my Mize dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Greg, I wish you a long happy life and hope the Mize ages well right alongside you!Robin
Forum Activity for @robin-thompson
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Greg, I wish you a long happy life and hope the Mize ages well right alongside you!Robin
my Mize dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Here's hoping you two have a long and fruitful relationship!
my Mize dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Greg Riggs said:
Are you planning on outliving the dulcimer? ;)I consider myself it's permanent owner as I do not plan on passing it on to another "custodian".
my Mize dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Thank you, Suzanne. The Mize is going to a good home!Robin
my Mize dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Lisa,I've struggled over what to do with the instrument because the thing should be played and, this year, it's been played sparingly. (My hands are probably in as good a shape as they're going to be and, over time, won't be better than they are now. Doggone it.) The fiddle fine tuners were a good attempt to get the instrument to where I could handle tuning better-- it just didn't work out for me.I hope the dulcimer will give joy to its new 'custodian'.Robin
my Mize dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Robin, I think it's great that your Mize will remain in its original condition when it goes to its next 'custodian'. You'll get another dulcimer that will be just right for you!
my Mize dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Thanks, Ken, for the chart.Alas, the Mize will have a new owner before long-- an owner who likes wooden pegs!Robin
my Mize dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
So... I went to the Perfection website, and here's part of their table of diffeerent sizes of tuners they make"The diameter in mm is the size of the large holes.Item#..........mm dia....used forP1VN44..........7.8........4/4 violin, 14" and larger violaP1VN34..........7.8........3/4-1/2 violin, 12"-13" violaP1VC44........12.0.......4/4 celloP1VC34........12.0.......3/4-1/2 celloP1VN44OS.....8.3.......4/4 violin, 14" and larger violaP1VN44OS9...9.0.......4/4 violin, 14" and larger viola
my Mize dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Smart man, that hubby of yours....The "final option" IMHO would be to have 'ordinary' planetary tuners installed - like the ones Nic Hambas uses. They would minimally impact the peghead, and we know they work fine.
my Mize dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Thank you, Sherry. Although not pristine-- there are small dings here and there-- it is a beauty.Robin
my Mize dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
That's a good idea, Bill. Thanks for the suggestion!RobinPS-My husband tells me not to sell my Mize!
my Mize dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Robin,one other thing you could try is contact John Huron at noteworthy instruments and see if he can help you. He is located in Bristol Tenn, he worked under Bob Mize before he went out on his own.Bill
my Mize dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Ken,When I took the instrument to Prussia Valley, Gary seemed to think that even the viola-sized pegs would be too small. (He only had the fiddle pegs in stock so he couldn't be sure about the sizing.) The holes on the Mize are pretty good-sized and the pegs are beefy.Some months back when I posted on the builder's forum on ED to get a luthier's perspective about what to do with my Mize, Ken Bloom posted, saying, in effect, that he knew Bob Mize and Mr Mize would've been in favor of matching the instrument to the needs of the player. So, that sent me to Prussia Valley to check out the Perfection Pegs. Since Pefections, Pegheads, etc., are being put onto valuable violins, that style of peg would've, I thought, have been suitable for the Mize. Doggone it that they didn't fit.By the way, any pictures of the old dulcimer you picked up for a song? :-)Robin
my Mize dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Perfection makes both Violin sized Pegs and Viola sized pegs which are larger. You might want to get the shaft specification for the viola pegs... shame not to play it more...
my Mize dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Ken,The holes in the peg head are too big for Perfection pegs; I took it to Prussia Valley back in the spring because I thought about doing that very thing.I've had thoughts knocking around over what to do with this dulcimer. The critter's too nice to not get played any more than it does!Robin
my Mize dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Here's a full shot of the Mize:
my Mize dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
I would spend $50-$60 on a set of Perfection tuning pegs. They look like and fit on a dulcimer just like violin pegs, except they have gears inside and tune like a geared tuner. Gary at Prussia Valley quoted me $52, I think, for the set of four. Make a pretty little doeskin bag to contain the original wooden tuners and hang it from the headstock. If you ever sell the instrument, swap out the Perfection pegs for the originals.I'm about ready to get a set for a vintage dulcimer I picked up for a song, so i can play lots of song easier....
