Choose just ONE song for all eternity...
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
"Wild Mountain Thyme"
"Wild Mountain Thyme"
Hi Susie. Sheba is a pretty average sized girl cat. We got her from the local Humane Society... we get all our cats from there.
Must be the way she is laying that makes her look like a larger cat. She is a beauty!
Sheba (aka Boo Boo) likes to lie on the backs of chairs and along the tops of open doors.
She looks like a good sized cat....how much does she weigh? Very pretty!
thank you suzie
thank you BD Bess
and Dusty
i was not asking if i should or should not use them my question was .
anyone know of any adhesive Pearlie markers that will stay on ? and where to get them ....
this is what i ended up ordering i think they will serve the purpose and look nice.
I won't discourage you from getting fret markers, that is your personal choice to make. To answer your original question, I too have used Inlay Stickers on other instruments. They are very thin (your fingers won't notice them), easy to apply, stay put, look real nice, and can be removed without sticky residue or harm to the instrument. If you go the route of fret markers, I would recommend http://inlaystickers.com. Lots of neat choices too!
Susie, your gliders look very comfortable!
Thank you Jan, they are very comfy!
They fit me perfectly, but I am tall (5'9").
I realize in reading this discussion that seven years ago I promised to post a picture of the dolphin soundholes on my Eedy Beede octave dulcimer.
Since David makes his dulcimers in Florida, the Atlantic dolphin soundholes seem appropriate. What you can't tell in the photo is how small they are. Each is smaller than my thumb.
Nice!!!!
Thanks, Ken, Susie, & Terry. I was wondering if this and my earlier trying to get started was worth posting. Just figured it would be worthwhile for someone, even though it's an"Other Instrument."
Your post was worth while. Ukes are fun and there's a lot of love for them. Others might find interest in the Ukulele Underground forum too.
Glad you finally made it in to UU! I've been a member there for quite a few years. It's actually a fun and friendly site. But yes, it's ukulele!
The funny story I have is about a friend of mine who is a mandolin player, of professional level. He is awesome. I was playing bluegrass with him at a neighborhood get-together (me on guitar) and a young boy commented on his instrument. He said it sounded like a ukulele. Boy, if looks could kill. So NEVER tell a mandolin player his instrument sounds like a ukulele!
My baritone isn't a McSpadden, but I just wanted to mention that baritones (with a quality build, like McSpadden and Folkcraft) have a beautiful voice. I really enjoy playing my songs with the baritone to give a while new sound. I'm betting you'd love a McSpadden baritone.
Again... Bruce Ford says he will keep ED's Tab files available online for everyone to use, and no need for everyone to download all the Tabs.
When that is done, can you share the link to the location of the tabs?
I agree with you Dusty. I think the shorter vsl must have some effect on the volume and tone. That is why I talked to Jim Woods about it. He even said that, but it would be very slight and probably not even noticable to the player. I'm happy with the end product. I guess my point was that if someone was considering going with the 26, they shouldn't be concerned with sound. It is still the nice, sweet, beautiful sound of a McSpadden.
NDD = new dulcimer day
Thumbs up to McSpadden for offering their full sized dulcimer in a shorter 26 vsl. I spoke with Jim Woods about the 26. I was interested to hear if the shorter vsl resulted in a noticable loss of volume and if the tone changed, from their standard vsl. He said I wouldn't notice a difference in volume and there might be a very slight tone difference. I got my new McSpadden and am very happy with it. It is so close to the McSpadden I had a few years ago, but I love the shorter vsl for my chord/melody. I wanted it to be comparable to my Doug Berch and Folkcraft Custom vsl's.
I just wanted to say, if you're considering one, I give it five stars. You probably won't be disappointed.
(I added a pic of it in my photos.)
Hey, thanks guys, for your replies. That helps a lot. I appreciate your taking the time to respond.
I have a couple questions regarding McSpadden dulcimers:
1. What is the overall length of a McSpadden dulcimer (I can't seem to find the dimensions on their website)?
2. I noticed on their website that a Micarta fretboard is an option. Has anyone ordered a McSpadden with the Micarta fretboard option and how does this compare to the Ebony fretboard option (I have had an ebony fretboard before, so I don't need information on that, just on the micarta)?
Thank you for your help.
The Madrone Magic flutes at High Spirits are beautiful and sound wonderful.
Beautiful collection of flutes, Monica. I do think I'm all set though. I've got the variety I want and now I'm just going to keep working on techniques, and voices, and learning to play cleaner and faster. I'm playing a lot of written music, which is fun. I've actually transposed quite a few of my written music pieces into keys of A and E, so I can play them. Plus, I'm playing with my sister. Thanks for sharing your picture of your flutes, they are beautiful.
The next step after condor bass are the Drones. Though I recommend starting with the smaller holes as blowing into 2 chambers is quite the challenge and takes practice, the smaller one is a B minor made by a Canadian (Templewindflutes)and the large on Is a G# . It arrived 2 days ago all the way from Australia (MagicWoodworks)
Wow, those are beautiful Monica!
Actually, I have a double flute that my friend gave me that is the V type, in the key of F#. It was made by a fellow in Michigan and has wonderful intonation, tone and craftsmanship. She wasn't using it, so she generously gave it to me. It's been fun to mess around with.
My HS Em Condor Bass in Spanish Cedar arrives on Monday.
I went with cedar, because I have a mid-tone G in cedar, and I love its tone. I have a couple walnut flutes already.
Well, it arrived 3 days late, since the post office decided to send it on a wild journey to an incorrect post office (it was correctly addressed). It got about 650 extra miles on it, but finally arrived today. I love the flute, wood, and tone. Thanks for everyone's help. Happy camper!
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.
Hi, how do they feel on your lap? Pro and cons? Jim lives close to me so would be convenient to buy from
Oh my, I just saw your question....sorry.
His possum boards are comfy on the lap. He also puts strap pins on it. The only thing is that the dulcimer sits a bit higher on your lap, but you can get used to that.
My first was a FolkRoots hourglass, spruce/walnut, purchased at Elderly Instruments. Beautiful tone and looked really nice. I have since purchased a FolkRoots with a shorter scale length that I have converted to a baritone and a Folkcraft Custom. Still loving their dulcimers.
My HS Em Condor Bass in Spanish Cedar arrives on Monday.
I went with cedar, because I have a mid-tone G in cedar, and I love its tone. I have a couple walnut flutes already.
John, I'm not considering the contra, just the condor bass Em. Just can't decide between the standard bore and the 1" bore. But, it sounds like the standard bore would be just fine for me. Do you guys have a standard bore condor (not contra) bass?
We have "regular" Condor basses in various keys (even the smaller bore size). Once you get used to the extra stretch beyond a smaller flute stretch it's really no big deal. Have fun and enjoy the process!
Thanks Monica! And also to Maria and John. Your insights really helped! Now I'll decide on timing. Gotta wait and see what's on sale in March.
Thanks Monica and John. Very nice videos.
John, I'm not considering the contra, just the condor bass Em. Just can't decide between the standard bore and the 1" bore. But, it sounds like the standard bore would be just fine for me. Do you guys have a standard bore condor (not contra) bass?
Monica, sounds like you are handling it without issue. Did you remeasure the outside diameter (1.2" didn't seem right to me)? Thanks.