Forum Activity for @richard-streib

Thanks John.

For Sale: A dulcimer of The Box Dulcimer Project. Made of solid wood: American poplar with American ash fretboard. Four string (double melody), 14:1 geared tuning machines. Has 6 ½ fret. VSL 26".  Double purfling lines on the top. Dimensions: 26.25" long, 6.75" wide, 2.25" deep. $96.50 with buyer paying actual insured UPS shipping cost zip code to zip code. Personal or bank issued certified check accepted. 
The goal of the Box Dulcimer Project is to help new players who do not own a dulcimer get started by providing a dulcimer at an economical price.  PLEASE do not ask to purchase it if you own a dulcimer just to add to your collection.

 26_003 Top.jpg - 474KB

Great suggestions about sun and air for deodorizing the dulcimer. One thing on the soft case--perhaps a dry cleaning establishment may have some way to get all the dog hair and dog smell out of it. 

Otherwise, I would invest in a new case. 

Best wishes Dusty on your new club meeting venue.

Its great that you include a little history as you teach, Dusty.

Well stated Dusty. We are all wired differently. Some just want to make music. Others find great interest in delving deeper into the music we make, whether it be theory or history or tradition or instrument makers.

My concern is that over time we totally forget the roots of the mountain dulcimer.

Kenl, in answer to your first question, yes, there is significant interest in the history, and even more in the culture of the mountain dulcimer for this dulcimer player. Learning the history, culture and traditions of the mountain dulcimer greatly enhanced my appreciation for the mountain dulcimer and the sweet song of this wonderful instrument.

    Perhaps sharing my personal journey with the mountain dulcimer will explain what I mean, and lead to the answer to the second question.  

        My first exposure to the mountain dulcimer was at Walt Disney World Epcot Center in 1991. Walnut Valley Dulcimers out of Burns, Kansas, had a wheeled kiosk exhibit outside of the Americana section. I had never heard, nor heard of, a mountain dulcimer. The salesperson demonstrated some simple tunes noter drone style. I thanked him, picked up a brochure and continued on my visit. In 1993, I contacted Walnut Valley Dulcimers wanting to purchase a dulcimer. I had picked out the Wild Mountain model in their brochure and asked about it. They did not have one in stock but would build one for me.     
    When I received that first dulcimer, I attempted to play it with the instructions provided, but being new, I did not do too well. I would “play at” it from time to time but I never fell in love with the music. I really did not know what it was supposed to sound like, but it just did not resonate with me. Because of this, I did not play consistently.  Over the ensuing years I took some lessons from a couple of different instructors but that did not make my dulcimer sound like I thought they should.
    It was a really odd phenomenon in those years of my dulcimer journey. I had an idea in my head about what I thought the mountain dulcimer should sound like. At that time, the only times I had ever heard a mountain dulcimer was at the display table at Epcot and a few sound clips on internet sites selling dulcimers. The Walnut Valley Wild Mountain model sounded good to my ears, but somehow not just right. 
    As time went on, my thinking became, “surely there has to be a dulcimer that sounds like I think it should.” I acquired 14 different dulcimers from makers such as Blue Lion, David Lynch, Warren May, Ron Ewing, June Apple, Cabin Creek, and McSpadden, eight being commission builds. 
    During these years, I attended many dulcimer festivals. I came away with lots of tab, dozens of chord charts, and all sorts of instructions about how to finger pick, do slides, bends, and pull offs. During the “talent show” part of the festivals on Saturday nights I heard a lot of great music. Invariably, as I drove home on Sunday, I would think over the festival weekend and wonder where was the dulcimer sound that I thought was supposed to be there. Granted it was good stringed instrument music I heard, but had I listened to a recording, my ears may not have identified the music as mountain dulcimer.
    It was about 2015, if my memory is correct, when I purchased some books by Jean Ritchie and by other writers which mentioned not just the history of the dulcimer but the culture that defined the early mountain dulcimer. I was fascinated about the development of the mountain dulcimer in the hills of Appalachia and the integration of the dulcimer in the culture of those mountain folks. These people lived hard, lean lives, many times barely scraping by. They found comfort, peace, connection, hope, and resilience in the music of the mountain dulcimer. This dabbling in the history and especially the culture, of the dulcimer renewed my interest, as quite honestly, I had all but given up on the mountain dulcimer as the instrument for me.
    In this setting in 2016, having tried 14 different mountain dulcimers all of the more modern design, a new-found friend suggested I try one of his “traditional mountain dulcimers.” He told me it had staple frets, 3 strings made of music wire, no 6.5 fret, had some of he design features of dulcimers built by James Edward Thomas of Kentucky, and had a hand rubbed oil finish. So more out of desperation than desire, I accepted his offer to build one for me.
    When I received that dulcimer in the mail at a cost a good bit less than I had paid for any of my prior dulcimers, I was honestly not expecting much. Opening the box, right away I noticed it was feather light. And, it just felt like it was destined to make music. Wow! Was I ever surprised. I laid it on my lap and strummed it a bit; the sound immediately resonated with my heart. It sang with the sound I had long sought. At once I felt a connection to the culture of the dulcimer which I had been reading about.
    I was a member of a club which has a wonderful blend of Mixolydian and Ionian mode dulcimers with tab written to accommodate both modes. When I showed up at the dulcimer club with this new “primitive” dulcimer, the expressions on the faces of the club members said it all; “What has happened to Richard?”  They were accustomed to me playing the beautiful Blue Lion Jean Ritchie model or the graceful Ron Ewing aorell dulcimer at our weekly club meetings. After their initial shock, they could not believe the quality of sound that came from the all poplar Betty model.
    Over time, all of my modern design dulcimers have found new homes. I have acquired a number of additional traditionally designed mountain dulcimers, all but one with staple frets. Now when I pick up one of my dulcimers to play, I am back in the hills and hollers of the Appalachian Mountains in the midst of the culture where it all began, enjoying the music they played and enjoyed.
    For me, the turning point was understanding the culture which in turn opened wide the music of the instrument to me. I think this would have happened if my heart had been happy with the more modern style of the mountain dulcimer music. The culture made the difference for me in my dulcimer journey.

