Forum Activity for @susie

I wanted to convert my 28" scale length FolkRoots to a baritone. I spoke with Richard (the owner of Folkcraft) at Evart and he gave me the nut and bridge material to redo those and told me how to do it (so the slot spacings would accomodate the baritione strings and the intonation would be proper). I ended up not doing it myself, but rather took it to Folkcraft (we've wanted to visit them anyway). Richard did it for me and it sounds/plays great. The intonation is spot on. We didn't discuss a bass dulcimer though. I'd suggest you talk to Richard before you do anything like that. He's the maker of those dulcimers and only he would have the best information for you. Richard is a super guy to talk to and if you ever have the time, visit their shop. It's pretty cool. Real nice folks.

Thanks Mike, I thought so!

My avatar is a custom dulcimer made by Doug Berch in 2014. He makes beautiful dulcimers that have wonderful tone. Mine is curly sassafras over figured walnut. Not only does Doug make very fine dulcimers, he's one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. Not to mention, he's the only person to ever win the MD and HD Championship in Winfield in the same year.....quite a musician.

Marvin, that's why I posted this...to put the idea out there. I wanted to show how easy it could be done. It beats paying $40 or more for one. This is fully adjustable and it folds up for storage. I hope you give it a try. Fun to think through and do, too. Good luck.

Thanks Joy! See you are from Midland. I'm in Gaylord.

Thanks Ken, I appreciate it. I wanted to post so others might benefit by the project. A very inexpensive way to get a dulcimer stand. 

Finally, from the back.

 dulcimerstand4.jpg - 111KB

Side view.

 dulcimerstand3.jpg - 128KB

And another picture, with the dulcimer - front.

 dulcimerstand2.jpg - 96KB

I had a $10 guitar stand that I thought would make a great project to convert to a nice dulcimer stand. I have sewing skills and my husband has a welding torch. So, here's what we did. The bottom support (normally for the lower bout of a guitar) was converted by adding a "sling" (this is where my sewing skills came into play) to support the bottom of the dulcimer. I also sewed a hole for the strap button to rest through. This also serves the purpose of not letting the dulcimer slide off the sling. I also put some one wrap velcro on the bottom support to keep it stable from rotating (which is how they are made for guitars). Then, the top support (normally for the neck of the guitar) was converted by using the welding torch to reshape it to accomodate the wider area needed for the dulcimer. The steel is "hardened", so we couldn't just bend it by hand. Wa-la......a dulcimer stand is born. I'm really happy with how it turned out. And it is still adjustable to accomodate the height of all my dulcimers. Here are some pictures. 

 dulcimerstand1.jpg - 154KB

My husband built me an oak "entertainment center" (as I call it) for my instruments. This picture was taken a while ago, and I now have 3 instruments that don't fit. So, this winter he'll be building a second unit for the "overflow". The shelves on top can store 2 instruments each, so the dulcimers all go on the top part. I like to store them in their cases for protection. All the instruments get played quite a bit....takes no time at all to pull one out. The whole music room is humidity controlled (as well as each floor of the house).

 IMG_20141208_091006.jpg - 100KB

It is comfortable on the lap and there's a big difference in volume. I like the fact that it fits with all my dulcimers. It also has strap buttons if you want to do that.

I have four dulcimers including a FolkRoots. I bought an adjustable possum board from Jim VanderWoude at Evart that I can use on all of them. And it even folds down to a size for easy travel. I put some felt pads on it and some clear tubing on the knobs, to ensure it doesn't scratch an instrument. I love it's versatility. Plus he makes them in different types of wood. Mine is cherry.

www.dulcimer store.com

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I'm EXTREMELY careful with all my equipment and all my instruments (anal, in fact), and I had one of the Snarks break off. So, it does happen. See my earlier comment about how the "broken" Snarks can actually be great to use on a dulcimer. So, don't worry about that. Like Dusty said, if you are careful, it probably won't break. Snark has several models to choose from. Would suggest a chromatic one for sure.

Dusty Turtle said:

The only complaints I've heard about the Snarks is that sometimes the head snaps off the base. But that's got to be user error, so if you take care of it, it will be fine.

I use the Snark chromatic (red) for my dulcimers and all my other instruments. One cool thing about the Snark. If the arm breaks off at the ball joint, keep the tuner part and use it strictly for dulcimers. Just lay it on the soundboard (I put it right over a soundhole) and you can tune very easily. I broke one of mine and was going to pitch it, but then thought, wow, a custom dulcimer Snark tuner. Works great. I've only broken one so far. Waiting to break more, because they work so well this way.

This! Music has ALWAYS been my stress release. It is great for your health. I'm blessed that music has been a part of my life since age 9.

Dusty Turtle said:

I got an email yesterday from the Back Axe Company, regarding these small Back Axe straps:

-----------------------------------

Hello folks!

This note is intended for those who have inquired about our small-instrument-sized BackAxe. Our apologies for the long wait.

Weve been backordered and were not sure when we will restock. While we like to have the option to offer folks, the guitar model is the vast majority of our small business.

