You're welcome, Lawrence.
I suggest you find other examples of dulcimers at a music store or at a festival, and compare them to yours.
The quality varies quite widely, from cheap cardboard kits to fabulous works of art such as Blue Lion dulcimers.
Some of us on this site recreate historically significant dulcimers of the past, so that today's enthusiasts can experience first-hand what it's like to play an old-fashioned instrument for a reasonable price.
Lawrence, I haven't seen this type of Hughes dulcimer before.
Most Hughes dulcimers I've seen are what I 'd consider low-grade instruments made of lauan (Philippine mahogany) plywood, and simply built.
From the photo, I'd say that you have a medium-quality dulcimer, however I can't play it or examine it from here.
It looks like a step or two up from their usual range of dulcimers.
Thanks, Rob! Brings back happy memories of that time.
You could also consider the "Sweet Song" kits from McSpadden. I've made several, and they all turned out very nicely.
As a luthier, I've run across several dulcimers that have needed major repairs done. Some of them were my own! I think of the time I sprayed finish on one and had it hanging upside down to dry. Only it didn't stay hanging -- it fell and busted its head on the floor! Fortunately I could piece the splintered wood back together again, and the repair is almost unnoticeable.
I'm sure some of you builders have "tales of woe and intrigue" regarding old or damaged dulcimers that have looked almost beyond hope of saving. How about sharing one or two?
Can't really remember that far back, when I'se a youngun, but it was probably "Amazing Grace". It was the mid-seventies, and dulcimers were beginning to get more popular, but were played mostly Jean Ritchie-style.
I'll guess a whopping 495, and I don't know why.
Hi, Babs!
The usual spacing between the 2 melody strings (in a course) is 1/8". I have seldom seen any variation in that. It seems to be a good spacing, and most builders use it. I think if the strings were set closer together, they might clash with one another in some situations. A little extra space would likely be OK, but you need to allow for it when playing.
This is just one of many "cans of worms" that may be opened when discussing the building of dulcimers!
Learn. Experiment. Have some fun! Sure, you'll make some mistakes along the way, but we all do.
You can make a simple dulcimer and have fun, or you can dig as deep into the technical aspects of design as you want.
There's room for all of it here.
I assume dulcimers to be female -- especially the hourglass dulcimers, for obvious reasons.
Mr. B. B. King named his guitar "Lucille", so why not name our dulcimers girl's names?
Anyway, there doesn't seem to be any hard and fast rule about it.
One could argue the case for Galax dulcimers being male by observing their pot-bellied appearance.
Kitty,
I've been naming my dulcimers for a couple years now. I think I first read of the idea from Clare Chu.
My dulcimers have names derived from the Bible (KJV), and are usually from the Psalms. I think of an appropriate word to use from a verse, then I cite the entire verse on an inside label. For example, my wormy chestnut dulcimer is named "Heritage" from the verse in Psalm 16:6: "The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places, yea, I have a goodly heritage." And I wanted the name to have a historic sound, since the chestnut wood I used to make it was over 100 years old, and the dulcimer design was, too.
To answer your question about possible woods used, I"d say mostly walnut, with some pretty figured (burl or crotch figure) bookmatched walnut on the back, and an unknown wood --possibly spruce or similar softwood--on the top. The tuning pegs look like Brazilian rosewood to me. It looks like the original fret spacing on the fretboardwas cut inaccurately, and an overlay was glued on and new fret slots cut in it. The nut and bridgelook to berecent replacements for what was originally a paired melody string setup. Note the grooves worn in the tailblock.
What surprises me is the different levels of finish and craftsmanship evident in this dulcimer. Somebody who takes the time and effort to carve a scroll, fit friction pegs to the holes and bookmatch beautiful figured wood on the back should show similar care in doing the tailpiece joinery. Maybe some of a fine dulcimer was rebuilt by an amateur?
Cindy,
Looking at the new photos of the side of the head and the knob glued on the end, I'd say it's very consistent with early Folkcraft dulcimer design. They've changed designs over the years. The tail end is different than what I'd expect, but the peghead looks very familiar to me.
Cindy, it could be a Folkcraft teardrop dulcimer kit.
Where there's a will, there's a way...
Human creativity and music just have to come out one way or another. It's wonderful to see and hear what can be done when someone is resourceful and imaginative. And all the kids get to share in the creation of real music with whatever is found nearby.
