Forum Activity for @jimws

Buzzing middle & base string when fretted on 2nd fret

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Thanks for the response guys. Ken, you're correct regarding how I've rearranged the strings. I was able to speak with Mike Clemmer this morning, he uses strings of different diameters than what I have & suspects that the lighter strings may be the problem. He recommends on this dulcimer that I install .010/.010/.016/.026 or.028. I don't recall if the strings buzzed when set up in the 5 string configuration. I'll let you know the results.

Hearts Of The Dulcimer Podcast In Its 4th Year

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

This is a great episode! Interesting stories of heart touching moments.

Hearts Of The Dulcimer Podcast In Its 4th Year

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Hearts of the Dulcimer Podcast - Episode 41
The Healing Dulcimer

http://dulcimuse.com/podcast

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We spoke with dulcimer players Lorinda Jones, a professional music therapist, Sally Smith, a hospice music volunteer, and Marian Perdas and Carollyn Robinson, music volunteers for memory care about how they use the mountain dulcimer to help those in need.

Hearts of the Dulcimer Podcast can be found on most podcast apps.
Here's the link to Hearts of the Dulcimer on iTunes:  http://bit.ly/hotdpodcast

Don't use a podcast app or iTunes? You can listen to all the podcast episodes directly on our website:  http://dulcimuse.com/podcast

We also have a resource page for every episode, where you can find photos, videos, and song lists. Here's the resource page for this episode:http://dulcimuse.com/podcast We also have a resource page for every episode, where you can find photos, videos, and song lists. Here's the resource page for this episode: http://dulcimuse.com/podcast/resource/041.html">  http://dulcimuse.com/podcast/resource/041.html

Buzzing middle & base string when fretted on 2nd fret

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Ken is right. It sounds to me like the third fret is the bad guy. As instruments age, frets can become uneven because of wear or the finger board drying out. 

There are techniques for leveling and re-rounding frets. If you don't feel comfortable working on instruments, a guitar repair person should be able to fix the problem for you.

Buzzing middle & base string when fretted on 2nd fret

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

It's probably not the 2nd fret that's the problem.  Check the action height on the 3rd and 4th frets as well.   I suspect the 3rd or 4th fret has risen for some reason -- humidity usually.  Has the instrument had this buzz even when it was 5 strings?  

Contacting Mike is probably your best bet for speedy resolution, unless you have another pet luthier in your back yard!

Your terminology is a bit confusing -- dulcimers have a melody string and two drones - the middle drone and the bass drone.  So you've reduced the original 5 strings to equally spaced melody, middle drone and bass drone, correct?

updated by @ken-hulme: 04/01/19 12:00:04AM

Buzzing middle & base string when fretted on 2nd fret

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Mike Clemmer Mtn Dulcimer - built in 2002; vsl 28 1/2"; tuned DAdd; strings - .012/.012/.014/.022w; original owner

Basically I'm a neophyte & started taking lessons & studying the dulcimer the last 4 months so an expert I'm not.   I changed out the old strings with those listed above & I've tried both larger & smaller middle & base strings but I still have a disturbing buzz on both of those strings when playing on the 2nd fret.  Open or any other fret is no problem.  The height of both strings at the 1st fret is slightly more than the thickness of a dime & slightly more than a nickel at the 7th.  This was a 5 string dulcimer but I've taken off the drone string, moved the base to the drone location & the middle string to the center on the nut & bridge.  Space between the melody to middle string and base to middle string is the same.  I've not altered the nut, bridge or any of the frets.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

What songs are familiar to today’s young kids?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Sharon that's a great question. I guess it's hard to know for sure unless you have little kids or grandkids around to ask!

It's reassuring to read Dusty's reply, that many of the same songs are still taught today in school. 

If that's so, then you might find some good ideas in this old forum thread:

music-discussions/what-songs-were-you-taught-in-kindergarten-grade-school

What songs are familiar to today’s young kids?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

It's mostly the same tunes, but with updated lyrics.  Instead of "If you're happy and you know it clap your hands" you have to sing "If you're happy and you know retweet this meme." 

