Just had to jump in on this question. Currently working on Buffalo Gals as a challenge from some traditional dulcimore playing friends.
My favorite instrument is an UltraLite model made by Dan Cox and specifically set up for playing in Cgg. If I play a CD player I don't make nearly as many mistakes, but it is not the fun of playing the dulcimore.
I am enjoying our wildlife friends in the back yard. Whitetail deer, Canada Geese, squirrels, racoons, possums, 10 or 15 species of birds including a really large specimen of a redtailed hawk we call Chester.
Also I am getting in some time trying to learn Tabledit, playing my dulcimores, and tabbing out some hymns and other songs.
Yard work will be calling soon as our grass is greening up after its winter dormancy. I'll plant a few things in my vegetable patch by the 8th or 10th.
Stay well all. We'll be past this after awhile.
Why put them away? Mine are out on instrument stands in the area where I play, usually daily.
Thanks, Dusty. I enjoyed the video and was impressed that the group took the songs at a nice even pace (slowly).
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
It was a beautiful execution of the songs and as Ken says at slow pace. Very refreshing.
Great Article. Thanks Dusty for posting.
Yes. Berea the last 2 years was great. I count all those there among my many dulcimer friends. Thanks for FOTMD which allowed the organizers the forum to put that event together in 2018 and 2019. Looking forward to Berea 2020.
Staylor, I'd advertise it here on FOTMD and ask $325.00 with the understanding you may need to negotiate down a bit. I think it is easily worth that amount. Many times McSpaddens sell more quickly than others and with Christmas approaching some dulcimer player here may be wanting his or her Santa to bring them a nice dulcimer. It may be one of those that takes a month or more to sell. Just be patient. If this does not bring success you always can see if the Dulcimer Shoppe in Mountain View will consign it for you. That is so nice of you to help out your friends. So many times nice dulcimers can be bought for almost nothing because people do not know their value. Then some sellers who don't know their value price them as if they are a Strativarius. Best wishes moving it for your friends.
I did not see your post before I entered my comments. If you like it and can get it at $250'ish I'd jump all over it.
I would concur with a price of $250 to $300 (as Banjimmer suggested) provided it is in good shape and your description suggests that it is. One factor a savvy buyer would want to know is how it has been cared for, particularly how it was stored. Was it in a rental storage unit without thermal control, in a damp basement, in an attic space? If you have that information, it may be helpful. Temperature and humidity excesses in either direction are not healthy for a fine musical instrument.
Would you want to post pictures here?
Had you considered asking your friends if you could advertise it for sale on this site? That may bring a better price than an estate sale.
Sounds like a great price on the Doty, John-C
[quote="PaulinPhoenix"]
My "very first" dulcimer was actually six dulcimers. I spent a summer in West Virginia many decades ago and heard my first dulcimer played on an old front porch by an equally old and delightful lady who was regarded as the matriarch of the town (the name of the town and her surname were the same - it was founded by her ancestors).
What a wonderful story. You are fortunate to have that collection of dulcimers.
What a beautiful and charming kitten. I know you will enjoy her in your life.
Awesome build John. Sure looks good.
Kim, how exciting that you are investigating your family history. I enjoy learning about the early dulcimers and builders. I really like the traditional sound.
The notes are the letters A through G, then begin again with A. There are some sharps and flats along the way as well.
Depending upon which note you start with, the tuner will show D, then E, then F, then F#, then G, G# and A. Be sure to only turn the tuning peg when the string is vibrating.
Hope this helps.
Strings are not expensive. As Robin states, try a set and change back and forth and see which ones suit you and your playing style. You should be able to find some which will tolerate moving between DAA and DAd and be quite satisfactory in sound in either mode.
It's going to be a wonderful time. Looking forward to seeing many of you there.
Susie
If you don't get some responses, the Folkcraft folks are great to deal with. They will answer the phone or call back if you need to leave a message.
Wmacky, you have purchased a beautiful instrument. Congrats. I saw it on ebay but did not pursue it.
I have purchased 5 dulcimers over the years which appeared that someone purchased, looked at, and put in a closet waiting for the "some day" when they would learn to play. But never did. One even had the pick and noter stick still sealed in a little envelope. So long as they have been stored where there is not extreme temps or humidity, one can find some good buys in this scenario. Usually the dulcimer will need new strings, and sometimes some care of the fretboard as frets will sometimes oxidize a bit over time.
I know you are looking forward to many years enjoying your dulcimers. It sounds like your DAD (dulcimer acquisition disorder) may be at bay for a while. Thankfully, that disorder is not harmful, unless it makes the spouse unhappy.
