Forum Activity for @rob-n-lackey

The best stick-on pickup imo is the Schatten Dualie.  I've used a lot of pickups since the 70s to amplify nylon string guitars and this one is better than anything I've ever had.  I actually got it when it first came out to try to get the "Willie Nelson" sound from a little Argentinian classical guitar I have.  I combine mine with a Boss GE-7 equalizer/preamp which I got in a pawn shop for around $25.  Couldn't resist it; mint in the box.  Now I've upgraded my amplifier to a Fender Acoustisonic 150, but I've been using the Boss still.  I have other effects I use as well.  Now I just have to get a good vocal mic to round out the equipment.

Oh yeah, Schatten makes a dulcimer pickup as well now.  I have not tried it as the dualie has satisfied my needs wonderfully.

Shucks, I would have let y'all known that 2 years ago.  I've been using it to scarf up Roger Nicholson arrangements and articles from the old days of DPN to use in my fingerstyle workshops.  Thanks Roger's widow & daughter for giving me permission to use his material in classes about his style.

I had never heard of the spider capo, so after looking it up, it is quite similar, but probably better, than one called "The Extra Hand Capo."  I had (and still have) one of those and it was really cool experimenting with the different strings held down with open strings.  Even tho' I don't like capos (they cut off too many frets) I might have to try one of those.

Yeah, I've been trying to get some vinyl of dulcimer records that have not been put on cd.  Some I didn't think I'd want back in the day; others I didn't know about.

A "C" in the "traditional fiddle tune" "Red Haired Boy?" I never play a "C" when we play it. There is a "G" in the "traditional" way of playing "Red Haired Boy" because it's in the key of A.  I believe the same holds true for "Salt Creek" which is probably traditional but (and I could be wrong here) was copyrighted by Bill Monroe.

You done good, Lisa.  Thank you very much.   

John.... it was taken when we 1st started playing.  The 5s and 10s of the madding crowd showed up a little later.

Dulcinina.... I think it's probably just because we're a funny looking bunch.

Ken... Oh the price of fame!

DT.... We'll always keep the common folk in our hearts and minds.  

Seriously, thank you for your kind comments.

Old Time Music on the Front Page

The Morgantown paper must have had to fill up space Friday.  They put us on the front page.

That's the way my Maxwell is set up: 4 courses with double melody.  It's been a while since I've played it, but I think I tuned it D D A AA, or D A A AA.  I'm pretty sure it had 2 wound strings so I did 2 D's.  I would suggest putting water on the bass peg to swell it.  As I like to say, Just spit on it and wait a minute.  LOL

Boy, that's a loaded question and it can depend on when you mean.  When (I think it was) John Keane set up the "Cluck Ole Hen" variants I had a blast working it out as a waltz kind of in the style of Carruli or Carcassi and playing it in other ways.  But for long time instrumental fun on the dulcimer it would have to be "Soldier's Joy."  Vocal fun, maybe "Me and Bobbie McGee" or (here's one for morbidity when talking fun) "Desperadoes Waiting for a Train."

Wish I'd hit mapquest before now.  Maybe I could have been there.  

Last gig was last Sat. at Pattyfest here in Fairmont.  Opened the stage performances with "Ballad of Spider John" and went up and down from there.  Now I'm looking for the next gig.   Got some possibilities in Morgantown, so if they pan out, I'll post the data.

Yes, congratulations Gail.  That's just wonderful.

Thank you everyone.  I'm glad you enjoyed it.  I sure did, but my roots are in that area, so I'm prejudiced, I'm sure.  Sean, I'm not on facebook so I can't contact her through that.  I was interested because she (in the little bit she played) seemed like a very good player on what looks like a Bonnie Carol dulcimer.  

Found this film of Granny Riddle with Starr Mitchell playing dulcimer with her.  I'm sure I'm prejudiced, but Almeda represents the best of the ballad singer tradition in the US.  

