Forum Activity for @susie

Just a thought.....

My local music store is Elderly Instruments in Lansing, MI (has been for 47 years). They are great to deal with. They have a huge selection of picks and their website is great for searching/filtering. You could look at their selection, then pick out (pun intended) a bunch of single picks and have them shipped to your home. Picks are usually quite inexpensive and Elderly's shipping rates are very reasonable. I bet for less than $10 (including shipping), you could get a nice selection and try the various shapes, sizes, thicknesses. It can really be enlightening and very helpful.

https://www.elderly.com/

Thank you for your help! Gonna work on this one, now that I have some info on it.

Thanks, that gives me a starting point to work on this (and tab it out). A lovely tune.

Thanks Dusty. I'm thinking the same thing. Similar, but different, so that's why I was wondering if it's a different song altogether. If I can't get a definitely answer, I'll just write it out myself, just by having the audio. I've done that on many occasions, so not a problem....just a little more work.

I thought it sounded like it at the beginning, but it has embellishments/parts I have never heard. 

Can someone identify the song that is played here in this video? Thanks.

Obviously not much interest here, but FWIW, I'm in contact with McSpadden re their 26" vsl, but baritone tuning.

I'm looking smaller in terms of the body (depth and length). Both my Folkcraft Customs, including the baritone, have the deeper body, with galax backs. So, they are quite a bit bigger than the McSpadden. Then, throw in their awesome case, and it's just too big for festivals. Plus, they are more of an investment, in case something were to happen. I love, love them for home and playing with others around home, but another McSpadden would be nicer for festivals. Like you said, I know the quality and tone of a McSpadden too. I've just never tried one of their baritones. 

I currently have a Folkcraft Custom Baritone Dulcimer. I love everything about it. I'm toying with the idea of getting a McSpadden baritione (because it is smaller), to accompany me to music festivals, where I also take my standard McSpadden.

For those with McSpadden baritones, can you give me your feedback? Dusty, I think you even did a video once of the one you had. Can you share that? For baritones, I lean towards the cherry/cherry or spruce/walnut woods, which I feel works well with the deeper tones. 

It's beautiful, nice job on it. How does it sound?

Beautiful pets in this thread!

I've always loved Doug Berch's "Shame and Scandal in the Family". 

Our wedding song, Crazy, by Kenny Rogers.

You bet it is, Robin!

I have been working on several songs, but I'm really enjoying my version of "Beauty and the Beast". I got Bing's original tab, but revised it some for my playing style, which I really like. Such a pretty tune. It sounds wonderful on my Doug Berch Standard Dulcimer, but it is also beautiful on my Folkcraft Custom Baritone. 

I joined, but have slowly lost interest for the reason you cite....not much activity. I haven't given up on it. I have participated some, and hope it gets more interest. 

Thank you. I chose a Doug Berch dulcimer, because I know him personally and know the quality and care that go into his builds and I know how long he's been building dulcimers. Plus, he is an awesome player. He is very articulate....you could call him a perfectionist. My sassafras/walnut dulcimer is warmer sounding than my McSpadden and Folkcraft custom. Those woods tend to be so, as opposed to cherry or spruce. But, what also enters into the equation for how a dulcimer sounds is the build itself, how the builder makes his instruments. Mine isn't as loud as my Folkcraft custom, but the builds are different. The Folkcraft has a galax back. The Doug Berch has a beautiful tone, that has a real nice balance. I love it, actually. Mine has a pick-up, so when I want more volume, I just plug it in, and it sounds great through my little Roland amp. Doug is awesome to work with. He's not only good at what he does, but he's one of the nicest, most caring guys you'll every meet. Put it this way, at the time he was building mine, I went through a health scare. He provided me much-needed comfort. He is that thoughtful. Anyway, I don't think you'd be disappointed with one of his duclimers, just work with him and he will surely answer any questions or concerns you may have. I hope this helps.

Thank you! It does have a beautiful voice.

We are retired and live in a rural area. So that helps a lot. Currently we are in the middle of our annual maple syrup production, so that is keeping us busy out in the woods and in our sugar house. So, we are staying very busy with that. The maple trees don't care about all this and it's one event that has not been cancelled.

I play at an Assisted Living Facility. I cancelled before I got word from them, because I just don't think any of us outsiders should be coming in there at this time. I have heard one the the Assisted Living Facilities in town isn't allowing visitors, I'm sure the one I play at and the others will follow suit. 

Be smart. Stay healthy.

I have used those a few times on various instruments. My latest was on a custom Folkcraft dulcimer that had all the fretboard inlays I'm used to, except it didn't have one on the 5th. My eyes are just used to one on the 5th, all my other dulcimers have one there. So I got the white pearl stickers from inlaystickers.com, and put one on the 5th. Can't tell the difference between the inlays and the inlay sticker. 

Go directly to their website for many more choices. Still free shipping. 

 FB_IMG_1583889063833.jpg - 208KB

I play 5-string resonator banjo, Earl Scruggs style. I had a wonderful teacher who first taught me fingerpicking guitar (46 years ago), then I moved on to fingerpicking (aka Earl Scruggs style) banjo. Don't play as much as I should, but it is still fun to pull out now and again.

I really enjoyed that Robin, thanks for sharing.

Anne, Biddy is adorable. Sure looks like the cat is keeping an eye on him. Thanks for the photos.

Anne, would love to see pictures. Congrats!

We live in Northern MI. In addition to the 4 dulcimers, we have 6 guitars, and many other wooden instruments. We also have a house made of wood, lots of wood furniture and trim and us and the dogs. For the instruments, structure, belongings and living creatures, we have 3 whole house humidifiers for the 3 levels of the house. In the summer, we use Central A/C and a dehumidifier. We keep the relative humidity controlled between 40% and 60% all year. But, given that, I've have always stored my instruments in their cases (since 1973). It's a personal choice I know, there's no one right way. I fully respect those who choose to have their instruments out.

Funny thing, I played a bunch of 12 fret Taylor guitars today at our local store. They have more bass and a bit more volume than their 14 fret siblings. Like I need another, I have 5 Taylors now (after selling a 6th one)

That looks great Ken. Is it going to have nylon strings? I see it is a 12 fret. I bet it will be a fun little parlor guitar when you are done. Keep us posted. Would love to see it when it's done.

Very nice, thanks for sharing.

Kevin, welcome back. I remember corresponding with you about our Olympia Walkabout Dulcimers. I have a Folkcraft Custom Baritone, tuned to A. I haven't yet sat down to try to play with others. For me, it's about my personal use and loving the lower tones in all the standard tunes. So, I use my regular music when playing my baritione. 

I have read a few articles that may help. Just google "playing baritone dulcimer with standard dulcimers". Hope this helps.

Congrats, looking forward to your report after you get it. I think you should be real happy with a McSpadden. Usually, you can't go wrong.

Did you win the Ebay auction for the McSpadden?

That is really cool. I didn't realize that Sears was still selling instruments as late as 1979. It looks to be well taken care of. What a special instrument. How does it sound?

Did anyone get a new dulcimer for Christmas?

I'm not a brass instrument player, but I'm a retired saxophone and flute player. My involvement in band from age 9 has caused me to want some continued connection with wind instruments. As a result, I play Native American Flute(s) now.