Forum Activity for @charles-thomas

I wish I could have heard them play!

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

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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

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What Dusty said,hang in there JP.

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.

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!

Thanks, Ken L !

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

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?

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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!!!  

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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!! 

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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.

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

Sometimes I use plastic collar stays.

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

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

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).   

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)!

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

Thanks Terry! I try!  

Yum!!!!

Salt ,you're on to something!

Salt, porcupine quills !! 

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!!

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.

Very sad news. Rest in peace John.

That is so steam punk!

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 .

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

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

Here is another one. 

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

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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.

They might poke their eye out!