For sale: Prichard copy made by Kevin Messenger
FOR SALE:instruments/music items/CDs/Wanted to Buy...
I have one of Kevin’s Prichard’s. Why does this still tempt me? 
Forum Activity for @kevin-r
What makes Christmas music sound Christmassy ?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I think maybe it has a lot to do with memories of past Christmas’s. If you had lots of good ones while a child and also thru your growing up years, and your personality or general make-up leans toward being a generous person, then the sounds of this time of year might invoke a spirit of good feelings. Just a thought. I say this because I have some friends who really struggle at this time of year because of memories of bad, or traumatic things that have happened thru the years at Christmas time. It’s all they can do just to get thru it and music does nothing to alleviate those feelings. I also believe one’s faith has something to do with it. Again, just a thought.
updated by @kevin-r: 12/17/20 02:30:58PM
Little Cities of Black Diamonds virtual fest
OFF TOPIC discussions
Absolutely loved the video Robin. Very nice!
The Drifting Thread...
OFF TOPIC discussions
What a wonderful video, Irene. I don't know you or Tomasi, but it brought a tear to my eyes. So nice for you to have that memory for the rest of your life. Thank you for sharing.
What Are You Working On?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I am working on a few kind of fast fiddle tunes. Trying to learn from a couple Phyliss Gaskins CDs. She is known for Galax dulcimer. I don’t have one, but I do have one of Bobby Ratliff’s Honaker style dulcimers that is tuned dddd (unison) and it suits just fine.
Thomas reproductions (Messenger/Knopf/other?)
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
You won't go wrong with either. I have a Thomas built by John, and a Prichard built by Kevin. Both are wonderful.
updated by @kevin-r: 05/08/20 11:22:27PM
I only see original post in a discussion, not replies..?
Site QUESTIONS ? How do I...?
Kendra Ward:
Are you logged in? I think you also need to be logged in to access some things?
I don’t know what group it’s in? I’ve joined several in the past but the comments are not within those groups. I can’t find comments or read them on something I posted...
Play Music On The Porch Day 2019
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I was playing outside too. A perfect day for it in these parts. I had fun too. Oh...I didn't have the Woodstock-like crowd of fire ants though. Just the accompaniment of locusts in the trees.
Phroedrick:
Thanks to all for the response. Think it sounds like homeopathy and physical therapy is a good choice, so I’ll try that. Did talk to my orthopedic guy today and he, too, thinks the paraffin therapy to be a good choice. Again, thanks for the advice and your experiences. Now, if anyone knows where they do full body transplants...
If you find anyone doing those body transplants let me know. I've been looking for those for awhile now and having not much luck.
Cigar Box Guitars
Adventures with 'other' instruments...
That's some mighty fine playing, Randy. It not only sounds great, it's just plain fun to watch too!
Synthetic fretboard
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Lisa:
I ended up buying an old “Plickett” dulcimer shaped object to keep in the car. It’s very quiet and sturdy. It had a trial run last night, as I ended up doing an emergency overnight respite visit with a hospice client to give the family a break. I spent most of the night in a recliner about fifteen feet away from the open bedroom door, and plucked on my Plickett softly, to keep myself awake and pass the time, along with watching Forensic Files at low volume.
The strings were the original super thin, rusty wire, so I swapped two out with what I had on hand, and ended up tuning it to C, g, D, with the melody string being tuned lower than the middle, as is my personal presence. This is my favorite tuning that I use on my cardboard box dulcimer that I play constantly, too. The lower tunings made the Plickett sound less plinky, giving a more pleasing plunk.
It’s a fun little board, and I think would survive the trunk of my car wrapped in a towel in a duffle bag this summer.
For those who don’t know, a Plickett was a small novelty dulcimer sold in the 70’s for a while. It’s two feet long, five inches wide at the bouts, and a 3/4 inch thick solid board, with a big circle cut beneath the bridge in the back, to give it a little volume and resonance.
It’s not perfect by any means, but it beats not having a dulcimer at all by a long shot. I suspect my cardboard box dulcimer would survive a summer in the trunk if it were in some sort of bigger box or case, but I love it far too much to try that. The Plickett is actually small enough that I just put it in my work bag and it stuck out just a little, so I could bring it into work or field work situations with me, and not leave in the trunk at all. Yay! I have something to use during work breaks!
Lisa
I have one of these too. It's hanging on the wall of my music room. My wife got it for me years ago. Probably mid 80's at the latest. Every now and again I get it down and strum on it a bit.
“Shinga Shing Shinga Shing Ching Chang”
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
This is funny to me because it is similar to my wife’s comments. She just doesn’t get my love of old time traditional music, especially music played noter-drone style on a traditional dulcimer. Either I play very poorly or it is such a different sound to her ears that she doesn’t “get it”. Hahaha I have been playing guitar and singing for over 30 years. She likes and understands that. She also doesn’t understand that my music room is slowly being overtaken by so many different dulcimers. Soon I will have to take over more closet space in another room. But...I love it. Isn’t music great?!
Looking for article by Ken Hulme
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Sorry. I was not aware of the mistake. I will have to save the correct one once someone posts it.
Advice on beginner’s dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Hi Lisa,
I am no expert, but I'm thinking you just need a new set of strings. As far as the pegs slipping I think that might easily be fixed too. It looks like there is a screw that goes thru the tuning peg. Maybe if you just tighten it slightly it will hold better. I wouldn't tighten it too much. Just enough to hold the peg in place. Hope this helps some. I'm sure someone else more knowledgeable will chime in soon if I am wrong. Good luck!
Is This Common
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I get the same way. I'm sure it is mostly nervousness. I get the same way when I try to record something. I could know it like the back of my hand, but as soon as I hit the record button something is bound to fall apart.