Well said greg-gunner. Just depends on the sound each likes in the dulcimer.
Would be nice to have one of the old ones, like a Presnell. So what about those builders on TTAD?
I have a beautiful reproduction of an early '60's (if I remember right) Leonard Glenn made of butternut and walnut. Kevin Messenger built it stating it was his first Glenn reproduction and he copied the woods of the piece he had seen and the fret scale/intonation. Mine has a wonderfully sweet sound in DAA. It does not like DAd.
I once talked with an instrument repair person who thought the the Glenn's scale pattern was miscalculated. This person had been asked to "fix" a number of the Glenn instruments for some of his NC clients wanting to play modern melody-chord style. The Glenn dulcimers simply were not made with DAd in mind.
Beautiful Dulcimer Kevin63. The Glenns intonation seems to favor DAA tuning. I have an earlier Glenn reproduction that is very sweet in DAA.
So July 29 will be FOTMD day around the world, Cake and goodies and lots of dulcimer music. Is it here yet?
So it's agreed then: International Hog Fiddle Day will be celebrated the second Saturday after the first Monday after the first full moon after the summer solstice.
Robin Thompson: @dusty-turtle is who got this conversation on a designated dulcimer day started. I'm curious about what are his thoughts now? 
Seriously, I love how much enthusiasm this topic has generated. It was just a thought I had when I read about National Guitar Day, but clearly the idea resonates with a lot of us.
Some of what we are debating I don't believe to be too important. Why is Black History Month in February? Well, it used to be Black History Week and it was dated to the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. But choosing the date based on those two individuals did not somehow rob the designation of the ability to celebrate Ida B. Wells or Martin Luther King. Similarly, were we to choose Jean Ritchie's 100th birthday as the first Dulcimer Day, it would not rob us of our ability to celebrate Uncle Ed Thomas or Loraine Wyman on that day.
Nonetheless, in the interests of not alienating any of the fine members here, I have another suggestion for the day: How about the first Saturday after the spring equinox? It would mark the beginning of the dulcimer festival season but would not be tied to any specific date or any specific individual. Any thoughts?
When Pritchard marketed his "American dulcimer" he was clearly trying to take advantage of the nationalist fever that dominated the golden age of folklore (1870 or thereabouts to 1914). But I agree with those who think that name strips away the regional roots of the instrument. "Mountain dulcimer" does indeed seem to be the most commonly used term for our beloved instrument, but I would be OK with either "Mountain" or "Appalachian" dulcimer. The Wikipedia entry uses "Appalachian" dulcimer, and that alone might be a reason to choose that term.
So my new proposal: International Appalachian Dulcimer Day, the first Saturday after the spring equinox.
Great discussion with lots of interest. This sounds great. But would it be simpler for old minds like mine to remember if it were 3rd Saturday in March (for instance) rather than tying it to a date that varies from year to year?
A most interesting discussion indeed with thoughtful input. How exciting.
Whatever date, I like the idea of International Appalachian Dulcimer Day.
A recognition day will give us all an opportunity to promote the dulcimer in many different ways, whether its origins, its history, its music and on and on we could go. There are enough topics that we could celebrate more than 10 years before repeating a point of emphasis if we chose to do so.
I have owned two custom builds from Dave at SweetWoods. Each was skillfully crafted, with a well balanced full sound and easy playing.
A friend had one of Ron Gibson's Barbara Allen models. It was a work of beauty with rich wood, excellent craftsmanship and a wonderful sound. It was perhaps slightly louder than some modern dulcimers.
That is a song still under copyright. You may need to purchase the sheet music and then get someone to do the tab for you. It is available here
https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0152332
in the key of C which should be fairly easy to create tab for.
If you can't find someone to tab it for you, pm to me.
So fondly remember Rod. May we never forget those dulcimer friends who have gone on before.
If my information is correct Fellenbaum is a builder in Black Mountain NC. He has slowed down on building dulcimers to keep in stock, but does build to order. His dulcimers are well crafted and typically have a bit wider and deeper body. There is no standard for dulcimer dimensions and builders have their own preferences. Like Ken said, tone is influenced by volume of the sound box.
Happy Thanksgiving all. May we all be sure to reflect on all of our many blessings and truly be thankful from a grateful heart.
I think your plan to sell and use the proceeds to purchase a dulcimer fitted to the playing style of those around you is admirable. So many folks would not want to take the time to do that.
