Show us your sound holes!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Phil is so happy with his dulcimer in honor of Ellie that I had to plug my uncle, the sole luthier at Pawprint Autoharps:
Forum Activity for @dusty
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Phil is so happy with his dulcimer in honor of Ellie that I had to plug my uncle, the sole luthier at Pawprint Autoharps:
Show us your sound holes!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Even the classic 4 of hearts holds up well.
Show us your sound holes!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Bone with sliced butternut shell soundhole covers
Show us your sound holes!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
This is certainly the geekiest thread LOL!!!I have Celtic pattern holes on my Galax - I thought they would be pretty apt for someone who lives in a Celtic nation and goes to Celtic sessions.
I do like those basic Melton style holes too. And if I get around to having another Galax dulcimer built (or have a go at building one myself sometime) then that's the pattern I'd copy.
Flint Hill said:
I think this may be the geekiest discussion ever posted to FOTMD.
That's why I'm clicking the "Follow" button.
That's why I'm clicking the "Follow" button.
Show us your sound holes!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I think this may be the geekiest discussion ever posted to FOTMD.That's why I'm clicking the "Follow" button.
Show us your sound holes!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I like the sound holes on my Kudzu Patch Galax because they look like a lot like the ones on Jacob Ray Melton's dulcimer in Ralph Lee Smith's Appalachian Dulcimer Traditions .
Show us your sound holes!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Here is one more that I love but it is a little fragile I think. I love the Ambrosia Maple
Show us your sound holes!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I love natural knot holes for sound holes and have several dulcimers that way. I don't think it make any difference in the sound they are just pretty.
Show us your sound holes!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
This is my favorite because it is my golden retriever,Ellie, who is now 8 years old. It was made by Tom Yocky in 2005. All I told him was I wanted a golden retriever and paw prints and he took it from there. It will always be my favorite dulcimer!
Show us your sound holes!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Sam that's cool. I have a tiny tattoo behind one ear that is the same, but dotted.
It does seem odd that we don't see more sound holes like this!
Show us your sound holes!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
This is a great idea!I am sorry that we cannot show you some of the sound holes in the dulcimers we have made. Soundholes are special to the person who gets the instrument.Last year for Christmas we made a beautiful cherry dulcimer for Bob's parents who live on an island off the panhandle of Florida. The soundholes that I cut out were fish and bubbles and seaweed and so forth! It was awesome! (I may have some photo's.....I will look)Another dulcimer we made had Ohio State University soundholes. We made it to give to an auction in Columbus. It was pretty cool too. They were buckeyes and leaves.Our nieces each received dulcimers with horse heads as sound holes. It has been fun to make these instruments special.
Show us your sound holes!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Looked at lots of pics. Hadn't seen anyone use this configuration.
Show us your sound holes!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Ok I guess that sounds kinda weird, but...
I thought it'd be cool to see pictures of all the different kinds of sound holes we all have on our dulcimers.
Post a picture here, and tell us what you like about your dulcimer's sound holes, and why you chose them.
updated by @strumelia: 07/31/23 09:20:12PM
Your favorite dulcimer case!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Great solution, Dusty! You can always stuff socks and other small articles of clothing in the case, too.
Your favorite dulcimer case!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I will be traveling this week and want to take a dulcimer with me. The problem? I don't want to risk any of my dulcimers by checking them as baggage, so I have to take something small enough to bring on the plane. No problem, right? I have a baritone dulcimette made by Ron Ewing, perfect! Well, no, for I only have a padded case for it and even if I place it in the overhead bin I would be worried sick.
Solution? It took about 5 minutes of modification (butchering) to get this viola case to fit nice and snug. I am so excited to finally have a hardshell case for my little baby.
Your favorite dulcimer case!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
My very favorite case is the one I got with my Blue Lion. It is difficult to find sturdy cases that will withstand baggage handlers.
Like Paul said, I have made a couple of cases using an appropriate length molded plastic rifle or shotgun case--Plano or Pelican for brand. The measurements are critical for length and height of your instrument and a bit of time may be needed to research the various measurements of the offerings available.
I removed the soft foam that came in the case. I used blue (some brands are pink) styrofoam from my local building supply store. By combining different thickness I got the depth I needed. I glued those together with special glue made for styrofoam (craft stores). Then I cut out the outer dimensions to snug fit the case. Then I cut the shape of the dulcimer inside with a little extra room at the tuner end. Following this, I covered it gluing on soft fabric--anything from felt to false suede to velvet. I typically line the top of the case with a thin later of padding and cover that with fabric as well. I had room in one to make a wooden box with a hinged lid set into the styrofoam for picks, tuner, strings, straps etc.
