the bridge “saddle”
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Amazing how a little movement takes it from fire wood grade to fine......
Amazing how a little movement takes it from fire wood grade to fine......
My 2 cents....
The "fixed" requires additional work on the builder, slot needs to be cut, insert needs to be correct width and height. And there is little to no forgiveness if you cut the slot in slightly the wrong spot. Once in place [correctly] there is almost no need to ever adjust in the life of the player...
"Floating" is much easier to source, and manufacture. Asks nothing more than to be a "chunk" of material, with an apex to support the strings. Easy to carve, sand, or reposition to adjust for string height and intonation. Widely adjustable... getting out of adjustment... just as easy.
The floating style is by far the "old" school of the two. When used on an un-fretted, or violin style instrument, it doesn't hamper intonation with placement. No frets, so the players fingers are selecting where on the string is the correct sound. Add a fret or two, and now the intonation is "fixed" by the placement of them and the bridge.
Many players I know have NO IDEA that moving a [moveable] bridge will change everything. They simply think that each note is a result of each fret. It helps me look SO good when I make their "off" sounding instrument sound sweet again...
The link didn't seem to cooperate....here is a copy from the site...
Late 1960's, early 1970s, in northern California...
1968 - Howard Rugg made his first dulcimer in Felton, California.
1969 - Brothers Howard Rugg and Michael Rugg become partners. Mike came up with the CapriTaurus name: Capri (Howard) with Taurus (Michael). The first CapriTaurus dulcimer had a walnut body, a spruce top, and a carved gargoyle peghead.
During these early years, Howard built the instruments, Michael did the branding of the instruments, sold the instruments, performed at fairs, carved scroll heads, and played the instrument expertly.
Steve Jackel worked for Michael and Howard starting in 1973 (working for CapriTaurus), and he became a third partner some time in the early 1970's.
The new partnership became known as Rugg, Rugg & Jackel. RR & J then created the first FolkRoots-branded dulcimer, which was based on the original CapriTaurus plywood dulcimer. The FolkRoots line was sold wholesale to music stores.
Early 1970's, in northern Vermont...
1974 - Folkcraft Instruments was founded by David Marks in Lyndon, Vermont. David was a music supervisor in the Lyndon schools, and with his finely-tuned ear, he took the dulcimer's state-of-the-art from "okay" to "amazing". Few makers at this point were making instruments that played in tune, or had a good action. David's demanding ears took Folkcraft to the top of the pack, quality-wise. The company became known for high-quality dulcimers, and before long, David was looking for a larger facility for Folkcraft Instruments.
Back to California...
1976 - Rugg, Rugg & Jackel broke up the partnership. Steve Jackel and Howard Rugg formed a new partnership, called Rugg & Jackel. The old partnership had two "Ruggs" in the name, the new partnership reflected Michael Rugg working independently from Howard and Steve.
The Rugg & Jackel company kept the FolkRoots line, and Michael Rugg retained control of the CapriTaurus name and line of solid wood dulcimers.
And now back to Vermont...
1979 - After only a few years in Vermont, the company was so successful that David moved Folkcraft to a larger building. Folkcraft moved to Winsted, Connecticut, where it stayed until January of 2007. While in Connecticut, David Marks took the company from a one-person operation to a large (for folk instruments) national presence, with an active mail-order operation, multiple showrooms, and a store at Disneyworld.
And in Connecticut...
1989 - Howard Rugg and Steve Jackel decide to retire from dulcimer building, and they sell the FolkRoots line of dulcimers to Folkcraft Instruments. The tools, wood, and inventory are trucked from Felton, California to Winsted, Connecticut.
Now to Indiana...
In 1990, Richard Ash (the current owner of Folkcraft Instruments, which now includes FolkRoots dulcimers) retired from teaching music in the public schools, and went into business by starting up a music store in the small town of Woodburn, Indiana. The main focus was private instruction, but with a roster of active teachers, the company soon expanded to include sheet music and accessory items.
By 2005, it was time to expand, and Richard began looking for something new. He found out that David Marks was retiring from (over thirty years!) dulcimer building. The fall of 2006 took Richard from Woodburn, Indiana to Winsted, Connecticut. Richard fell in love with the company, and with the instruments, and ended up purchasing Folkcraft Instruments from David Marks.
On January 5, 2007, the paperwork was completed, and the move from Connecticut to Indiana was begun. Seven semi trucks (six enclosed, and one flat bed), a whole lot of labor, and a bit of luck took all of the tools, instruments, lumber, and work in progress to Folkcraft's new home in Woodburn, Indiana.
In 2009, Richard Ash (with his brother, Steve Ash) created the Druid Moon line of ukuleles. The new designs of ukulele feature a heavier construction than is common with contemporary ukuleles, and this gave the instruments more sustain and more warmth, making them very popular with fingerstyle ukulele players.
