Tough question. If I could have just one, today, I think it would be a 1917 RT model, a replication of an older Thomas made for Bailis Ritchie in all walnut built by Dan Cox. Maybe tomorrow it would be something else.
There is a small fiber washer in the mechanism if my memory is still good. Sometimes that can be the culprit. I have had some success loosening them a lot and then slowly tightening them back down. If you ever disassemble one all the way take note of the order of the metal and the fiber washers on the shaft. Sometimes just using them will get them holding again. After all no exercise for 40 + years and we all forget how to do things.
Nice looking Melton Style Galax John. I am sure the new owner will be well pleased.
@shanonmilan I enjoy Wittner pegs on several traditional dulcimers. Wrist arthritis makes tuning wooden pegs difficult as much as I like them on the traditional instruments.
That song may be under copyright. I did a search and could not find when it was written. Your best avenue may be to purchase the sheet music and create your own tab from the sheet music.
They are great bags. Well made with quality materials. I can recommend them without reservation.
Frank, Warren builds wonderful dulcimers both in aesthetics and sound. I know you will enjoy playing it. Post some pictures when you receive it.
A hint: when it arrives if it is cold there, take it inside and let it acclimate to room temp in the box for a couple of hours before opening it. The hardest couple of hours for sure to tolerate.
There have never been any 'classical works' written for the Appalachian dulcimer either. Leonard Bernstein has been bust with other projects. IMHO "lower class peasant instrument" is a bit harsh. No, they were not instruments of the major cities -- Vienna, Paris, Milan -- nor were they "favored" by the hoi polloi of those cities and cultures. But that doesn't make them 'lower class peasant instruments'.
I have shipped more with USPS than other shippers mostly out of convenience. I always pay for insurance and I am careful to pack the dulcimer well. Sometimes in a box inside a box.. I use lots of bubble pack. I usually loosen the strings as well. Label the outside of the box fragile--musical instrument. Hope that helps.
I use Just Strings.com. You can get individual strings there. Warren May will sell you a set I am sure. He is still making a few dulcimers at his shop at home.
Warren May is still building dulcimers. He is a delightful and friendly gentleman. The questions you pose he would be glad to answer. His number is on his website. If you leave a message I have always found him to return calls. Hope that helps.
I've been working on my Christmas cookies. So far 30+ dozen and I think I am finished. All for giving away to church members, neighbors, and some local businesses where I trade. Decorating is done and most of the wrapping. I'll make the coconut cake for Christmas and help cook dinner on Christmas for the family.
Merry Christmas every one.
Thanks for the suggestion Strumelia. My family and I will celebrate Christmas from the perspective of the Biblical record, with praise and thanksgiving. We look forward to the Christmas fellowship at church and then the Christmas Eve candlelight service. It will be different this year as we lost my wife's dear sister passed due to cancer in September, so time will be spent to remember her. We will share Christmas dinner with close family. Our daughter and her family will be with us for a day or two. There will be visits with family and neighbors. I will be making a homemade gift for my brother in law. As of now I need to get started baking about 30 dozen cookies to share with many friends and some local businesses in the small town where I am. My list is growing so it may be more. I will play Christmas music most every day on the dulcimore.
Then as the Christmas Season passes into the New Year, we will continue to enjoy the birds which visit our 6 feeding stations daily. We also feed the wild deer, Canada geese, squirrels, an opossum we call Polly, a racoon we call Rocky, and a few ducks that have taken up over the years. Some nights we listen to the call of the wild coyotes across the way.
Well stated Wally and KenH. The mountain dulcimer is what it is. And in my humble opinion, one should enjoy its sweet song as it is without trying to make a bull horn out of it.
I am remembering that maybe the change over from laminate to solid wood was about 1996. It seems I remember the McSpadden having to send too much of the plywood back due to poor quality and it was slowing down production. I have had 2 McSpadden's with laminate bottoms with no trouble at all.
Irene Stew-Mac has bone bridge and nut material
What a beautiful dulcimer Nightingale. I know it must be special to you. I like a long scale dulcimer for playing noter drone.
I have found a different source for shipping instruments, books, cd's, or whatever. They ship USPS or UPS, but not FedEx at this time. I have found the rates can be 30% to as much as 60% less than going to the post office or UPS store. The service is free to use. The software by default gives the lesser rate via xxx, but for $n.nn more you can ship via yyy. There is a provision for pickup at your home or office or another address that is convenient if you don't have time to get to the post office or UPS pick up point.
The service is found at Pirateship.com. I have used it with good results.
Wow, Randal, you have a beautiful dulcimer and a bargain at that. I wish you well as you learn more and learn how to enjoy your special find.
I have not noticed any problems. Sounds like a wonderful move to the new server.
Nate, that is a real treasure. A wonderful gift to you.
The dulcimer community has lost another great one. My sympathies are extended to the family and loved ones of Gary Sager.
So sorry to hear of Dave's passing. He was a great guy and a wonderful builder. He built a couple of dulcimers for me that demonstrated beautiful craftsmanship and wonderful sound. My sincere sympathies to his family and loved ones.
I have cut smallish pieces of 2000 or 4000 grit sandpaper and glued them on picks to help with keeping them where they belong.
My guess---and it is that---is some sort of change due to being in the presence of other metals for the multitude of strings in your bucket. They should be fine to clean them and use them if they are not rusted or corroded to the point of risking breakage.
Awesome. Glad you finally connected and now have the dulcimer in hand. Thanks for sharing your success.
Thanks Robin for posting this.
Interesting Story. Thanks for sharing.
Help somebody today---what a wonderful way to pattern your life. Time was, and still is in some of the smaller more rural communities in America, that this was something very normal for everyone. Would it not be a wonderful world if more folks would do this kind of thing and remove themselves from the primary focus of their lives. Some say it takes a Village. I say it takes a neighbor whose focus is on others rather than himself.
I have used some of the free programs on line with good results. I have to do that so seldom relearning every time slows me down a bit.
Looking forward to it John. I vaguely remember that hymn.
How thoughtful of you to remember her like this. I hope you find the information you need.
I am thankful for the Christ Whose birth we celebrate this time of year, for His love and peace and joy given to all who accept His gift of salvation and forgiveness of sins.
Thanks Robin. Jean was such a delight. Wish I had known her other than from history. She did so much to promote the mountain dulcimer we all love so much.
It seems I looked up the score for Wintergrace. If memory serves I found it one website that offered it for sale. I think it is still under copyright.
