Lets see if we can break last years total of players (I can play again this year) Lets set a world record of playing on the porch. Do we want to play anything or do we want to play a certain song or a set of tunes?
I did a search for 'Clemmer dulcimers' on here & a photo gallery popped up with the different members who posted their Clemmer dulcimers, not sure if they still have them or not but you could contact the members & ask them about theirs
I have hear they are well made & sound nice, like my Sam Carroll they have 5 strings & are fiddle shape.
Good luck with others who have one letting you know what they think.
(Any sales transaction should have return terms made clear before the purchase.)
Makes sense & many times so over looked.
Thanks for all the info, I will pass it on to the group I am with, since it's not something we knew.
What is the etiquette when buying or selling dulcimers?
Is there a time frame where you can return a dulcimer for a refund or offer a reimbursement if the dulcimer doesn't work out? Is there any difference if it's the builder, a music store or a friend?
( might also use this as an excuse to get another dulcimer!)
Ha, ha, that is why I got this one for the 1+. I play the 9 with my thumb & the space is not wide enough for that. Yes, I do need to become familiar with the 1+, I do keep hitting it when I want a 2 - not quit sure I like the sound when I slide over it.
No, I was not doing anything yet, just getting info & I am always thankful for what you all have to say. Ya'll have many years of knowing things about the dulcimer & I don't have enough time left to learn but get a quick look from you into all my questions. So again, thanks
Hmmm, sounds like something I shouldn't try on my own. I have written the builder & will see what he has to say - if he glued the frets in or not or would he take out one of his frets - then the trick of getting it to him.
The other thing I thought of was to file it down. Before I would do or have any of this done, I guess I would need to consider if I will have this dulcimer forever or would want to pass it on one day. But to make it work for me, I really feel I need to have more room to fret the 9.
Thanks
I have a dulcimer that has the 1+ & the 8+, I have trouble fretting the 9 for a clear ring (too small a space), so I was thinking I could remove the 8+ fret since I need the 9 & not the 8+.
Is a fret usually just tapped in, & would I slid something small in under it & try & lift enough to grab with some pliers?
Suggestions & ideas welcome
thanks
I help out with a beginner's jam - a tall gentlemen was having trouble finding a good position for his dulcimer, so he could strum without hitting the strings or holding his arm up high..
Suggestions: stretching his leg out to lower it, having most of the dulcimer on a sharp angle with little resting on his right leg (so he is strumming toward the end), loosen his strap & out from his body some, sitting up straight, etc.
I know he will find a position that works but does anyone have any suggestions that he could try?
WOW, working on 6!! Can't wait to see them. All the best.
Lots of heavy rain with Harvey down in TX, the pond behind me came up really quickly this morning but I did play the dulcimer today. I hope you all had a nice day and had time to play, on your porch or inside. It has been a comfort having my music help drown out the rain & emergency alerts.
I love coffee & drink my fair share but not 3 cups at night but hope you enjoy yourself, sounds like a grand evening.
(Today we are getting all the screens )
How lovely, many enjoyable times to come.
I think we are in for maybe a lot of rain Saturday but I will step out on the patio no matter what for a few strums than continue back inside.
gaelicgirl
Never too late, I hope you continue to enjoy strumming. Good luck with your new dulcimer, the adventure begins
If I glue several cigar boxes together, do I need to create an opening between them for the sound to move around or just put a hole in the top of them?
Blevins dulcimer
WOW, very nice
yes, how does it sound
I have little grandchildren; so when I was looking for a chair for playing the dulcimer, I also was thinking of extra space for extra little angles. It is low & no arms, just a bit too deep but I place a pillow & all is good.
('mountain dulcimer abuse')
No, more like another way of letting the strings ring.
(over the strum hollow for good clean strikes that don't knock wood.)
Ha, yes. I learned this quick enough. (Little Drummer Boy ) that does sound like it would be a good one for this technique.
Thanks, as always
I am revisiting hammering the dulcimer strings instead of strumming. I have a wooden dulcimer hammer but it doesn't ring when I hit the strings as does a chopstick, a paintbrush, a leader drum stick and a brass tube over a stick. I think maybe the wooden hammer just isn't heavy like the others. I am only playing slow, easy songs to start with but do like the different sound of hitting vs. strumming with some songs. Again, the different dulcimers, size, wood, etc. sound different with hitting & each has it's own tone.