Folkcraft Instruments now has three main product lines - Folkcraft Instruments (mountain dulcimers, hammered dulcimers, psalteries, and kanteles), Druid Moon (ukuleles), and FolkRoots (dulcimers).
https://folkcraft.com/pages/folkcraft-through-the-years FolkRoots History....
This "may" help?? The wood kits start at about $400, The complete new ones start at about $1100, and go up to 2000 ish for the "fancy" stuff...
The lower end of yours I {a great deal, if you want to Bless someone] would be $250 ish, You can probably find a buyer in the $300-$450 range if the goal is profit.
Dulcimer pricing can go all over the map. Unless it is significant in design, woods, or maker, they generally don't hold value too well. Sad but true. Unlike guitars, folks generally don't want an "old" dulcimer...too few frets, pegs, or it doesn't have a label, or other bragging rights. I've seen plenty of awfully sweet sounding instruments that wouldn't command $50 at a garage sale...
I bid $351............
Just kidding....Nice price, looks pristine too! congratulations!
Sorry....couldn't help myself....
Sending a "long vsl" chart borrowed from Folkcraft...31 3/8 VSL. Is this what you envision? It would take some time to do the math on string gauge etc....To think of what that length looks like, picture a Pete Seger long neck banjo. All you have to do is remove the resonator and slap the remains on an hourglass body....voila!
This other fella on FOTMD may be able to help....looks like he builds some big honkin' dulcimores....
Kinda like coffee me thinks... Sometimes bold with hints of chocolate or cinnamon....Or bland without any flavor.. All subject to the ear of the listener. Perhaps sometimes so many flavors it just tastes "off"...
I don't think I've heard a dulcimer yet, that didn't sound sweet.....
So the term "overtone" as it relates to dulcimers, just means perhaps you're thinking too much......Or you're building one out of an old toaster and a bundt pan .....
12's / about 13.8 lbs each [d-4]
14 / about 10.5 lbs [A3]
.024 / 14.7 lbs [D3]
Hello Misty,
If you are who I think you are......?
Your dulcimer is currently strung with 2- .012's [d]
1- .014 [A] and 1- .024 [D].
Gave it a quick look.....Sounds Amazing.....Group jam session without the guilt! We'll have to give it a go, [me n' the Mrs]
Thanks for the tip!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/448674886231259
This is the link and contact information for the Central Florida dulcimer Folks...They hold a fest North East of Orlando each year in the spring time. They have well over 700 members...I'm sure they can help direct you. A few of my recent customers were from "the Villages", but I looked and they would be quite a trip for you. Keep turning over the rocks....you are sure to find a player or two nearby.....
But....but.....then it wouldn't be a dulcimer.....[or would it?] ..ahh, the circle continues....
no need for replies...just kill'n time between mowing in the heat...
Thank you, Dan, for the bit of history and insight. "guarded secrets" reminds me of my old trapping days swapping recipes for beaver lure....
I know it's been discussed elsewhere...but I really do think that if little Johnny living in the mountains had access to baltic birch plywood, machine tuners and shellac....he'd a used 'em....
Have a Happy Independence Day!
john
Very nice Dan! haven't heard the "dance" in quite a few years. Thanks for the trip.
A few questions if I may...
1. the fret spacing "seems" to wander back and forth. Is this a mater of the angle the photos were taken? if not, is there a reason or rule to be followed? Looks "older, doesn't matter as long a the fret is under what it needs to be , etc?
2.is there a "dulcimore" rule to dictate what direction a carved heart points? Or is it strictly artisan choice?
3. If it is not a guarded secret....what is the formula used for the finish?
...asking for a friend
....
I managed to delete the entire thread while trying to delete a draft......
One of the reasons I still have a land line....
Because of the way your strings are anchored, straight, short line to the bridge. They are not going to vary any, if at all under "normal" playing. the string tension will keep your VSL intact, and I wouldn't expect buzzing etc.
If you start pullin'/bendn' notes ...all bets are off.
If you are happy with the height of action, and the intonation, a few strokes with the edge of a nail file, steak knife, or most any other sharpish edged weapon will suffice. [at the point where the strings are resting/breaking over the bridge]. You are only looking to give the string a guide to keep it facing forward. No need for deep grooves. Worst case....you go too far, and end up finding another nut....
Best case...you now have a deeper relationship with your new friend...
Go slow and minimalist, it's a lot harder to put the material back if you take too much.
It's a bit hard to tell from the pictures... but it looks as if the strings rest on top/center, vs the flat forward edge....That is where to put your "guides". Bringing the slots deeper than minimal will bring your strings closer or meeting the squared forward facing edge.
Or..... that 2nd cousin on the other side of the family, that used to play in a band can help you out......but he uses drywall screws.....they hold better.....
have a blessed day!
So moving on...."reasons NOT to put a slide on an Irish Whistle".........
