Forum Activity for @susie

Yes, Arnold did retire. However, I just had my 1978 dulcimer in there and Joe Konkoly did the work....superb!! He's also the Repair Shop Manager. Like I said earlier, the guys in the repair shop are the ONLY ones who touch my instruments. Joe said he and a couple others are now doing the dulcimer work. A dulcimer really isn't that complicated compared the other work they do. They know their stuff. It does cost money, but sometimes a little investment will ensure the work is done right and will result in you bring a very happy camper rather than a frustrated one.

Just a thought, being you're so close to Elderly in Lansing. Given its age, the dulcimer may need more than bridge work. The nut and frets may also need work/adjustment. I recently took a 1978 dulcimer in for a complete set-up and it plays wonderfully now. I have been a customer of Elderly since 1974 and trust only them with any of my instruments. A little investment may be worth a lot, IMHO.

YEAH, it's fun to get a HS flute in the mail. Enjoy!

I have been eyeing them all along, but my conservative side wins out when I have ordered the two I have. But, you know, I think I may have to make my final flute the special one with the turquoise.

I'm thinking my next will be a HS F# mid-tone in walnut or ebonized walnut, with the turquoise. 

Congrats Jennifer, let us know when you get it. You'll be impressed with the HS flutes. Soon you'll be planning your next purchase from them.

I think it would be fine. It's a larger flute, but you should have no problem with it. I'd go on the HS website and listen to the videos of each flute you are considering and pick the voice you like best. They are all beautiful, but you have to decide if you like a higher tone or a mid-tone. Personally, I like the mid-tones the best.

Both are High Spirits. The larger is the Red Tail Hawk mid-tone in G, spanish cedar. The other is the White Tail Hawk high-tone in B, walnut.

Thanks Jennifer. I'm probably not going to have more than 3 flutes, so it will work good for me.

Thanks Lexie!

My husband made me a flute stand and I did the finish work and applied the felt. A good place for my flutes to "dry out" after playing and even an extra spot for a third flute. Hmmm....

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Thanks for the feedback Maria!

Does anyone have a HS Condor Bass, specifically with the 1" bore?

http://highspirits.com/collections/all-flutes/products/missing-condor-bass-d-walnut

If so, impressions?

Monica and Strumelia....yeah, you're probably right.  

We'll see where this goes. But with all my other instruments, I have plenty of other music to be made. The primary reason I wanted a stand, is so after playing, it can sit out and dry out. I can always store "dry" flutes in their bags/cases. So, the 3 place stand should work for now. I'll post a pic when it's done. Actually, he has built it already (just finished it). Now I have to do the staining and polying.

Very nice, Maria!

Got my HS walnut White Tail Hawk in the key of B. Beautiful! This FAD (flute acquisition disease) is real.

My husband offered to build me a flute stand, so I said sure. He asked, how many should it hold? I have 2. I said I should be all set with 2. He's building it to hold 3. Maybe as I learn more, I'll have to fill that 3rd spot.

Thanks Charles. Yes, the travel dulcimers are fun. They are also good festival dulcimers. The Folkcraft galax are wonderful.

I've only got 5, but each has its own purpose.

Folkcraft Custom - galax back

Doug Berch - electronics

Lazenby - festivals

FolkRoots - baritone

Clemmer Sweetie - travel

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This is addicting. Ordered a B flute in walnut yesterday from High Spirits. :)

Will do. I had the privilege of talking with Karen at Evart last week. Nice folks.

Thanks for your responses to my question, Caleb and Terry. Good info also shared by the others.

Ok, for those of you who have purchased the Bm flute, does it work well with dulcimer? I'm thinking about the White Tail Hawk from High Spirits. It sounds like the best choice for playing with a dulcimer playing in the key of D. 

http://highspirits.com/collections/flutes-in-the-key-of-b/products/white-tail-hawk-high-b-walnut

Thanks everyone. I'll consider leaving the frets as is. There's a luthier at Elderly Instruments who does any work I need done on my dulcimers. I'm going to have him look it all over and do whatever set-up it needs. The action needs to be adressed, probably frets leveled, and likely a new nut and bridge. Definitely needs new strings. It's intonation is really good, and it has a really nice voice. The body size is similar to a McSpadden, but it's voice is loud and clear. A warmer tone, with the all walnut body. It's birthdate is March 28, 1987. Definitely a cool dulcimer. Nicely made. A really nice gift from an old friend.

