Forum Activity for @jan-potts

Gold Tone Dulciborn - thoughts, reviews?

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

Paula, yes, I'm playing with just one melody string, having removed one of the 2 it came with.  That's the way I usually play (thanks to Don Pedi who first encouraged me 5 years ago to take one off!).  Mine does have a pick up, but I didn't want to go looking for cords and amp, etc., so I just recorded the audio clip using the Voice Recorder on my laptop.

I purchased my Dulciborn from John Hawk, who works really hard at getting the set up just as perfect as possible before bringing them to a venue for sale.  Mine didn't need any extra work when I bought it 3 1/2 years ago.  But I hadn't played it in awhile when I got it out yesterday, and the action did seem higher than what my Gallier has.  When I made the recording I had been noodling around on it for several hours and had gotten "used to it" again.  I know when I bought it back in 2013, I sat and played it for 2 or 3 hrs before deciding to purchase it.  Mine also has a 1.5 fret--which is something I like to have on ALL my dulcimers! 

How did you first discover the mountain dulcimer?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

My cousin built one in the early 70's. I tried it but I wasn't crazy about it. I went back to it about 10 or 12 years ago after a car accident & I could't play the guitar anymore. I was able to take a workshop with Aubrey Atwater.  I am a singer first & use my instrument as a bsck-up to my voice. During her workshop I found out I can play chords on the dulcimer! I was off & running! I'm now with a Cavil War Living History group and I sing and play period correct songs.

Gold Tone Dulciborn - thoughts, reviews?

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

 There have been more than one discussion about the dulciborn here on FOTMD.  The instrument has a deep and rich sound, more similar to guitar than a dulcimer.  But several people bought the instrument and found the action too high to be played comfortably.  Many of those people who have found success with it had to have serious work done on the fretboard to make it playable. If I can find those older conversations I'll edit this post and provide links.

Edit:

Dulciborn

updated by @dusty: 02/14/17 06:32:52PM

Gold Tone Dulciborn - thoughts, reviews?

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

sounds fabulous!!!   Did you have it hooked up to an amp?   Second question, did you take one of the melody strings off?   I can only hear one...I am debating on taking one of mine off as I usually only have one melody string!   Nice job playing this song!!   

How did you first discover the mountain dulcimer?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

My family took vacations in the North Carolina mountains when I was young, and we'd sometimes see them in shops in places like Black Mountain and Maggie Valley, as well as at places like the Folk Art Center outside of Asheville.   I don't recall ever seeing anyone playing the instruments; they'd just be there -- mysterious and inviting.  In the summer of 1989, my folks moved to Asheville and I stayed the summer with them before leaving for college.  I spent a lot of time that summer investigating dulcimers and I purchased a Folkcraft teardrop from a store near Pigeon Forge, TN.  At my school, NC State, I got involved with the annual "Madrigal Dinner" production, playing that dulcimer as a roving musician.

Outfitting a Brit friend with a dulcimer, idea for accessories?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I'm not absolutely sure how gifts are viewed by customs officials, but view it as something that should be checked before an unexpected expense crops up.  I think we had a discussion about this a few years ago here on fotmd but haven't been able to find it yet.

Outfitting a Brit friend with a dulcimer, idea for accessories?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I'm not absslutely sure how gifts are viewed by customs officials, but view it as something that should be checked before an unexpected expense crops up.  I think we had a discussion about this a few years ago here on fotmd but haven't been able to find it yet.

Outfitting a Brit friend with a dulcimer, idea for accessories?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Dan, I haven't. Since she didn't buy it, and would be carrying it on as carry on luggage, would that be a thing? They usually have a few gifts they bring back and they have never had an issue before. 

Outfitting a Brit friend with a dulcimer, idea for accessories?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I hate to throw cold water on this wonderfully thoughtful idea, but, have you given any thought to the inport/export duties to be paid upon your friends return to the UK?

Outfitting a Brit friend with a dulcimer, idea for accessories?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Noter?

Outfitting a Brit friend with a dulcimer, idea for accessories?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Soon, hopefully in March, we have two London friends coming to visit. Last year, Lianne, picked up my dulcimer and just started playing...as in chords and intermediate songs. I was shocked and loved hearing her 'go to town' on my celtic songs, having had no lessons and no prior experience. 

I have purchased her a Little Mule soprano dulcimer so it will be easy to take back on the plane.

I'm wanting to put together some things for her to get her started. I'll get her a capo, some picks, some strings, but what else? Trying to find a Larkins book.  Any particular accessories I'm not thinking of?   She's going to be so excited! 

A tuner! Forgot about that!

Anything else? 

updated by @d-chitwood: 02/14/17 07:22:53AM

Gold Tone Dulciborn - thoughts, reviews?

