Info about John ans Shirley Naylor Mountain Dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Did it break? Do you need to raise/lower the action? Black & white is probably some sort of phenolic/plastic.
Forum Activity for @ken-hulme
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Info about John ans Shirley Naylor Mountain Dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Does anyone know the material of the nut and bridge of a 1994 The Dulcimer Factory mountain dulcimer? They are black on the outside and white on the inside. Thanks so much. Linda
Hearts of the Dulcimer Podcast in its 2nd year
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Hearts of the Dulcimer Podcast - Episode 25
Aaron O'Rourke: Soulful Virtuosity
We feature the music and our conversation with Aaron O’Rourke, one of today’s most innovative dulcimer players and composers. At the age of 31, Aaron has already produced an amazing amount of work in solo and ensemble recording and instruction.
Listen to the episode, see photos, videos, and more: http://dulcimuse.com/podcast/resource/025.html
Here is the information my friend provided:
"Bruce Henry was an industrial arts teacher. He made dulcimers on the side. His wife Lucy and he played at local historic and town festivals in the noter style. She taugh music in schools. Her main instrument...flute. They live in Montgomery which is over the river and mountain south of Williamsport. I presume they are both alive, but would be in their late 70s or somewhere in their 80s. I do not know if Bruce still makes instruments. I have found that his instruments nearly always need fret work to play well. The fret arrangement was in the traditional 7 fret to an octave. DAA or GCC tuning. He never placed a 6 1/2 fret on his instruments. I'd recommend keeping it that way and use the instrument for traditional noter style playing.
Just Google and find:
C. Bruce Henry, 85, of Montgomery, died Thursday, Aug. 8, 2013"
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Well, that confirms it. The Henry I am thinking of is from Montgomery. He was not a prolific maker and sold at craft festivals in the areas around Muncy. Lewisburg, and Danville. I need to check with a friend of mine who knew him to see what he can tell me. I'll let you know what I find out.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Could it possibly be that the "Penna" simply meant Pennsylvania? I vaguely think in the olden days people might have sometimes written 'Penna' as a shorthand for that state...but maybe I'm remembering it wrong. Maybe your dulcimer maker was named CB Henry?
Actually, yes people sometimes do use "Penna." short for PA, see here:
http://englishplus.com/grammar/00000057.htm
updated by @strumelia: 05/13/17 09:09:13PM
Back to the Luthier you go
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
I just now received a refund check for my sent-back dulcimer. The builder did find the issue, albeit, twas an odd issue he could fix by changing out bridges, and did so on several others he found with the same issue. They refunded my money minus the shipping.
I realize I'm going to be a play it before I pay it kind of consumer from this point forward.....when the instrument is over $400.
Does size really matter? 28.5 vs 26
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
I've had a McSpadden 28.5 and currently have 2 McSpadden 26s. I have very small hands and find the 26 inch scale much easier to play. I can't tell a lot of difference in the sound. My 26" walnut with a redwood top has a very warm sound and the sustain seems to be fine. I personally wouldn't have one over 27".
Healthy Living- healthy eating, exercise, weight loss, veggie gardening, etc.
OFF TOPIC discussions
Well, I pretty much finished planting the veggie garden today. Looks like our cold snap is over, weather getting warm and normal for the next week or two.
All the beds are forked and hoed. I don't mulch the beds, but i do keep them fluffy. The earthworms do much of the work.
Planted in 12 tomato plants, some green bush beans, got all my lettuces and onions and a few cabbages in too. Some coriander and sage. They didn't have the type of cucumbers I wanted- guess I'll buy a packet of seeds for those. I have other lettuce/mesclun seed which i'll continue to plant at intervals. Skipping the zucc & summer squash this yer- the plants get so big and messy and are so cheap to buy anyway... unlike greens and tomatoes which are expensive.
Does size really matter? 28.5 vs 26
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
And, Jan, your playing is lovely 😊.
Tell us about your VERY FIRST dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
It's pretty easy to adjust that string height by sanding a tiny bit off the bottom of the bridge (and maybe the nut) Start a new General thread about that, and we'll talk you through the process.