my Mize dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
The photo does not do justice to the wooden peg tuners-- the wood is exquisite. I'm considering selling the instrument because I'd prefer the wooden pegs to stay on the instrument and am imagining a person interested in buying a Mize would buy because it's a Mize.Y'all are right-- if mechanical pegs were to be put on this instrument, good planetary tuners would be the way to go.
my Mize dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
I can see both sides of the value/playability issues. But to me, I do tend to want to keep a dulcimer the way the builder intended it to be, and if it's not what I want then I would sell that dulcimer to someone who wants those features, and buy a dulcimer that has what I want....especially if it means I would not lose money in the long run. ;)But I certainly agree with Rod in saying any geared tuners you might put on that dulcimer really ought to be good quality planetary tuners. The planets will function better, you won't need fine tuners anymore, and they will jut out from the peghead at the same angle as the old wooden pegs- an important part of your dulcimer's personality.If you look at my Keith Young dulcimer in the logo on the top of every page here, you'll see "5 Star" brand planetary tuners. Great tuners, not cheap, but...when new, the plastic buttons on the ends were a hideous pearly glaring white- very fake-o plastic looking. I could not bear looking at them so I immediately painted them a nice old ivory color with oil based paint, then varnished that. They looked like ivoroid buttons then, matched the bone nut and bridge, and in the years since they've aged nicely, with just the right amount of grubbiness to look good and compliment the rich wood. Sort of 'shabby chic'. ;DIf you did change, be sure to KEEP the original pegs (even if the holes get enlarged in the process), and make sure you get planetary tuners for dulcimers, not for banjos. Different size.
my Mize dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Rod, every dulcimer I own is for playing!I'm glad there are folks who collect dulcimers and I'm glad not to be one of them :-) I see the collector as a person who honors the past and the future by taking care of dulcimers now, dulcimers that are historically significant for some reason.I got this Mize from Goodwill online-- came from the Goodwill in Albuquerque-- and was pleasantly surprised when I won the bid. With shipping & packing, the whole shebang cost just under $100. The instrument was in very good condition, especially considering it came with no case. I've added the fine tuners, got a case, and it's been re-strung a time or two. A collector would strip away the fine tuners, for sure ;-)
my Mize dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
I bknow it's a rough choice... but is it a playing dulcimer or collecting dulcimer... I would think about putting planetary tunes on it if you want to keep playing it... they tend to look better than guitar style tuners... the big thing to me (just me) but playability is more important than vaule...
my Mize dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
my Mize dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Seeing a picture might help me make better informed suggestions.One thing I 'would' say is that if you get rid of the original wooden tuning pegs it will make it worth substantially less than it's worth now. Whether you should switch the tuners to make it playable for you is a personal choice, but you should know that it will devalue the dulcimer somewhat.For what it's worth- a decent luthier or violin repairman should be able to get the pegs working pretty smoothly. For some people that's not enough though.I'd love to see a photo of the dulcimer in any case- can you post one here?
my Mize dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
I love my Mize dulcimer. My hands-- got physical problems-- don't like the gorgeous wooden pegs it has. Do I sell it? Do I hang onto it because it's a Mize and the butternut top is so pretty? I don't want to hang it on a wall to look at-- a dulcimer, unless it's a Pritchard, Thomas, etc., is made for playing!I've got fiddle fine tuners on it just below the bridge and I don't like having them there for a few reasons-- I don't like the way they look, they score the wood some, they can only be used for sweetening the tuning on an almost in tune dulcimer. Although I've seen a photo where J Ritchie has got a fine tuner stuck on a dulcimer up near the peghead, I'm still not crazy about having them on my Mize. ;-)What would you do with the Mize?
updated by @robin-thompson: 06/08/16 09:24:05PM
Thanks Strumelia
OFF TOPIC discussions
Dennis... the easiest wat to get recording is... since you have a lap top... download Audacity and Lame... Audacity is a free recording program.. load it on your laptop... then plug a mic into the sound card, hit the record button in theprogram and guess what your recording... a simple mic works as well as a high dollar one for general recording... the Lame program is so you can save your work as an mp3 which you need to be able to download to most music applications like the one here..I have used to process to make 2 CD's that I have given away to friends..try it you'll like... if ya have questions ask away.. I try to answer them.. I have been blessed that our local college has allowed me to audit classes... of which my last were sound recording... what fun..
