Jim Good used to set up at the Vandalia Gathering on the grounds of the capitol building in WV. He built some really pretty instruments though I have never seen one of his early ones-- this one is lovely!
Nathina said; "I am not adverse to tuning the galax to traditional but it will be for sale."
Which is precisely the reason why I would not change it: People looking to buy are going to expect a Galax style instrument to be set up for Galax play.
IMHO you should be "restoring" an instrument, not making it into something it isn't.
Most modern players won't look at that dulcimer and say "Ah ha! A Baritone". They're going to see a traditional style instrument.
As far as stains -- why not let the beauty of the wood come through -- use Tung oil or Boiled Linseed Oil or even satin or matte Urethane and skip coloring the wood.
I can't blame you. That would be somewhat distracting if you play more than one dulcimer. I suppose you could get used to it, but yeah I think you did the right thing.
If i were to retrieve the thread you deleted, then there'd be two. Since you have added a bunch of stuff to this new one, it creates a dilemma. Which thread would you want to keep? I could lock this new thread and then you could copy/paste the new posts from this thread to the old thread and I could then delete this one. Wanna try that?
That is wonderful news, Traildad. Enjoy your new dulcimer. I still play my little Deluxe 58 Black Mountain Dulcimer quite frequently. It has a sweet and clear tone. Happy holidays.
Why would a builder place the markers at 4-6-8? I thought it had a 1 1/2 fret when I bought it because of the confusion that caused me at first glance. I had to return it as it was too distracting to play.
Oh by the way I may have a surprise to show, not sure as yet. Depends on what has to be done on the instrument. I will need some help in identifying it.
I accidentally deleted the Post on repairing the Desler and since I don't know if it can be retrieved I'll start over.
Strumelia: you asked what tuning AEA, string spacing, the same as everything else.
Dusty: the depth is this instrument makes me think it would be a good baritone. 4 strings tuned to AEAa. Although I still may try to see what it sounds like in CCCc and AAAa. This one when finished will be going up for sale. The public sadly cannot recognize a good dulcimer from a bad, thus the rapid sales currently of Horas and Apple Creeks. The tend to avoid wooden tuning pegs for Starite tuners or Planetary ones. Right now the push seems to be for baritones. Ron Gibson has started to sell baritones in one of his designs, Folkcraft as in the Utube, and many others. Nothing much really being done, (although it is suppose to be a deeper soundbox, extra support if needed etc.) I might leave it up to the public as to which tuning they want when they buy it.
Ken: I am not adverse to tuning the galax to traditional but it will be for sale. This is not one I consider keeping. It would lend itself well to AEAa. But that is still off a ways. Next to finish the stripping, and raise the grain for staining. It has now been reshaped and the unit is again solid, no holes or dings. What would you suggest as to the stain dark or red top? dark Fret board, back? sides? neck and head as well as block will be walnut, and I will two tone the strum hollow. Fretboard is chestnut, top is cedar, back is ? sides are same as back.
By the way I will be posting, once retouched and cleaned an HA Fleming 1970. This unit is beautiful and well above some of his other ones. Not sure why the difference, but the workmanship is much better than I have seen.
SORRY all about the erase. If it can be retrieved please do so.
It looks very good Nathina. It is pretty much what a new Jim Good dulcimer looked like on his sale table. For some reason I'm under the impression that Jim sold his workshop and inventory a while back, but I'm not certain about this. I remember when Jim started using walnut shells in his sound holes. Jim's wife is Brenda, but I don't know if she ever painted on any of their dulcimers. Post fire of 83 when he went to walnuts for sound holes.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
It looks very good Nathina. It is pretty much what a new Jim Good dulcimer looked like on his sale table. For some reason I'm under the impression that Jim sold his workshop and inventory a while back, but I'm not certain about this. I remember when Jim started using walnut shells in his sound holes. Jim's wife is Brenda, but I don't know if she ever painted on any of their dulcimers.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Merry Christmas to all of you, and hope for a safe and blessed New Year. 
Someone did a nice job. Are the top & back veneer? Beautiful painting, but not nearly enough sound hole area. Commercial violin pegs, but not everyone wants to take the time to carve their own (I don't!). Maker's label?
Someone did a nice job. Are the top & back veneer? Beautiful painting, but not nearly enough sound hole area. Commercial violin pegs, but not everyone wants to take the time to carve their own (I don't!). Maker's label?
I am trying to get more information on this dulcimer. Sounds great, finished restoring it last night, couldn't sleep.