Curmudgeonly:
like or characteristic of a bad-tempered, difficult, cantankerous person........
I don't think anyone here is implying anything other than opinions, and a bit of banter about a subject we all are familiar with, but individually have different thoughts on.
From my armchair of vast experience...I see folks who WILL NOT buy or even consider a dulcimer with wooden pegs, yet cry "for shame" if I install mechanical tuners for someone, Same holds for installing, or not, a 6.5 fret. Let alone a hand full more...
I like and welcome the discussions here amongst the "enlightened ones". But I do see quite a need to put aside the semantics and minutia when talking to the "under 40's", or anyone else that is not a "dulcimer head" [yet]. Most of whom are looking to play the dulcimer because they like the sweet sound [can you tell with your eyes closed how many frets it has?], or they think it's "cool", or just different. They have hearts yearning for acceptance into the dulcimer crowd, they have hair that's every color other than what God gave them, and self inflicted shrapnel hanging off their faces.... But I see quite a few who really "dig" the dulcimer. They don't know the history, they don't know who Joni Mitchell was [or care]. And how does a creek get crippled? They want to move forward and make their music and their own memories.
I also see "some" groups that don't want new members..."we like our group" we really don't want them...
So i do understand the fears of the dulcimer fading into further obscurity.
So by all means, lets dive into all the details here, where love and admiration abound...discussing pegs,frets,and the evils of laminate construction....
Let us also remember when we didn't know what miloxy,milodian,mmi....yea that stuff was... And invite a kid to play, no matter how many frets....it ain't doin' no good hang'n on the wall.
last question....If Stradivarius used Titebond glue, baltic birch plywood, and machine tuners [I think he would have if he had them] What would a violin look like today?
Perhaps "dulcimer" is a state of being........
"In fact, I know some people who do not find the dulcimer very sweet sounding."................
What a collection of wretched souls they must be.....You must endeavor to widen your circle...
Perhaps it is just the heat and humidity?
Then you'll need a nice case. Then you'll need something not so fancy for outside jams, or travel. Then there will be that one that just sounds so pretty...
Yup....all about the priorities....
Rule # 2 Play it some more....
If YOU like the way it looks, if YOU like the way it sounds, it means more than ANY makers mark or vintage. A dulcimer that you like is infinitely more likely to be played and not put in the closet.
Of course if this is a hour glass, you'll need to get a teardrop too. And perhaps one with/without the extra frets, and one for....
DAS is real.
er wait...I guess one of the images worked....go figure
Don't bother with the attachments...They didn't turn out...
I did a quick look through E-bay and Reverb sites & completed sales..Selling on the high end for 900 ish, low end 3-4.
hundreds.
I do say though, yours is the best looking one!
Right after I make my 2nd million in instrument sales......[I've given up on the first]......
I think the swelling member count is due to the free swag bags of merch being offered to new members. String sets, jars of "jam", and Turtle polishing cloths........
Probably easier to get out of the basement than the aircraft was.....
Nice build.....Will it fly?
You, my friend, are the inspiration! After your query, I did a search as well, finding that no one is making them any longer.....So being the struggling mercenary....I hope to make my fortune.....
Can't find the right words this morning......a few tears though. [in the good way]...Thank you.
Pettreemusic.com has them in stock. Not the "hall" brand however. I did speak to Jenn over at Crystal flutes...they "may" in the future start making theirs again. The are more concentrated on the flutes at this time.
Correct....I can't claim credit for the "hack"....but it's nice, simple, and worth a heap more than the .15 cent investment.........
I've heard this before [from Skip perhaps...] but a dime just before the first fret, and a nickel on top of the 7th. Do the dime [nut] first, then attack the bridge. As you are probably aware, it's a lot easier taking off not enough than taking off too much.....
VERY nice! I really like the headstock neck area....impressive.
Thanks for sharing.
https://www.amazon.com/Imelod-Contact-Microphone-Ukulele-Mandolin/dp/B01M5IB4X7
This one is nice in that it has only a 10 inch lead so you don't have wire hanging all over. The lead is braid instead of plain plastic. "looks" like some of the more expensive ones.... That being said, I know of no manufacturer that uses a different piezo element in its' pick ups.The plastic housings may look different, but electronically and mechanically they ALL are the same. The price points are based on marketing, not what is inside. And at under 10 bucks it is sure worth the trying either way......
I would suggest perhaps using a small square of "alien tape" to affix to the dulcimers top, no worries then of double sided tape marring your good looks.....
Remember to "dab" the area...don't "wipe", In case there is residual pencil marks etc,you don't want to rub them off.
I've exposed some "made for xxx" or dedications and poems over the years....Enjoy the quest!
That is SO nice! I always wished some of these instruments could talk and tell the tales of the past....Yours comes pretty close! A water wet q-tip brushed over the old scratches may bring out enough contrast to read them...It'll evaporate with no harm done...