Thanks Strumelia
OFF TOPIC discussions
Dennis,I haven't recorded anything yet to post here at FOTMD; my plan is to make an audio recording. My computer's a Mac and I'm thinking I'll be transferring the recording using either iTunes or QuikTime-- whatever will work.Robin
Thanks Strumelia
OFF TOPIC discussions
Thanks Dennis for your kind words about this site.I do plan on announcing this new site on ED in the next few days- I just wanted to wait until they were having fewer transition and software problems. I'm sure they will have things running smoothly there again in no time at all, they know what they're doing and are working very hard.
Thanks Strumelia
OFF TOPIC discussions
Hi Dennis,I'm mostly clueless at recording myself. What I did figure out is that yes I could use my web cam to record myself talking or playing, but....i found out that if I use my little digital camera (you have to have one that will record a short video clip with sound), the quality is much better than the web cam with less blurring, and also, it records the clip in a file format that YouTube automatically accepts...something I was struggling with when recording from my webcam. I think most digital cameras these days can record short videos with sound.This abouts sums up everything i know on the subject! :D
Thanks Strumelia
OFF TOPIC discussions
Not being technically talented you will need to help with how to record yourself and how to upload here. Can I use my built in web camera on my computer to record myself?
Thanks Strumelia
OFF TOPIC discussions
Yup, three cheers for Strumelia!One feature I hope lots of folks take advantage of is being able to post music. One thing I'm thinking about is, in future, posting a tune(s) to run it by y'all to get meaningful feedback. A different thing that might be fun to do sometime would be to call out a tune, so to speak, and anybody who wishes to do so could record and post their version of that tune.Robin
Thanks Strumelia
OFF TOPIC discussions
Thanks for starting this site. It looks like you have done an excellent job setting up the categories to cater to the MD community. I look forward to being an active member of Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer
updated by @dennis-waldrop: 01/13/19 05:09:18PM
FAQ / member guidelines- Please read!
FAQ/Site Rules- please read! :)
(Questions about using our NEW SITE? Ask them Here: Site Questions Forum . )
-------------------------------------
Hi and welcome!
Here are the site guidelines and rules all members are asked to respect-
CIVILITY:
We are a super friendly community! Please respect that others may have different viewpoints than yours. If you are upset, take a little break to cool off before you post those angry words. Remember too that things we write online can sound harsher than when we say them in person- adjust your post accordingly especially if you've had an issue with this kind of thing in the past.
If you are having a problem with another member or wish to report content that is upsetting to you, please contact me privately by clicking on my name (Strumelia) or going to my profile page, and send me a message. You can also contact me by clicking on the CONTACT site owner link at the bottom right of every site page. Or you can initially contact one the site moderators. The site moderators and I will try to resolve the issue fairly.
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When you add video or audio music clips to FOTMD from your profile page,
there are TWO criteria that must be met:
1) Please be sure they involve yourself playing some instrument, singing, or performing in some way, either solo or as part of a group. This policy keeps the site's focus on our own members' musical efforts! If you wish to direct people's attention to video and music clips of musicians other than yourself, then just give folks a LINK in a forum or group discussion post instead, where we can go look/listen for ourselves at the item online, rather than adding it to FOTMDs Video or Audio areas.
and
2) In our site's video or music sections, you may only add audio and video music material that is public domain or traditional, or if you are the songwriter. Please respect copyright laws and our site rules, by not posting songs or lyrics that are copyrighted by others. We are strict about this in order to protect our site from copyright infringement threats or lawsuits, and we try to support writers and composers rights. Not sure if that song is copyrighted? -here is our GROUP where you can ask if a song is public domain. 'Most' songs published before 1923 are now public domain, by the way.
Posting long excerpts of written material here that are copied from other people's books and articles is not allowed. Posting TAB arrangements of copyrighted songs is not allowed on FOTMD, whether it's your own tab or someone else's. Please do not post information here on how folks can obtain TABs of copyrighted songs from you- that makes FOTMD involved in the distribution of such material. Thanks for your cooperation! I should mention that just because you see a song posted on YouTube or other websites does not mean it is in the public domain and therefore is ok to post here. Many videos and other materials are in fact shared on those sites illegally.
