Forum Activity for @ken-hulme

Some builders actually build-in a bowed back -- the idea that the curve acts as a kind of projector for the sound.

Joolsy,

You could try sanding the back flat if the bow is minor, or you could glue 3 feet on the back like they did in the old days.

Hi all.

I recently finished my walnut fokcraft teardrop dulcimer kit & have noticed a slight side to side rocking motion when placed on a flat surface. I think this may have happened because when I glued the sides to the back, they may not have been perfectly at 90 degrees, so when the fretboard/top was clamped on, it caused a slight width ways bow in the back. I'm wondering if it may eventually cause any problems later on, i.e. delaminnation or cause the neck to bow.

Other than the slight side to side rocking, I've checked the fretboard & with straight edge & winding sticks & it's all good.

Thanks for reading, any thoughts?

I’ve been looking at three string cigar box guitars and most seem to be tuned as GDG, or similar tuning.  Often played with a slide.  Check out  https://www.cigarboxguitar.com/knowledge-base/5565/

Sorry to hear this news. Condolences to Ruth's friends and family.

I am so sorry Patty....

Prayers for her family and friends........

May each one hold tight to the precious memories 🙏💕

I knew Ruth from several dulcimer events I attended. I enjoyed sharing music with her. We talked about her on another dulcimer site (probably one of the Facebook dulcimer pages). She is missed by many.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I met Ruth in '09 at Ken Bloom's Pilot Mountain Bowed Dulcimer fest.  She was generous, gracious, a prolific knitter, and all-around good gal!  Ken called her Saint Ruth for her work transcribing his chicken scratching on paper to music.  Ruth was a treasure. 

So sorry for your loss Patty......

Thanks Patty.  

I met Ruth over 20 yrs ago, she let me come and look at her Keith Young dulcimers before I ordered one from Keith.  She was very gracious.

Sad to know she's passed on.

Many may not know Ruth but I wanted to share that she went home to the Lord March 4th. She was very much a part of the Northern Virginia Dulcimer Group. I believe she was one of the founding members of that group. She knew Keith Young. She went to many workshops and some of you may have met her. She often gave dulcimer lessons at her home. She wrote a lot tab. We went to quite a few jam sessions together. I know she left a wonderful musical legacy to her sons. They sang at her memorial service. Ruth touched so many lives. She is already missed.

Hi Ken,

A couple posts back I stated that I had  purchased a second dulcimer. The maple backed pictures were posted at the beginning of this thread. I did notice that if your looking at pictures and start scrolling them, the forum will show all attached pictures from the entire thread. I thought that might be confusing!

Wmacky, you have purchased a beautiful instrument. Congrats. I saw it on ebay but did not pursue it.

I have purchased 5 dulcimers over the years which appeared that someone purchased, looked at, and put in a closet waiting for the "some day" when they would learn to play. But never did. One even had the pick and noter stick still sealed in a little envelope. So long as they have been stored where there is not extreme temps or humidity, one can find some good buys in this scenario. Usually the dulcimer will need new strings, and sometimes some care of the fretboard as frets will sometimes oxidize a bit over time.

I know you are looking forward to many years enjoying your dulcimers. It sounds like your DAD (dulcimer acquisition disorder) may be at bay for a while. Thankfully, that disorder is not harmful, unless it makes the spouse unhappy.

There are photos of two different instruments there... one with a walnut back, one showing a maple back with a thin walnut 'racing stripe'.  One with a maple fretboard, the other with a walnut fretboard.

Interesting marketing, that's for sure.  Personally, on the rare occasion that I hammer my MD I just use a wooden chopstick...

So, has anyone ever heard of or used a hammer specifically designed for the mountain dulcimer?  

https://easyplayinstruments.com/collections/mountain-dulcimer-accessories/products/hammers-for-mountain-dulcimer

Even better is that although it's 10 years old, he sold it as new / unplayed.  Never left it's case.......

Looks like it's maple top. sides, and fretboard, walnut back and scroll?

Look like this is missing the 6 1/2 fret, so now I have one of each fret layout.

 qq.jpg - 261KB

Yeah, I'd agree that's a special dulcimer! Congratulations!

Holy moley thats a beautiful instrument!!!!!!!!!!!

Outstanding!  I'd say you stole it!  Congratulations.

