Forum Activity for @dulcimer-dave

Susie, I can't recommend Ron enough. Very good to work with and talented.  Megan, Thank you so much!

Well, Friends. After a short wait, it finally came yesterday. Ron Gibson built me this beautiful instrument. She's a six string Chromatic, with a Birds eye maple top and walnut sides and back. The fret board is Birdseye maple and walnut, with Grover tuners. She's also a little deeper than normal as well, and she has a beautiful voice, I could not be happier!

The sound holes are special as well. Back in October I lost my Mother, she was, as Jimmy Buffet says "86 years of perpetual motion", a single Mom of three at 30, she went on to become one of the first female sheriff officers in Morristown NJ, became the first female detective, after her retirement, became involved with the International Association of Women Police, and was awarded their highest honor at Faneuil Hall in Boston.  When she retired to Deer Isle in Maine, she spoke often about two things her beloved dog, Bear and her home, which has four iconic pine trees lining her driveway.   

I'd been looking for a way to honor her, she loved my music, so I contacted Ron with my idea and I think he executed it flawlessly. Thank you Ron for helping me honor my Mother and challenging me with something new. If you're thinking about having one built, I can't recommend Ron enough. His experience, craftsmanship and passion for these fine instruments are reflected in his work.

Thank you for allowing me to prattle on.  Now I have to go build a stand...

Dave

 IMG_1052.JPEG - 248KB

Meghan, That is one of the most beautiful Dulcimers I've ever seen!

I am right now waiting, like a kid for Christmas, for Ron to finish my custom instrument. I'll post pics when it arrives!

Thank you friends.  I do know what I am looking for vis a vis Fret layout, design and sound.  Around the holidays I sold three of my dulcimers, in hopes that I might talk my wife into allowing me to have one built  The two I kept are a Walnut TK O'Brien (which I consider a nice beginner MD) and a Folk roots D-40 from the 70's ( a beast of an instrument). I'm thinking, I'd like a closer action so that Jenny Lind may be the one, but it would be nice to be able to hold/play one prior to plunking down my cash!

Morning Friends!

Still looking for the right one, and came across Sweet Woods instruments and David Lynch. I love the look, but his website is a mess and I cant really see much of his work. Anyone have one of his MD's? Thoughts?

Also, Found Ron Gibson's site as well.  I like his deep bodied Jenny Lynn models, and the fact he will build me a custom instrument.  Thoughts on Ron?

Thanks Friends!

Yes, a tad west of me :).  

Dusty,

It had UPS insurance on it, but they denied me that as well, due to "insufficient" packaging.  Also, just curious, I am over near Lake Norman, where in NC are you?

I should not have sold that one. But it was a heartbreaking experience, and a cautionary tale for others. Thankyoun folks for the empathy.

Just sold an antique Cherrywood dulcimer.  I THOUGHT I'd packaged it well enough, lots of bubble wrap and cardboard. What I did not factor in was the gorillas at UPS.  The customer received it crushed, and I was devastated. All I could do was refund the persons money. It was a heartbreaking experience. Going forward I will Use Bob's method of packing.

Ken,

Good to hear this from you, as I respect your opinion.  What I am looking for is a dulcimer that has that deep guitar sound, loud so I can play blues on it that won't break my bank account. I just shipped a lady one of my short scale Dulci's because my hands are too large for it. My go to's right now are my old FolkRoots and a TK O'Brien.  I am also drawn to unique designs and not fond of the heart shaped sound holes ( this is simple personal preference).  And I am open to suggestions.  Thanks again!

Dave

Hey Folks,

Happy Holidays!  I just discovered this builder and was wondering if anyone has ever owned any of his unique instruments. I like my dulcimers to have a nice bold sound, more like what Howard Rudd refers to a a "Califonia Sound" as opposed to a Kentucky sound.  This one seems to fit the bill, and in my price range. 

Thanks in Advance!

