Forum Activity for @susie

In my case, yes, the action (set-up) is the same on the McSpadden and the Folkcraft.

Fretboard width is 1 3/8" on both the McSpadden and the Folkcraft. Not sure if you can special order the 1 1/2" fretboard with either company. I didn't pursue that, because I prefer the standard 1 3/8". VSL is something you'll have to choose. With McSpadden, their standard is 28 1/2", but you can also get the 26", which is what I got. As a chord/melody player, I love the shorter VSL. With Folkcraft, you can get a VSL from 25" to 29". I have their 27" VSL. 

I agree with the flathead, all of mine are flatheads. But, some people like the scroll look. It's a personal thing.

Yes, the McSpadden is not as deep, yet it is still right up there with the deep bodied Folkcraft for sustain. Volume is pretty close. I believe McSpadden has a great design that gives such great sound and sustain. If you go Folkcraft, I'd definitely do the deeper body. I also got the galax back. Their shallower body is more of the traditional design.

Both my McSpaddens have the Micarta fretboard. I love it as a great alternative to Ebony. I like the looks, fretboard markers, and feel when playing. It is very durable. I would not get a McSpadden without either the Micarta or Ebony. But that's just a personal preference.

As a suggestion, call each company and talk to them. They are both great to work with. Richard Ash is very helpful (Folkcraft). I have talked to him on several occasions, when trying to decide on features. 

Hope this helps.

I currently own 1 standard size McSpadden and 1 standard size Folkcraft. I say standard, because my Ginger (McSpadden) and my Baritone (Folkcraft) are "specialty" type dulcimers, that you aren't considering. I've also owned a previous standard McSpadden and a previous standard Folkcraft. So, I have much experience with both brands. 

Please note that my Folkcrafts have always been the deeper bodied models (D and Custom).

Where they are similar: 

Quality

Playability and setup (ease of playing)

Sound (in terms of sustain and volume)

Where they differ: 

Size (the McSpadden has less depth and is physically smaller)

Choices (there are far more choices at Folkcraft for designing your own)

Price (the Folkcraft will cost you a little more, or considerably more, depending on the Folkcraft model)

You won't be disappointed with either. Neither is better than the other. What you have to decide is what is important to you. If you are going economical, I'd suggest considering McSpadden. If you want to give yourself more choices in terms of woods, VSL, etc., I'd consider Folkcraft. If you really want to treat yourself, I'd consider a Custom Folkcraft. 

I love my 2 McSpaddens and I love my 2 Folkcrafts. They all have their purpose and it's fun switching between them. If you want to see pictures, they are all in my photos on my profile. 

We discussed this a little bit over on the ED Facebook page (I'm the one that posted the picture of the cherry Ginger with a Micarta fretboard). One thing I wanted to add was that Micarta is not new for use on fretboards. It has been used on guitars for years (Martin, for example). I love it as an alternative to ebony, for playability, and it is much more economical. The other reason I like the McSpadden Micarta fretboard is the inclusion of fret markers (ebony fretboards too). I just like having them. I think it's because being a guitar player for 47 years, my eyes are used to seeing them. I know it's strictly personal as to what you like from a visual standpoint, but I love the contrast that a fretboard overlay gives a dulcimer, just like Dusty.

I just realized, I didn't do a good job talking you out of micarta.

looks great!

Wow, that is beautiful! Where did you even find such a gem? It looks to be in great shape too. It must have spent most of its life sitting in a case/closet somewhere. Congratulations and enjoy.

As far as tuning, the others have great ideas. What's the VSL? I think I'd experiment with different tunings too and find the sweet spot for the instrument. More than likely, D tuning.

Thank you Dusty. I've wanted to add a Ginger to my stable, and I'm sure glad I did. I'm loving it in the G tuning right now, but I may experiment with other tunings down the road. They are fun!

Thank you Strumelia. Yes, I wanted the two to give me a variety in my music....they are part of some other wonderful dulcimers in my life. I did do research, and I appreciate the feedback I got from the members here. I'm enjoying the new Ginger so much already.

I received my new McSpadden Ginger (all cherry). I absolutely love its sound, workmanship, and beauty. It is clear, articulate, and balanced. The sustain and volume are really good, even though it is a smaller dulcimer. I went with the G tuning, to give all my songs a new voice. It's going to be fun, whether playing at home or at festivals. It completes a great duo, with its big sister, an all walnut standard McSpadden (26"), and complements my other (brand) dulcimers. I did a lot of thinking before ordering this and even contacted some members here for their insights (thanks again). I'm very happy with my choice to go with the cherry, an under-rated tonewood, in the world of walnut dulcimers. I don't think the woods make a significant difference, and cherry can be so visually appealing in its own way. 

I have so much respect for Dolly and how much she gives back, in so many ways. I hope it brings a lot of $ for the cause. I'll be passing on it though. Kinda puts into perspective the McSpadden Ginger that I have on order.

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. 

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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.