Forum Activity for @silverstrings

Hair line crack bottom back of walnut McSpadden

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

Thanks to everyone! I agree with every comment. I did send photos to Jim Woods and asked suggestions. If I ever need it repaired, I will go to a dulcimer luthier. It makes my heart full to know that I have such a great sounding instrument. I will definitely take great care of it. Going to let you all know what Jim Woods says in his response. He has always been great about any questions I have had in the past while making the two dulcimers that I have from McSpadden. 

Hair line crack bottom back of walnut McSpadden

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

Thanks, Ken. My husband, a jazz guitar teacher thought I should possibly get a replacement dulcimer. I did explain that I tried out every dulcimer by various makers at a recent festival and not one compares to the sound and balance that I get from this one. I wonder if they knew the wood had problems or that it just happened with this wood. Thoughts on that? The luthier said that there is no place to put the glue. If it gets worse, he would fix it for me. What is CA “superglue” and what kind of varnish would you suggest? Thanks Ken, for any input. My brother is an award winning sound mixer for Sony Pictures and even he says that he has never heard such a “magical” instrument! 

Hair line crack bottom back of walnut McSpadden

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

So, I live in North Georgia and am very careful with my Redwood/Black Walnut McSpadden. It has been a mild winter. I never leave it in the car. I take great care of it. I have only had for 8 months and noticed on the back bottom part of my dulcimer a few hairline cracks. I will call McSpadden as they made it for me. I did let my husband show to his luthier. The luthier says that sometimes makers see a problem in the grain and don’t want to remake it so they cover it up. I really love the sound and no light is coming through the wood. I want to approach the right way with McSpadden. I don’t want to give up this dulcimer and get another. The tone is unbelievable. However, I have never had this problem with a guitar. I feel like I am already very careful with this instrument. Suggestions are very welcome. I worked hard to get this wonderful instrument and can’t go out and buy another. Thanks.

updated by @silverstrings: 03/10/25 11:53:14PM

To remove one string or not to remove, that’s the question

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thanks, Lisa. I have a McSpadden and my melody strings are closed together, too. There are times when I am quickly sliding my thumb while anchoring the other strings in chord playing where the bottom two strings separate some. I might see if I can try out someone’s dulcimer in my group. That is a great idea.

To remove one string or not to remove, that’s the question

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thanks, Dusty, I appreciate it. I played rhythm guitar on an acoustic in the past and didn’t want to give up the extra string either. I just went to my first dulcimer festival and one of my teachers suggested I remove the string. I am a chord player and want to improve on hammer on’s and pull offs, etc... I think I should try it. 

To remove one string or not to remove, that’s the question

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I tune my dulcimer to DAD. Sometimes other tunings.

To remove one string or not to remove, that’s the question

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

So, everyone in my dulcimer group plays with 3 strings. I have resisted removing one of the melody strings. I thought the sound would be better with 4. However, after 8 months of playing I am doing more flat picking, hammer on’s and pull offs.  Pro’s and cons to removing the extra melody string is encouraged. Thanks!

updated by @silverstrings: 11/25/19 11:00:10AM

McSpadden Possum Board Volume

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

LD. Thanks, I am seriously thinking of going ahead with the possum board. Thanks for your input. I have 2 McSpadden’s with 26” vsl. One is redwood with walnut and the other is all walnut with some extra frets. I love them both!

McSpadden Possum Board Volume

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

LD, so you are at least glad you bought the MsSpadden possum board? I have a 26” dulcimer from them, too and love it. What does your Spalted Sycamore sound like and does it have Cherry sides and back? I am looking at one of theirs in the 26” vsl length. Thanks

McSpadden Possum Board Volume

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

 

McSpadden Possum Board Volume

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

I am thinking of getting a walnut possum board to increase the volume on my 2 McSpadden Dulcimers. Does anyone have one of these? I will be playing acoustically in groups mostly and am not ready to think of external pickups and amps. Thanks!

Black Mountain Instruments still making dulcimers?

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

I am curious to know if Black Mountain Instruments out of California is still in business. Does anyone know? I looked online and have the impression that they are not still making dulcimers. Thanks

Buzzing with pull offs- me or the dulcimer

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

Thanks for all the great insight and advice. I realized once I got to my Dulcimer Group, that my technique was the problem.  Greg Gunner, I think you nailed it. I am new at this so I am actually glad it was not my instrument. I even tried my bad technique on my Teacher’s standard McSpadden and realized I did the same thing! I appreciate all of you at FOTMD! Great site.

Buzzing with pull offs- me or the dulcimer

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

When I am practicing pulls offs on the Bass and Middle strings on the 1st and @nd frets, sometimes I get a buzz and sometimes not. Seems like I have to pull off very lightly. Is this due to my technique or lack of technique? I just got a wonderful sounding McSpadden so I hope it is me and not the instrument. My cheapest guitar doesn’t do it when I pull off. 

Any suggestions? Thanks

FYI, it is a 26”vsl and I do tune mostly in CGC because my Dulcimer tunes to CGC.

FOTMD's 10th Birthday Pickled Dulcimer Contest!! (contest CLOSED)

OFF TOPIC discussions

364

Ebony versus Micarta Fretboard on McSpadden Dulcimer

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thanks, I do like the Micarta. Even Jim Woods of McSpadden told me that if he were building a dulcimer for himself now, he would go with Micarta. I know Ebony is rare now to get so I didn’t know if I should have it this time around. However, I live in a high humidity area. I have only been playing 3 months. Right from the get go, not only was it smooth, I found myself being able to look away from the fretboard from time to time while flatpicking. Slow, flatpicking, of course, tee hee.

Ebony versus Micarta Fretboard on McSpadden Dulcimer

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I have a Micarta Fretboard on my McSpadden Dulcimer and love it. I am thinking about getting another McSpadden made with some additions and different woods. I was wondering about any experiences of other regarding Micarta versus Ebony for a fretboard in sound, durability and feel. Thanks

updated by @silverstrings: 07/13/19 07:38:03AM

Blue Lion IW Style 1 Red Cedar & Walnut question

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

Thanks everyone for your responses. I did the math and it would not save me much money. I just bought the McSpadden in my profile picture and will hold off for now. Dusty, the strings being farther apart and the floating bridge kind of made me rethink it. I want a dulcimer with a 1-1/2 fret down the road and am willing to wait. Again, thanks to Banjimer and Dusty Turtle.

Blue Lion IW Style 1 Red Cedar & Walnut question

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

Does anybody have an opinion about the Blue Lion style 1 with Red Cedar and Walnut? I am wanting a big, warm sound. It also has a 1-1/2 fret that I will need in the future. There is a used one that I am really interested in purchasing. Thanks