Mcspadden Dulcimer Model M-12W
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Thanks Ken, Boy am I getting an education.
Forum Activity for @ed-day
Mcspadden Dulcimer Model M-12W
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Ed - neither friction nor geared tuners should "be an issue". Those are not wooden tuning pegs, which occasionally can be an issue if you aren't used to them; they are top of the line metal pegs nearly as quick and accurate as geared tuners.
Mcspadden Dulcimer Model M-12W
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Hi Geekling. Thanks for the info and advice. The seller is asking $200.00 for the Dulcimer with hard case and original sales document. The tuners are an issue and I couldnt tell for sure in there picture if they were friction or geared but with the info that you have given me I'm sure they are friction. They say it is signed and dated 1991.
Thanks again everyone
Ed
Mcspadden Dulcimer Model M-12W
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Age isn't a prob. they usually mellow out and just sound better with age.
Mcspadden Dulcimer Model M-12W
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Thanks everyone for the input andas I expected, everyone seems to like thier McSpadden Dulcimers and the service.
and Barbara the one I was looking at wasn't on e-bay, but thanks for the info and the link.
Mcspadden Dulcimer Model M-12W
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
My very first dulcimer was a walnut hourglass McSpadden. My daughter has it now. It has the most beautiful resonant voice one can imagine, and is so smoooooth to play. An excellent choice!
Mcspadden Dulcimer Model M-12W
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
And their after sales service is as good as you'll find anywhere.
[edit] not surprising really ... they more or less define the highest standards for volume manufacturers
john p
Mcspadden Dulcimer Model M-12W
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
You usually cant go wrong with a McSpadden. Everyone I have heard that has one loves them.
Mcspadden Dulcimer Model M-12W
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Can anyone give me any info on this dulcimer, good, bad, or otherwise?? I am new to the dulcimer world and could be classified as a pre beginner Thanks
updated by @ed-day: 02/25/19 08:35:19AM
Sheet music collection
Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs
Wow, folkfan, looks like you could be in for several years' worth of fun exploring that site! :)
Sheet music collection
Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs
Found this site when looking for some sheet music.
http://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu/index.html
I'm going to have to go back and spend several days just browsing. Wheeeee
updated by @folkfan: 08/06/17 05:28:59PM
Yes certainly,
John mentioned A aeolian in his post, which is probably the one A tuning it would be difficult to reach - but e,e,e,e A ionian, e,e,d,d A dorian and e,e,d,d A mixolidian (6+) should be fine with the 0.010s he has fitted.
Strumelia said:
Robin Clark said:
Hi John,
You don't need to tune down for A modal tunes - leave your strings at d,d,d,d (or d,d,d if it is a 3 string) and just place a reverse capo under the two drones near the first fret lifting them to e,e . This gives you a tuning of e,e,d,d, (or e,e,d for 3 strings). You now have key of A dorian starting atthe 4th fret
Robin, if he does what you describe above, and also tunes the two melody strings up to ee, won't he then be able to play in A ionian?...which is more useful than just A dorian... just pondering here.
Barbara, my response to your original question is that practically speaking, I myself only really 'need' two dulcimers- one for playing in A and G, and the other for playing in C and D. That's assuming I don't 'need' any other dulcimers due to aesthetic reasons like them sounding different or enjoying playing with different fret patterns or sizes.
Robin Clark said:
Hi John,
You don't need to tune down for A modal tunes - leave your strings at d,d,d,d (or d,d,d if it is a 3 string) and just place a reverse capo under the two drones near the first fret lifting them to e,e . This gives you a tuning of e,e,d,d, (or e,e,d for 3 strings). You now have key of A dorian starting atthe 4th fret
Robin, if he does what you describe above, and also tunes the two melody strings up to ee, won't he then be able to play in A ionian?...which is more useful than just A dorian... just pondering here.
Hi John,
You don't need to tune down for A modal tunes - leave your strings at d,d,d,d (or d,d,d if it is a 3 string) and just place a reverse capo under the two drones near the first fret lifting them to e,e . This gives you a tuning of e,e,d,d, (or e,e,d for 3 strings). You now have key of A dorian starting atthe 4th fret The end of a chopstick makes a good reverse capo(the term 'false nut' is probably a better description).
Ahh... I see that you can tune up to e with your strings so simply tune to e,e,d,d. If you have a 6+ this tuning will also give you key of A mixolidian for tunes like Old Joe Clark, June Apple etc as well astunes in A minor such as Frosty Morning, Shady Grove, Cluck Old Hen etc
Galax players often play overtwo 5th drones rather than root drones.
John - most Galax set up players don'ty try for anything except Galax tunings: ddd or ggg etc. As you've discovered those thin strings just aren't suitable for more common Modal tunings. Now you know why so many of us have multiple dulcimers. If I were you. I think I'd opt for a second dulcimer in cardboard. Leave that one with conventional strings.
Check out whatever local hobby shops there are where you live - especially those dealing in model airplanes. They will have 1/8" Baltic Birch ply, which makes really good sounding dulcimers. Using the Fretboard from a cardboard dulcimer, you can surely make a box shaped dulcimer for under $25.