Remember: All video or music files added to the sites video/audio sections via your profile page must include yourself playing or singing something, AND must consist of public domain (non-copyrighted) songs or your own composition. Videos promoting 3rd party sites, wares, or projects are not allowed.
SELLING/MERCHANDISING/PROMOTING:
The For Sale Forum - All members are welcome to use FOTMD's For Sale/Wanted Forum to sell, seek, or promote their music-related items. Listings in the For Sale forum must be for an actual currently existing item for sale (a CD or book, a specific single instrument , a music stand, photos of some specific dulcimer wood pieces for sale...) and the ad must include a PHOTO of the actual item being sold, and the price. In other words, no open-ended ongoing listings like "I make dulcimer stands", "I will make you a custom dulcimer", "I sell bowed psalteries", "Music lessons available", "Selling wood for building"... It needs to be the actual existing single item directly for sale, with the item's photo and price.
Please, no ads for Ebay or third party auctions. Seeking donations or funding for personal, charitable, or commercial reasons, or through links to sites such as Kickstarter, IndieGoGo, Patreon, or Crowdfunder projects, are not allowed. A maximum of TWO For Sale ads per member are allowed at any given time (but not for the same item), with no more than ONE instrument or large item per ad offered. Small items such as noters may be grouped up to five in an ad. To keep things current, an ad for an instrument will generally be deleted after about six months, while ads for non-instrument items and accessories such as CDs, books, jewelry, tote bags etc will be deleted after about four months. Please don't list the same item (such as a cd or tab book) repeatedly. If you would like to sell items more visibly or for a longer time period, please purchase a main page slideshow Showcase Ad, see below.
Listing an item for sale is free of charge, however- We do ask for a $5 site donation for any item or group of items listed in our For Sale forum once you have soldover $100 worth of item(s). If you sell a dulcimer for either $100 or $800, a simple $5 donation is asked. If you sell CDs or books or dulcimer straps totaling over $100 in sales, again only $5 is asked. This helps pay for our site! You can use the Main Page Paypal Donation buttons to make your donation when you sell merchandise for over $100. We use the honor system and ask that members please remember to do this when sales are made due to a connection in the For Sale Forum -thank you!
Please confine merchandising, personal or commercial product promotion, pricing, and selling information to the FOR SALE forum . Though pictures and descriptions of instruments and things you make are certainly allowed throughout the site, (we all love to see what creative folks are working on), ...but information on pricing or ordering, and merchandise/sale/product promotions are not allowed on member profile pages, comment walls, on forum threads, in videos, photos, groups, etc. Excessive hotlink posting to promote yourself, your sites, or other sites is not cool.
Using your 'Followers' list as a means to send private messages promoting yourself, your music, your websites, your business, or to send unsolicited offers to your group of Followers here is SPAM, and may result in suspension from this site. If you receive private message sales offerings, workshop/tour/lessons notices, or other promotional material in your Inbox from other members here, please report such incidents privately to FOTMD Administrators- either to me (Strumelia) or to any of our moderators. Thank you!
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To luthiers, teachers, pro musicians, etc- In your Profile Page Bio biography text box, you may provide ONE simple hot link to your commercial site, along with one or two photos and a simple one-paragraph description of what you do. Please don't promote your wares all over this site or turn your member profile page into a commercial marketing webpage for promoting what you sell. Don't use your profile page 'bio box' for placing ads or asking for funds. Keep in mind we are a social community , so don't use your membership here only for selling things or promoting your musical offerings. As part of this active dulcimer community you are also expected to regularly participate socially by interacting with and encouraging other members. We encourage members with interests in dulcimers or music.
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We have two areas for members to post their special events. See the top bar links drop-down menu under Events to choose the appropriate location to post your event:
Individual musicians, performers, and teachers are encouraged to post notices of their tour appearances, workshops, club activities, monthly jams, gigs, concerts...by listing their individual Events such as workshops in our: Single Instructor Events Forum .