Dulcimer records
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
The only one I own is the Pacific Rim Project; I was gifted a copy by Robert Force a couple years back when he came to the Mount Dora festival here in FL.
Dulcimer records
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Here is my dulcimer record collection. A few are not exclusively dulcimer, but have enough, I reckon. Anyone else listen to dulcimer on vinyl?
updated by @jennifer-wren: 10/27/19 12:02:25PM
Tell us about your VERY FIRST dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
My husband bought me my first dulcimer 13 years ago on eBay from Pakistan, or somewhere unexpected like that. It's an hourglass with heart shaped sound holes. I call 'her' Dulcina. I still play it now and then, but the strings sit a bit too high for my liking. The fretboard sits nice and high, which I do like since I use a noter. It came with a wooden noter, which was a nice touch. It was delivered while we were out one day, and some kind postal worker tucked it underneath our porch, presumably to keep it safe. We didn't see it and my poor husband was a bit panicked until he figured it out!
Bill Taylor
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Thank you Jan for your input, and I was really happy to see the response from Mark.
That must have been awesome to have Bill for a week-long class!
Sounds awesome!!!
Bill Taylor
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Mark! Thank you so much for responding to this! I hope all is well with Bill and his family. It makes me very sad to know that he has stopped playing and stopped building dulcimers. I only ever had the privilege of meeting Bill the one weekend at the KADC retreat. He is a truly a wonderful person, and sooooo talented. The dulcimer I have is beautiful and has such a wonderful sound. One of the fun moments (one of many) from that weekend was when Bill played and sang "The Preacher and the Bear".
When you see him again - please tell him I said hi. He won't know who I am, but he made such an impact on me....I was pretty new to the dulcimer, and he showed me what the dulcimer community is all about!
Thank you again! And sorry for rambling.......
Does size really matter? 28.5 vs 26
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
I'm very fond of dulcimers with a shorter VSL (no longer than 26.5 if possible). The ease of making the chords has really improved my playing over the past few years!
Bill Taylor
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
It would be my privilege to get to meet Mr Taylor!
Bill Taylor
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Mark, I'm so glad you saw this question and responded to it, knowing what a great friend Bill is to you. I was waiting to see if anyone was going to respond and if there was no response, I was going to suggest they contact you--I knew you'd know!
I had Bill for a week-long class at Dulcimerville (I think), held in Black Mountain, NC and my friends and I still talk about what a great class that was. He was a great instructor, luthier, and is, as you relate so well, continues to be a kind, wonderful man. Thank you for writing this message!
Bill Taylor
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
He is still kicking around Pine Mountain and Maryville. I talked with him and Barbara tonight, and they said they've been working in the garden--mostly feeding a really fat groundhog!
He's got some instruments left for sale in a shop, but I forget which one. I'll try to find out if someone is looking for one.
His ability and desire to work with any pretty wood he could find drove me to explore other woods, too, and he helped me take my building to a higher level because of that. His instruments are beautiful and play so well. They are a reflection of this kind, wonderful man.
Oh my that Loooow Dixon D would be far beyond my stretch for fingers.
I have Dixon brass in low G and Bb, and Dixon polymer in low A and Bb. That low G is my current stretching limit. They sound great- I like these Dixons in the low keys!
Robert, I'd love to hear the version of Sally Garden you play... I seem to hear various versions, as it's a real 'tune family' kind of tune.
Lucky frogs! 
updated by @strumelia: 05/07/17 02:04:25PM
Does size really matter? 28.5 vs 26
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Interesting. I noticed a comment that longer VSL gives more tension with the same gauge strings...
But longer dulcimers use heavier gauge strings, yes? My experience going from 26 to 28.5 VSL is more mellow tone and sweetness, along with being able to tune all over the place (several times whenever I play) with no broken strings in the year I've had the dulcimer. Thank you Ron Gibson!
Just my 2 cents worth.
Enjoy your day, all!
Does size really matter? 28.5 vs 26
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
I am glad to learn this information also, thanks for the question and the responses.
