needed their own tabs?

marg
@marg
03/24/21 12:55:55AM
593 posts

How many tunings


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

yes, capos changes the tunings quickly and either there is a tab or if you know the pattern of the tab can just do a DAd or DAA - like put a capo on say the 3rd fret and if there isn't a tab written out for capo 3 just play the DAd tab pattern, the 2,3,&1 Dad tab would be played on the 5th, 6th, & 4th frets 

Interesting and confusing, the more we learn the more there is.

   I knew about some of the tunings but when I hear about the GGd - it made me wonder just how many there are. I am sure each instrument has a tuning it sounds the best with. Now, I'm thinking to try which one of the G tunings sounds best on one of my dulcimers, GGD, DGd, GDd or GDg  can they all be played in DGD tabs ... - ... what about GDc or GDf# is it also a G turning or something else in 154 & 157 

Thank you for taking time to post all of this, I hope it helps many others

marg
@marg
03/24/21 12:37:51AM
593 posts

How many tunings


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

ok, getting it

 the bass and middle strings are 1 and 5 and the only string that changes is the melody string.

(DGd is a little different, but you could just count the same way we did before to find other tunings in that pattern.  It is a little different because DGd is considered a "reverse" tuning where the root (or the 1, that is the note that tells us the key) is on the middle string.)

marg
@marg
03/24/21 12:32:00AM
593 posts

How many tunings


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

OK, I wrote out lots of #'s & letters to match up to the 155, 158, 154 &157 - that I understand now but what tabs would 154 &157 play?

but is the GGd like 115 & DDa, EEb, AAe, CCg - what tabs would they play? GGd I play DGd tab, what tabs could CCg play

How many of these can someone make up? Ha, my page now looks like some kind of code, I feel like you could shuffle many of these around to make more & more tunings.

marg
@marg
03/23/21 11:44:36PM
593 posts

How many tunings


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions


Dusty, thanks the numbers make sense this way.

So, if DAd is 158, any combination of 158 I could play a DAd tab - like your EBe, CGc, Bfb it would just be in a different key but I could play a DAd tab

or DAA 155, again any combination of 155 I could play a DAA tab like FCC, EBB, CGG

what would DGd be 148 but all your numbers are 15 something or GGd ( or is it 115) - i think this doesn't make any sense to me once I get away from the 155 or 158

154 & 157 have their own tabs? Can they be played on just the melody line with any of the other tabs?


updated by @marg: 03/23/21 11:48:56PM
marg
@marg
03/23/21 10:50:19PM
593 posts

How many tunings


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions


How many different tunings can go with the standard tabs of DAdd or DAA or DGD

Is there a list somewhere?

I would like to try a number of different tunings but not sure what they would be or what tab I could play with them. I know theirs  #'s 155,158 but I don't understand that, so looking for a list of tunings.

I know ones like CGc,  EBe & so on & play the DAd tabs

GGd I just hear the other day, so many I don't know - how would I find out the different tunings?

thanks


updated by @marg: 03/23/21 10:58:59PM
marg
@marg
11/15/20 09:18:12AM
593 posts

GigBook & a pedal


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Dusty,

Thanks for checking. The thing about a music software is you can put your music into folders so you don't need to go through thousands to find the ones you want. But that is something to consider, I dropbox the tabs to my table anyway - I'll see if I can find another way to open them.

marg
@marg
11/03/20 01:41:45PM
593 posts

GigBook & a pedal


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions


Help:

It seems GigBook has not updated or managed their site in some time. I have a page turn pedal - AirTurn which will not work now with GigBook. I checked & the pedal seems good, I tried another pedal and it also will not turn any music pages in GigBook but will will scroll other programs. 

Yikes - now what do I need to transfer all my music files to another app & if so which ones do you fine work well?  How hard is it to transfer all the files?

thanks

marg

marg
@marg
10/31/20 08:33:57PM
593 posts

Double fretboard & 6 guitar strings


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

Below is a short part of Skin & Bones -  I did with our dulcimer group Friday -

it's on the Double Dulcimer tuned  DAcc & Bass.

The sound from the GT-1 I tried to create something for Halloween



Boo & Happy Halloween

&source=gmail&ust=1604277019052000&usg=AFQjCNHLckdLrI-FeaV0166TArbfwSOhEQ" rel="noopener">



marg
@marg
10/20/20 12:35:38PM
593 posts

GigBook & a pedal


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions








Question on GigBook & a pedal to flip the pages:


(3 years ago GigBook provided 6 updates in one year. They have not done any since. Seems GigBook stopped supporting the iPad app and is letting it just become obsolete over time.)




I have a BT-106 AirTurn DUO page turner. Worked fine up till I put it away early spring. Seems AirTurn did some up-dates and now wanting to use my AirTurn again, it wont flip the music pages in GigBook.

Does anyone else have this problem, or a solution?































marg
@marg
10/14/20 07:33:54PM
593 posts

I Voted


OFF TOPIC discussions


This Sound played on my Dulciborn, I created on the Boss GT-1, after I voted. I'm titling this short piece 'I Voted' after playing around with the soothing sounds, notes, hammer on's & pull offs.

 


 


First Day, Early Voting (10/13/2020) - After receiving my 'Mail -in Ballot', I had decided I wanted to vote in person - Once making my way up the voting line, I first needed to fill out a cancellation form before I could vote. A Judge was there to validate the form and take my 'Mail in Ballot' to cancel it.


After several phone calls to the county office and different ways they said what I was to do at the Election Site - this was the way I finally was able to vote, all kinda strange - Anything to make sure my vote counts!!!


Fall weather is coming, enjoy it and keep on strumming

marg
@marg
09/24/20 03:57:35PM
593 posts

Double fretboard & 6 guitar strings


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

Thanks Skip,

I was able to figure out how to balance the dulcimer & overhang on my lap, that took care of the height and distance problem I was having with it on it's stand.

( Maybe a bass, arpeggio & strum across all of the bass strings to finish.) Now that it's on my lap, I was having fun playing around, picking out notes across the fret boards & harp strings

Fun new adventure,

thanks

marg
@marg
09/22/20 10:32:49PM
593 posts

Double fretboard & 6 guitar strings


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

Double Dulcimer Harp:

Thought I would let you hear how I have set up the double dulcimer with the harp strings. there is no pickup, it's all just the dulcimer!


So Far & may change: 



Demo: DAd with 3 drone strings as a Bass - the 3 extra strings - A' below c, D & melody d

Demo (Amazing Grace) : DAA with Baritone - but D instead of E

    Reaching over to the far fretboard is throwing me off (seems like I'm digging into the strings as I strum) but gives you an idea of the DAA & baritone tone.  Distance is a problem, or just me - At the moment the dulcimer is on a stand and I am standing or with a high stool, I find it difficult to play with height & reach.   I have not tried on my lap yet but will and hope that will help. 

skip: ( overkill) you maybe right. Seems I need to learn how to play it now, I'm like a beginner - strum the drones - always - sometimes - ?? any suggestions will be helpful

marg
@marg
09/22/20 09:42:43PM
593 posts

Installing built-in pick up for 2004 dulcimer?


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

(The Cherub violin mic ) Is a mic the same as a pick up, I have seen several listed as I am also looking to some kind of a way hook a pick up on a dulcimer.

Has anyone hear of a passive piezo pickup for nylon strings - Kremona NG-1.  It sits on the tie bar utilizing the tension of the strings, so its seems it could sit behind a dulcimer bridge and under the strings for tension also. They are incase in wood and thin, seems we could just loosen the strings than slip them under.

Any thoughts?

  2