 

Seriously, my kid was in kindergarten about a decade ago, and the songs were basically the same as when I was a kid.  In fact, you're giving me a good idea for a "Call the Tune" for any songs for kids.  We could all share our ideas for good songs for kids.

Top/Back Thickness and Sustain?

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I don't measure! I "feel of" the wood panel as I'm thickness sanding to the right thickness. Flexing the panel and from experience knowing the right mass I'm looking for for a particular tone. Harder denser woods can be sanded much thinner than a softer less dense piece.

As for sustain? Panel thickness is just one variable factor in a multitude of factors involved. String selection, nut and bridge hardness or softness, nut and bridge placement, over all mass of the piece, wood selection, possibly the finish, intonation, and so on.

If sustain is what you look for, I'd try harder more dense woods sanded to around .090 if you can, harder nut and bridge, and possibly a zero fret?

Some place to start....

What songs are familiar to today’s young kids?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@Sharon-Day Great question!  I know what songs I've sung to/with a little niece or nephew yet have no clue what songs kindergarteners today know.  

What songs are familiar to today’s young kids?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I’m going to be teaching mountain dulcimer at our library’s Kids Fair?   Do today’s kids still know Aunt Rhody?  Twinkle, twinkle?  Mary had a Little Lamb?    My question is what songs do doday’s Kindergarteners (and beyond) sing?  I’d like to teach them to play songs that they know.

updated by @sharon-day: 10/27/19 12:02:25PM

Dad tuning

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Don Grundy...my mind's eye saw 'DAD (as in Daddy, Father) Tuning and I thought to myself (obviously short on morning coffee) "Awww....that's so sweet! His Daddy tunes his dulcimers for him! I wish my Daddy would do that!" 

Top/Back Thickness and Sustain?

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Debbie, thank you.  I do not have a website.  Building dulcimers is a primarily a hobby for me.  What you see is the second of my builds. About half of my builds are donated to local charities such as Habitat for Humanity and Pink Gala. The rest of my builds are commissioned pieces simply generated by word of mouth.  Being this is a hobby, and I prefer not to work to deadlines, I don't promise a finish date but usually have them completed within a month or two. It is nice to be able to enjoy retirement at my own pace. Other posts of mine contain photos of some of my other builds; each one is a unique/custom build. 

 

Using a non-dulcimer case for a case?

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Working on a gig bag made from an old pair of bib overalls. Just need to figure out the padded lining. Pretty cool, huh

Top/Back Thickness and Sustain?

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Do you have a website? That's an incredible looking dulcimer

Brazos Valley Dulcimer Club

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I was wondering if the Brazos Valley Dulcimer Club is still active.  I saw a website that advertised Brazos Valley Dulcimer Club in the Granbury, Glen Rose, Stephenville area (Texas).  It was dated 2009...and to contact Peggy Freeman.  I did send an email but it was kicked back.  Let me know if you know anything!

Thanks!

 

 

 

Tiny mahogany dulcimer thingy just made

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That's really nice John. I bet it sings sweetly.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Tiny mahogany dulcimer thingy just made

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

well looky there :-) Very, very sweet!

Tiny mahogany dulcimer thingy just made

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

It looks cool, John, and I bet I could get plenty of tunes out of the little critter. 

Tiny mahogany dulcimer thingy just made

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I love it John! Let us know when they are available for sale.

updated by @susie: 03/24/19 08:57:40AM

Tiny mahogany dulcimer thingy just made

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Yes I know all too well about "ideas" gettin' in my head, I got a fire barrel chop full of great ones.... Wonderful work John, I'll play you a door chime folk tune at the Gathering!

Tiny mahogany dulcimer thingy just made

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

What a cutie! I can't wait to see it when it grows up!

Tiny mahogany dulcimer thingy just made

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Cute! I like the scalloped fretboard, John!