It's official. I'm out of control!  My first purchase won't arrive until tomorrow, and I have made my second purchase moments ago. I truly was in no rush, but then saw a nice special looking MD on eBay that looked like it was going to go cheap. It did! I'm no Dulcimer expert being a beginner, but I think I stole it  I hope no one here was bidding on it too?

Not much info on the "deceased" builder, but can tell from the construction that he must have been great.  Fred T Wellborn?

Paid $161 with a hard case.  Here's a quick peek! And yesy, more flamed maple.

 fm.jpg - 254KB

Welcome to the FOTMD community.  As you have already discovered, you will receive a warm welcome and friendly advice on this forum.  This community will continue to welcome your questions and suggestions, and we will do our best to make you keep coming back for more.

While I have no personal experience with your dulcimer maker, his dulcimers sure look sweet.  I'm sure your new dulcimer will serve you well and provide you with many hours of joy.  

Thanks so much for the warm welcome everyone. That's a breath of fresh air compared to some of the hobby forums I visit.  I have not received the dulcimer yet but the anticipation is great. I've been intriuged since first seeing one about 45 years ago on a episode of "The Walton's". My God, has it been 45 years?

Any way, thanks for not scolding. I know as a beginner, that was not the standard path. However I do appreciate finely crafted pieces using choice woods. I just had to have it. I made a offer that brought the price down to almost what a standard McSpadden goes for, and he accepted, so I jumped. I'm already thinking about another. I came here as a so so struggling guitar player. So I'm familiar with strumming. fretting, and musical concepts, but of coarse, know little about the dulcimer.

Ken, I'm going to read that article right now!   Do some of you that know of Richard, ever heard his dulcimers? Just curious which way the sound leans. Modern / traditional.... It doesn't much matter to me as which ever way it goes, I'll compliment it with another that leans the other way!

Welcome to our musical family.  Great purchase as a first instrument.  Here's  link to an article I wrote several years back for folks in your position

https://fotmd.com/strumelia/group_discuss/2316/ken-hulmes-i-just-got-a-dulcimer-now-what-article

The article is called I Just Got A Dulcimer, Now What?  It's an illustrated glossary of dulcimer terms, so we all talk the same jargon, plus answers to many beginner questions about tuning, playing, care and feeding of your new best friend.

Enjoy your journey -- you're in for a fabulous ride!

Yes, Richard builds some nice instruments!  If you're interested in hearing him, although not playing dulcimers, he and Tom Fellenbaum (another builder of wonderful dulcimers) are the alternating hosts of Celtic Winds on WNCW here in western North Carolina every Sunday from Noon-3pm Eastern.  You can listen live at wncw.org or through several apps.  They play some great music, and very occasionally you'll hear some dulcimer, too!

That sure is a pretty instrument-- happy strumming! 

Congratulations on your purchase. That is a beautiful dulcimer. I know you will enjoy it for a long time

That is a beautiful instrument. Enjoy and have fun playing it (which I am sure you will). Richard makes wonderful instruments.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

The answer is dependent upon the size of your fingers and hands.  In general, larger hands are more comfortable with a longer VSL and smaller hands are more comfortable with a  shorter VSL.  However, the space between strings can also be a factor.  If your fingers are long or fat/stubby, a longer VSL and a wider fingerboard and string spacing is more comfortable.  If your fingers are short or thin, the width of the fingerboard is less of a factor but you might find a shorter VSL more comfortable.

For the most part, assuming your hands and fingers are a good fit, switching back and forth with dulcimers having a difference in VSL does not usually cause a problem.  The left hand can usually adjust to the minor differences fairly easily.

That dulcimer looks like a keeper! Congratulations and enjoy!

Less sustain is not necessarily true. My 26" vsl models  tunes to dadd pitch two inches sooner than a 28" vsl so there is less tension on the strings allowing for sustain. There is a lot less chance for string breakage as well. ..Robert

That looks like a mighty fine instrument, @Wmacky.  Really beautiful.

Haha  Yes Beard!

Here are some pics.

 s-l1600 (2).jpg - 134KB

Congratulations, @Wmacky. I'm sure you'll make that dulcimer sing in no time.  Do you have any pictures to share?

(By the way, I think the name is Richard Beard , though I'm sure he eats bread every now and then. )