Forum Activity for @charles-thomas

Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
02/03/19 12:49:11AM
77 posts

Music must be in my blood


OFF TOPIC discussions

I wish I could have heard them play!

Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
02/02/19 10:31:48PM
77 posts

Music must be in my blood


OFF TOPIC discussions

Thanks everyone! I can see it now! Albert Hoffman!

Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
02/02/19 09:45:30PM
77 posts

Music must be in my blood


OFF TOPIC discussions

Thanks, Ken! I couldn't make out the first part, but it looked like on the second part a capital S and maybe a T or L and then Affman. It's not a name I recognize from my family, but the mandolin player looks like my brother.

Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
02/02/19 09:19:07PM
77 posts

Music must be in my blood


OFF TOPIC discussions

This old photo hangs on my "studio" wall. I found it in an old shoe box of family photos. It looks like it was taken in the 1930's, by a pro ( it's mounted on cardstock with decorative borders ). They look like a bluegrass trio with a fiddle, mandolin and guitar. The only other information is written in pencil on the back. I can't quite make out what it says..."Staffman" maybe? I think it's a cool photo and it inspires me.


Scan.jpeg Scan.jpeg - 85KB

updated by @charles-thomas: 10/27/19 12:02:25PM
Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
12/24/18 08:44:50PM
77 posts

McSpadden's Luthiers


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

My six string baritone had the name Blact(?) Richardson(2013) and my walnut four string is marked "Laurence Chapman"(2008). I couldn't figure out the first name on my six string, it could just be bad penmanship.

Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
11/13/18 08:55:06PM
77 posts

Cozy Playing Corners


OFF TOPIC discussions

Janene, I put the photo in by clicking on "attach file" and it shows photos on your desktop, I clicked on the one I wanted. I'm working with a Mac  but I guess it's similar on a PC.

Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
11/13/18 07:09:13PM
77 posts

Cozy Playing Corners


OFF TOPIC discussions

Here's my playing space. The desk and bookcase has lots of tchotchkes, and a small two headed red dragon to guard it all. The screen behind the desk is solid teak, with hand carved appliqués. I do my recordings just to the left in a corner by the door


IMG_1941.jpg IMG_1941.jpg - 219KB
Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
10/08/18 08:21:26PM
77 posts

motivation


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

What Dusty said,hang in there JP.

Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
06/01/18 09:25:43PM
77 posts

Favorite noter?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

My favorite noter is a wooden dowel 3/8" x 3" that I soaked in a light motor oil for a week. I've been using it for ten years now. I've also used an ebony cello tuning peg, a small walrus oosic (Google that one!),an antique bobbin, a feather shaft, a Bic pen and various dried hardwood twigs but I keep going back to my old dowel rod.

Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
01/13/18 04:34:11PM
77 posts

What is this?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thanks everyone for the responses! The bobbin is a bit longer than my usual noter, so it took a little getting used to especially on the higher frets. All in all a successful experiment!

Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
01/06/18 05:31:17PM
77 posts

What is this?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Whatever it is, it works great! It's made from some very hard wood and the weight at the end helps.

Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
01/06/18 03:36:16PM
77 posts

What is this?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I'm trying this out as a noter. I know it's old (100+ years) and I think it may be part of an old loom, maybe a bobbin. Anyone have any other guesses?


IMG_1923.jpg IMG_1923.jpg - 86KB

updated by @charles-thomas: 10/27/19 12:02:25PM
Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
06/29/17 06:11:00PM
77 posts

Stone pick


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Randy, I think Barney was underrated!
Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
06/28/17 07:47:38PM
77 posts

Stone pick


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I was looking for other stones to make a pick out of when I found this stone(And 12 cents). I remembered Ken H's post about his malachite noter and I thought "This might work".  After polishing I now have a stone noter and pick!  Rock music!!!  


IMG_1918.jpg IMG_1918.jpg - 83KB
Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
06/08/17 07:30:48PM
77 posts

Stone pick


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

While I was patrolling a fenceline at an electric company substation (that's part of my job) I noticed this rock and I thought that might make a nice pick.I took it home and polished one end with various grits of sandpaper. I like the weight and feel of it. I'm always on the lookout for noter and pick materiels!! 


IMG_1915.jpg IMG_1915.jpg - 112KB

updated by @charles-thomas: 10/27/19 12:02:25PM
Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
02/02/17 10:17:01PM
77 posts

What songs were you taught in kindergarten/grade school?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I remember in 8th grade our music teacher taught us "Band on the Run" I still hear  2,3, band on the run.... She also taught us some Beatle tunes.

Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
01/14/17 08:59:51PM
77 posts

My new Berg!


