We wear our jeans until they are ready to be cut to rags. I was cutting a couple pairs of Mark's jeans apart and saved the leather tags from the waistband. They feel really nice in my hand and give a good tone.
@marg I hadn't thought of weighting the chopstick some way when I've given using a striker tries. Thanks for the idea!
Anne, I'm glad Bran is doing well! We wound up with a stray dog about a month ago. . . One never knows what will present.
Robin NC, Ollie sure is a handsome boy!
@anne-maguire How is Bran doing?
@david-bennett With a name like Sally Ann, she has to like old-timey music. :)
@bryan-fridlund I've imagined Doug Thomson's hammer is used that way. It may feel more balanced in the hand than a found object of some kind used as a striker.
Thank you for the name correction, @pierre-yves-donnio and @john-shaw! I've edited the posting.
From my experience of trying to use a striker, John Shaw's pointing-out the important factor of having a loose well-balanced hold is true.
I do not know what was being used as a striker in the video yet I've used a chopstick when I've tried the technique.
Though it doesn't come until near the end of the video, I was fascinated with seeing how Mr Molineux used the striker.
Thank you, Strumelia!
Wishing everyone here a meaningful Thanksgiving!
@susie I came-by the instrument used yet it has been used very little. I've not contacted the builder, Paul Conrad, to ask him just what variety of instrument he called it. It has a very deep voice with which I am smitten.
Thanks, @don-grundy!
Indeed, it is, @dusty-turtle. I have been fiddling with the bridge to get the intonation set and am not there yet, yet I really love its deep voice.
A new-to-me Timbre Hill mountain dulcimer. :)
@Dusty-Turtle I like what the md player is doing, too! These fellas work so well as a duo.
Enjoy that beautiful Appalachian dulcimer, Susie!
What a beauty, John! No better way to spend time on your birthday than doing something you love.
Matthew, I'm glad you're playing again!
So glad you are enjoying this video, friends!
@John-Shaw I only have one of their cd's yet am sure the others are just as good. It's funny you mention Bruce Greene because this duo reminds one, in ways, of Bruce Greene & Don Pedi's play together.
Cool! And I learned a new word: lullabologist. :)
If I had a new/new-to-me dulcimer I'd post!
@david-messenger Wow, she looks really good! As a simple, temporary fix, you could loosen the strings and place a little slice of good grade of paper in the nut and see whether that fixes your buzzing. If it doesn't, you may just need another string gauge. (I'm not a luthier so my advice is just that of a strummer.)
I did a few different searches and knew what I wasn't looking for (McNally, Merlin, etc.) in the way of a strum stick.
EDIT: Funny, until seeing your reply to me, I hadn't seen the photo with the stamp on the headstock-- I missed a few of the photos.
There are elements of an eBay instrument which remind me of your instrument, @boingercat:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Strumstick-Handmade/174043907074?hash=item2885d34402:g:nTYAAOSwcJVdj~Ot
*Note the mention of maker's initials at the tuners.
@david-messenger There are elements which make me wonder whether the dulcimer was put together from a kit. The hearts look very uniform (as though many were cut just alike) and the ply top and fretboard look basic.
Curious. I wish I had a clue as to who was the maker, David. What jumps to mind, though, is the maker had some sort of banjo tail piece in mind when they they did the tail on the mountain dulcimer.
Wow, @paulinphoenix, such a neat story! It sounds as though you have a wonderful collection of instruments with memories to match.
@david-messenger That metal piece surely is distinctive-- thanks for the photo! I can't help but wonder whether under this metal piece is where the original string anchors were located and the metal piece was added after the original string anchors failed some way.
@david-messenger The tail on your instrument looks really distinctive. If we could have a better look at it, perhaps someone can help make a positive ID on who was the maker?
I buy metal loop or ball end strings, depending on the design of the tail of the dulcimer. Just get an appropriate gauge and you're good to go!
Some have experimented with gut/nylon strings with mixed results.
What a great interview with Paul! It is hard to imagine he could not have Dulcimer Acquisition Disorder given the genetics on his father's side. haha (Paul's dad has had a musical influence on me though I'll never be able to do half of what John Henry does!)
Thanks for sharing the interview-- a delight to see!
I enjoyed your video, Ariane! I don't know how to play from written arrangement so can't offer any meaningful feedback on it though I am sure it is good.
Thanks for this interview-- I had familiarity with neither Tony nor his music! Also, Tony mentions Kim Lowings and I know she has been a member here at FOTMD though am not sure whether she still has a page here or not. The Appalachian dulcimer is alive and well far from the Appalachians! :)
I look forward to seeing what you decide to do with the fingerboard! Perhaps tied frets with Nylagut strings? Fretless is darn cool, too.
Doggone cool, John! I'd play it like a fretless. :)
What a wonderful idea, Ariane! Mark & I look forward to participating. <3
PS- Some of the very best tunes are the simple ones. I'm not a "technical" player so simple tunes work well for me.
