Forum Activity for @mill-branch-dulcimores

Mill Branch Dulcimores
@mill-branch-dulcimores
07/29/22 10:31:47AM
22 posts

Kentucky Flood and Dulcimer History


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

If it's OK to mention it here, Dulcimore Dan and I are making dulcimores with the proceeds minus shipping costs going to the Artisan Center and Troublesome Creek Guitars. Every little bit will help get them back on their feet.

Mill Branch Dulcimores
@mill-branch-dulcimores
10/04/21 06:34:13PM
22 posts

Healthy Living- healthy eating, exercise, weight loss, veggie gardening, etc.


OFF TOPIC discussions

Flat tire on the bike today so I hiked 7 miles. Perfect temperature for hiking. My joints can definitely tell it this evening. 

Mill Branch Dulcimores
@mill-branch-dulcimores
10/02/21 02:59:47PM
22 posts

Healthy Living- healthy eating, exercise, weight loss, veggie gardening, etc.


OFF TOPIC discussions

Thanks Robin and Lisa!

Yeah Lisa it's a fatbike. More suited for off-road but I didn't have time to go to the mountain today.

Mill Branch Dulcimores
@mill-branch-dulcimores
10/02/21 12:27:16PM
22 posts

Healthy Living- healthy eating, exercise, weight loss, veggie gardening, etc.


OFF TOPIC discussions

5 miles of mind therapy this morning, (or breakup therapy to be more precise). And of course exercise.

2.5 miles uphill grade and a coast back home.


IMG_20211002_120751371_HDR~2.jpg IMG_20211002_120751371_HDR~2.jpg - 394KB
Mill Branch Dulcimores
@mill-branch-dulcimores
12/18/20 03:09:59PM
22 posts

Remembering "Deputy Mo" / The Friendly Beasts


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

My first dulcimer friend. Mysteriously I received his book and accompanying CD in the mail today. If it was from someone here you don't know what it means to me. ❤️
Mill Branch Dulcimores
@mill-branch-dulcimores
05/16/20 12:05:39PM
22 posts

The EverythingDulcimer website has returned. Whooopie!!!


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

TTAD started December 8 2018 from a small traditional dulcimore builders group that had been on Google+ since around 2012. When Google+ closed we decided to go with a website.
Mill Branch Dulcimores
@mill-branch-dulcimores
05/03/20 12:29:03PM
22 posts

Is the strumhollow redundant?


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

I have no use for strum hollows. I build traditional Virginia dulcimores and they didn't have them is one reason. The other reason is I never strum there so there's no sense in going through the extra work to add one if I don't strum there. 
However I think a lot of fingerpickers do use the strum hollow area. So I reckon it would come in handy for them.

Mill Branch Dulcimores
@mill-branch-dulcimores
09/26/19 07:34:58AM
22 posts



I would think it is fixable. You're just gonna have to determine a way to put a dip in the fretboard instead of a hump.
Most dulcimers with a full length fretboard will keep relief, or a dip in the fretboard under tension due to string tension. The problem with this style fretboard is the partial length transfers the tension it's getting from the strings to the soundboard and sides and it will sometimes make the problem worse because the tension will tend to lift the rear end of the fretboard.
You'll likely need to pull the frets and use a hand plane or handheld sander to remove some material to make a dip, or some sandpaper and elbow grease and time.
Mill Branch Dulcimores
@mill-branch-dulcimores
08/11/19 11:12:05AM
22 posts

Dulcimer tuning problem


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

When we were at the Berea Gathering Warren mentioned he uses a custom intonation, but he also now uses a floating bridge so you can move it to compensate for Dad. From the photo it appears yours has a fixed bridge. But like you've already figured out, it was likely set up for Daa.
Mill Branch Dulcimores
@mill-branch-dulcimores
07/13/19 08:19:41PM
22 posts

Ebony versus Micarta Fretboard on McSpadden Dulcimer


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I wouldn't want it on one of my dulcimores, but I have been thinking about making some blue jean micarta for the fretboard of a mandolin I'm slowly getting finished.
Mill Branch Dulcimores
@mill-branch-dulcimores
06/16/19 07:40:17PM
22 posts

Healthy Living- healthy eating, exercise, weight loss, veggie gardening, etc.


OFF TOPIC discussions

Thanks everyone. I usually just increase as my legs and feet allow. Having a bit of paralysis in my legs sometimes I have to cut the day short, sometimes I surprise myself. But I'll take it slow and easy.
Mountains, mud and rocks here @robert-schuler .
When I was up to 10 miles a day I had a road bike rider go with me on a 7 mile ride. He ain't been back. Lol!
Mill Branch Dulcimores
@mill-branch-dulcimores
06/16/19 07:10:26PM
22 posts

Healthy Living- healthy eating, exercise, weight loss, veggie gardening, etc.


OFF TOPIC discussions

Two miles on the fatbike today. Had to push about 1/4 mile of it. I'll gradually increase by about 1/2 mile per day until I get back to 8 to 10 miles.
Mill Branch Dulcimores
@mill-branch-dulcimores
06/14/19 11:36:19AM
22 posts

Healthy Living- healthy eating, exercise, weight loss, veggie gardening, etc.


OFF TOPIC discussions

I'm going to have to get back to riding my fatbike. Been a while and I miss it.
Mill Branch Dulcimores
@mill-branch-dulcimores
04/29/19 02:41:32PM
22 posts

Preferred String Tension


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I'm probably the odd man out here. I hate the feel of loose feeling strings. If I'm chording 15# tension feels ok but playing noter/drone I prefer 17-20# tension. 
But I also have different dulcimers for different tunings so the string tension stays pretty much the same on all of them.

Mill Branch Dulcimores
@mill-branch-dulcimores
04/15/19 10:26:16AM
22 posts

Dulcimer-Guitar Style Options?


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

Thanks for the plug Ken. Unfortunately I'm not building the Strumdrop American Cittern at this time. In my few years absence from building I have lost my jig/form for building them and haven't got around to making another.
Mill Branch Dulcimores
@mill-branch-dulcimores
09/27/18 01:03:54PM
22 posts

Guitar Strings?


Playing and jamming difficulties...HELP ME!

Along the lines of what Ken and Dusty said....... I figure most dulcimers would benefit from a custom string set instead of a generic set.
Different scale lengths are a major factor and then some we all have our favorite string tension. And as you also learned we all have a preferred tone we like.
Mill Branch Dulcimores
@mill-branch-dulcimores
06/21/15 11:26:24PM
22 posts

How do I find "my followers" in order to approve them?


Site QUESTIONS ? How do I...?


Click on your name which will take you to you page. Above your profile photo you will see:
Latest Activity-Audio-Video-Events-MyFollowers

Click on MyFollowers TAB and it will show you the ones you need to approve.