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Steven, Congrats on your Berg! I'm playing mine right now, great sound!

Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
11/18/16 07:29:23PM
77 posts

Offering sympathy to our dear John Henry


OFF TOPIC discussions

John Henry, I am very sorry for your loss, my thoughts are with you. Stay strong.

Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
08/12/16 10:19:38PM
77 posts

Help! (dulcimer acquisition disease)


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Susie, That is a wonderful family portrait! (hmmm..A travel dulcimer..yes, I want one... a galax back I need one).

Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
08/12/16 07:43:25PM
77 posts

Help! (dulcimer acquisition disease)


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thank you everybody for your responses! I have come to the conclusion that I need MORE!! I received  my Ron Gibson a few days ago and I'm in love. I did have one anxious moment... I wanted to introduce the new member of my pack slowly...I brought her in with the case closed so the others could get a sniff first...when I opened it up my walnut McSpadden growled a bit and raised his hackles... my Bill Berg just wagged his tail(piece) like a little pup, and my McSpadden six string baritone tried to do something nasty...my Applecreek ran away and hid and my Yocky feigned indifference . Everyone has now settled down to one happy pack! I am thinking of joining DAA (Dulcimer Addicts Anonymous).   


updated by @charles-thomas: 08/13/16 05:18:21PM
Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
08/06/16 05:31:22PM
77 posts

Help! (dulcimer acquisition disease)


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I have been diagnosed with DAd (dulcimer acquisition disease). I already have five dulcimers and I just purchased a Ron Gibson "Barbara Allen" model. Is there a cure for DAd? Wait a minute... Why am I posting this here...this site is enabling my addiction with all of it's beautiful music, wonderful photos (dulcimer porn),and informative discussions. I need help (choosing my next dulcimer)!


updated by @charles-thomas: 08/01/23 09:53:18AM
Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
06/01/16 09:05:04PM
77 posts

Thoughts on Harmonicas


Adventures with 'other' instruments...

Bob, that was inspirational !! I'm going to start taking my harp to work! A dulcimer might be noticeable, but a harp....

Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
04/01/16 11:06:35PM
77 posts

New keys for dulcimer


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I,ve been working on a new key... "H" Why do we limit ourselves to ABCDEFG when we have a whole alphabet of 26 ? Imagine a tune in the soothing key of S or the Zing of a song in the key of Z! The possibilities are mind boggling!! My explorations with the key of H have lead me to a chiropractor , but please don't  let that  you stop your experiments............... Happy April Fools Day!!

Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
03/11/16 06:35:38PM
77 posts



Erin, I record my tunes on my Mac using Garage Band. I think it saves as a MP4 which I don't think is compatible here. I use a free app to convert it to a MP3.

Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
03/04/16 10:49:48PM
77 posts

Amazing marble music machine


OFF TOPIC discussions

That is so steam punk!

Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
12/18/15 09:29:27PM
77 posts

Old Photos


OFF TOPIC discussions

Thanks Jan! That helps, I kind of figured the third one was old by the way they dressed. Here's another one, I think it was taken around 1916 when my Grandfather was posted in Columbus, New Mexico after Pancho Villa's raid. At first I thought they were railroad workers, but after a closer look I think they were miners. The photo was in bad shape so I tried to clean it up digitally .


updated by @charles-thomas: 12/18/15 09:29:48PM
Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
12/13/15 12:55:19AM
77 posts

Old Photos


OFF TOPIC discussions

Here are some more photos, I wish I knew more about them.


old thomas photos059.jpg old thomas photos059.jpg - 94KB
Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
12/10/15 08:30:26PM
77 posts

Thoughts on Harmonicas


Adventures with 'other' instruments...

Jim, on Amazon Honer Marine bands and Special 20s go for about 35-45$.

Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
11/28/15 12:49:39AM
77 posts

Old Photos


OFF TOPIC discussions

In this digital age I miss the shoe box of old photos. Do you have any to share?  


old thomas photos030.jpg old thomas photos030.jpg - 129KB

updated by @charles-thomas: 10/27/19 12:02:25PM
Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
11/03/15 10:09:51PM
77 posts

Thoughts on Harmonicas


Adventures with 'other' instruments...

Terry, I really like the Seydel a lot. At first I was a little disappointed it didn't have a hard case, only a soft leather sleeve. But I found it fits in my pocket better.

Charles Thomas
@charles-thomas
11/03/15 09:57:45PM
77 posts

Thoughts on Harmonicas


Adventures with 'other' instruments...

They might poke their eye out! giggle2


updated by @charles-thomas: 11/03/15 10:03:03PM
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