I think you would want to price it at $600, maybe less. You can adjust your price lower. I just sold a Warren May premium model to a local lady who is a friend of mine. Because of that relationship I sold it for far less than it is worth. But I did not have to pack and ship it.
It seems many current players prefer to have the extra frets and mechanical tuners as you noted in your area. If you are willing to wait it out, I am sure you will find a buyer, but it may take a couple of months or more. The holidays are coming up and the vaccine has not prevented me from having dulcimer acquisition disorder (DAD).
You may want to contact Warren May. He may have someone with interest that would not demand a new dulcimer. PM me and I can help you with contact information.
Thanks Kenl. Great read. Don is quite a fellow.
Thought I'd ask of the many who play their dulcimers in nursing, rehab, senior living, or retirement centers how things are going? What kind of access are you finding where you are? Any of you back to any where close to pre covid frequency of visits? Thanks.
Like Dan said the name comes from a board used to stretch animal skins for sale. Different sizes for muskrats, mink, racoon, possum, beaver, rabbits. Dad used them in the winter when trapping muskrats and mink to supplement farm income.
That is a beautiful dulcimer. I have not heard of this builder. Perhaps someone will recognize the name and provide some information.
It seems a number of people have purchased dulcimers as an impulse buy, take them home with the intent of learning to play, never get around to it, and store the dulcimer away.
I have purchased no less than 6 second hand dulcimers which appeared to have been played little if at all. One had the pick and noter sealed in a little envelope which had never been opened and the string sale tag still tied to the instrument.
So it is possible to get a "used" dulcimer which has not been used much at all.
Looks mighty good. Congrats on your good work and learning experience.
A picture of a new dulcimore beautifully crafted by Dulcimore Dan. This is his Dulcimore model.
Poplar body with cherry stapleboard, tuning pegs, headstock and tail block. Traditional with staple frets, fiddle edges, no extra frets, set up and tuned Gdd. A real beauty to the eye and to the ear.
If they ever develop a vaccine for Dulcimer Acquisition Disorder, I'll refuse to take it.
One of the builders on this site might be willing to fix the holes so the new tuning machines will work. Would involve shipping dulcimer and tuning machines and waiting to get it back.
Great photo John and great dulcimore given to Diane. Contrats Diane. Enjoy your dulcimore
That is a beautiful dulcimer. Best of luck finding out more about it.
How wonderful of you to build your sister a dulcimer. I would think if she has a reasonably "tight" house and does not live with the windows open all the time, the dulcimer may be protected enough kept inside. As exciting as it sounds to sit by the beach to play I probably would not do that. I live in NC with 95% humidity much of the summer with no problem imparted to my dulcimers kept inside the house.
You raise a good question. Since you do not always have audiovisual tools at hand perhaps, perhaps a 50 mm x 75 mm picture or photo laminated in plastic you could carry on your person. You might could do front and back, one side the dulcimer the other side someone seated playing it.
As for sound, you have discovered that the dulcimer is capable of many voices. To me its sweetest voice is on a slower song. Perhaps a dulcimer sound clip of a slower melodic song well known to the people of Spain could be loaded to your phone to share the sound that way.
If you check some online companies you may be able to specify shipping in a small package by USPS and hopefully the parcel will fit in your mailbox which I assume is secure.
Susie, thanks for starting the thread. I am sure many of us enjoyed it, whether we participated or not.
Here is a four place stand I have. Another sideways picture
Here is one I use. No pets in the house to disturb it. Sorry the picture is sideways. It is correct on it's original file.
So sad to lose another in our greater dulcimer family.
To me the dark spot looks like it is in the wood.
Does not appear to have a 13.5 fret. The 6.5 will not be a problem. As you learn, you just have to remember it is there. I play a dulcimore without a 6.5 fret most of the time then if I pick up my only one with the 6.5 fret, it takes me a few minutes to remember it is there.
It looks like it has a 6 1/2 that has been added.
Great article KenL. Thanks for sharing with us.
I now have 12 including 2 zitters both with staple frets. Most of mine are traditional style with staple frets, several with wooden tuners. Only one with a 6 1/2 fret.
I encourage all who use the forum to help support it.
It's really simple. If you enjoy the forum and it benefits you, you really ought to support it. A lot of things in life are note free, and the forum is not really meant to be a handout. After all we pay for other things we enjoy--groceries, pro baseball, movies, concerts, bowling, dulcimers, dulcimer festivals etc.
So sorry Venni to hear of your disease. COVID is wicked. Take care of yourself and get well soon.