Reminds me of the first time I encountered a cardboard dulcimer. After playing it a little, I wondered why I work so hard with different woods to get the same sound you get out of an inexpensive instrument.
Then there's the cardboard-box bass that Elderly Instruments sells. Doesn't look like much, but it sure sounds like an upright bass fiddle!
Great display, Mike! I knew you could come up with something creative!
"Sweet" (No. 56) is just about done now. I'm trying to get her to her owner by Christmas, but I'm running out of time.
It feels weird to work on such a small dulcimer now...
Thaks for the kind thoughts, everyone. It's been quite a ride.
Hey, Mike S., have you and Doug dressed Eddie up in Christmas lights or anything? That would be a cool thing to do this cool time of year.
Merry Christmas to all, just one week away now!!
NEWS FLASH!
Dateline: Tuesday, December 17, 2013
"Uncle Eddie" may very well be the ( unofficial ) world's largest mountain dulcimer!
I received an email during last month's southern tour from the Guinness World Records folks that a dulcimer must be at least 5 times "normal" size to qualify as the world's largest mountain dulcimer. But they gave no details on who had previously made one of these, or where or when, etc. However, I received another email from them stating that there were currently no entries in that particular category! This made me wonder what was going on. I questioned them, and they wrote back, saying in effect that their minimum starting requirement was 5 times normal size. WHY?? Seems arbitrary to me. So... doesn't it follow that "Uncle Eddie" would be the de facto world's largest mountain dulcimer?
Thank you, my dear. I needed a little cheering up.
But I wasn't trying for a record when I built him, so why should I be disappointed that he isn't a world record holder?
He is what he is--- a very large musical tribute to the man who started much of the legend of Kentucky dulcimer building.
Patty....
I heard back... from Guinness World Records.... on last week's trip...
The news is... not good, I'm afraid.
They claim that the world's largest mountain dulcimer (currently) is 5 times normal size!
But they give no more details! I imagine it's a modern-style instrument, but it would have to be nearly 15 feet long and weigh something like 100 pounds.
I'm pretty sure Uncle Eddie is the largest Cumberland-style dulcimer out there, but I can't be sure...
It was a let-down, to be sure.
Patty,
All you need to do is jump on Interstate 66 west, to 81 south, to US 23 north, to KY 15 northwest. Nothing to it.
Shouldn't take you more than half a day! Uncle Eddie is looking forward to a visit.
I thought lots more folks would see Uncle Eddie in a shop like that than in my Michigan basement!
Tourists look for dulcimers in Hindman... Most Michigan people don'teven know about them (or care).
It was an interesting trip, but I'm glad to be back home, especially with the worsening weather.
Patty,
Wait'll you find out where 'Uncle Eddie" will be living for a while...
(HINT: He didn't come back to Michigan).
Congratulations, Roberta!
I encountered a Musical Traditions cherry dulcimer while I was in college, and it looked and sounded just beautiful. I wasn't aware that there were any kits out there, but I would have snapped one up in a minute if I found one!
Good luck on your search. If there are any measured drawings of the parts, they could be reproduced fairly easily by a woodworker or luthier.
Burrell,
That's how I make wooden cases -- build the whole box, then slice off the lid. It'll fit perfectly every time.
I haven't made box joints at the corners, though that's the best way to fasten them.
I generally use either 3/8" solid poplar or 1/4"- 3/8" plywood for the edges, and 1/8" plywood for the top and bottom pieces.
I wrap the raw box piece exteriors with thin vinyl sheet goods, usually black, and glue/staple the edges all around.
Then the rigid-foam interior is added and cut to accommodate the instrument. The foam is then covered with Fun Fur or flannel material and trimmed. Sometimes I add a flap lid in one corner for an accessories area.
Then 3 or 4 small brass hinges are added, 2 draw catches and a handle.
Hi, all.
I've been warming up to poplar (so to speak) in the past few months. I know it has some bad qualities and is considered a junk or secondary wood by cabinetmakers, but it can make a FINE sounding dulcimer!
Ask Robin Clark, Ken Hulme, Elaine King, Kevin Messenger or others on this site. I was surprised myself when I first heard the sound of the firstdulcimer I made from poplar. And the color variations are interesting.
Gentlemen:
Looks 99.9% like a McSpadden Sweet Song assembled kit to me. I've built a couple of them, and they look JUST like this one. (Of course, the fit and finish on mine were much better! ).
