Is Softsoap the stuff used th help fingers slide easily across the strings?
Geekling said:
Oy, Kristi! I've had this problems with some Amazon.com orders, but Softsoap isn't quite the same a dulcimer!
I am sitting at home since I was supposed to get a Blue Lion IIR today. But nobody knows where it is. That fact makes me very unhappy.
The seller sent the dulcimer with regular rate as regular mail. My fault for expecting better. Gee, one can register a letter with better chance of delivery as promised.
No signature required. Can you guess what 103 degree heat might do to an item left out in the sun? Or left at wrong address?
The Blue Lion was scanned when it left on 4 August and there is NO record of it since then. It doesn't matter how often I have hopefully tried to track VH , USPS employees have not followed rules about scanning. Gosh, I appreciate that. (Sarcasm)
Might I recommend Pony Express as an alternative shipping organization?
Go to gatherings and festivals and listen to others play. Then ask about the instruments which please your ear.
I too live in the desert so have to be terribly concerned about humidity (lack thereof) if needing to air out an instrument or case. Your instrument's odor may increase when the welcome rains appear.
If you want to put cedar chips or whatever into the autoharp be sure to place them in nylon hosiery so they will all be removed later. Baking soda has long been used for refrigerators and kitty litter and I am sure you could work out a container for it. A small cardboard box with ventilation holes would work. Just be sure to tape the box...
I have put a few cases on our back porch where birds and other critters are sternly advised not to "bug" 'em.
Instruments have gone into the garage or our extra bathroom. If the garage I rig up a pantyhose rig to protect from bugs, scorpions etc.
Good luck. The process can take quite a while but autoharp is a wonderful instrument to enjoy.
94 I know that is right because I et mosta them pickles and am a puckered player!
Hmmm
Try turning dulcimer over (strings facing your legs-assuming you are seated) and giving it a couple of shakes. You may hear the pick fall from base to top. Return to usual position and jiggle the darned thing to try to move pick someplace where it could be seen . A small flashlight or bright light is necessary. Then try the varied retrieval tools which have been shared by those of us who have also dropped our picks...
We lived next to the beach in Naples, FL for over 50 years. Many evenings the ukes,guitars,banjos and a bass appeared and we played and sang for hours. People would amble up into our yard and join in the fun.If the insects were awful we went onto the screened porch or inside.
Those hours were just about as happy as a person could get! So thanks for the reminder and keep playing.
Remember the Weavers singing Irene Goodnight? The line "I'll see you in my dreams"? That isn't the situation now that Pete has died because we will hear his music and messages as long as we live.
In addition to stability, the ThistleDew Acres (Doug & Lee Felt) stand travels very well. Unscrew the pieces which hold your instrument and pack 'em in a ziplock freezer bag. Fold stand & tuck it in suitcase. Simple stand which is best I've found.
I would send this information to Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce as well as Better Business Bureau and local newspaper, TV station and whatever. Since I've never been to that town I don't know size etc but expect the powers that be do not want bad publicity.
Just checked about the town which has around 5,000 residents. Tourism is big business there so you can find pressure points in your dealings with dulcimer maker. Good luck.
One of my favorite movies!
Robin Clark said:
I agree with what has been said so far in this thread.
What I would add, however, is that the big issue as I see it from over here the other side of the Atlantic is not the fact that the focus of 95% of teaching materials and workshops since 1980 has been DAd chord melody, the issue goes deeper than that. Firstly, and most importantly, we simply need more music recorded in alternative styles.
The instrument's life is about the music it creates. There are hundreds of CDs of dulcimer music based out of DAd chord melody playing, there are hundreds of YouTube clips of players using DAd, competition winners use DAd, workshop concert artists use DAd. If we want another genera to grow then it has to be the music of that genera that speaks to folks - the music itself must lead the way.
This is going to sound a little harsh but it is a metaphor to make a point. To me the dulcimer establishment has become a little like the Australian Dancing Federation from Strictly Ballroom - 'There are NO NEW STEPS' as Barry Fife would say. This has not been a conscious move but a natural slide from the organic to the orderly . The way to break that cycle is for those of us interested in playing other styles to study hard, perform, record and make avaialable our music at the grass roots level. This process has started, and is most visible here on FOTMD with many players contributing to the growth of alternative styles. And it is this process, our music, that has put alternative styles on the radar of our 'Australian Dancing Federation' (Luckily our dulcimer pro players have far more emotional inteligence than Barry Fife
).