Barbara, I was playing strictly in a flatpicking style but then bought a used Blue Lion from another member of FOTMD. I played it a little bit and really liked it, but one day I stroked the strings gently with my finger and the instrument just rang true. It sounds good with a flatpick, but really special with a soft fingerstyle technique. I began learning to fingerpick simply to do right by that instrument. And of course trying to fingerpick my six-string baritone dulcimette would be like fingerpicking a mandolin. Oh, maybe you could kinda sorta do it a little, but why?
Some instruments might really be versatile, but others so obviously want to be in a particular tuning or played with a certain technique that it's nice to honor those ideosyncracies. I gave up trying to play bluegrass guitar and mandolin with the accompanying obsession with playing lots of notes as fast as possible, and now my philosophy with the dulcimer is that if you have a nice sounding instrument, highlight that instrument. Pick or strum a little, let the notes ring out, and get out of the way.
Barbara P said:
Uh oh, Dusty Turtle, you're making me think that I need a designated fingerpicking dulcimer too!
Mandy, Usually one develops DAD or DAA which are Dulcimer Acquisition Disease, or Dulcimer Acquisition Addiction. And if you develop DAD, buy two dulcimers and call me in the morning. Or if you end up with DAA, just feed your habit. 
Mandy said:
Hey Barbara,
My take on this is a little different actually. I want one of everything! By that I mean lots of different instruments. After I got my first banjo I realized within a year that it was going to stick and I needed to upgrade. So I upgraded when i could and sold off my first one to help pay for my new dulcimer. I'm getting my very own guitar as an anniversary present from my husband
I've seen this affliction you speak of called BAS (banjo acquisition syndrome) in banjo circles, MAS (mandolin acquisition syndrome) in mando circles and I suppose it's the same here DAS (dulcimer acquisition syndrome). But mine would be called IAS I guess (instrument acquisition syndrome). LOL. The great thing about any of them is that once you start playing a musical instrument you have so much fun you want MORE.
Mandy, I know what you mean, and for that reason I have a guitar, a 12-string guitar, a mandolin, a ukulele, an autoharp, a fiddle, . . .
But, I now have several dulcimers and to me they are all different instruments. I have dulcimers in at least three tonal ranges, one a true octave dulcimer and another tuned a fourth of fifth above a standard dulcimer, the latter of which has six strings and is really good for fast-paced fiddle tunes in G or A. And even my standard dulcimers seem like different instruments. The Blue Lion is clearly intended for fingerpicking, not only because it just sounds great that way but also because the wider neck makes fingerpicking easier on the right hand.I use another dulcimer entirely for flatpicking, in part because it's neck is more narrow, but also because it has a 1-1/2 fret . . .
I could go on, but I think I've made my point. Just because I have several instruments that are all called dulcimers, does not mean they are all identical. In fact, they are as different as a guitar and mandolin. And even among those of us without the disposable income to buy dulcimers just for fun, the differences among dulcimers become more obvious the more you play and you come to see them as genuinely different instruments intended for different tunings, styles of play, etc.
Mandy said:
Hey Barbara,
My take on this is a little different actually. I want one of everything! By that I mean lots of different instruments.
Hey Barbara,
My take on this is a little different actually. I want one of everything! By that I mean lots of different instruments. After I got my first banjo I realized within a year that it was going to stick and I needed to upgrade. So I upgraded when i could and sold off my first one to help pay for my new dulcimer. I'm getting my very own guitar as an anniversary present from my husband . Now I figure all I need is an upright bass, fiddle, and maybe a mando and I'll be all set!
I've seen this affliction you speak of called BAS (banjo acquisition syndrome) in banjo circles, MAS (mandolin acquisition syndrome) in mando circles and I suppose it's the same here DAS (dulcimer acquisition syndrome). But mine would be called IAS I guess (instrument acquisition syndrome). LOL. The great thing about any of them is that once you start playing a musical instrument you have so much fun you want MORE.
Ken, You're correct as to Bagpipe tuning allowing for Mixolydian and Ionian playing without worrying about the key. I just used the key of C for an example since that's how I learned to tune all modes way back when. Glad you're enjoying playing in Bagpipe. Have you tried barring across all the strings with the noter? One book I have suggests this style of play to "bang out the melody good and loud". Doesn't sound like it would be good for all songs, but might suit "Bonnie Dundee" very well and other tunes of that ilk.
Ken Hulme said:
Regardless of key (C, D, A, G) Bagpipe tuning does - for those of us without 6+ frets - what DAd tuning does for those with the 6+. It lets us play both Mixolydian and Ionian tunes without re-tuning, and sounds pretty darn good with both.
I've been a DAA/Ionian Modal tuning player for darn near 40 years. Just recently I've taken to exploring Bagpipe tuning, and I must say I'm really hooked.
Regardless of key (C, D, A, G) Bagpipe tuning does - for those of us without 6+ frets - what DAd tuning does for those with the 6+. It lets us play both Mixolydian and Ionian tunes without re-tuning, and sounds pretty darn good with both.
