Forum Activity for @gennaro

Discordant middle string.

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

Sorry about the confusion everyone. Someone has to be the most clueless member.  Dusty, just this morning I noticed the mid string was sitting in a very shallow slot at the bridge. I could feel much more vibration when i put my finger on it than the others. I deepened the slot and it does seemed to have helped. The vibration at the bridge is gone. I think you're right. I'm going to consider the problem solved. Thanks for all the input everyone.

Discordant middle string.

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

After checking the link, I see I may have been confused on the scale length. The nut to bridge is 27 1/2. The actual fret board is 22 1/2. 

Discordant middle string.

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

Thanks for the advice and the link. I'll go heavier on the strings. As far as filing the frets, I'm always tinkering. It's a no name dulcimer I bought from a friend. I plugged it into an amp on a whim and it actually sounded better. 

Discordant middle string.

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

Scales are 22 1/2 inches. The middle string is 12 gauge. When I play, or attempt to play the song in DAD the middle string doesn't annoy me. However when applying the capo to the first fret as advised by Mr Gilston, the middle string is tuned to B which dominates the song when strumming it opened. I would discribe it as ringing, and to my ear, annoying. There are a few others playing this on Youtube. Guess I could ask how theirs are tuned. 

Discordant middle string.

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

EBE definitely wasn't the way to go, but I recalled seeing a post that mentioned CGC as being compatible with DAD songs. I tried it and it seems muted or softer, which tames that middle string. It may take a bit getting used to as the strings are not as taut. Thanks again for the input.

Discordant middle string.

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

Capo is on first fret. I had that setup, as it's the one Mark Gilston recommends in his book that i purchased. He plays it in a Youtube vid, and of course it sounds great. I'll try tuning to EBE. I think that's it. I'm very musically disinclined. I basically just learn  songs by Youtube vids and making tabs from them. Thanks.

updated by @gennaro: 01/27/22 06:55:48AM

Discordant middle string.

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

Even though I know it's beyond me, I've been trying to learn King of the Fairies for a few months now. I almost have it but when I strum with an open middle string It sounds off to the point, I'm considering ditching the song.  It's not a problem without the capo while playng other songs in DAD. 

Fixes I've tried. I noticed with the capo, the strings were almost laying on the second and third frets. I laid a straight edge on the first five frets and sure enough, the second and third were high so I filed them down. I then put new strings on. I used a 12 for the middle, which is what I had. It's a little better, but that middle string still dominates. Any insights appreciated. 

Finish

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

Great responses. I ended up using a product called Ultra Flo Clear lacquer.  Anyway, I mentioned that my other dulcimer was louder and more vibrant and the other would never sound as good. This is funny because the more I play the duller toned one, the better I like it and the less I like the more vibrant, or I should describe it as twangy. So much so, that I actually don't enjoy playing the vibrant one. The mellow toned dulcimer is 3 inches deep. The twangy one is 2 1/4 inch. I've read that could be the difference.

updated by @gennaro: 05/10/20 08:39:09AM

Finish

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

I actually have some. Poly may not have anything to do with the dead tone of this dulcimer, but I have some lacquer coming that gets good reviews for stringed finishes. I don't know beans about the subject, but maybe it's the larger mass of this bigger dulcimer that is keeping tone and volume down. As of now, there is no comparison to my Calkin dulcimer.

Finish

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

Thanks for the responses guys.  I just wasn't sure if the poly finish didn't affect it negatively. I'll play it for a few weeks before I strip the poly off.  Update: Found an article on finishes that described poly as " that dreaded finish". I stripped it and will probably go with lacquer. No matter what I do, I know it's not going to sound as good as my John Calkin dulcimer. I know nothing, but feel the feather light Calkin will always be more vibrant. 

updated by @gennaro: 04/28/20 12:52:52PM

Finish

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

I actually only played it a few times. I may not have noticed if i didn't have both at home right now. Bought it from her so i wouldn't have to drag mine back and forth. There is a marked difference in tone(lower) and volume( just not near as loud). My other was made by John Caulkin. It is extremely light. My problem dulcimer seems to have been made by a wood worker. Nice work, but all materials are heavier or thicker. 4.3 lbs vs 3 lbs. Is it common to see such a difference in dulcimers?

updated by @gennaro: 04/27/20 10:27:00AM

Finish

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

Bought a dulcimer recently, however at a friends house, her cat knocked it off a table and broke a good sized piece off the top. In repairing it, I had to strip the finish, which almost seemed a plastic. Turned out OK, but I used polyurethane. I think that was mistake. It is not near as vibrant as my other dulcimer. It is a much heavier dulcimer and includes a pickup. I read posts about deadening the instrument with the wrong finish. I'm not above redoing it.

updated by @gennaro: 04/27/20 09:24:13AM

Modern Sheet Music/Tab?

Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs

Thanks Brian. I'll check those links. I think I'm trying to play tunes too soon. I've only had my dulcimer a week. I really should focus on fundamentals for a while. Most definitely not a natural.

Modern Sheet Music/Tab?

Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs

I'm also looking for something more contemporary. Bought a 70 song tab book and am only interested in one song.  Cat Stevens' Morning has broken. Won't do that again. Found one fellow teaching Norwegian Wood on stick dulcimer but just a lot of strumming. I must be old to consider a 50 yr old song contemporary, but compared to most I see, it is.

Would like info on my new to me dulcimer.

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

I'm sure I'll be trying a variety of styles. I am going to grow my nails. I am currently trying just a thumb pick to get a better strum. My thumb nail works for picking, but I'm not satisfied with the muted strum my thumb provides.I have moved to the hollow  when finger picking, as suggested. Not so much, flat picking. I'll be having a work shop soon for Twinkle Twinkle. lol

Would like info on my new to me dulcimer.

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

I spent 7 years practicing guitar ( notice I didn't say playing). I flat picked the whole time so it feels natural. I just always wanted to try finger picking and figured since I'm just starting, why not. 

Would like info on my new to me dulcimer.

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

Thanks. I'm definitely going to look him up.

Would like info on my new to me dulcimer.

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

Thanks guys. To my untrained ear it sounds great. The pic doesn't do it justice. Walnut body with cherry fret board. 

Would like info on my new to me dulcimer.

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

Just bought a used dulcimer. Made by John Calkin in 1985. Marked as #50, so hopefully he had it down by then. Can find very little about him, other than a few articles he's written. Also it seems that he currently works as a luthier for Huss and Dalton guitar company. Just wondering if John has any kind of reputation in this community.