Forum Activity for @lisa-summey

Feedback welcome

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

I joined this group some time ago, and sadly still don’t know how to play the dulcimer due to the fact that I have bought two used instruments neither of which were suitable to learn on. The first I found out was a cheaply made instrument and would need to be upgraded to give me a decent chance at being successful. The second is actually a very decent Mize dulcimer, but I found out it is an equidistant stringed dulcimer and I couldn’t really find information for a beginner starting out with that type. I am not aware of any instructors in my area to ask for help. At present, I still have the desire to learn, but haven’t had the opportunity to see a variety of dulcimers in person or the funds to buy a very expensive instrument. There is a Blue Lion for sale near me. They aren’t asking a lot for it, but I’m afraid to buy it without knowing if it would be suitable for a beginner as there are many things I may not know to consider. From zooming in on the picture, it looks like it is made to be strung in the traditional style ( and maybe converted to equidistant based on the notches I see). It is a model IW if that helps with feedback. Thanks so much  

updated by @lisa-summey: 11/11/22 02:41:02PM

Feedback on new instrument

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

Thank you for your response. I will search online for the product you recommended. The wood does not feel particularly dry to me. Depending on the light, the cracks are not as visible. That is why I did not see them at first. Maybe treating it will help. Would you try to go ahead and tune it as is? Also, what do you think of these pegs? Do you suppose they're original? The reason I ask is I read he mainly used wood pegs. Or maybe that was earlier than this 1984 instrument. 

Feedback on new instrument

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

Thank you. I did read that and decided to purchase based on that information. My concern arose once I noticed the cracking.  Could it have possibly been sold this way? I ask because the rest of the instrument is in such excellent condition. I have not attempted to tune it for fear of damaging it further. Also, I do not know how to tell if it is properly glued. 

Feedback on new instrument

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

I joined this site a few years ago after picking up an inexpensive dulcimer. I later realized it was most likely made in China. Following advice from this site, I changed the strings, and I could never get it to stay tuned. I spoke to someone fairly local to me and it was going to cost far more to make the instrument useable than what I paid so I eventually gave it up. 

Yesterday, I happened upon a 1984/1922 Bob Mize dulcimer. I have no idea what the 1922 means. I researched the maker’s name and felt like this might be an instrument I could learn to play. I attempted to look it over well, but once I paid for it and got to my vehicle I noticed a place in the wood in the peg area. I can’t tell if this occurred when the instrument was made or if it was broken and repaired. The instrument has no other marks on it and I don’t know that it has ever been used which makes me think it happened when it was built. My concern is if I have wasted money. Are these cracked looking places going to make this unplayable? I appreciate your feedback.

updated by @lisa-summey: 03/03/21 01:42:11PM

Advice on beginner’s dulcimer

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

@skip, thank you. There is no label inside the dulcimer. There is a sticker on the back that says 559-1261. It came with a little booklet by Robert Hahnen copyright 1978, but I don’t know the age of the dulcimer. I used a tuner from my son’s violin days. Should I not use that?

Advice on beginner’s dulcimer

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

@kevin-r, thank you. I did turn the screw in the end of the peg ever so slightly after multiple attempts to tune the middle string. Once I did that, it would still turn back, but much more slowly. Perhaps the strings that were on it were not installed properly? It did seem that the middle string was significantly shorter than the others, but maybe that’s normal.

Advice on beginner’s dulcimer

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

Hello all,

I am new to this group and the dulcimer. I purchased a used dulcimer at a local thrift shop and quickly fell in love with the idea of learning to play the instrument based on some videos I watched. My original goal was to use this instrument to see if I could learn to play and later upgrade.

The first thing I did was attempt to tune the dulcimer. I was trying for DAA. I had to work a bit to get the D to hold, but eventually I got it. The middle string was very challenging because I realized the pegs were slipping. I could see it slowly turning. There was a high pitched sound as the peg turned back. Eventually, I could get to A, although it didn’t hold for long and I started to work on strumming. On an attempt to tune the middle string to A, it popped. Now I am left wondering if this instrument is good enough to learn the basics on and have new strings installed, or if I just need to find another dulcimer. After looking at pictures of other Dulcimers, I suspect this may not be very well made. I will attach a few pictures and I appreciate any feedback. Thanks so much. 

Introduce Yourself!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Hello, I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this site. I am an absolute beginner and am a little overwhelmed. I purchased a used dulcimer that I found at a thrift store last week. I came home and started listening to some dulcimer music and became enthralled with the idea of learning to play. As a mother of five, with ages ranging from 22 to 7, I am at a point in my life where I feel that I need to do something for myself. I stumbled across Strumelia’s YouTube videos and was hooked. I am fearful that the instrument is not a very good quality one though. My oldest played violin for many years and we learned early on that for the best chance of success, you need a decent instrument. Which is the best forum for me to post a couple of pictures and ask some questions about the dulcimer I have? I need to determine if I can proceed with this one or start looking for a new one. Thanks in advance.