Jaromin dulcimer kit from Annalisa's Crafts
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Wow, that is really cool. Thanks for sharing....have fun!
Wow, that is really cool. Thanks for sharing....have fun!
Sad news. Taken too soon. I hope his family can find some peace in his passing.
I recently bought matching stands for my dulcimer and guitar. The instructions for how to attach the base to the arm read:
"Do not overtighten. You can crack the wood. Maybe not a job for a drummer."
And similarly, the instructions for attaching the hanger to the arm read:
"Do not overtighten. You can strip out the insert. Keep the drummer away from this."
For the record, the assembly went very well. Clearly dulcimer players are more gentle creatures than are percussionists.
At least they had an appropriate (musician) sense of humor. (Although, a drummer may disagree.)
Super cool! Glad you're back with us.
If you really want to have choices for fret markers, I'd suggest this place:
https://www.inlaystickers.com/
I've used them on occasion for various instruments (for different purposes) over the years. Easy to apply, look really nice, and you can remove them without residue.
When I recently purchased an instrument without a fret marker on a particular fret that I was used to, I added a sticker to the fretboard. Here's that instrument. All but one of the markers are actual inlays, one is a sticker. Can you tell which is which?
Maybe contact them directly with your questions. I've found most places to be very responsive and informative.
I have dulcimers with VSL's that range from 23" to 27". My fingers/hands (and mind) tend(s) to adjust very quickly.
Maple is so beautiful, nice instrument. She should love it!
Wow, that touched my heart. ❤️
but are always open to more ; )
Rob and John, thanks for sharing. It's interesting to see the other instruments that people play too.
As Rockwell sang back in the '80s, "I always feel like somebody's watchin' me"
Love it!
I've enjoyed this thread. Thank you to everyone who shared. Whether you have 1 dulcimer or 10, we share a common love for this beautiful little wooden box with strings.
Have fun!
Congrats on your new Flatwater, ADK. From what I see, they look and sound great, and have a great price to boot. I think McSpadden has really filled a niche with these new dulcimers.
Susie, enjoy that lovely new Ginger!
There may be some enablers here at fotmd yet I'm not one of them.
Thanks Robin, I sure will! No, I didn't think you were one of the enablers.
Looks like a beauty, and I'm sure it sounds like one, too!
Thanks Dusty. It sure does have a nice voice and these Gingers are fun to play. It's amazing the tone they can get out of a small bodied dulcimer.
I think I've purchased my last dulcimer.
I wanted to get a second McSpadden Ginger, this one intonated DAd (I already have one intonated GDg).
I contacted Tim at McSpadden and asked if he had any walnut woodsets with sapwood. He had a couple and let me choose between the two (for the back). I pretty much knew I wanted a spruce top. So, after deciding on all the other features, I ended up with this little gem. I knew what the back would look like, but Tim also selected wood for the peghead that had sapwood, to go with the theme. I didn't know he did that until I picked it up from my music store.
I thought I'd share it here because, after-all, you're a bunch of enablers.
It sounds wonderful and is a joy to play. McSpadden comes through, once again.
Here's my McSpadden family:
Skip, you bring up a good point, about other instruments. I've been suffering from GAS (guitar acquisition syndrome) much longer than DAD (dulcimer acquisition disease). My first love, fingerstyle guitar (since 1973), has been my true passion for nearly 48 years. I've settled into a stable of 6 guitars and 1 guilele. Many other instruments (primarily stringed instruments) have come and gone over the years, but I'm simplifying to just guitar, dulcimer, and Native American flute (I have 5). In fact, my last banjo is moving on to a new home this week. I was in band all through school, where I played flute, then alto saxophone. Music has been such a joy in my life.
Some really neat collections here. I can get a feel for the type of music that is played, just by looking at the collection. Such a variety, between members. Thanks to all who have shared so far, it's been fun to follow.
@susie Do tell!
I decided that my McSpadden Ginger (intonated GDG) needed a sister, so I ordered a walnut (w/ sapwood) - spruce Ginger (intonated DAD) to keep her company. I'm enjoying the smaller dulcimers (they also come in handy in our smaller motorhome when we travel). It's in at my music store where I ordered it though, but I can't get in to pick it up until Wednesday. I think this is my final dulcimer.
Robin, I see that you also have a new one on order. I'd love to see pictures of the BL after you get it.
I'm going to have a new little one in the family on Wednesday.
@ken-hulme Or we've made a newer player afraid of what they might become?
On a serious note, coming to the mountain dulcimer has made my life better-- making music at home is such a joy!
I agree with both of your points Robin.
Whether someone has 1 or 11, the instrument can add such a joy to our lives.
Susie, I haven't shared in this thread for the simple reason that I don't want to admit how many dulcimers I have!
We do our !!!
Thanks to all who shared here. I thought we'd get a little more interest in the thread, but if you don't feel comfortable sharing that's fine. I've enjoyed seeing what dulcimers people own, some of which are new to me. Enjoy what you have and play on.
It is cool to see the variety of dulcimers that people own. We, as players, have quite the selection of makers, models, shapes, sizes, woods, configurations, etc.
Thanks to those who have shared so far. Ken, I like your comment "...I only have 15.". It sounds like you once owned many more.
Jae and I both got the J&J jab Monday and have only had a wee bit of fatigue plus the sore arm. Will be interesting to see when a booster will be advised, though many in-person festivals have already scrapped spring/summer scheduling.
My favorite festival cancelled early in the year...the Evart Funfest. Going to miss another year. Hoping for a big celebratory year in 2022. Hope you'll be there again. This is from 2019.
Cases numbers here in OHio are heading in the wrong direction. It is heartbreaking and disheartening.
We are #1 in Michigan, but not for the right reason.
On the one hand, my family and I have been vaccinated, which is so comforting. On the other hand, the case numbers are going crazy in the State. We haven't changed our behavior, still taking the necessary precautions. We are just hoping things turn around for everyone's sake.
I'm enjoying your posts...keep them coming. It's interesting to see what you all have.
I own 5, with 1 more on the way...
1. Doug Berch custom (sassafras/walnut)
2. Folkcraft custom (butternut/walnut)
3. Folkcraft Baritone custom (cherry)
4. McSpadden standard (26") (walnut)
5. McSpadden Ginger (GDG) (cherry)
6. McSpadden Ginger (DAD) (on order) (spruce/walnut)
We did this 11 years ago, and then again 8 years ago. So, I thought it would be fun to do it again, and see members' current lists. I know I enjoy seeing what dulcimers (makes/models) others own. After all, DAD (dulcimer acquisition disease) is real.
Wow, that is beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
That is awesome! Sure wish I could have done that as a kid. A great way to get them excited about woodworking, music, art, etc. Thanks for sharing, Ken.
Thanks for the info. I will experiment with cloth to see if that helps... But I bet the felt on the Legacy Straps will solve it. I'll be getting one soon.
Good idea. Happy to help...thanks to Dusty too.
My stake make a lot of noise while I play. Are these straps quiet?
If you look at Dusty's response, he suggested that maybe the noise is coming from the movement of the strap end against the dulcimer. I just looked at the Legacy Strap end tabs where they connect to the strap buttons. On the Legacy Straps, they have a soft layer (felt-like) on the inside of the tab. I think this might solve any noise issue, if that's where the noise is coming from, for you. Here are a couple pictures that might help.