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

I have one, love it, but find I don't take it many places because it is so much larger and heavier (in its special case) than the small Gallier A-frame I usually use.  Because you lay it on your lap like a dulcimer and play it from above, you avoid the need to wrap your hand around the head of the instrument, as you would do with a guitar.  When you have arthritis, this may be a movement your hand can no longer do--such was the case for me.  I like that it sounds like a guitar, and I like that I can do fingerpicking on it so easily and I could never do fingerpicking on a guitar!  Yes, it's a hybrid--but so's my Prius! As far as I'm concerned, it combines good things from both instruments.  Here's a rough recording of Loch Lomond showing how it sounds.

https://soundcloud.com/willowgreen-1/loch-lomond

Gold Tone Dulciborn - thoughts, reviews?

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

I have one.   I love it...  It does have the 1 1/2 fret added, and was set up by a luthier to make the action at the right height.  They have a very full sound.  They also have a pickup (at least mine does) and so you can plug it into an amp as well.     They are much larger on your lap than a regular dulcimer.  OVerall, fun to play.   I nice addition to your collection, (if you don't have one, you probably will have a collection!)

Gold Tone Dulciborn - thoughts, reviews?

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

Gale, you may want to check fellow member, Christine Shoemaker's page.  She has posted numerous videos with her Gold Tone.  In fact, it may have been Chris that you saw at Evert.

Gold Tone Dulciborn - thoughts, reviews?

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

Gale,

Please keep in mind that, just because an instrument has a diatonic fretboard, it does not automatically become a dulcimer.  The dulciborn is really an instrument called a Weissenborn to which a diatonic fretboard has been added and two strings removed.  The Weissenborn and dulciborn are very solidly in the guitar family.  The main difference is that, being in the zither family, the dulcimer has its strings all the way across the soundbox.  A Weissenborn/Dulciborn, being in the guitar family, has the string attached to the soundboard and does not stretch across the entire soundbox.

Musicians who can play the dulcimer will find the transition to a dulciborn easier.  However, as with those who play the Gallier "dulcimer" (actually a three course lap guitar), you will find that your instrument sounds like a guitar, even when playing dulcimer songs.

As most of our ear are very used to hearing a guitar, this instrument may sound more familiar to your ears.  Instrument sound is a choice a musician makes.  If you like the sound, play it.

Matt

Gold Tone Dulciborn - thoughts, reviews?

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

Hi -

  Just looking for some reviews, thoughts, etc of the Gold Tone Dulciborn. I heard a women at the Evart Funfest last year play one and thought it was pretty neat. She did say she purchased it used and had to have some adjustments done due to some warping of the fretboard( I believe). Volume was impressive. Any Dulciborn owners out there that could share their experience with this instrument? Thanks!

 

Gold Tone Dulciborn

 

updated by @gale-a-barr: 04/10/25 10:26:16PM

New Tax Return Project!

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

That might do the trick! Great suggestion! I'll check those out.

Looking for Information About This Dulcimer

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

Also, does it look like walnut wood? Thanks

New Tax Return Project!

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

How about violin tuning pegs? IMHO, they would look real nice on that dulcimer. StewMac has them for $2.99 each.

 

Steven

New Tax Return Project!

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

Well Rob, I hope it will be a good player when I finish the repairs! It is a pretty solid chunk of wood and I love that it is a satin finish... Anybody have suggestions for tuners and their installation? Keep in mind this will be a budget repair! I thought of getting those open geared tuners that run like $15 for four, like what they use on cigar box guitars?

Playing dulcimer with a ukelele

Playing and jamming difficulties...HELP ME!

"Playing Dulcimer With A Ukelele"

Really, a proper noter is what you should be using.  

Thank you.

New Tax Return Project!

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

Very nice.  I had one with full width staples. Made in PA by Keith ???.  Played & sounded great. Sold it to another member here who loves it as much or maybe more than I did.

 

New Tax Return Project!

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

Thanks Steven! I love finding instruments that need a little work... My girlfriend has a 7 yr. old Little from BBBS, and I'm trying to get her interested in playing, just for fun! :)

New Tax Return Project!

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

Nice looking dulcimer! Good luck with the "restoration"...I'm sure it will play and sound great!

 

Steven

Looking for Information About This Dulcimer

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

So I'm guessing this is a one-off? It's kind of sweet; I think I am going to put UKE tuners on it, given the space available. Clean it up, and sell it. I need to clean up the mess at the end-pins, any advice? I just didn't want to mess with it before checking on historical value. 

Looking for Information About This Dulcimer

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

Thanks, Joe.  My memory isn't what it used to be (like other parts of me.)