Wishing you all a meaningful holiday season! Keep making music in '21, friends!
Glad it worked out, traildad!
Eleven Years Ago this post was started!! To all who were here then, and all the new folks since then, Happy Holiday, which ones you celebrate!
And a very merry Christmas to you, Lisa! Thank you for your service to all of us.
I have been discussing a Rugg and Jackel.
Our dear FOTMD friend John P. passed away a few years ago, but
this Christmas Songs thread of his is worth bumping up - it's nice to read over again! 
Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season
to all FOTMD friends, every one!! 
I'm so glad this worked out so well Traildad! Thanks for the happy update! 
And the competed Rugg & Jackel 1986 D50S
I brought my dulcimer back to Dave and he adjusted the action. It now looks like the nickel and dime fit perfectly. Also the buzz is gone. 👌
I agree, I have a kit dulcimer from the 80s that looks very much the same, just slightly different peg head shape. Something about the thinness of the wood, and the 'cut' appearance of the edges.
I had the same thought, Ken. Just has a "kit" feel to it...
If you have nut files for the gauge strings you plan to use, they will work well. Not sure what you mean by guitar file. I've cut slots with a razor saw and widened them with a small triangular file. The photo reminds me of a dulcimer kit that was available around that time. I can't remember the name of the manufacturer of the kit.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
As Dusty says, nut/bridge material is up to you, the commercial ones today are usually Delrin(tm) or a harder plastic. Most of us use a small triangular "jeweler's" file t\o cut string notches in the nut/bridge.
Nuts and bridges can be made from hard woods, bone, or the hard plastic resins such as Bakelite. Nowadays, the hard plastics used are usually Tusq, Nubone, or Micarta. Maybe there are some other proprietary names of which I am unaware. In general, people assume bone to be the best, and it's probably the most expensive, but some of my dulcimers use other materials and I have no complaints.
You might consider posting in the Dulcimer Making Group for specific advice about tools and materials.
update, I cleaned it up a little bit and got new strings and it sounds pretty good. intonation was way off with the old strings but spot on with the new. funny how that happens-- my uke was like that too.
I have a question though about the nut/bridge-- do people use bone in dulcimers or is plastic the norm? this one appears to have that old dark brown pre-plastic material they called bakelite-- was that used in the 70s? or is this stuff just weird plastic or even wood or something?
I also need to lower the action quite a bit-- the strings are a good 4-5mm from the frets. the new strings cut into my fingers last night. lol. any preferences for nut files or do people just use guitar files?
After I cleaned it up, Small surprise. The case is covered in leather, and leather wrapped handle. I though originally just the usual cardboard. Still polishing the case.
Wow, Ken. Losing weight as well as keeping it off is really hard. Good for you. Robert, thank you for recommending Johnny's Selected Seeds. I'll check them out when I need to re-order.
The broccoli seeds are ready to harvest today and mung beans are beginning to show signs of sprouting. I've been conservative in the amount of seeds I've started since I'm experimenting with varieties and didn't want to become overwhelmed with too many sprouts at one time.
We had the alfalfa sprouts in a salad last night and really liked them. Will try them in a sandwich today for lunch. This is such fun! Thank you, Strumelia, for your advice and encouragement. Nina (aka) Dulcinina)
@ken-hulme Huzzah! I hope the weight loss contributes to your overall health-- as long as we're kicking it's good to feel as well as we can!
Anniversary of sorts. After nearly a year, including the stress of Covid lockdown (and we take it very seriously), I am still 40 pounds lighter than I was in September of 2019. Thank you WW. No fancy expensive foods, just watching what, when and how much I eat.
I highly recommend Johnnys Selected Seeds in Winslow ME. They have the largest selection of seed for sprouts and micro greens. All are organic and definitely not treated with fungicides. Check them out.... Robert
Awesome!!!! So excited for you! 
Those look nice and bright, fresh.
Now be sure to measure how many seeds you start with in the jar, they should almost fill the jar when done. I find that 4 level teaspoons (meaning 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon, all level not rounded) will fill my entire quart jar nicely without being so tight I can't pull them out.
For lunch today I had a sandwich made with two thin slices meunster cheese and a BIG handful each of mung sprouts and red clover sprouts, on peasant bread with a little butter and mayo. Yum! Basically a sprout sandwich.
My first "crop" of alfalfa sprouts. Uhh, not sure I attached the picture correctly. Nina
In the process of cleaning it up. 10/1/86 #3 D50S
