Forum Activity for @john-c-knopf

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! ).

I'm also guilty of leaving string sets on too long.

Old strings stretch unevenly under stress, theypick upa coating of oxidation, and I'm sure do other undesirable things as well.

It's amazing how much better a dulcimer sounds when I replace its old rusty strings with bright new ones.

I too would like to read this paper, but I got a "file not found" message as well.