We just need to continue playing and posting our music at the grass roots and the workshops and teaching material will grow out of that interest. It looks like Stephen is already on the case!!!!
Karen YES. We all know musicians who are more adept in some areas than others and that does nothing to reduce respect for them. I guess the worst "sin" I see is people who rest on their laurels and do not share their beginner to expert skills. The greatest musicians I have met are never too proud or stuffed up to share what they know and love.If they don't care about labels, why should we? So yes, it helps to have class expectations listed. But if someone learns one thing which helps them, I find it difficult to care where they acquired that info.
Folkfan, I believe you just gave the explanation of classes as offered at Kentucky Music Week. Nancy has a basic breakdown of definitions but the class instructors write about what is offered as well as equipment needed.
I took a class with Dave Haas which I knew would be over my head but from which I could take material for home. Dave saw my difficulties and offered extra help - now that is what you can get from a true Amateur (someone who does something for the love of it).
The dulcimer world is exploding with change in our instruments and that opens our challenges for playing anything we want - in any style or tuning. Yippee.
Great story!
Dusty Turtle said:
Check out this story about why B.B. King named his guitar "Lucille":
I am among those who have failed to consider gender among my instruments. Nor have they been given names other than those of their makers. Hmmm. Must be failing in imaginative powers.
Glad you bought a Lynch student model to enjoy while vacationing. With most instruments, you get what you pay for. David's inexpensive student model exceeds the tone and quality of numerous far more costly instruments.
This dulcimer community is full of music loving people who "share" a diversity of likes and dislikes but whose primary interest is in helping one another.
In that spirit, I'd like to remind everyone to send a donation so that FOTMD remains available for all of us.
Today I am in happy possession of a Jerry Rockwell teardrop sold by Craig Hammond. Fed Ex delivered it exactly where I requested and it sounds wonderful. While Fed Ex screwed up on delivery date on their website, they did not damage the instrument. Bravo!
Keith Young "Youngster" dulcimer arrived safely from Dusty Turtle. It appeared on my birthday with nary a boo boo via UPS. The voice is lovely and I am very happy. At last, a safe delivery!
Hi Cheryl,
Our problems seem similar with reasonable packaging and forklift and USPS denial of insurance claim. At this time I have had to file with paypal against the seller and that does not make me happy. But he does not offer to refund my $ and has had payment while I have nothing. Side of dulcimer has continued to collapse and top was dangerous weapon. Sad fate for a nice Yocky. Would you mind sharing info about your battle for refund. I will friend you.
Cheryl James said:
I can feel your pain...I had purchased an early Edsel Martin dulcimer that the US Postal Service managed to maul through several protective layers. Though the seller had it fully insured, and the packaging was good/solid, the USPS workers declared that the damage was due to the seller's packaging of the instrument, even though one end was completely torn off and crushed. The seller refunded my money but in the end lost out on his end. After this very sad experience and others that friends have had it seems that UPS is a much safer ride for our precious instruments. I had a great talk with Aaron O'Rourke about this and an instrument I purchased from him that he had a guitar shop pack and send UPS. Triple layer protection in the packing, but even the box seemed perfect when it arrived a few days later. I think that they do take better care of their packages, but I also really like the idea of sending items in a tube...I would never have thought of this, thanks Ken!
Kevin, Thanks thanks for your response. I thought it interesting how beautiful the wounded "Wingspan" sounds even with gaping hole on side and top. Right now the dulci is living with blue paint masking tape. Quaint but think of Waylan Jennings worn through wreck of a guitar.
Kevin Messenger said:
I have shipped many instruments here and abroad with out a single problem. I build cradles within the box to support the instrument, and add lots of buffer padding all around. It has worked great so far. By the way , what has become of the damaged instruments. I build and might would be interested in repairing or maybe purchasing.
The last two dulcimers I purchased met awful fates during transport USPS. A lovely early Jerry Rockwell arrived with head snapped off. Packaging in that instance was a fool's dream that a box which is too short can be extended by bending ends to "wrap around" or grow box. Box may have been bumped but showed no external damage.
