Dulcimer-Guitar Style Options?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Wow! These are amazing instruments! I wonder if they are all dulcimer frets -- I need to check them out.
Forum Activity for @kateharp
Dulcimer-Guitar Style Options?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
I love all the ideas for modifying instruments. This must be how new instruments get invented!
Dulcimer-Guitar Style Options?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Ken Hulme:
ANY dulcimer can be played "stand up". Look at the videos of Robert Force, the grandfather of modern dulcimer playing. He and his partner Albert d'Ossche more or less invented 'stand up' dulcimer.
But if you absolutely need a necked instrument for ergonomic reasons and you want something that is less 'banjo-like' sound, that's a tough one.
A. Because if it has a neck it really is not a dulcimer any more -- it's a diatonically fretted stick thing.
B. Virtually ALL stick things have very little sound box, and it is the internal volume of a larger sound box that gives you the more mellow sound of a dulcimer rather than the tinny sound of a banjo or stick thing.
One possible solution is an American Cittern built by Bobby Ratliff of Slate Creek Dulcimers. It has a relatively large body (much bigger than the run-of-the-mill stick thing) that is a nearly round teardrop shape, with a diatonic fretted neck. Contact Bobby here:
http://slatecreekdulcimers.blogspot.com/
or through his Slate Creek Dulcimer Facebook page. Tell him I sent you, what you're looking for, and see if he's interested. He built a couple of these a few years back.
Yes, the issues of a & b you mentioned - is exactly the obstacles I was running into.
I'm interested in the cittern you mentioned (But I don't see anything on his website about it) - does that have the same type of diatonic fretboard as a dulcimer? I looked at some youtube videos under "citterns" and the frets widths looked different than a dulcimer - so I wasn't sure.
I would love to learn more about this instrument! :) Kate
Dulcimer-Guitar Style Options?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
What are the options for a dulcimer that is held like a guitar? So far I've found 1) Stick Dulcimers 2) Dulcitars and 3)Roosebeck Wildwood Dulcimer. But I don't know the 'bigger picture' of what is available. I want to be able to wrap my fingers around the neck (for ergonomic reasons). Any direction you might point me? I prefer a deep rich sound (like a dulcimer) and less like a banjo. If I have to get a banjo-sound, is it possible to put thicker strings on it to make it less tinny? I like to play slow, acoustic fingerpicking songs.
Anyone heard of "Music Crafts" of California dulcimers?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
No date or anything else. Mysterious!
Anyone heard of "Music Crafts" of California dulcimers?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
I bought a used Dulcimer and can't find out anything about it on google or this group search. Inside it says:
The Original Mountain Music Dulcimer, Another hand crafted product of MUSIC CRAFTS of California, Los Gatos, CA 95030