Forum Activity for @robin-thompson

Happy strumming, Nellie! 

Actually, I've been eyeing the banjoleles.  They are on the "someday" list.  Which is sort of ridiculous, as I'm still at the green beginner stage on the ukulele, though I've made a little progress.  What brand/type of banjolele do you have?  

I've started playing the uke on a few songs in my dulcimer group.  

And, yay, I finally realized that there is a button for the quote function.

Very nice.............this link might be helpful to you.  Strings are available on ebay and amazon too.

http://www.jamesjonesinstruments.com/misc/yangqin.html

Sorry, folks, I still don't seem to have the quote function down.

Well I made the plunge 3 months ago and bought a Kala Ziricoat Tenor and couldn't be happier. I actually have learned more about music since I've had this. Yes I still put many hours on my Folkcraft, but what fun the Uke is.

My next uke purchase may well be a baritone, but that will have to wait until tax refund time.  I've been eyeing the ziricoat Kalas, but unfortunately, they don't make in a baritone.

Hi, I have a magic flea. I think it had aquila strings but had terrible time keeping  in tune so sent it back the and got i think were planetary tuners. They did not charge me for labor which was amazing as i bought it used and told them so.

Wow, that is pretty amazing. I should contact them, as my Fluke is sitting on the floor, untouched at the moment. It needs some love. I mostly alternate between my long neck soprano and the tenor.

Ditto on 'grain pattern'

That's certainly NOT "wear dirt".  That's just natural changes in the wood's grain pattern and density!

You might try a Budist temple for information on that instrument. I know my granddaughter is part Laotian and danced at the temple and they had those hammered dulcimer type instrument and others.

Nellie -- without seeing the pictures you are looking at we simply cannot tell anything about the instrument.  Post the pictures here so we can help.

You said: "Is wr walnut and redwood? If that is true than not plywood so should not darken?"

Plywood does not darken compared to solid wood in any scenario I've seen in over 60 years as a woodworker.

could be just the picture... it's hard to take pictures in the house is my experience... you can't really go wrong with a mcspadden.   

Don hasn't been in the shop for about a year, but he will always be my hero dulcimer maker.......

I'm sorry to hear that.    But thanks for passing on the news.

I have just been in touch with Don's wife, via email. I was hoping to discuss his building a true replica of a TMB a few years ago.  She replied "He isn't building anymore due to health problems." 

The bridge and nut may be set up....just be sure he installs 4 tuners so you have that flexibility. 

I think it's easier with 3 strings, so I think you made the right call!  But then I usually play dulcimers with just 3 strings--if a dulcimer happens to have 4 tuners, I just use 3.  So I guess it depends on what you're used to...

The solid bass string will have the traditional "twang" that is commonly referred to as "silvery". The wound strings are generally fuller toned, what I liken to guitar sounding. It all boils down to personal preference.....

I play noter drone.

Hi Richard,

I have a keyboard stand that I have used for a long time - to stand while playing my dulcimers.

At first - I used 2 pieces of shelving covered with the rubber shelf liner.

The shelving was heavy, so I found some much lighter paneling and covered it with the shelf liner.

Once you have your "base" just adjust to the height that you are comfortable with, and Voila!

Works like a charm!

Keep strumming and smiling!

Cindy

Drone or chording?

For me, the gauge remains the same.

Is the plain string the same gauge or a different gauge from the wound string?

Correction. Has anyone modified a keyboard stand to use for the dulcimer while standing to play?

@dulcinina Way to go!  And thanks for the update.  

Here's an update on forming a dulcimer group.  I have 4 people in the group so far.  I had a PSA on the radio and sent emails to those who were in the group before.  No one from the old group came but the 4 who did heard about it through word of mouth.  They are beginners but know a little about the dulcimer and are very enthusiastic.  So while I was hoping to just be the coordinator/leader, I am teaching basics.  It was a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to the group growing.  Thanks for your input a couple months ago.  Oh, we have free space at our local Carnegie Center, a venue for music and art exhibits. We decided to meet twice a month. The group is going to work on coming up with a name.  Things are looking good.  Dulcinina 

It eliminates most of that awful sound the bass strings makes when the finger slides up or down the string.  The tuning does not change.

Duh! 

@annie-deeley Look for the emoticon on the second line of strip at the top of the box in which you make replies.  

Can't say enough about what FOTMD has meant to me in the last 2 1/2 years...but, um, where do we keep those smileys, so I can give y'all a hug?

No, but I've seen them; better for sittin  I use a waiter's tray table

Has anyone modified a keyboard to use for the dulcimer while standing to play?

I remember seeing some comments about using a plain string for the bass rather than a wound string.

Can anyone offer some enlightenment about why and also what tuning you use when you use the plain string?

FOTMD is my online mountain dulcimer club. :)

Folks, I am one of the newest members here and this forum has already been invaluable in helping me learn about both building and playing a dulcimer.  Let's ALL chip in so Strumelia doesn't have to support this website out her own pocket; it's valuable to all members in so many ways. 

Caleb, I do not use a heating blanket for bending the uke sides. It was just too much for me to invest in for this project. I steam the sides and then place them in the bender. I use a heat gun to heat the sides as I bend them. I make a sandwich of galvanized steel, wet paper towel, side, wet paper towel, and galvanized steel. The first bend went well. I'll see how the rest do; especially when I change from mahogany to rosewood.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Wow Ken- looks like a great (and extensive) project! Hope you keep us posted, along with photos, as to how they are  coming along!

Do you use a heating blanket for bending sides?

WOW, working on 6!! Can't wait to see them. All the best.