Forum Activity for @dan-goad

Also I've found that new strings often require retuning because they do stretch a little under the constant tension. After a short time the will stabilize and hold tune a lot better.

I agree with Robert. I rarely even glance at a commercial pick anymore. A few fretboard scratches just add a bit of charm to the dulcimer IMHO.

Thanks for the welcomes and I have a question.

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I know how you feel. Information overload can be daunting sometimes. I actually prefer pure diatonic dulcimers to the ones with the extra frets. Robert Force and Albert d'Ossche' uaed to remove the 6+ from their dulcimers.

Thanks for the welcomes and I have a question.

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Welcome to our happy family, Melanie. You should have no problem learning to play without the 6+ fret. Most of the tunes don't require it at all, esp the old tunes like Aunt Rhodie, Cabbage, Old Joe Clark, Mississippi Sawyer or Grey Cat on a Tennessee Farm. When I started learning 4 years ago, the 6+ actually got in my way until I learned to ignore it.

Stewart-MacDonald Black Walnut dulcimer kit

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Cynthia, I took a look and read the instructions at the Stew-Mac website.

http://www.stewmac.com/Materials_and_Supplies/Kits/Dulcimer/Dulcime...

It appears that Stew-Mac is reselling the Folkcraft Walnut Kits since the instrucktions are labeled Folkcraft. The Ratings and Reviews on the Stew-Mac are mixed (overall 3.5 out of 5).

If I were going to have someone build a kit for me, I would have him look at both the Stew-Mac and Folkcraft sites to make a final decision. Here is the Folkcraft link.

http://www.folkcraft.com/appalachian-dulcimer-kits.html

If you are looking for your first dulcimer, I would recommend a student dulcimer from our member, David Lynch.

http://www.strothers.com/sweetwoodsinstruments.com/index.html

This is only my humble opinion and I hope that others will chime in. Welcome to FOTMD, Cynthia and enjoy the journey in the wonderfull world of the mountain dulcimer.

Dan

Of course, use a noter. If you want to. If you don't want to use a noter, you can use the ones at the end of your arms. It's all a matter of personal choice. No hard and fast rules except for the one rule that says "have fun". Welcome to FOTMD and the wonderful world of the mountain dulcimer.

updated by @dan-goad: 02/16/16 10:34:18AM

what was your first song on the dulcimer?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I "Biled Dem Cabbage Down". LOL.

Good thread to start, James.

My new Berg!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Oh, Yeah. Thats real nice, Dave.

My new Berg!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Congrats, Dave. My first dulcimer was Bill Berg student model. I still play it often and it seems to get better with age. Heck, maybe both o us do. You made a great find and buy.

Enter FOTMD's 5th Birthday Pickled Dulcimer CONTEST!

OFF TOPIC discussions

295. Wow, Strumelia, your baby is growing up.

I agree with Dusty and Phil. Oh, there ain't no "betters" around here. Some of us have just been playing around with them for a tad longer than you have. You'll be giving out advice before you know it.

Neither is "better". It's like so many things in this wonderful mountain dulcimer world, It's personal preference that rules.

Wish I could have joined ya'll, Carrie. Great pics, keep em coming.

This is what came in the mail.

OFF TOPIC discussions

Wow, that is a real beauty, Phil. Who made it? Yeah, I'm thinking of moving to FL myself.

What strings gauges are you using? Have you suffered any hearing loss? I have problems at both the upper and lower ends of the audable spectrum (unamplified). The Galax back does increase volumn to some degree but it's not a miracle worker.

Teri, you should watch some of Randy Adams videos here on FOTMD. He has posted many playing fretless dulcimers and even a couple with fretless banjo. His technique will teach you a lot and probably provide some of the answers to your questions.

Seeking the Imelda Marcos of dulcimers

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I'm not an "Imelda" but I currently have 17 playable dulcimers. 4 others needing repairs of one sort or another.

How Many

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

It's always 'just one more' Steve. One more for DAA, one more for DAC, one more for DAG, etc. etc, etc.

LOL

How Many

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Currently, my total is 17 playable dulcimers, 3 in various states of repair and 1 cigar box dulcimer under construction and 1 more on order.

I got it bad.

Gayle, I agree wholeheartedly with Rob's comments. Here is the url for Robert Force's website. You can download the book, albums and tab book for free.

http://robertforce.com/

strange fret pattern

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

That is an odd setup. Don't think I'll be bidding on that one. Don't know how I would tune that thing.

I have one of Ron's "Barbara Allen Model" teardrop and like Linda I love it. I have mine set up equaldistant for finger or flat picking.

You might be a dulcimer redneck if . . .

OFF TOPIC discussions

I didn't know that you had a chromatic dulci, Robin.

You might be a dulcimer redneck if . . .

OFF TOPIC discussions

Oh, ya found G# did ya, Robin?

You might be a dulcimer redneck if . . .

OFF TOPIC discussions

If your "Mac" is a McSpadden rather than an Apple product.

You might be a dulcimer redneck if . . .

OFF TOPIC discussions

Great, Phil. Describes me to a T.

Try these sites for free tab

Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs

Lots of new folks joining and looking for tab. I thought I would give this thread a little bump and assist our new members a little bit

Hughes Mountain Dulcimers

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

Any updates on the re-opening? I have two Hughes Dulcimers and would like to get some additional information about them if possible.

New instrument from OVG

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

No , mine has no feet. And my action at the nut is only 1 dime high. I hope you can remove the feet without any damage to the back of your dulcimer. Have you tried to contact Keith to see if he made it or is it someone else's knock off of one of his "Youngsters?" I've never heard of feet on a dulcimer. Mine just sits on my lap, behaving nicely even with vigorous strumming.

folkfan said:

Daniel, Does your Keith Young "Youngster" have round button feet on the bottom? My instrument does, and I'm finding them difficult to work with. When I tune, the instrument wobbles. I was wondering if the Keith Young instrument has the same feet since my instrument doesn't have a label inside.

And are the bridge and nut glued in their slots. Mine are and I'll have to have my brother lower the action for me the next time I see him as it's just too high for my comfort. It's two dimes high at the nut. I'm still wondering if mine is a true Keith Young or a copy.

Thanks, FF

Daniel Lewis Goad said:

Hummmm, left front paw for strumming and right rear paw for fretting. Interesting technique, Tigger.

ns that is a Keith Young "Youngster." The only difference between yours and mine is that mine has walnut back and sides.

New instrument from OVG

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

Hummmm, left front paw for strumming and right rear paw for fretting. Interesting technique, Tigger.

ns that is a Keith Young "Youngster." The only difference between yours and mine is that mine has walnut back and sides.

New instrument from OVG

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

Wow, that sounds exactly like a Keith Young "Youngster." I'm surprised that you didn't find a lable. Looking forward to seeing the pix.

Hello Kyle. I am originally from West Virginia (St Albans). I moved to Alabama in 2005 In pursuit of employment. I started playing the mountain dulcimer about 4 months ago. I'm finding it quite addictive. I've purchased two so far; a Bill Berg student model (DAD) and a Keith Young "youngster" (DAA). I have every intention of adding to that in the near future. I'm not very good yet but Improving. I hope to have audio/video recording capability in the very near future. Please keep me informed of your discoveries with your project.