    So for question 2, I would say yes. Clubs and festivals just may find, as I did, that the history, culture and traditions of the dulcimer may enhance the  dulcimer experience and journey of the members or attendees.

Great questions to consider. I think it is safe to say that all of us on this forum really like the mountain dulcimer.

But do we like it enough to do what we can to keep the history and the tradition alive?

Or will the history and tradition go by the wayside like the Mail Pouch tobacco painted barns and the sequential Burma Shave signs along the roadways?

I think all of us can do our part to keep the history and the traditions alive by keeping a couple of traditional selections in our play list and playing them from time to time, whether or not traditional style is our primary playing style. Who will keep the history and tradition alive when we are dead and gone?

Thanks for starting this discussion Kenl.

Relying on a rusty memory again, it seems Doug told me the ED-1 has many of the features of a Thomas from 1929 and a few features from a 1917 model. It is upgraded with full width guitar type frets, a wider fretboard, a 6.5 fret and geared tuners.

I have heard one played and it does sound very traditional and authentic.

Regarding Nostrings4 image. You can see the elongated holes where the string anchors once were indicating that string tension may have pulled those string anchors out. How would it be to bring the string anchors down to the tail of the instrument. That way some of the string tension will be absorbed where the string rounds the tail and put less strain on the anchors. Also angle your string anchors away from the frets a bit to help with the tension issue. Matt's suggestions for hardened brads is spot on.

Folkcraft offers string anchors.      https://folkcraft.com/products/dulcimer-string-anchor-pins-2340171

Regarding using the strings from your 6 string on your Nostrings, they may work. String gauge determination is affected by vibrating string length. If the VSL is close to the same on each dulcimer they might work. You may want to replace all strings on both dulcimers.

Strothers string gauge chart may be helpful. Many of us have found it suggests  a little on the light side and add one or two to its suggestions.      https://strothers.com/string_choice.html

Best wishes on your repair project. Let us know if you have other questions.

Sounds mighty nice Noah. 

An update on the Box Dulcimer Project.  I have completed two Box Dulcimers. Both have found a home nearby.

