Forum Activity for @john-keane

John Keane
@john-keane
02/20/12 06:52:40PM
182 posts



I hope this makes sense to y'all...the one I want to post as a "favorite" isn't a "favorite" because it entertains me the most...it's because it's the song encouraged by Geekling and Strumelia many months ago when I was trying to learn how to play dulcimer and sing at the same time. Their encouragement made a HUGE difference for me and will forever be appreciated! It's silly (of course), but it has really opened some doors and I offer my sincere thanks to them for making me see it through.

John Keane
@john-keane
02/08/12 06:30:02AM
182 posts



This was my first "favorite" video shortly after joining FOTMD...I still think it's awesome.

http://mountaindulcimer.ning.com/video/the-sailors-wife

John Keane
@john-keane
02/05/12 03:54:50PM
182 posts



Wendy...you're much appreciated. Thank you!

Macy Jayne said:

I just clicked on 'My Favorites' on FOTMD and had these 2 vids listed

http://mountaindulcimer.ning.com/video/sapphire-1

http://mountaindulcimer.ning.com/video/duet-squirrel-heads-and-gravy

Thanks to Kim, JohnK and KarenK for the great vids!

John Keane
@john-keane
01/11/12 05:36:49PM
182 posts



My wife and I both own Cedar Creek dulcimers (my profile picture is one). They are well made and the folks there are some of the nicest people that you'll ever deal with.

John Keane
@john-keane
01/12/12 09:09:18PM
182 posts

What's up with the headless vids?????


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Ya just never know...

Wayne Anderson said:

I feel a JohnK original coming, yes I sure do.

John Keane
@john-keane
01/12/12 05:23:31PM
182 posts

What's up with the headless vids?????


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Okay...that was funny!

John Henry said:

Can't wait for verse 4 Jim !

JohnH

John Keane
@john-keane
01/11/12 05:40:23PM
182 posts

What's up with the headless vids?????


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

John Henry would make fun of my hats if I filmed everything from the head down...

John Keane
@john-keane
12/28/11 06:31:34PM
182 posts

Hughes Mountain Dulcimers


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

That's great news! I hope the quality will remain. Surely it will...

John Keane
@john-keane
12/28/11 06:58:56PM
182 posts

A very wonderful Christmas gift...


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

They're pretty cool at FOTMG, but we're MUCH cooler at FOTMD!

Macy Jayne said:

Wow, I just joined FOTMG yesterday and I'm truly amazed and see that is a very special group of people!

John Keane
@john-keane
12/25/11 09:02:23PM
182 posts

A very wonderful Christmas gift...


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

That is really cool! John Henry has outdone himself, but I can't imagine a more worthy recipient. Congratulations on your wonderful surprise!

John Keane
@john-keane
01/01/13 06:06:12PM
182 posts

The New Folkcraft Travel Dulcimer


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Agreed. They do a great job of taking care of folks.

Susie said:

I didn't realize they were doing it either, until I got the instrument, and the instructions letter said that they were doing T's as a "thank you". I'll take it....it's a nice thing to do on their part.

John Keane said:

So...I guess you realize that I didn't know that I was passing on a free shirt...

Susie said:

Oh....and I'm getting a free T for auditioning one. Since I already own a FolkRoots dulcimer, it will be nice to have.
John Keane
@john-keane
01/01/13 03:00:15PM
182 posts

The New Folkcraft Travel Dulcimer


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I'm workin' on it!

John Henry said:

Tut tut ! With your wardrobe in it's current state !! C'mon JK !!!

Anon

John Keane
@john-keane
01/01/13 01:28:47PM
182 posts

The New Folkcraft Travel Dulcimer


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

So...I guess you realize that I didn't know that I was passing on a free shirt...

Susie said:

Oh....and I'm getting a free T for auditioning one. Since I already own a FolkRoots dulcimer, it will be nice to have.
John Keane
@john-keane
01/01/13 07:07:51AM
182 posts

The New Folkcraft Travel Dulcimer


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I played one at Dulcimerville in June, so I passed on the test trial. I was very impressed with the sound from such a small instrument.

John Keane
@john-keane
12/31/12 05:29:51PM
182 posts

The New Folkcraft Travel Dulcimer


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Awesome!


Susie said:

Surprise, surprise......I got notified by Folkcraft and got the FolkRoots Travel dulcimer on Friday to try out for a few days. My sister also got one. I'll be giving them my feedback...mostly good, but a couple suggestions. Nice that Richard followed through with the auditions. Neat little dulcimer...nicely made. I'll be sending it back, though, because I have another dulcimer on order.