Thank you folks,  She mostly sleeps under an old Magnolia tree nowadays. And Strumelia, she is a sweet girl. When our Daughter was little, and had her buddies around, Callie would watch and herd them, if she thought they were in danger. Here is a photo of her and her best pal, Mouse.  Mouse doesn't like her photo taken, as she is roughly 16 lbs and has body shaming issue.

 Callie and Mouse.jpeg - 196KB

This is my old girl, Callie. Found her wandering alongside the road 13 years ago. She is by far th best dog I’ve ever had the pleasure of sharing my home with. In this photo she’s 14, and this was taken a year ago. She’s a very old lady now, and I know it’s just a matter of time, but I told her when I found her, she could live with us as long as she wanted.

i have two cats as well, and the older one bonded with Callie as a kitten. The other night I came home, and in my headlights in the driveway, I see the two of them walking together with the cat nudging Callie away from the hedgerow and back into the center of the path she was on. Good pets are good friends.

 8BDBA950-14C6-4A7A-AE13-BCAB587E0665.jpeg - 394KB

Dusty,

The red dulcimer on the right in my profile pic is a homemade one that was started in the 40’s, but never completed. I have what I need to finish it, and hope I have the skills but it is quite a bit smaller than my other two, I can’t wait to hear it sing.

Hi Patricia,

Ken Longfield told me that Howard was still building (or maybe it was Bing).  I have not been in contact with him, but I have had conversations with Richard Ash of Folkcraft instruments. I called him after I heard him on your show! Unabashed plug: Hearts of the Dulcimer is an EXCELLENT podcast....everyone should give it a listen.

Dave

Elvensong - and a beauty she is! I bought mine off of craigslist, in the ad it’s said “my Dad bought this years ago and it’s been hanging on his wall ever since”, I think I paid $60.00 for it ( plus $10.00 shipping). It had no strings, I found some info on the internet on what strings  were required, installed them, tuned it, strummed and was very happy at the sound it made. Learned a little more about Dulcimers noodled a lot and didn’t realize how Large it was until I came across a standard dulcimer. Brought her to Tom Fellenbaum ( an outstanding luthier and all around nice guy) and had the 6 1/2 and 1 1/2 half installed opening up my world to the blues. This summer I had the pleasure of taking a class with and spending some time with Bing Futch who’s pretty darn good teacher!

Recently, I acquired my standard dulcimer and decided to string my FolkRoots as a Baritone... sweet and loud! I am very much a student, but they give me great pleasure! Dave

Hi Patricia, 

sorry about being late to the party, but I have a Folkroots made in 1974: the label inside says RR&J, Ruggs Ruggs and Jaekel, I believe. It is a behemoth! It is the one on the left in my profile pic.

Dave

Hi Lisa,

i have a Naylor Dulcimer, pre buyout, and I just acquired it. The instrument has a very nice sound and I find it easy to play. I also have a early Folkroots that is a behemoth. I just completed restring on both, ( thank you Ken)And I very much like the sound and sustain of both of them.

Thank you both very much for your responses, now let’s see if th USPS can get it here in time for Christmas!

Howdy all,

I’m in the market for a new instrument ( because when are we not?) and I found a couple I like. One was made in the 90’s by a company named Walnut Valley. I find very little info on them, but it is a gorgeous instrument. And I’d love to know more about them.

The other is a Black Mountain model 58D, I can find plenty on them and it too is a beautiful Dulcimer...but it may be sold, will find out this weekend. So, if you could only buy one of these ....Which would it be and why? Thank you in advance for your expertise and Merry Christmas to all.

Dave

At Merlefest in 2004, heard an old fella playing what he referred to as his "Hog Fiddle". Fell in love with the sound and spent six months looking for a "Hog Fiddle". Finally rescued an old (number 3) Folkways from 1973 that someone had hanging on their wall. Used to belong to their Dad but it'd hung there for ten years, no one played it and would I like it. We negotiated a good price and I am still playing that instrument today. It needs refinishing, and lately I've gotten the idea that I'd like to build them as well. I also love to hand the instrument to kids too and watch their faces light up when they can make "music" without having to learn complicated chord forms.