I posted this on Everything Dulcimer, but got no responses. Maybe someone here might want to share some information.

Long story short.....a childhood friend (who I've only recently reconnected with via Facebook) has very generously gifted me a mountain dulcimer that was owned by her grandma. My friend received the dulcimer when her grandma died in the late 80's. Nobody in her family plays, so she wanted me to have and play it. It comes from Pigeon River Stringed Instruments, Bob and Anne Lazenby. 

I've found out a little through the internet, but would like know if anyone knows about the maker and the dulcimer (quality, etc.). I noticed Bob was a member on ED, but only made 4 posts and hadn't posted since 2012 ("Bob L"). I haven't received it yet (getting it today), but it sure looks beautiful. I'm planning on a complete professional set-up, after I receive it, and will add some extra frets to have it like my other dulcimers (6 1/2 and 1 1/2 for sure).

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I'll give a full report, once I receive it.

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Yes, I like that feature of the Sticky Grip picks too!

I get mine through Elderly Instruments. They have a huge selection of thicknesses and variations of the GuitarMoose picks.

I really like the GuitarMoose Sticky Grip picks.

http://guitarmoose.com/products

When I use my Jim VanderWoude possum board, it goes on my lap, just like a dulcimer w/o a possum board. The possum board also has strap pins on it, if you want to attach your strap right to the possum board.

I got an adjustable possum board from Jim VanderWoude at Evart. It fits all my dulcimers. I added rubber tubing to the posts and some additional felt in a couple spots to make sure the dulcimers don't get scratched. Very well made and thought out. It folds up too, for storage/travel.

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RIP John. We will miss your knowledge, humor and helpful suggestions. Thank you for sharing your love of dulcimers with us.

Yes. The FolkRoots travel dulcimer capo may be the one that will work for you. If in doubt, give Richard Ash (owner of Folkcraft) a call tomorrow and discuss it with him before buying one. He's very friendly and helpful.

Elderly has this one. They sell FolkRoots dulcimers too, so they could tell you how it fits. Been a customer of theirs since 1974, they are very helpful.

http://www.elderly.com/accessories/cases-gigbags/dulcimer-cases-gigbags/canadian-dulcimer-case.htm

Give Folkcraft a call. You'll probably get Richard (the owner). They used to sell hardshell cases for their FolkRoots dulcimers. Not sure if they are anymore, because they now sell a really nice Deluxe Rigid Case. But, they may have some of the hardshell cases laying around. It might be worth a call. 

Congratulations, would love to see some pictures!

My pocket tune is Rosin the Beau. Love the song, and it's a great tune for playing the melody on the bass string, chord/melody style. So, you can switch it up.

There's a Mike Clemmer Deluxe on eBay right now.

Exciting, be sure to post pictures for us!!!

Thanks Ken. I think that's the one I'm going to get. Seems to be what I'm looking for and great reviews.

Has anyone tried the Roland Mobile AC Acoustic (as opposed to the Moble Cube)? This one:

http://www.elderly.com/electronics/acoustic-amps-pickups/acoustic-amplifiers/roland-mobile-ac-acoustic-chorus-guitar-amplifier.htm

Dusty, check out the Roland Mobile AC Acoustic (I put a link in my previous post....$129).I don't think I'd need the adjustments for keyboard, electric guitar, etc, that comes with the Mobile Cube. What do you think?

Thanks for the replies so far. I'm really liking what I'm seeing with the Roland Mobile AC amp. 

http://www.elderly.com/electronics/acoustic-amps-pickups/acoustic-amplifiers/roland-mobile-ac-acoustic-chorus-guitar-amplifier.htm

Maybe I'll take a trip to Elderly with my dulcimer in hand and see how it does. Glad to hear the Rolands are well respected. They seem to get good reviews on-line.