John Keane
@john-keane
03/10/12 06:40:48AM
182 posts

The New Folkcraft Travel Dulcimer


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Oh...you are quite welcome. I was afraid that folks had kinda given up on the things.

John Keane
@john-keane
12/31/11 08:52:08AM
182 posts

The New Folkcraft Travel Dulcimer


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

That is certainly understandable. When I initially read about the project, I thought that the time line was a tad optimistic lol. I reckon it'll happen when it happens.

John Keane
@john-keane
12/05/11 07:36:29PM
182 posts

The New Folkcraft Travel Dulcimer


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Ben is actually a member here at FOTMD...that's a big ol' sound for a little dulcimer!

frets4fun said:

Here's a nice video of an "old" FolkRoots Mini Dulcimer, before FolkRoots was bought by Folkcraft. This appears to be the instrument that Folkcraft is designing the new FolkRoots Travel Dulcimer after:

Sounds really neat.

John Keane
@john-keane
11/24/11 05:44:29AM
182 posts

The New Folkcraft Travel Dulcimer


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Lemme see if I can get an image on here for you...


Geekling said:

Im pretty sure that I didnt come across the CapriTaurus Bigfoot Discovery MuseumI wouldve remembered that!

John Keane
@john-keane
11/24/11 05:36:02AM
182 posts

The New Folkcraft Travel Dulcimer


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Wow...I feel like that guy in the commercial ("Everyone's outside Mike's office eating tacos...I like tacos" lol). I had no idea. Well...ya learn somethin' new every single day. A Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours as well!

Geekling said:

John, believe it or not, I already knew about the Bigfoot connection! I discovered Michael Ruggs Bigfoot Discovery Project around the time I asked Howard Rugg about my Folk Roots (which is how its referred to on the label, not the current FolkRoots). I cant remember if I found it via Google or Howard Ruggs MySpace page. However, Im pretty sure that I didnt come across the CapriTaurus Bigfoot Discovery MuseumI wouldve remembered that!

Oh, and I understand that some chord players find a dulcimer with a long fretboard, such as the 29 VSL FolkRoots, somewhat awkward to play. But for someone whose limbs end with disproportionately large appendages, this might not be such a problem. Coincidence?

PS: In other newsHappy Thanksgiving!

John Keane said:

Cool! I can't believe you haven't checked out the Bigfoot stuff mentioned earlier in the thread! I can't wait to hear what y'all think of this little dulcimer!

Geekling said:

I just found out that Keith and I are #31 on the list! We requested one with just the 6 and 13 frets, so I guess well wind up getting ours a bit sooner than some. Ooh, this is going to be so much fun!

John Keane
@john-keane
11/23/11 08:15:28PM
182 posts

The New Folkcraft Travel Dulcimer


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Cool! I can't believe you haven't checked out the Bigfoot stuff mentioned earlier in the thread! I can't wait to hear what y'all think of this little dulcimer!

Geekling said:

I just found out that Keith and I are #31 on the list! We requested one with just the 6 and 13 frets, so I guess well wind up getting ours a bit sooner than some. Ooh, this is going to be so much fun!

John Keane
@john-keane
11/23/11 08:14:31AM
182 posts

The New Folkcraft Travel Dulcimer


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Yep...they just kinda let the dulcimers become the background music for a time.

Dana R. McCall said:

That was cute. Thanks for posting. I heard a little Ole Joe Clark

John Keane
@john-keane
11/22/11 05:38:58PM
182 posts

The New Folkcraft Travel Dulcimer


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Well...I wish I could take credit, but I ain't makin' this up!

Beth Hansen-Buth said:

So funny John, so funny.

John Keane said:

I knew Bigfoot and dulcimers had to be linked somehow.

John Keane
@john-keane
11/22/11 04:16:01PM
182 posts

The New Folkcraft Travel Dulcimer


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Awesome! Well, it seems there are a few of us around here. On a related matter (since this thing is based on the old Folkroots design), Michael Rugg (yes, THAT Michael Rugg) was featured along with his BIGFOOT MUSEUM (in Fenton, CA) on a show that I recently caught in passing (while channel surfing). It seems he may actually have a Sasquatch tooth in his possession (according to the show, tests are going on as we speak). I had NO IDEA he was a Bigfoot guy, but the interview was pretty cool. His place is called "The CapriTaurus Bigfoot Discovery Museum", and admission is free. Talk about a potentially neat place to visit if ever in that area! I knew Bigfoot and dulcimers had to be linked somehow.

