My dream dulcimer would be the one that I build. I have all the wood, all the luthier tools and all the supplies, fret wire, machine tuners, etc. Have all the saws, drills, sanders and all the woodworking machinery and hand tools to make all types of instruments. When I do make it I’ll send a pic. or two. Steve
Correction. Sorry, I meant the trigger finger was on my LEFT hand.Steve.
Had “trigger finger” three weeks ago.Right hand, ring finger. Don’t shoot with that hand. Dr. gave me three options, splint w/ an ointment (antiflammatory cream), steroid shot into the tendon sheath or surgery. Splint it for 20 days. Having a hard time bending it now. Can’t play guitar, banjo and ukulele . Don’t have to bend fingers as far for guitar playing to play Mountain dulcimer. So I guess I’m meant to play the dulcimer more. Recently bought a Songbird hammered dulcimer. Have finally got the books and DVD’s I wanted. Built my own adjustable stand and made a pair of a little larger hammers. If my finger doesn’t recover to where I can play my guitar I will be playing both the Mountain and Hammered dulcimers. Steve.
Thanks Ken. This chart is what I was looking for. Now if I can learn to play both dulcimers at the same time. Steve.
I have two dulcimers. I want to be able to play more songs at my jam sessions. Where can I get a chord chart for the DGD tuning? I have the chart for the DAD tuning. I will bring both dulcimers in the two different tunings so I can play in more songs. Steve.
Nate. You have a cool Uncle. That is a nice looking banjo. Last year bought a Deering Goodtime 2 banjo and later bought the Deering Goodtime Banjo/Ukulele. Love it. Easy to play and sounds a lot like a banjo.Steve B.
Susie, Thank you. I didn’t mean to ruffle any feathers when I explained that you can’t sell your handmade flutes as “Native American Flutes “ if you are not Native American. I do own a High Spirit flute. I have many flutes from Erik the Flutemaker. I met him at the Texas Renaissance Festival many years ago. I have a McSpadden dulcimer from Mountain View, Arkansas and a Dulcimer Factory dulcimer that was made in Kerrville, Texas. Martin D-35, Taylor nylon string, Martin ukulele. Several Harmony ukulele’s.Deering Goodtime 2 banjo, Deering banjo/ukulele w/ resonator. A Martin Jr. Cajun accordion, met him and he signed my accordion . 2- autoharps( Oscar Schmidt), Cooper bodhran. Many Horner harmonicas. Skinny Bass foot drum. Yamaha electric piano. Fender Strat. Thumb harp. Wood tongue drum. Did I miss anything? Oh yea, several Irish tin flutes. You can say ,” I love my music.” It is true that “ Music soothes the beast “. It hurts me when someone butchers a song. Bob Dylan is not a very good singer, but he has written some of best songs, ever. I believe he is a genius when it comes song writing. I sorry, I’m just rattling on and on. When it comes to music, I could play all day. I go to several jam sessions a month. Time to go. Steve.
If you look on High Spirits Flutes, you will see he calls them Native American Style flutes. Years ago the American Indians sued the people selling “Native American Flutes” when the person making the flutes had no Native American heritage. Now when selling a “Native American Flute” it must have been made by a “Native American “ or if not by an “American Native “, it must be sold as “Native American Style “. “Native American Flute Style “ donates the type. “ Native American Flute “ donates it is an official “ Native American” made flute. If you are making flutes and selling them as “American Native Flutes” and you are not full or part “Native American “ you are deceiving your customers and are libel. You must label your flutes as “Native American Style Flutes”. This is not BS. Steve B. Next time before you reply, check out your info. and you won’t have to eat your words.
Jacob, I am vey sorry to burst your bubble. I have a High Spirit flute. They are not “Native American Flutes”. The man that builds those flutes is not a Native American and thus he can not call his flutes “Native American Flutes “. He makes really nice flutes. Sorry! I believe he calls them Native American Style flutes. Steve.
Replacing all my strings. Just broke off one of my tuning pegs. Has this happen to anyone? How do I remove the piece without damaging the hole?
My wife and I took a trip to Mountain View Arkansas about 12 years ago and got to visit the dulcimer shop. Also got to listen to the jam session on one of the porches there. Did buy some tuning pins to make a hammer dulcimer from the dulcimer shop.
I recently found a dulcimer @ an antique store in Texas and had to do some repairs. I used spray can lacquer for music instruments, bought @ Rockler, on the top and back of the dulcimer and orange oil on the fretboard. Be careful when using GooGone. If you have acrylic nails, it will melt them. I have some experience with luthier projects. Also have a lot of luthier tools and can repair most hand wood instruments.
My grandparents from my mother’s side was from Lafayette, LA. 6 years ago my wife and I took a weekend to Lafayette and found a cajun accordion builder. It was a few weeks till my birthday and my wife bought me one, Martin Accordions. A really fine instrument. Diatonic. Works like a harmonica. Pull for a note, push for a different note with same button. Also called a melodion. Mostly cajun music is played on this instrument but I have been playing Christmas, pop, and county music. Sounds fine. Plays totally different from a regular accordion. Much smaller. Ten keys on right and two bass keys on left. Still have not mastered it but not giving up. Aeeeee.
John, Thanks. There is one builder in my area, southeast Texas. Not looking at being in competition. He has a very established reputation of fine dulcimers. His shop has cnc machines. I’ll depend on jigs for repetition. Don’t think he’ll have to worry about me. Thanks again John. Looking forward to keeping in touch.
Play guitar, ukulele. Was in an antique store and found a dulcimer in very good condition. No strings. Cleaned it up. Bought strings at my local family owned music store. Did a lot of searching on the internet and found that this brand was made in Kerrville, Texas around the 80’s. The co. went out of business in 2003. It’s made from cherry. I started about 20 years gathering luthier tools. I now have all the tools to build practically any acoustic instrument. I’ve been woodworking over 35 years and have accumulated many hand tools and power tools. I have lots of wood to build instruments and want to start building dulcimers. Want to be able ask questions of the forum members when I need help with building a dulcimer. Thanks, steve104c.