Congratulations on your purchase. That is a beautiful dulcimer. I know you will enjoy it for a long time
So sorry for your losses Jeannie. Glad you are finding the heart to play again.
David, Sally Ann is such a beautiful can. I know she brings you much joy.
Which model of Dulcimore Dan's is that one? It sure is a nice looking duclimore.
What a gorgeous black cat. I know he is a wonderful companion for you. He is so fortunate to have such a good owner.
My bad. The name the lady gave me was spelled incorrectly. It is Jim Trantham. Now I can give her some information.
A friend has been shown a dulcimer made by Jim Trantham. She asked me if I had heard of him. Sadly, I have not. Thought I'd ask if anyone knows of him. She seemed hesitant to purchase without knowing a little bit.
Thanks all.
I purchased a Walnut Valley dulcimer in Early 1993 and kept it until 2017. I sold it to a lady in our club who wanted it. Then I found one nearly like it earlier this year that appeared to have been bought but left unplayed in its case. So I now have a Walnut Valley once again. I really like the Walnut Valley. It is quite versatile. I have played it noter drone and with 4 equidistant strings using the noter. It sounds good in multiple modes and tunings. I don't think you would be disappointed with a Walnut Valley.
David D
Great job on the fine tuners.
James Jones sells a great hard case. Here is the link.
https://www.jamesjonesinstruments.com/appalachian-dulcimers-ac
David D. It looks in your initial pictures like the fine tuner for the bass string is down where the strings curve under the end of the fretboard to anchor. So you may need to only get 2 made to match.
That's pretty significant. Glad it worked for you. I may have to get some for some of my older dulcimers.
Don't know why the pictures loaded vertical. They were horizontal on my file on the computer from which I loaded them.
I recently found on ebay a "used" Mountain Valley Dulcimer Smokey River model. I prefer to call it "second hand" rather than used. This dulcimer came in a hard side case (chipboard) and appears to have been unplayed. I'm guessing someone purchased this intending to learn to play and then it was set aside.
There is not a mark on it. No indications the strings have ever been pressed down to the frets. No pick marks. It's made of beautifully grained book-matched walnut. I'll change out the friction tuners for some planetary tuners I have on hand harvested from another dulcimer. The real plus for me is that this '91 modern era dulcimer has a nice, clear, bright sound, which is what I prefer. I can see it becoming the dulcimer I use when playing with the dulcimer club where they like to use capos and other more modern playing styles.
My very first mountain dulcimer was a Mountain Valley Wildwood Mountain model, so this is a nice find for me.
Dulciana, I agree that price seems a bit high. I did buy one made in '91 from an auction locally that was like new. The pick and noter were still sealed in a little kraft paper envelope. It appeared to have been purchased and never played. If you find one like that, the $300.00 would make a good starting point to bargain for a selling price. Another concern to consider is if someone stored an unused instrument in a not so instrument friendly environment; such as a hot attic, a damp basement, or a non climate controlled rental storage unit. As for the plywood back, the quality of the plywood which McSpadden used was the very best and very stable over time. I would not allow that fact alone to cause much hesitation.
I would think a price $225.00 price range would be more reasonable.
Fortunately for those of us who look at used dulcimers, many were purchased and left largely unplayed. Sometimes someone picks one up at a yard or estate sale or a family member disposes of the estate without knowing a lot about a dulcimer. They can be real treasures when we find one.
Perhaps the concern is more about letting the dulcimer community know and hoping it understands than anything internal to their production practices.
For many years McSpadden's policy was to set up all standard dulcimers in DAA, with setup in DAd available on request. That has now changed. Below is an excerpt from an email I received from Jim Woods at McSpadden.
"...we have just this month changed that policy. Now well over 90% of our standard dulcimer are sold in DAD tuning so we have yielded to the pressure and made that the default setup. I’m still working on getting that news out to the dulcimer community. Trying to implement a change like that in a policy that has been in place for 56 years doesn’t go smoothly."
The student dulcimer has found a home. Thanks everyone.
I hope Lisa's blog is read. Her call for respect is needed.
Let's all play, whether by ear or in print, a chorus of Aretha Franklin's R-e-s-p-e-c-t.
The dulcimer produces such sweet music and it is versatile enough to be played in different ways.
I "amen" the appeal to respect others of our forum no matter their choice of playing style, use of TAB or SNM or memory. Let's just all have fun and enjoy the dulcimer in the way that appeals to us and allow others the same without disrespect related to their playing method or style.