I suppose you could use the foam that comes in the case and cut out the shape of the dulcimer. I am personally leery of that as I had a camera in a case with similar foam and the foam disintegrated and stuck to the camera.
Your favorite dulcimer case!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Try taking it to a large music store and looking at cases for other instruments, like lap steel guitars, or double violin cases, etc. If some other case fits and only needs internal modification, it may work out well. Or try a Cabela's or Gander Mountain or Bass Pro Shops. A fishing tackle or gun case may have the dimensions you need. Here's another idea you may be able to use: Paul
Your favorite dulcimer case!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I'll probably have to bite the bullet and get a new case. You're right about the hinges pulling out of the cardboard eventually. In the meantime, more wood glue and duct tape.I really need the short, skinny dimensions though. A deeper case won't fit in my cockpit coat closet. The whole rig -- rolling suitcase, flight case, computer, lunch bag and dulcimer, needs tow with one hand and fit through a door with the dulcimer held the wide way on the handle of the rolling case.
Your favorite dulcimer case!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
That looks like a cardboard case. If so, you can buy a new cardboard case, and use the 2" thick foam from sewing stores and upholstery shops to custom fit the inside to your dulcimer's requirements. If you want, and have time, you can cover the foam with fabric, but it isn't really necessary. If you regularly check your dulcimer on airlines, a better case might be one made for cameras or electronic key boards. They have cases built for extreme handling. Some have wheels. (And need them!) http://www.anvilcase.com/products/specials.html http://www.guitarcenter.com/Keyboard-Cases---Gig-Bags-Cases--Gigbags---Covers.gc If you don't plan to allow airline baggage departments to touch your baby, you probably don't need the weight and expense of the heavy duty cases. A keyboard or dulcimer gig bag with foam sheeting to make it a custom fit is enough if you are the only "baggage handler" involved.As for fiber glassing the case,It may not stick too well, unless you scuff the colored finish with coarse sandpaper. Use sheets of fiberglass cloth as well as the resin & hardener. You probably won't need too many layers, but it's pretty messy. And carries certain health hazards as well. Wear a respirator when mixing applying or sanding. "Respirator" is not the white paper masks you see some folks using. Those are only suitable for nuisance dusts, not harmful ones. Fiberglass is every bit the health risk asbestos was before it was banned.Before going to the trouble, be sure the card board is still strong enough to support the added weight of fiberglass. Eventually the cardboard tears where the hinges and latches are attatched. The extra weight may be too much. In that situation, you might as well find a new case and pad it to fit.Paul
Your favorite dulcimer case!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
My favorite case goes with my travel-size instrument. Ed Weiss found four small cases, none the same size, and custom-built instruments to fit. So, the case would be very difficult to replace.
Unlike most people, I travel with mine constantly. I take reasonable care and put bubble wrap inside, but I don't have time to baby it. As you can see, the case is falling apart, and duct tape only goes so far. I'm thinking of fiberglassing the outside to make it a semi hardshell case. Has anyone tried this? Any other ideas?
Your favorite dulcimer case!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Love my double dulcimer cases by Lee Felt the best--very handy and they will even hold two really big dulcimers.For a single case--I have a tan McSpadden that is really pretty cool--lightweight, but sturdy and practical.
Best wishes,Mary Z. Cox
Your favorite dulcimer case!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Rod Westerfield said:
Yes, I guess that would keep our cases from being mixed up.yeah but my case is easily identifiable...
mine's the one with the big Mountain Dew patch on it...
Your favorite dulcimer case!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
yeah but my case is easily identifiable...
Your favorite dulcimer case!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Basically I have 4 main gig bags, and no hard cases. Three of my gig bags are by Lee Felt. I have 2 doubles and one single. And I love them.The other case was an early Colorado Case Co. bag, I believe. I got it years and years ago from Dave as they had made up a sample case for him, but it really was too short for his dulcimers. It fits my shortest instrument, a Black Mountain, and also is used to carry my box dulcimer.
Your favorite dulcimer case!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Rod Westerfield said:
Hey, we never knew we were using the same case! Cool.Too bad they don't make them anymore- they are lightweight yet very protective and somewhat rigid.I have that same case Strumelia... it's the main case I use when transporting my dulcimers. From talking to my friends at Cedar Creek these case are no longer made...
Your favorite dulcimer case!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I have that same case Strumelia... it's the main case I use when transporting my dulcimers. From talking to my friends at Cedar Creek these case are no longer made... I also have several cases like Robin T's that I use quite often.. my case choice its depends on what I'm doing or going... usually it winds up be multiple case use.. you know ya can't really leave any behind..