Howeverthere are just a few differences between our guitar and small models. Its mostly strap lengths. While were not set up to do it on mass, we can make the few modifications to one of our in-stock guitar models to make it adjustable to a smaller case. Wed be glad to do it for those of you whove inquired, waited patiently and are still interested.

You can order a guitar model online from us and well tweak it for you. Just put a comment in the order or e-mail us after us after the order and let us know youd like it "small-ized."

Regards,
Mark

Yes, I had contacted the company directly and they finally replied (after quite a long period). They said they weren't making them and they didn't know their plans. They were really vague and non-committal. I contacted my local music store (who had the large ones in stock) and they said they couldn't get the small ones. I got really frustrated. I concluded I'd have to find one on eBay (or try making one myself). Then, one came available and I snatched it up. Yes, maybe a bunch of us need to contact the company and maybe they'll start doing them again. I don't know what the answer is. But, they do work well.

Thanks Dusty. Yes, it really makes it handy to carry a hardshell case.

I have been looking for quite some time for a "Back Axe" for my dulcimer hardshell case, so I can carry it like a backpack. "Back Axe" makes two sizes of them, and I knew the small one would work well. However, they aren't making them anymore (for whatever reason). No luck in contacting the company, etc. So, I kept my eyes open. Low and behold, a music store on eBay listed a small Back Axe for sale (new condition - old stock). So I got it at a great price. I did all the adjustments to the straps and it works great! Once it is adjusted, it goes on and off with just a couple quick release buckles in the front. I love it. It makes carrying my hardshell case hands free. Great for festivals, hikes, or whatever. Here's a pic.

Nothing wrong with creativity! It was probably really fun to do, too. Just a word of advice.....don't drop that capo on your dulcimer! It could really do some damage.

Dana, sending you good vibes.

Loved the video. Thank you!

Thanks Lexie. You're right.

Thanks Dusty! Yes, it sounds great.

I'm a few months late in posting this, but I'm in love with my new Doug Berch dulcimer. Doug is a wonderful luthier and a National Champion (won both the hammered dulcimer and mountain dulcimer competitions in the same year). He's one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. Anyway, I had him build me a custom 3-string dulcimer and I got it in July. It is fabulous. A really nice, warm tone with great sustain and intonation. The sound this thing puts out is beautiful. It has a curly sassafras top and walnut back and sides, with sapwood and figure. It has a bubinga rosewood fretboard overlay and a passive pick-up installed. Everything I wanted and needed. The pictures don't do it justice, but I tried my best. I just wanted to share this, as you don't see too many of his dulcimers here, but the dulcimers he builds are outstanding.

I have one of these. Same concept, but a little less expensive. Works great.

http://elderly.com/accessories/items/WDC1.htm

I have the church-style. When I was trying to decide, Mike Clemmer strongly suggested the church-style. He said it would give more volume and sustain than the regular model. He said he mostly makes the church-style. GIven their size, you lose volume, so I'd suggest getting the most you can with the church-style. The added depth for travel is not an issue. I wouldn't even consider the regular model. I went with sassafras/walnut. It has a great tone and sustain. Fun to play.

BEAUTIFUL for sure! congratulations.

They are a great company. Looking forward to seeing your project all done.

When I was considering the same thing, I called and talked to Mike Clemmer. Hereallyrecommended theChurch style, because he saidI'd be happier with the sound, volume and sustain. He doesn't make very many of the non-Church, because most people order the Church model.So, the decision is yours, but that's what I was told and why I ended up going with theChurch. If you can swing it financially, I'd go with theChurch.

Maryann Lang said:

Hi Susie, very pretty wood grain, I will have to decide between the regular and churxh model - money is a factor but I also want a nice sound.

This is exactly what I have....sassafras top, walnut sides. I went with the church style, which is a deeper body for more volume and better sound. It still isn't as loud as a full-sized dulcimer, but the sustain is really good for a small dulcimer. I really like my Clemmer Sweetie for travel and when I want a smaller dulcimer, sitting on the couch. IMHO, I think you would like it.

Here's a pictureof mine with the sassafras top:

3 mountain dulcimers (McSpadden, FolkRoots, and Clemmer) and an Olympia Walkabout dulcimer.

(also: 4 guitars (all Taylor), a ukulele, 2 banjos, a psaltery, and a fiddle)

Folkcraft (Folk Roots) are really nice dulcimers. A nice company to deal with. You shouldn't be disappointed.

Yes, he offered the initials to me too, but I wanted to make it special, tying it to the maple syrup. I thought about maple leaf soundholes, but when I've seen them on dulcimers, they really didn't move me. So I opted to have the maple leaf on the headstock. That way, I had him keep the whole vine motif on the instrument. I'm really happy with my decisions. Your lizard soundholes are nicely done. You're coming to the US and then picking up the dulcimer then is a great idea. When we make an RV trip to his area, we'll stop by his store. That might be bad for me, because I need another dulcimer/instrument, like I need a hole in the head. I would love to see your dulcimer when you get it in June. Is he personalizing that one?