FOTMDs main Festivals/Gatherings Events section is intended for larger venues featuring multiple teachers or performers- such as music festivals, campouts, free gatherings, and music camps. These larger participatory events are submitted by you from your profile page , and will they then await admin approval before appearing in the site calendar.
EXCESSIVE PERSONAL OR OFF TOPIC POSTING:
Occasionally posting or updating if you are facing a current crisis, illness, etc. is fine if you have not already posted in detail about it before. You should consider posting in our private "Prayer Requests/Hugs Needed" Group for some specific emotional or spiritual support. FOTMD is not the proper place for ongoing discussion of personal off topic subjects...including about one's life, illnesses, personal or emotional issues, or various problems.
Please don't post large numbers or series of off topic photos or files, ongoing blogging/journaling, or repeatedly posting links in order to steer FOTMD members to other sites, for whatever purpose or cause. This applies as well to any content posted on one's Member Profile page , which should be kept reasonable and appropriate to the site in both quantity and type of content .
Again, FOTMD is not a personal blogging site, a free advertising venue, Facebook, or Instagram, ...it's not to be used to promote other sites or causes. Topics debating or pushing politics and religion are not allowed.
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Please be aware that its never a good idea to publicly post phone numbers, addresses, or other personal identification information on public sites. Don't post personal info in your For Sale ad! instead, get on each others' Follower list and then use private messages to exchange such info. Certainly never post other peoples information.
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I ask all members of this site to please support the private nature of the private messaging and email system, and not publicly air or refer to things that have been written to you in private, for your own purposes. That's a basic matter of respectful behavior and is universally accepted online etiquette.
Thanks so much- our members make Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer what it is...Welcome, Friend!
updated by @strumelia: 11/08/24 05:01:29PM
Where's your favorite place to play?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Recently I've been playing most in my daughter's old bedroom which is now the computer room. I've got a music stand, and 3 of my instruments up there. The rest are downtairs in the living room that has an armless chair and music stand as well. I try to keep two books filled with the TAB I've finished and am currently playing on both levels.Tigger just sort of stares and goes back to sleep if he's around when I'm playing. I learned to play "Coorie Doon" by Matt McGinn just for Tigs. He has padded coorie doon spots all over the house.
Where's your favorite place to play?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Well, when we moved here to NC, we bought an old house with lots of rooms. Just off the living room is a sunroom/library where I've set up shop. It's out of the way, quiet, sunny, cheerful, musical, everything I could've asked for in a dulcimer hide-a-way. And, it's large enough that if someone wants to come over to play along, it'll hold maybe five dulcimer players at the same time... closely.
Where's your favorite place to play?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Suzanne,I vividly remember several teachers i had in kindergarten and first grade who sang and played and taught us songs and simple folk dances. Each teacher had their own kind of music to share in a unique way. I think it had a wonderful and profound effect on me as a person, so I wanted to let you know that many of your students will never forget the music you share with them. You are teaching them so much more than just a song!
Where's your favorite place to play?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I usually play in our living room where my little stool and stand are set-up but also love to play on our front porch or back deck when it's not too sunny. My very favorite place to play is with our group - we play in Lupton City - about 30 minutes from where I live. It's really neat to play outside when the weather is a little cooler and then it feels so neat amongst the trees and the birds, looking at the mountains. Sometimes, when we take our boat to a boat show, I will take my dulcimer, sit and just strum and play. People really do notice - they will stop and say what is that?.
Where's your favorite place to play?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Walter, the bowed psaltery sounds so haunting and celestial as it is- I can only imagine how beautiful it must sound in a resonant church setting. It must produce goose bumps...
Where's your favorite place to play?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
By myself, I like playing outdoors on our deck or in a park best! In bad weather, I like my family room. I like playing with other people too, but I like a lively jam in that case. One of the best I have ever been to was at a KMW jam with a group of several md players and one hd player together. We had no other instruments to drown us out! Teri
Where's your favorite place to play?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I play in my living room. It's just me and my doggie at home during the day. Don't play in front of people.Bill
Where's your favorite place to play?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I usually play in the living room, while my wife reads. Another place I like to play is on my porch. Every now and again my neighbor will say something good about what I'm playing. He's learning to play guitar.