Erin said:

Hey John, I'm going to be trying out the standard 6 1/2 and 13 1/2 fret dulcimer which is apparently going to be sent out for testing by around mid December.....can't wait....

I've been happier with my Keith Young travel dulcimer since I restrung it with lighter gauge strings but I could still go with an instrument with regular tuning pegs rather than the zither pins which I find a challenge to fine tune.

John Keane said:

Erin, that's great. Which version will you be trying?

John Keane
@john-keane
11/22/11 12:00:32PM
182 posts

The New Folkcraft Travel Dulcimer


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

It was largely a blast! I highly recommend it!

frets4fun said:

I sure would like to visit Dulcimerville one of these years. What did you think of it?

John Keane said:

Sounds like a plan. I really liked the Folkcraft instruments that I tried at Dulcimerville last summer, so I'm looking very forward to this!

frets4fun said:

John, maybe those of us here can compare notes on this forum. This summer I purchased a FolkRoots butternut/walnut dulcimer and absolutely love it. I'm really enjoying the 1+ fret. The folks at Folkcraftdo great work. Should be fun.

John Keane
@john-keane
11/22/11 10:01:42AM
182 posts

The New Folkcraft Travel Dulcimer


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Sounds like a plan. I really liked the Folkcraft instruments that I tried at Dulcimerville last summer, so I'm looking very forward to this!

frets4fun said:

John, maybe those of us here can compare notes on this forum. This summer I purchased a FolkRoots butternut/walnut dulcimer and absolutely love it. I'm really enjoying the 1+ fret. The folks at Folkcraftdo great work. Should be fun.

John Keane
@john-keane
11/21/11 08:36:09PM
182 posts

The New Folkcraft Travel Dulcimer


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Frets, we'll need to compare notes. I can't wait to see how they've turned out.

John Keane
@john-keane
11/19/11 07:48:51AM
182 posts

The New Folkcraft Travel Dulcimer


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Awesome Ken! Richard told me to expect one around the end of December. I'm testing one with the added 1+/8+ frets.

John Keane
@john-keane
11/19/11 05:39:51AM
182 posts

The New Folkcraft Travel Dulcimer


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Just curious if any of our FOTMD crew signed-up to test drive one of these. I know there were some delays, but I understand they'll be shipping soon. The design (based on the old Folkroots model) is intriguing...simple in appearance, but it looks like it's designed for a big sound in a small package.


updated by @john-keane: 06/08/16 09:24:05PM
John Keane
@john-keane
11/03/11 05:28:21PM
182 posts

New Timber Hill Butterfly dulcimer arrived today !


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Sounds great! Looks awesome (and really big)! The bass seems to speak out very nicely on the video.
John Keane
@john-keane
10/29/14 10:43:48PM
182 posts

What's your favorite mournful, spooky, or lonesome song to play?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

That's FOTMD member Michael Futreal of Twang Darkly (we share Shreveport, LA as home base). Great stuff!


Brian G. said:

I wouldn't call You are My Sunshine a bright and cheery song at all, especially when you consider the verses. This verse, for example, has a more melancholy feel:

"The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping
I dreamt I held you in my arms
When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken
So I hung my head, and I cried"

This one seems vaguely menacing:

"I'll always love you and make you happy
If you will only say the same
But if you leave me to love another,
You'll regret it all one day"

And this one is definitely sad:

"You told me once, dear
You really loved me
That no one else could come between.
But now you've left me
And love another,
You have shattered all my dreams."

Aura Waters said:

Just for fun, come see this guy's minor key YouTube version of "You Are My Sunshine " entitled "Not My Sunshine"

It really demonstrates what a minor key can do to an otherwise bright and cheery song!

John Keane
@john-keane
09/20/11 07:32:37PM
182 posts



I know that Cedar Creek makes the T.K. O'Brien dulcimers. I know absolutely nothing about Cripple Creek. Walnut Creek=Walnut Classic...same instrument, however the last time I looked, the "TK" version listed on the Craggy Mountain website actually sells for a tad cheaper. Call Troy Heard at Cedar Creek...he's a great guy and will be more than happy (I'm sure) to solve your unsolved mystery. Hope this helps a little.
updated by @john-keane: 02/15/16 02:19:03AM
John Keane
@john-keane
08/28/11 09:39:03PM
182 posts



My McSpaddens all have it.

Thanna said:
So that slot is normal then, John? I've seen my instructor's McSpadden a few times but never really looked that closely at the tail.

Oh yeah. The rust issue amazes me. Apparently the strings havent been changed in 20 years. This is a dulcimer that's crying out for a new home IF the price is right.
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