The next one is on the workbench and the plan is to post it  on FOTMD when  it is available. It will be all poplar with an ash fretboard.

I keep mine out all the time here in NC. We have a whole house humidifier for winter time when the ambient humidity is lower. Our summers are generally humid enough even with considering the drying effect of air conditioning. 

When I was in the Army, I was fortunate to take advantage of the wood craft shop on base. Check the tools out, use them, clean them and check them in and clean your work area before you were allowed to leave. That went a long way in helping me learn to keep by tools put where they belong and my shop somewhat clean and organized.

Sounds good John.

Looks nice John. Now for the new owner to find it.

My first build for the Box Dulcimer Project is complete.  The cost to build was $104.10, which is the selling price. Thankfully it is already spoken for and no longer available for sale. 

It  has a poplar body with book matched top and back. Ash fretboard with 6.5 fret. Four strings on 14:1 ratio mechanical tuning machines. Hand rubbed oil finish followed by beeswax polish.  Strap buttons.

The materials for the one on the workbench were slightly cheaper. As of now it looks like it will have a selling price of around $96.00.

 26_001 complete 2.jpg - 178KB

What a wonderful thread, Strumelia. Thanks for starting  this. What a blessing upon you and your husband with his successful eye surgery and improved vision. 

I have observed the farmers in our community diligently working in 100 degree heat and extreme drought conditions. They work diligently spending money on labor, diesel, and fertilizer demonstrating faith that they will have a marketable crop and make some profit in harvest season. Such faith they exhibit.

I am so thankful that you have power, AC and water. What  a blessing that is. 

Happy 4th everyone. Stop and think about the greatness of this nation, its founding principles, and its past statesmen and heroes. And be thankful for all of our blessings.  God Bless America. Let Freedom ring.

I am so thankful for air conditioning. Here in NC they have predicted highs 5 days in a row above 100. Heat index in a nearby town today was 113. Ours is still 105 at 652 pm. I worked in the yard a couple of hours the early part of the day. Other than a trip out to the grocery store I have stayed inside. I will stay indoors tomorrow except for an hour or so working on so hobby project on the breezeway in the morning. Even on days when the air is dead still there is a breeze through the breezeway. So that is a blessing all the way around. Many localities are modifying celebration plans for the 4th to lessen the time people spend outdoors in the heat.  

Everyone stay cool, hydrated and safe for the holiday.

Where to members buy strings in bulk now that Juststrings.com is no more?

That is a beautiful dulcimer. I sure hope it goes to a good home where it will be valued and played.

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. The first one is on the workbench under construction. Hoping to have it ready to go by the third or fourth week of July. Our humidity has been lower than average and if that persists the oil will dry quicker.

I also hope it is successful, Dusty Turtle. All we can do to promote the dulcimer is good.

I am launching the Box Dulcimer Project.  The goal of the Box Dulcimer Project is to offer new players an affordable mountain dulcimer, without having to spend hundreds of dollars. I have contemplated and planned for this project for the last 10 months. Discussions with a number of dulcimer friends have yielded some helpful advice and suggestions in addition to support for the project. 

Like you, I am very interested in seeing interest in the mountain dulcimer remain alive and well, and increase over time. To promote the dulcimer, we need new players to join our number. The supply of student or introductory dulcimers of good quality at a reasonable price is limited. Many of the overseas-made cheap instruments have quality issues. By way of example of what new players may have to contend with, I recently saw the following on a well known auction/marketing website. A seller had a very nice used dulcimer from a recognized builder. The dulcimer was beautiful and appeared to be well crafted with an attractive price point. The ad stated “plays beautifully.” The picture clearly showed that the bridge was missing so the dulcimer was not playable. But a new player perhaps would not have noted the missing bridge and purchased an unplayable dulcimer from a seller who does not take returns. This is the kind of problem I hope the Box Dulcimer Project will bypass for new players.

This will be a hobby venture with limited production each year, perhaps 3-4. When one is completed, it will be offered for sale. The plan is to have no waiting lists, no special orders, and very limited inventory on hand, anticipated to be the most recent one completed and not yet sold. My early calculations suggest that I can build a dulcimer for less than $125 plus shipping to the buyer’s address.  I do anticipate the cost to vary from instrument to instrument and over time depending on supplier costs to me.
 