Recently a Tom Yocky came in a box which appeared to have had a bad moment with a forklift which rammed into side of a beautiful instrument. Insurance results may take weeks. Tom looked at pictures and said cost would be prohibitive to attempt repair. I don't think any normal packaging could have protected Wingspan...
Please double box instruments unless shipping in a heavy wood solid case! Even then the professionals tend to allow a minimum of two 2 inches inside between instrument and box. There are no seatbelts used by USPS or any other transport! I used to buy and sell very expensive ukuleles and frequently shipped and received internationally. Instruments do not have to be ruined due to lazy packaging or sloppy transport.
One small trick I learned was to put case inside a heavy trash bag. The bag helps keep the case looking nice. Plus I save the bag and use it for a raincoat for my instrument.
I would really be happy for some of our luthier friends to offer their suggestions on preparation for shipping!
Cheryl,
The stand made by Doug Felts is my favorite and it fits my MMD,Rockwell, Simerman and other instruments. Adjusts easily and the stand can fit into a suitcase if you unscrew the pieces which keep a dulcimer from slipping sideways. Thistle Dew Acres is their farm in Ohio and Lee is called The Ohio Bag Lady. Their products are high quality and good value. My sister in law has one of Lee's first bags and it is still protecting her dulcimer. Her cats love it too....
dulcimerbaglady.com
I have a Doug Felts dulcimer stand and it fits my MMD very well. Actually adjusts separately at top and bottom to fit every instruments I've ever tried.
Welcome Gayle!
Perhaps the group is so friendly because most of us are in a state of constant discovery of tunes, styles and all the wonderful "stuff" surrounding music. The joy of sharing seems strong because it is fun to share and learn.
Take time to explore the different groups and join any that interest you. And ask lots of questions. Be prepared for helpful advice.
Dust with dry cloth and clean inside with short blasts of compressed air. Then clean with very diluted Murphy's Oil Soap as per instructions on package. Wipe dry immediately. May require several treatments because old dust can become a slurry. I sometimes use a very soft old toothbrush to work on especially dirty areas. A toothpick with a bit of cotton ball works well too. Be patient in removing the guck (scientific term) and be sure to allow more time than you think is needed before before applying the lemon oil. You might try cleaning tuners with very gentle use of 0000 steel wool.
I have a Sweet Woods travel dulcimer and it sounds as good as most instruments costing a lot more. Another travel model is a Youngster (but maker is deceased) . Lovely sounding sweet "soprano" voice. Laurel Mountain makes a travel size also.
How will you be traveling? Flying, driving or kayak? If driving and having to leave instrument in car for hours on end I would be careful about taking a much loved dulcimer and subjecting it to heat and humidity changes.
Just checked and found the Seiko on Amazon and eBay. I also have Korg CA-1 but prefer the Seiko. YOMV (your opinion may vary). I also have a fondness for Rick(Rich?) Thumb's 1/4" cable for input. Solidly built to last.
Check out the Seiko SAT501. Costs around $24 ? and worth every penny. The newest Snark clip on is just a tad faster response than prior models. No other improvements. Elderly has 'em on sale this week.
Carole, I shut my cases. At the moment humidity is 28% in my office so that is far from recommended 40 - 50%.
The RX boxes generally go into an old sock so they can't scratch dulcimer finish. The desert is very hard on wood instruments so I am perhaps a tad over zealous about care. Gary Sager (Prussia Valley dulcimers) sells the Guardfather humidifiers which are good and last for years. I have some which I got in 1965 and they are in better shape than I.
I store mine on their butts or backs in cases. Our humidity was 5% the other day - not a misprint! So I use humidifiers in each case. Am very fond of Oasis brand which make it easy to see whether water needs to be refilled. Use distilled H2O!
Very easy to drill holes in prescription bottles and cut up a sponge and soak it in water. A camping soap dish works nicely too. I am chicken about hanging instruments on wall but many folk do so.
carole said:
I've been wondering about the dulcimer storage issue, too. For now they, along with my guitar and banjo, are both in hard cases on the floor. Can't use stands....too much cat and dog hair. The only wall space is in the sunroom which is hot and dry in the summer. Yeah, I guess their hard cases are the way to go but how? Flat on their backs?.....on their sides?.....on their butts? (holy moly!! Is this conversation X-rated???
-Carole