Almeda Riddle: Now Let's Talk About Singing

Anyone know anything about Starr Mitchell today?  

Play some West Virginia tunes.  After all, June 20th is West Virginia Day, a holiday here!

That's great that all were able to get together.  There are groups here about 20 miles apart.  Only a couple of them (or maybe 1) come to the meetings of each.  I agree playing with other musicians who are "new" to you is a good, even great thing.  Never been to Berea (yet.... hey I may be available) but I love Hindman and the folks there.

Man, George, that sure is pretty.  I can't wait to hear it.

I think you had the right idea to begin with.  cc GG Cc is what I would have used (melody to bass;) should have given it a sound similar to a 12 string guitar

Well, I know I started this thread off, but times change and dreams sometimes change, too.  After playing a Jeremy Seeger "traditional" for a few months now I'm not sure about the big body.  The Seeger has great volume, in fact, some might say it's LOUD and it's a pretty shallow body.   So.... 4 independent strings, body shape unimportant (either hourglass or teardrop,) no (zero, zip, nada) extra frets, some kind of geared tuners and an ebony fretboard overlay on a 26.5" vsl.  Oh and a pickup, maybe a Schatten.  Who is to build such a beast?  I know of about 6 to 10 builders who could do it well, so I'll leave it at that.  Woods?  Oh Yeah, Spruce top, Body - mahogany, walnut, butternut, poplar, cherry?  Though I don't believe the choice of wood is unimportant, I'm flexible. The Seeger's Cherry top, mahogany body is really sweet sounding to my ear.   So... all you luthiers out there who'd like to donate one to me, I'm ready to try it out!

Sounds like a good starting point for dickering on the price.  

Congratulations on finding a Fred Martin.  My first was a Fred that I bought from him in 1987 or 88.  Yes, they were all 4 equidistant strings.  The bridge and nut are plastic.  I broke the nut on mine and Keith Young made a new one for it.  I agree with Ken's choices for strings, although I think I do have 09s on mine.  Fred, however, used very heavy strings and tuned them D A d d.  I used to cringe every time I changed the tuning and needed to go back up to d on the melody strings.  I also agree with Ken on Murphy's Oil Soap.  Then either a light coating of Martin Guitar Polish or Dr. Duck's Axe Wax.  I just starting using Dr Duck's and am impressed with it.  I wouldn't sand and refinish it.  Scratches give an instrument some character!  As for the pegs you can either spit on them or use some chalk ( i prefer billiard chalk.)  Fred was pretty good at fitting pegs so you shouldn't have much problem.  Oh, Fred didn't use a noter so get to working out those fingers.  LOL

Excellent point, Kevin.  Also, McCoy Tyner (jazz pianist) wrote a piece "Mode for Dulcimer."  In all the pictures I've been able to find of him playing a dulcimer it's one with no extra frets.  

Well, I hadn't intended to get involved in this new conversation, but....  here goes.

After playing for 4 months now only on dulcimers with no extra frets (not even a 6 1/2) I am more and more convinced they are not necessary.  In fact I even bought a used Jeremy Seeger just because it had no extra frets.  Just listen to Dan Evans and Robert Force and hear the creativity that comes from no extra frets.  Robert Force and Michael Rugg, do not re-tune but used DAd tuning. (Michael Rugg in an email to me in 2015 said he still prefers an instrument without a 6 1/2 fret.)  Dan Evans and Roger Nicholson do/did re-tune though playing mostly in DAA.  I do too, though I don't think I can put myself in their league.  I am enjoying the instrument as much or more than ever without extra frets.  As an aside, I am playing mainly on 3 strings now, as I only have one 4 independent string with no extra frets.  I think I can see 4 strings no extra frets would give more possibilities than 3 strings and extra frets.

I agree; tuning down just a whole tone shouldn't be floppy at all.  What is the vsl of the instrument?  A .023 or .024 is what I use on most and I can go from C to E with no problems.  Just as aside, I find most folks use strings way to light for the tuning they are using.  Oh yeah, what tuning are you using?  LOL.

