Lisa, I do not re-tune my instruments with zither pins by turning the zither pins. I think lots of re-tuning would strip-out the holes in which your pins are seated.
@irene You are a marvel! What a beautiful family!
In the poetry of James Still, he included mountain dulcimers sometimes. As I recall, Mr. Still lived for some years in the Amburgey cabin and worked at Hindman Settlement School in Kentucky. I highly recommend his writings!
I'm ate-up by mountain dulcimer. My husband is ate-up by guitar. I think mountain dulcimer can be an acquired taste. I've forced my husband to acquire a taste. 
Hey, Fodderwing!
For years, we had a crippled doe in our neck of the woods-- one of her hooves was turned under and she hobbled along on that first joint. She lived a long time and I don't know what became of her.
@hoodoo If you are a fan of the music of Phyllis Gaskins, check out decades-old recording by Bonnie Russell and the Russell family.
I've had interest in the use of mountain dulcimer in a string band context. Two records, both released this year, have been delights:
-The Long Point String Band- Piney Woods
-Roger Netherton
The mountain dulcimer player in both recordings is Hunter Walker. Though dulcimer isn't played on every cut, when it's played, it is tasteful and in the service of getting a great overall ensemble sound. The Roger Netherton record was recorded at the home old-time musician Rachel Eddy with friends in support of Netherton, a fiddle champ at Winfield in a recent year.
I've seen photos of some of Niles's creations so get what you're saying, Strumelia.
@Banjimer Greg, I think I can only take JJNiles's singing in homeopathic doses. :) Yet would like to hear, on a good recording, how he used plucked zithers.
I'm interested in hearing plucked dulcimers used in various contexts. And know Niles made some wild instruments. . . I'm up for hearing some wild. :)
@Strumelia Was there much play of Niles's dulcimers on the cd you reviewed some years back?
I am thankful for the comfort, solace music has brought me, most especially, over recent years. And for FOTMD friends and our own Strumelia!
It is a cool-looking dulcimer and probably has a sound to match yet the asking price does seem steep.
Strumelia mentioned vintage Lapidus dulcimers being in a different universe. . . From the few instruments I've seen from her (vintage or no), I understand her statement. (On JLapidus's latest recording, her Pelican dulcimer sounds so good!)
Mine are birds of a feather which flock together. :)
Wow, @Kusani ! That wood is stunningly beautiful!
I feel lucky to have several wonderful dulcimers! If I could keep just one-- I've referred to it before as my nursing home dulcimer because I'd have to choose one when I go into nusing home someday-- it'd be my Blue Lion Jean Ritchie model.
Friends, I used EMBED LOCAL MEDIA and re-sized the photo-- I'm using an old iPad mini running Safari. I'm not sure what caused that to work for me and not for anyone else who tried the EMBED route.
Janene, I've made recordings in that little spot and I think the wall rugs help give better sound-- less like I'm recording in a bathroom. :)
Janene, I like the little stool lots! My other playing chair is a child's oak chair a friend gave me. The short stool and chair work well because I'm just over 5' tall. The rag rugs on the wall may impact sound of the natural megaphone of my little corner. :)
@frank-ross Lacey is sure a pretty girl! All our dogs lived long. . . And there's just something special about having long relationships with animals.
@david-bennett What else could Sally do if there was no dog to point to as the culprit? haha
Right!
Sometimes, even if nothing can be found about the builder as luthier some info can be found on things not related to luthiery (an old address directory, obituary, etc.)
Jimmy, I'm seeing the photos just fine on an old iPad mini running Safari. And the dulcimer looks to have been made by a skilled builder. Do you know anything about Keith Johnson?
Great picture! I prefer drone-noter, too. . . Perhaps we're related!?! haha
@davesterino Vizsla is sophisticated! :)
@pondoro You've made some great-looking ukuleles!
I, too, have a KYoung teardrop-- mine was built in'77. Keith made wonderful instruments! The wooden tuning beads work nicely to make fine tuning adjustments.
What a cool poster! I'm wearing one of my HOTD tee-shirts even now. :)
@fredr Welcome! There's lots to see and hear-- enjoy exploring FOTMD!
That looks good, Steve! I'm imagining the site will get lots of traffic as it builds.
That inlay on the back looks really cool, John!
JP,
Sometimes, just putting a mountain dulcimer on my lap and playing a bit, not focusing on a tune but just listening to the wonderful sound a string (or strings) makes, can bring something good to my spirit.
Take care. I wish you well!