In a short time, I will begin to build the first dulcimer for the Box Dulcimer Project. It will be a box shaped instrument with 4 strings (double melody), 14:1 geared mechanical tuners, 26" VSL, and a 6.5 fret. Woods used will be native American woods indigenous to Appalachia (no plywood or laminates). To keep the cost reasonable, I will charge exactly what I have in the dulcimer: woods, tuners, and strings. There will be no charge for glues, sandpaper, oil finish, etc. My time is given to me and I will give my time to this project.

As I begin this project, I ask, no I BEG, those of you who already own one or more dulcimers, or who can afford a more expensive dulcimer, please do not purchase one of my Box Dulcimer Project dulcimers for yourselves just because it is economical, different, or to add to your collection. Every instrument purchased by you for yourself means ONE LESS AVAILABLE for a new player. If you would like to purchase a Box Dulcimer Project dulcimer to gift to a new player, contact me by private message for information. 

Please help me promote the Box Dulcimer Project to introduce new players to the wonderful mountain dulcimer.

So sad. I pray he is able to stand strong during this time.

What a wonderful swap. I know  you will enjoy your new plants.

I  understand the hesitation to  "cut up" a wonderful historical instrument. It does seem a shame. And like John says, the violin looking mechanical pegs look fairly authentic and are easier for old hands to tune. I have had to go to those due to some severe degenerative arthritis in my thumbs.

I guess it comes down to how valuable the instrument may be one day to donate to a museum for its place in history or whether to make it "playable" for the present and sacrifice some of its historicity.

Happy Easter to all our friends on Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer.

There are finger picks some use for playing stringed instruments. I do not know much about them other than they are available. Perhaps someone will chime in with a bit more information.

Nate, I am experimenting with different heights off the possum board. I'll let you know if my ears can tell a difference in tone.

Thanks John. What is the spacing on a Galax double back?

Thinking about a possum board, Does anyone know if there are any standards for how much space between the dulcimer and the possum board?  Any science to it?

I have seen what seems to be general recommendations for 3/8:" to 1/2" spacing. 

What are your thoughts?

Merry Christmas to one and all and a Happy New year. Blessings

Looks like it works great Kendra. It is so special that each one has a special place in your heart. Thank you for continuing to play and teach in the traditional way. To my ear that is THE sound I think of when I hear "mountain dulcimer."

Happy Thanksgiving to all my dulcimer friends. Have a wonderful and thankful day.

Todd, that looks like a very reasonable price. The one thing that you may want to ask is how it has been stored. If perhaps in an attic or  a  rental storage unit it may have been exposed to extremes of heat or humidity. Other than that I would go for it. Some people place extra value on those made in Connecticut. Best wishes.

Todd, As to where to look for a dulcimer, shopgoodwill.com sometimes has mountain dulcimers. I think  you will do well to take your time and find one made by a known builder. You have done well by asking for guidance on this forum. I would be wary of foreign made dulcimers many of which have quality and intonation issues. It is so disheartening to get a dulcimer and then become disappointed because it does not sound right. Not a good way to begin your dulcimer journey.

Over the years I have bought 3 McSpadden Dulcimers and 1 Warren May dulcimer previously owned which had been played little to not at all. One of them still had the pick and noter in a sealed envelope. People sometimes buy on the spur of the moment then never get around to learning to play. Such a dulcimer if it has been stored properly is usually a good buy and often at a very reasonable price.

If there is a local dulcimer club, many times the members are accepting of newbies and will allow you to look at and play their dulcimers. Sometimes teachers or clubs have loaner dulcimers as well, it that is an option where you live.

Continue to look and if you see one, let us know and we may be able to offer some guidance. Best of luck on your search.

I have owned in the past two of David Lynch's dulcimers which were not student models. They both were well made and sounded wonderful. I sold them not because there was anything wrong with them but because I chose to play dulcimers with a more traditional style, staple frets, fiddle edges, in the pattern of the Thomas dulcimers of old. But as Dusty pointed out the one on ebay looks to be one of his student models. Personally I don't think I would give that much for it.