Tiny mahogany dulcimer thingy just made

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Dang John, that's just cuter than a bug's ear!  And I love the built-in tuning key storage.

updated by @ken-hulme: 03/23/19 10:12:25PM

Tiny mahogany dulcimer thingy just made

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Here is the outworking of some brainstorming I've had recently.  You know how an idea gets in your head and won't go away peacefully? Well, this lil' guy is less than 12" long, but can be played-- SORT OF.  It's my version of a true "pocket dulcimer".  Just thought you might like to see it!

updated by @john-c-knopf: 10/27/19 12:02:25PM

Slight bow in back of dulcimer.

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Thanks John. Baritone, 4 string equidistant, chromatic etc etc, the dulcimer bug has definitely got me.

Slight bow in back of dulcimer.

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

So, full steam ahead!  Congratulations on building your first dulcimer.  You'll get lots of ideas for future ones now.

Slight bow in back of dulcimer.

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Thank you guys, I was hoping for this response!.
I added kerfing to make the joints stronger & as I said earlier, I love the vibrato achieved by gently rocking the dulcimer from side to side when playing.
I play slow fingerpicking ballads mostly.
I'd thought about forming a bowed back by making it from 2 pieces & shaping the braces, but in the end decided not to change too much from the original design as it's my first build - I expected some kind of learning curve!
I just need to sand, finish & put the tuners etc on, and decide whether to fit the LR Baggs pick up.

Slight bow in back of dulcimer.

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Since the fretboard is level I do not see a problem with playing it on your lap. As long as the glue joints are solid I do not see a problem with it coming apart. Some dulcimer builders put a curve on the bottom intentionally.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Slight bow in back of dulcimer.

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Some builders actually build-in a bowed back -- the idea that the curve acts as a kind of projector for the sound.

Slight bow in back of dulcimer.

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Thanks John.
I don't mind it having a slightly bowed back as I play with it on my lap and use a gentle rocking motion for slow vibrato.
It was more a structural concern really.

Slight bow in back of dulcimer.

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Joolsy,

You could try sanding the back flat if the bow is minor, or you could glue 3 feet on the back like they did in the old days.

Slight bow in back of dulcimer.

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Hi all.

I recently finished my walnut fokcraft teardrop dulcimer kit & have noticed a slight side to side rocking motion when placed on a flat surface. I think this may have happened because when I glued the sides to the back, they may not have been perfectly at 90 degrees, so when the fretboard/top was clamped on, it caused a slight width ways bow in the back. I'm wondering if it may eventually cause any problems later on, i.e. delaminnation or cause the neck to bow.

Other than the slight side to side rocking, I've checked the fretboard & with straight edge & winding sticks & it's all good.

Thanks for reading, any thoughts?

Cigar Box Guitars

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

I’ve been looking at three string cigar box guitars and most seem to be tuned as GDG, or similar tuning.  Often played with a slide.  Check out  https://www.cigarboxguitar.com/knowledge-base/5565/

 

Ruth Randle

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Sorry to hear this news. Condolences to Ruth's friends and family.

Ruth Randle

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I am so sorry Patty....

Prayers for her family and friends........

May each one hold tight to the precious memories 🙏💕

Ruth Randle

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I knew Ruth from several dulcimer events I attended. I enjoyed sharing music with her. We talked about her on another dulcimer site (probably one of the Facebook dulcimer pages). She is missed by many.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ruth Randle

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I met Ruth in '09 at Ken Bloom's Pilot Mountain Bowed Dulcimer fest.  She was generous, gracious, a prolific knitter, and all-around good gal!  Ken called her Saint Ruth for her work transcribing his chicken scratching on paper to music.  Ruth was a treasure. 

Ruth Randle

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

So sorry for your loss Patty......

Ruth Randle

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thanks Patty.  

I met Ruth over 20 yrs ago, she let me come and look at her Keith Young dulcimers before I ordered one from Keith.  She was very gracious.

Sad to know she's passed on.

updated by @strumelia: 03/19/19 08:53:57AM