Strumelia said:
I use a double case usually. I don't know whether this one is made anymore, but I love the very dense foam padding it has. I found only this one head-on picture of it online, but I can't find where it's sold anymore. It's very square at the ends, and has one pouch for stuff on the outside. It protects my two dulcimers very well. Anyone else have this one?
Your favorite dulcimer case!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I use a double case usually. I don't know whether this one is made anymore, but I love the very dense foam padding it has. I found only this one head-on picture of it online, but I can't find where it's sold anymore. It's very square at the ends, and has one pouch for stuff on the outside. It protects my two dulcimers very well. Anyone else have this one?
Your favorite dulcimer case!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
No pictures, but I too vote for the Bag lady Double bag. Not exactly cheap; but has been my carry-all half way 'round the world for at least 10 years, ans still going strong!
Your favorite dulcimer case!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
This one's pretty good if you want a hard case:
I like that T.K O'Brian gig bag that Robin T owns - That looks like a tough and practical bit of kit.
I don't have a very favourite bag/case as I have found that different circumstances require different bags/cases. I travel a lot with my MDs, and I'm not that careful. I would prefer that an instrument lasts me 5 years and was played to death than 15 years but never left my house. All my instruments have dings and wear marks - it's part of the aging process - but none have been damaged whilst in their respective case or gig bag despite sharing the back of an old van with guitars p/a kit and dogs, or being carried across the Scottish and Welsh mountains or going to a BBQ on the beach with kids or being jostled around in a crowded pub on a Saturday night.
Out of them all, I use my Dulcimer Bag Lady double bag the most as it covers the widest range of my uses. Lee Felt makes great gig bags!!!
Robin
Your favorite dulcimer case!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
There used to be a dulcimer builder in NE Ohio, somewhere around Strongsville, I believe. The wooden cases he made for his dulcimers were almost works of art. They were nicer than some people's dulcimers, with dovetailed corners, and form fitted interior padding. A bit heavy for carrying, but if you had to entrust your pride & joy to airline baggage handlers, that was the best thing around to pack it in. I think you had to buy the dulcimer to get the case. His dulcimers were absolutely gorgeous, completely worthy of his cases.Paul
Your favorite dulcimer case!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
http://www.prussiavalley.com/TKOBrienMountainDulcimerCases.htm#TKO009
The O'Brien is a good bag for toting to festivals. If you want a great, highly-padded custom gigbag, I recommend one of Lee Felt's (Thistledew Acres) cases:
target="_blank"> http://dulcimerbaglady.com/
I own two of Lee's cases in which I carry my bowed dulcimers-- the bowed instruments being more fragile than my mountain dulcimers.
Your favorite dulcimer case!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Show us a picture, or tell us about your very favorite dulcimer carrying case, and why you like it so much. :D
updated by @strumelia: 02/10/25 02:12:19PM
***THREE CHEERS for Robin Thompson !!!***
OFF TOPIC discussions
Thanks, ladies! There have been few occasions in my life where I've been applauded for being chatty.
***THREE CHEERS for Robin Thompson !!!***
OFF TOPIC discussions
You go girl
Enjoy your posts Best wishes,Mary Z. Cox www.maryzcox.com
***THREE CHEERS for Robin Thompson !!!***
OFF TOPIC discussions
Thank you, Sam, and I'm glad you're part of this great community!
Jane, I got such a kick out of your 2nd(?) post on ED. On what may have been your first posting you posed a question and I saw it, apparently, right after you wrote it and replied immediately. In turn, your quick response went something like, "Blimey, were you sat atop the computer?" LOL I responded that I was.
Friends, I'm going to risk sounding overly sentimental to say that you all have given me roses while I'm living, cheering me on. And if I could, I'd give each of you a hug.
***THREE CHEERS for Robin Thompson !!!***
OFF TOPIC discussions
Tip O' th' Hat Robin. I enjoy your playing. You are a positive part of this community. Thank you for sharing your gift.
***THREE CHEERS for Robin Thompson !!!***
OFF TOPIC discussions
Hi allRobin was the first person to meet n greet me on ED, and her generosity of friendship is like a warm cosy fire. Thanks Robin for being a friend is cyberspace; you make the dulcimer world a brighter place. xxx
***THREE CHEERS for Robin Thompson !!!***
OFF TOPIC discussions
Congratulations to you & Jim, Dana! 34 years? I think it'll last.
And I'll keep my eyes open for Mountain Lullaby. (Little Dulcimer Darlin' is wonderful!)John Henry-- 57 for you & Mrs. John Henry-- a belated congratulations! It'll be awhile before I even turn 57 so I know that's a good long time to be married.