I am personally learning by experience the variations, with my newest 25" VSL and the other 26 1/2" ones. They each have lovely tones and it will be interesting to know what one I favor most (nt yet sure!). I may do a 25 1/2" on the one I am making now....
Does size really matter? 28.5 vs 26
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Thank yall so much. That is all some great information!
Does size really matter? 28.5 vs 26
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
If using the same gauge strings, those on a dulcimer with a shorter VSL will require less tension to reach a given pitch than one with a longer VSL. This helps playability not only because frets are closer together making it easier to chord down at the first few frets, but also because bending notes is easier, vibrato is easier, and playing in general is just easier with less string tension.
But there *are* definitely well-known effects on sound as well. String tension and length affect overtones and harmonics. The greater the string tension, the greater the higher overtones produced. Longer string lengths also give more space for harmonics and overtones to “breathe” (ie, sound separate). With shorter scale lengths there is less separation. As a result, longer VSLs will give more brightness, clarity and definition in the tone, while shorter ones will give a “sweeter” sound with more warmth/darkness, less clarity and fewer overtones. Longer VSLs and their increased string tension tend to give you more volume and attack also, and more of that twangy “silvery-ness” traditionally associated with a mountain dulcimer.
Many guitar builders will tell you that the tone begins with the string and everything else is a modifier; that you start with the scale length and then go from there, choosing woods, body shape, body volume, type of pickup, etc. to get the tone you are looking for.
Incidentally, if you don't want to believe me, there are plenty of well-respected dulcimer builders who have written about scale length and its effect on tone before (Jerry Rockwell and Janita Baker come immediately to mind, for example).
updated by @brian-g: 05/06/17 09:15:32PM
Does size really matter? 28.5 vs 26
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
VSL only affects the distance between the frets, not the sound
Dist from Nut
28” VSL..............26” VSL
1. 1-19/32........1-29/64
2. 3-7/64.........2-27/32
3. 4-17/32.......4-9/64
4. 5-7/8..........5-23/64
5. 7-5/32.........6-33/64
6. 8-11/32........7-39/64
7. 9-31/64........8-41/64
8. 10-35/64.......9-5/8
9. 11-35/64........10-35/64
10. 12-1/2..........11-13/32
11. 13-13/32.......12-15/64
Does size really matter? 28.5 vs 26
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
There are more variables and that is the wood... It also has a volume difference.
Does size really matter? 28.5 vs 26
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Hi D, I am glad you asked that question for I have wondered about this myself. I understand the total size of the dulcimers is the same. I think the advantage would be in the fact that the frets would be slightly closer together which would help in playing chords.
Does size really matter? 28.5 vs 26
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
I have decided to lose all of my longer vsl dulcimers. The Mcspaddens have that traditional 28.5 and the Folkroots has 29 (I think). I do love the sound of the Mcspadden though. I just can't do that longer vsl anymore.
I'm wondering how I would like a 26" Mcspadden. For those who have heard the standard vs the 26" of the Mcspadden, what are your thoughts? Big difference in sound, or just better playability?
Bill Taylor
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Does anyone here know if Bill Taylor is still building and/or playing the mountain dulcimer?
I have one of his dulcimers and I love it! Many years ago I went to a KADC (Knoxville Area Dulcimer Club) weekend workshop. Bill was a part of it. He is a wonderful person and a great player! It would be so nice to hear from him!
Thanks!
updated by @cindy-stammich: 10/27/19 12:02:25PM
Are you playing on your porch today? -Aug 26, 2017
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
@marg It would be neat to start a thread on 26 August to share our porch (deck, patio, sidewalk, yard. . .) playing adventures!
Are you playing on your porch today? -Aug 26, 2017
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Dulcinina, that's sounds heavenly. 
Are you playing on your porch today? -Aug 26, 2017
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
We had a screened in porch built on the back of our house in February. Our back yard is long and narrow and completely private. I have 2 wicker rockers, a bistro set and a small table-desk out there. I have old timey perennials that bloom at different times, bird feeders and a bird bath. I play my dulcimer out there a lot. It's a dream come true. Dulcinina
Back to the Luthier you go
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
We all slip once in awhile -- a reputable dealer will take it back and give you your money back.