I've been a DAA/Ionian Modal tuning player for darn near 40 years. Just recently I've taken to exploring Bagpipe tuning, and I must say I'm really hooked.
Jim,
Since I've a dulcimer strung for Ccc, I don't have problems with retuning. Talk about lazy. Also with Ccc, I can play Mixolydian starting from the open (c) or Ionian from 3 (f). The Cc drones sound ok with both since CGc has a C drone and the key of F also has a C drone with FCC. With F there just isn't a tonic drone in F.
Just a thought on Bagpipe is that Ccc must have been popular at one time since the very oldest or earliest printed books I borrowed from the library usually discussed Bagpipe tuning in the key of C. Of course, all tunings were discussed in C, with Ionian mentioned first. Unison drones weren't mentioned. I learned about Galax tuning from the internet forums.
Jim Edwards said:
Ccc bagpipe tuning? I bet that sounds cool.
Of course, if you're lazy like me and don't want to replace your middle string (and assuming, like me, that you only have one melody string), you could probably tune CGc and finger-noter the middle string for a similar effect. Also, if you need that flatted seventh (Mixolydian mode), you could probably tune DGd and have a droning fifth instead of a droning root note. I bet that would sound cool, too.
Cheers,
Jim
? (and it makes a great camping 'breakfast' table when turned upside down? 
)Folkfan's right Barbara - Bagpipe tuning has the same bass string D as DAA or DAd. The other strings are tuned tuned to the d of DAd - that is Ddd, not DDD. We most often use the lowercase d or c or whatever to indicate that it is an octave higher in pitch than the bass string, which is why you see us write DAd not DAD.
Barbara, There are two tunings that use a single note across the strings. One is called "Unison" as in dddd and is also used for the Galax style of playing. I've heard the tuning also called "Galax". I've never tried this tuning, but have used the Bagpipe tuning which has an octave difference in the drones. The bass string being tuned one octave below the middle and melody strings. On my instrument I have it tuned Bass C below middle c and middle and melody at middle c.
Barbara P said:
Dusty Turtle
John, that is lovely that both you and your wife play! ANd it sounds like she's catching up with you in the dulcimer department!
folkfan, that just clicked with me. I had read something about the tunings 155, 158 etc. but now, your post makes sense. Tunings seem to be the hardest thing for me to understand. But explanations like yours, are slowly getting into my head! Thank you!
That's interesting Ken. I just learned about bagpipe tuning on this thread! I wonder how many instruments are just tuned to DAd or DAA and not given the opportunity to shine in, say DDD? Mine for example, it's only been tuned to four tunings, but maybe it's some other tuning it's longing to play?
Barbara, I have 2 dulcimers, both have the same fret configuration, with the 1+, but each has its unique voice. I love playing dulcimer, but I also play many other fretted instruments. Guitar was and is still my first love. so, I have to spread out my $$$ to all my instruments. I currently have 13 instruments. Barbara, btw, I bought a custom Deluxe Olympia Walkabout Dulcimer about a year ago and absolutely love it. If you search YouTube for Curtis Walkabout Dulcimer, you'll see it. Kevin (the builder) did a video of my instrument before shipping it out to me. He also sends you progress pictures of the build process. You should consider one. Being a guitar player, I love the guitar-style orientation of the Walkabout. I also love the challenge of playing dulcimer tab inverted.
All of my dulcimers get tuned to readily to a variety of tunings - Ionian, Mixolydian, Dorian, Aeolian. Sometimes in the key of D, other times in C or G. I have 3 single instruments and a courting dulcimer that I built close to ten years ago.
None of my instruments have 6+ frets. I prefer pure diatonic arrangements for the kinds of music I prefer to play - Scots Border Ballads and Corries type folk tunes, Irish folk music not fiddle tunes, American popular music from the 1890s to 1940s and '60s Folk Revival tunes.
Each instrument that I own tunes most comfortably in a particular keynote and sometimes tuning. My Nik Hambas custom prefers D in particular the Bagpipe tuning - Ddd. My vintage Ebay find sounds like crap in D but is sweet, high and silvery in Gdd. My slightly custom Harpmaker Student model loves D but prefers D Ionian - DAA, and the courting dulcimer likes any Modal tuning in the key of C.
Carrie, You do know don't you that any tab you have in a DAd tabbing can be played in the same note relationship in another key. So tab for DAd is CGc, or AEa. It's the same for DAA tab played CGG, or AEE etc. Since I can't sing high, I don't even have a dulcimer tuned in D, but use DAd or DAA tab all the time as everyone seems to automatically tab in it.
Carrie Barnes said:
Barb, well, I started on my Apple Creek which has now been officially retired due to the arrival of the McSpadden, on the horizon is their bass model and a dulcibanjo. Hmm, festival coming up, wonder if acquisitions are to be made there, LOL!'
I don't think there is a certaing number I want, "all" would be a good answer, just cause it would be nice not to retune. Tho happily at DADD, I want to explore other tunings, and have collected tab for CGC, AEA, the list is endless. Hence, the collecting will continue. As my experience grows playing, so does the quest for another dulcimer, guess that's the best answer.