Any suggestions for hammering? Not thinking anything serious just playing around.
I did find 3 cigar boxes that match up. I needed to go to several shops, there isn't as many cigar shops now but smoke shops. The boxes are not deep but they are made of wood. I did see some beautiful wood ones but couldn't find 3 that fit together.
I was thinking of turning them upstairs, seems to be a smother transition from one to the other. So now if the boxes can open on the bottom, could their insides be used as storage? I know I would need to turn the dulcimer over & also make sure they didn't just open on their own.
jan,
Thanks, sitting out front reminds me of front porches when I was growing up - neighbors slowing down or stopping to say hi. Out back is like playing to 'heaven' just me, my pup & nature most of the time.
You were very welcome to come when you were in town with your brother & I am sorry I missed meeting up with you when I visited Louisville a year ago. One day we will meet, until then happy strumming.
Would a larger cigar box make the tone or volume different from a smaller size box?
I have a really nice patio out back overlooking a small lake but sometimes it is very sunny in the afternoons so I put in a small paved sitting area at my entrance up front for a shady afternoon. Now I can play outside anytime, just sometimes in the back & sometimes in the front.
Lots of different cigar box dulcimers, 2 & 3 boxes - great.
This one was interesting also, no box just the possum board that also acts as a cover.
(Any cigar boxes will do, but those made of cedar will sound much better.)
dusty,
do I need to put some type of sound hole in the box?
(fretboard is long holds the bridge and the nut,)
The fretboard is all together, head, bridge, nut & end strings pins. Lots of ideas, exciting possibilities. Can't wait to try something. Thanks so much everyone.
john-gribble,
(You may end up building instruments before too long!)
I don't think so but that would be great if it was something I could do. I am always amazed of the beauty of hand made dulcimers
john-gribble,
(You may end up building instruments before too long!)
I don't think so but that would be great if it was something I could do. I am always amazed of the beauty of hand made dulcimers
This didn't go from my phone to here, so trying again:
Ken
Thanks john,
I saw a video of Ben Seymour, a member here, who repaired a 'Richard and Denise Wilson' dulcimer & said if anyone had info on them he wouldn't mind hearing from them.
it has an overall look of a older cripple creek but they usually had leaves as sound holes. It doesn't have a 6/+
looks to be walnut, same type of head & body size.
Anyone know maybe the dulcimer name for a fat, straight, no feather cuts seagull soundholes?
(re-glue the fretboard back on the cardboard )
thanks patty but it's not the fretboard, it's the seems on the sides glue to the top & glue to the bottom.
Maybe it could be fixed but I'm wanting to know if I can take the fretboard and put it on a flat board, like a possum board
The seems are not sealed, there are gaps all alone the seems. I painted it & it looks interesting but I was wondering since there are so many of the seems open, if I should see if I could put the fretboard on something else. The fretboard is fine, it's the seems.
I have a cardboard dulcimer given to me, lots of places that the sides do not match up. I was thinking of trying something and looking for your help or ideas or even if it would work.
Can I cut the fretboard away from the cardboard and place on something like a possum board? Maybe stick on a pick up to amp it - if sitting on a board there isn't enough sound?
I was able to make contact with some folks that knew Robert, they were kind enough to respond. Dulcimer people are great.
Below is what I found out:
" I knew Bob (Robert) LaFever on a casual basis. He had a shop at the Folk Center in the 1990s. I worked next door. He made some high quality dulcimers when he could. Although a lot were budget models, in order to make and sell quickly to tourists at the park."
One of the kind dulcimer folks I was able to speak with is Robert or Bob Momich, who was at the Folk Center in the 80's. He hasn't made any dulcimers in years but is hoping to get back to it, he says he has enough parts to make maybe 200. He was so interesting speaking with him, I hope he does start making dulcimers again. He moved away from Mt. View, ARK & is on the East coast now.
So why would they be at 9 & 11, that doesn't make sense OR would that be for something in a higher scale?