 

Looking for Information About This Dulcimer

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

ihave lived in branson  since 1969.  i have  never seen these instruments around here

New Tax Return Project!

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

Ken,
I do believe it to be mahogany, but was a little hesitant due to it being all of the same wood. And was a $50 shop find, I saw no cracks and the body was all solid wood, so I pulled the trigger!

New Tax Return Project!

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

Very nice looking dulcimer. You don't see many with staple frets under all the strings. It's hard to tell from the photos, but the wood may be mahogany. There's no label inside? Do you know what kind of tuners it had on it originally?

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

New Tax Return Project!

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

Found a nice dulcimer that needed a new home! Three string, all solid wood(what kind I'm not sure of...), and needing new tuners and bridge. But should be fun! The weirdest thing, the frets are just wires...

Looking for Information About This Dulcimer

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

I've seen soundholes like those on some inexpensive instruments which (I think) were made around Branson, MO.  I don't remember the maker.

 

Looking for Information About This Dulcimer

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

 

One more photo

Looking for Information About This Dulcimer

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

Looks to be all walnut construction. It has a 21" VSL, and a floating bridge. If you have any information about who might have made it, please chime in. There is no signature anywhere on or in the body. 

 

updated by @sheryl-st-clare: 02/10/17 01:11:19PM

What songs were you taught in kindergarten/grade school?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

My favorite songs from early childhood were the ones I learned at home. Bill Grogan's Goat, you are my sunshine, hush little baby, summertime, Chattanooga choo choo.
My mother loved to sing. I also had the album "free to be you and me", which I adored.

In school, I remember skip to my lou, oh susanna, pick a bale of cotton, on top of spaghetti, and tons of patriotic and Christmas songs, my favorite of which was, o Tannenbaum, because we learned the German lyrics, which I thought was cool. I also remember learning a lot of old cowboy songs, the names of which escape me now.

Tips sought for dulcimer and (clawhammer) banjo together

Playing and jamming difficulties...HELP ME!

I shouldn't interrupt my own thread but Rick, that is the best clawhammer banjo/mountain dulcimer duet I've heard. Thank you for bringing that gem to my attention.

Tips sought for dulcimer and (clawhammer) banjo together

Playing and jamming difficulties...HELP ME!

Robin Clark and Nick Reece made a CD (The Cadair Idris Sessions) where Robin plays dulcimer (noter/drone) and Nick plays clawhammer.  I have a copy and listen all the time. Here is a link http://fotmd.com/robin-clark/uploaded_audio/385/the-cadair-idris-sessions-track-samples to samples on the FOTMD site. I don't know if he has any more for sale, but if he does, I recommend it. Highly.

What songs were you taught in kindergarten/grade school?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I recall a song about the musical instruments: "The clarinet, the clarinet goes doodle, doodle, doodle, doodle det... The violin's singing with lovely ringing... "

My dad used to sing us a song with the lines "Hush, hush, whisper, Who dares?  Christopher Robins is saying his prayers." when he was putting us to bed.
In the car, he'd sing The Whiffinpoof Song, St. James Infirmary and Frog Went A Courting.  He ended the song with verses I've not heard anywhere else:
They paddled off across the lake uh huh,
They paddled off across the lake uh huh,
They paddled off across the lake
And were swallowed up by a big black snake
Uh huh, Uh huh, Uh huh.

Well that was the end of him and her, uh huh,
That was the end of him and her, uh huh,
That was the end of him and her
Now we won't have tadpoles covered in fur,
Uh huh, Uh huh, Uh huh.

I taught school for thirty some odd years and some of that time was spent teaching music to kindergarten to grade eight students.  Some songs that went over very well with kids were Pete Seeger's Abyoyo, Carl Martin's The Vegetable Dance, the old jug band tune Boodle Am Shake, a song I learned in Scouts called The Watermelon Song and Hopalong Peter, a tune I learned from The New Lost City Ramblers.

My first dulcimer, made in about 1970, before I knew much about building instruments, stated in my classroom and kids were welcome to use it.  The diatonic scale made it easy for kids to pick out tunes or invent their own.  This old dulcimer, made from a the wood from a hollow core mahogany door and model railroad plywood for the top, has a lot of battle scars from kids playing it, but has given a lot of kids a lot of fun.

updated by @jim-yates: 02/09/17 11:12:18AM

What are you reading right now?

OFF TOPIC discussions

LOL, Jan!  ~and it is taking me a while, too~

Feather Mountain Dulcimer Sparrow?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

 I do have a Wren, which is smaller than the Sparrow, and I love it!  I'd be happy to answer any questions.

 

ETA I did also post a vid that is still on my page.

updated by @hugssandi: 02/09/17 03:43:36PM