Forum Activity for @motormike

Richard Krueger Psaltery

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

Yes strumelia, playing with a very nice bow that came with the psaltery and assumed to be original to the piece. Learning bow technique now, experimenting with bow positions, chops and drawing speeds. I pluck when tuning as recommended by Jean Schilling. Have not yet tried to play it with plucking, but the thought has crossed my mind. I'm really not very fond of using picks and have grown very comfortable as a strummer when playing autoharp and uke.Thanks for the link, will take a look.

updated by @motormike: 02/08/24 07:32:18PM

Richard Krueger Psaltery

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

Something I notice that has me a bit puzzled.
In the Schilling book of instruction and song,
the pin configuration and tuning on the psaltery
that is illustrated is quite different compared
to my psaltery. Mine has fewer strings, and the tuning starts
and ends with F on the natural side, whereas the sharps and flats
side omits all the B's and E's.
   Anybody see something that I am not educated enough to understand ?
I might mention this, the shorter strings are much harder to achieve a good tune.
The longer strings seem to fall right in place.
I would say that these strings are original and show slight discolorations throughout.
  

Any banjo players out there?

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

Grabbed this off FB...Golden Highway

Any banjo players out there?

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

Ha !...absurd talent indeed. Jalan Crossland
Thank you for the share Nate.
Love the song too.
See reply in chat box.

Vintage dulcimer information sought

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

What I'm thinking is that object by the bridge is a simple "noter" shoved under strings for storage.

Any banjo players out there?

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

If you're reading this, and you're a banjo fanatic,
there's a player you should seek out named Kyle Tuttle.
He and I shared a few motorcycle rides, and lived only a couple blocks apart.
A simple google search of his name will bring up a nice overview of his work.

Richard Krueger Psaltery

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

As promised, psaltery arrived today and pix are up.
Maker Richard Krueger (deceased) sure did a bang-up job on this one.
I'm thinking the dark wood is walnut, and the light wood is rock maple.
The inlays are well-done, both wood and mother-of-pearl.
It's a work of art as well as an instrument. I am thrilled ! !
Condition of psaltery and bow appear to have little or no use.
Age is at least 25 years. Included is a songbook compiled by Jean & Lee Schilling.
I've run across their names before. Maybe they have also done some autoharp material.
There's a bit of irony here as the Schillings are in Cosby, TN.
and my girlfriend of 5 years (now ex) is also from there.
Update: Did some reading and find that Jean Schilling actually related to ex-girlfriend...lol

updated by @motormike: 01/12/24 01:33:08AM

Oscar Schmidt OS21C my axe (autoharp)

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

 Pads do get damaged with play, but it took more than 10 years of moderate use to get to the point of needing replaced. The tuning of autoharp took me quite a while before I could develop a working procedure. The "secret" was to skip from one side to the other, working toward the middle. Going from one side in sequence to the other side would always result in de-tuning of the beginning strings. I have time down to 20 minutes for a full 36-string tune job. The reward is that "etheral" beauty, and you know you've nailed it. One string not in tune is immediately obvious.

Oscar Schmidt OS21C my axe (autoharp)

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

 It was 1963 and I was in 5th grade at grade school in Maroa, IL.
A wonderful music teacher, Doris Dotson, would bring instruments periodically.
Mostly they were percussion, like wood block, triangle, tambourine.
But for reasons unknown, she also had an autoharp. I was instantly intrigued,
but never given much time to explore. The interest never diminished, so when I saw an autoharp
in the Sears & Roebuck catalogue for a decent sales price I made the purchase.
Mrs. Dotson covered all ages of students through 12th grade, and I remained active in chorus
under her direction for 8 years until graduation. She was strictly teacher of vocal music, having nothing to do with band. Her service to our schools lasted some 40 years and she was adored and respected.
...Agree with Dusty Turtle, autoharp has a magical quality as the harmonies resonate in my heart when playing.

Oscar Schmidt OS21C my axe (autoharp)

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

Since I've joined this board, discussion has ensued regarding a dulcimer and a psaltery. True passion, however, is my Autoharp. Having been introduced to them age 10, about 20 years passed before I bought one in tobacco sunburst. The VERY first time I remember seeing anyone play autoharp professionally was on TV when John Sebastian and the Lovin' Spoonful appeared on Ed Sullivan show playing "Do You Believe in Magic". Fast forward to 2010, and I replaced the first with a stunning red finish harp. I play strictly for my own enjoyment, gospel, folk, rock, and whatever sings to me in the moment.

Richard Krueger Psaltery

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

Sure, it promises to please, adorned with inlays of wood, pewter, and mother of pearl.

Richard Krueger Psaltery

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

Hello all...having just won an auction for a gorgeous psaltery,
I'm anxious for it to arrive. I'm not totally new at psaltery,
but didn't get a very long period to play mine before gifting it
to a grandaughter. If you play psaltery, I'd love to hear from you.
Pix to follow.

Dulcimer maker unknown

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

Thanks Ken...what you say sums up my thoughts as well.
I had no idea that cardboard dulcimers exist.
Don't think that would suit me at all.
What little I've played on this unit sounded good,
and after all, it has lasted 20+ years.
I'd hoped to return into the family of the maker.

Dulcimer maker unknown

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

Took some snaps.

Dulcimer maker unknown

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

Strumelia:

Hi Mike, I moved this discussion to the forum about specific instrument makers and questions, so people could find it better. 

Sorry though i have not heard of Danmont Dulcimers. Perhaps someone else here will have and can respond.

 
Thank you Strumelia for the proper posting category.
I'm not familiar with the format, first time here.
I will, as Ken suggested, take some pix and edit this post.
My focus is to locate the maker, or someone who has knowledge of same.
Would like very much to get this instrument into the hands of  anyone who has
considerable interest in owning it. It's not about money, but rather sentimentality.

Dulcimer maker unknown

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

Hello all...thanks for the add.
I own an Appalachian dulcimer.
It has 3 strings and is very simple in design.
There is a paper label inside.
The label is hand-written with sharpie.
Maker is "Danmont Dulcimers"
also listed as an "A-1 model"
Serial no. is 0003
Presumed to have originated in east Tennessee
more than 20 years ago.
Are there ANY members out there who have
ever heard of this maker.
ANY information is welcomed.

updated by @motormike: 01/06/24 02:39:26PM