Brian, You said just about what I was going to say if I hadn't fallen asleep last night.  Indeed, it is a reverse mixolydian, just as DGd is reverse ionian.  

Well, you do have a G$ on the melody string IF you are tuned to DAA and have a 6 1/2 fret.  For my work with a band, however, I'd rather re-tune.  EAA is my choice for playing in A; indeed, I have a book of tunes for EAA [shameless self-promotion there.]  For some tunes, however, I don't retune from DAd.  June Apple is one of those tunes, You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive is another.  Also, if you're tuned to DAd then you can tune the bass string up to E and have a great Am/A dorian tuning.  I don't like a capo because it cuts off lower frets.  I know, dulcimerroo, this hasn't really answered your question.  But do y'all re-tune or just play in one tuning?

I started with four independent strings.  Then I got a couple with doubled melody and started using them.  Folks told me I should take one off, so I did on a couple.  Then I saw videos of the late David Schnaufer and of Alan Freeman playing with a doubled melody, so I put them all back.  I don't know; maybe it's because I played guitar and mandolin before the dulcimer, but I have none of the problems with hammer-ons and pull-offs.  That being said, since this is my year of no extra frets and my trying to embrace Roger Nicholson's style more I am playing 2 instruments with 3 strings, as did he.  For playing with the band I do prefer 4 independent strings. So, I'd say do a four string with 6 notches on the bridge and nut, so it can be configured in many different ways.

Thanks a lot, Ken.  I'm now a Tim Eriksen fan.  Just what I need someone else's cd to have to buy!

Very nice.  I had one with full width staples. Made in PA by Keith ???.  Played & sounded great. Sold it to another member here who loves it as much or maybe more than I did.

Thanks, Joe.  My memory isn't what it used to be (like other parts of me.)

I've seen soundholes like those on some inexpensive instruments which (I think) were made around Branson, MO.  I don't remember the maker.

Don Pedi says he'd rather have an 8 1/2 than any other 1/2 fret.  In fact he says the 1 1/2 gets In his way a lot for making smooth sounding slides.  That being said, I agree with Ken.  Look at all the great players who didn't or don't use extra frets: Roger Nicholson; Robert Force; Michael Rugg, Dan Evans and many others.  I've declared this my year of no extra frets.  I'm really finding there is little necessity for a 6 1/2 even.  Now I just need a great diatonic instrument.  Anyone got one they'd like to donate?     

Tony, if it indeed looks like that pic, I'd grab it.  I mean, I'd have to dig up the money since I haven't been working,  but I'm sure it would leave with me.

My Capritaurus is all mahogany ply, I think.  That one would probably sound really good by now.  In fact, if I were close I'd probably try to get it ahead of you.  ROFL

I'd grab it!  

There are 2 videos I made with the Capritaurus.  It's not here right now, so I can't measure it.  I sent it on a vacation to Oklahoma.  LOL

I believe John's right and the 4 inches would include the height of the fingerboard.  As you can hear, tuned to CGcc it's a boomer.

Folkroots seemed to have a variety of models but one of the most common were mahogany or walnut ply with a spruce top.  Being a D40-S I'd bet it's mahogany ply with a spruce top.  If it had no cracks or no case, I'd like to give between $50 & $100, but I may be living in the past a little. In fact if it was under $100, I'd probably buy it regardless.  LOL.  

Price would be the factor for me in checking it out.  I have an early Capritaurus and would like to get a Folk Roots with no "Extra" frets, too.  I am trying to use my little finger more instead of the thumb.  I find it works out pretty good that way.

Marg, I did change the strings and I don't think I knew about the "string calculator" at the time.  The Heatherwood was the first "good" dulcimer I purchased (off ebay.)  It has a standard d'Addario dulcimer set on it right now.  Here's a video I did with it:

You can compare the sound to yours