Forum Activity for @dusty

Dusty Turtle
@dusty
03/10/25 11:14:19PM
1,873 posts

Scale length


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Sustain.  I think longer VSLs have more sustain than shorter ones.

Remember that modern instruments often have much larger boxes than do traditional instruments, so some of the generalizations here may not accurately describe the difference between a traditional instrument with a long VSL and a modern instrument with a shorter one.

John C. Knopf
@john-c-knopf
03/10/25 10:39:49PM
453 posts

Scale length


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Dulcimore Dan is an I.D. Stamper fan!   I.D. used those long, jangly, low-pitched strings on his dulcimers.

Dan
@dan
03/10/25 09:45:10PM
210 posts

Scale length


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

If you tune a 26 inch and 29 inch Dulcimore the same, the longer scale will have more tension and usually have a little better "punch" to it. I also prefer the longer scales, 36 inch is my favorite!

Nate
@nate
03/10/25 09:16:18PM
446 posts

Scale length


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

One thing to note is that a longer scale length/VSL usually means a physically larger instrument, which can affect tone and volume.

This is just an observation and I might be wrong about this, but to me, when tuned to the same note with the same tension, thinner longer strings seem to have a fuller tone than thicker, shorter strings.

tonyg
@tonyg
03/10/25 08:51:23PM
14 posts

Scale length


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I know the trend has been toward shorter scale lengths, which I suppose makes sense for chord melody style, but being a drone player, I prefer a longer scale length which for some reason sounds better to my ear.  But I was wondering what the reason is, and basically,  how does scale length affect the sound of a dulcimer?

s11141827
@s11141827
03/09/25 10:43:25PM
20 posts

Chromatic Dulcimer Jazz


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I found a book called "Speakeasy And Tin Pan Alley Tunes For Chromatic Dulcimer" by Dana Gruber which works great when playing Jazz on a Chromatic Dulcimer. Mine is a Folkcraft Lap-Jo (Chromatic 4 strings with Doubled Melody String in DAD Tuning & the 23 inch scale using Jumbo Frets in Stainless Steel) so I can get a splash of Dixieland Jazz thrown into my Jazz Dulcimer playing.
Chromatic Dulcimer Jazz.png Chromatic Dulcimer Jazz.png - 549KB
s11141827
@s11141827
03/09/25 09:48:59PM
20 posts

McSpadden v. Folkcraft?


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

I find the folkcrafts more versatile because they come in more varieties like resonator (I hope the Resonator dulcimers have the option of 4 strings with both double melody & 4 equidistant strings in the future)

s11141827
@s11141827
03/09/25 08:58:56PM
20 posts

Reasons NOT To Get a Chromatic


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

Chromatic Dulcimers started out as Diatonics but they added extra frets (0.5, 1.5, 3.5, 4.5, 6.5). The original Chromatic Dulcimer was a Diatonic Dulcimer that was converted historically speaking.

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
03/09/25 12:13:13PM
1,357 posts

Mr Moses Scrivner


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

For anyone interested the the Scrivner dulcimer that David Schnaufer played here is a video about it.

 

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."


updated by @ken-longfield: 03/09/25 12:16:15PM
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
03/09/25 12:07:11PM
1,357 posts

Mr Moses Scrivner


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Even though you posted the wrong profile, I enjoyed reading it. Thanks for sharing.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/09/25 08:14:10AM
1,569 posts

Mr Moses Scrivner


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I enjoyed the profile.  Though David Schnaufer is gone, Vince Farsetta is still making music.  

Lilley Pad
@lilley-pad
03/09/25 07:01:28AM
81 posts

Mr Moses Scrivner


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Looks like I pasted the wrong link SORRY but still some interesting info. about Vince Farsetta & David Schnaufer.

Lilley Pad
@lilley-pad
03/08/25 07:16:19PM
81 posts

Mr Moses Scrivner


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Well kids I hope everybody's doing well just thought I'd pass along this link For those who are interested  https://dulcinews.com/profile-vincent-farsetta/

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/07/25 09:42:10AM
1,569 posts

A Question about dulcimer popularity...


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I saw a longer part of Amanda's interview and she took up mountain dulcimer during the pandemic.  The dulcimer she's playing wasn't hers but was pulled out by Jimmy Fallon and it surprised her.  She said she was nervous yet dove right into California.  

Dusty Turtle
@dusty
03/07/25 01:35:47AM
1,873 posts

A Question about dulcimer popularity...


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Just what we need to get the kids interested!

I have to admit I didn't expect such a strong voice from Amanda.

StudentofRhythm
@studentofrhythm
03/05/25 11:15:42PM
20 posts

Introduce Yourself!


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Damon:

Oh, I love "Four Organs"!


 


I've been listening to Steve Reich for over 20 years.  Recently I did a piece with lyre and psaltery inspired by his earlier work, particularly Violin/Electric Guitar Phase and Drumming:


https://trebizond.bandcamp.com/track/lake-evendim

s11141827
@s11141827
03/05/25 11:40:58AM
20 posts

Shortest scale length to help with playing on 4 strings


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

Strumelia:

With a 23" scale, you'd have to use somewhat heavy strings to keep the DAd tuning from being too floppy (especially for the middle A string). What gauge strings did you put on it for that tuning?

 

I used just regular Folkcraft Roller Wound Strings, .011, .011, .013, .024RW & I had no problems at all. They're very gentle underneath the fingers.

robert schuler
@robert-schuler
03/05/25 11:37:17AM
258 posts

Shortest scale length to help with playing on 4 strings


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

The shortest scale dulcimer I make is 24". I use 12 12 14 22 strings without any problems. The nice thing about short scale dulcimers is tuning to pitches much higher then Dad...Robert 

John Pettreemusic
@john-petry
03/05/25 11:32:09AM
94 posts

A Question about dulcimer popularity...


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Gett'n ready for the revival..........

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
03/04/25 11:43:49PM
1,357 posts

Shortest scale length to help with playing on 4 strings


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

If you want to go to lighter strings on a 23 inch VSL, I suggest 0.011 for the melody strings, a 0.015 for the middle, and 0.023 for the bass. You could always try going down once size on each string to see if it is too floppy. For the most part, experimentation is what you need to find the right strings for you and your dulcimer.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Strumelia
@strumelia
03/04/25 09:27:32PM
2,422 posts

Shortest scale length to help with playing on 4 strings


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

With a 23" scale, you'd have to use somewhat heavy strings to keep the DAd tuning from being too floppy (especially for the middle A string). What gauge strings did you put on it for that tuning?

s11141827
@s11141827
03/04/25 07:49:10PM
20 posts

Shortest scale length to help with playing on 4 strings


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

I have a 4 string Chromatic Mountain Dulcimer in DAD Tuning with the Doubled Melody String (the bridge & nut are cut to also allow for 4 equidistant strings) & what I did rather cleverly here was to use a 23 inch scale length (the shortest scale length) which keeps the tension of the strings down. A really short scale length makes the strings more flexible and easier to play.


updated by @s11141827: 03/04/25 07:49:28PM
paula
@paula
03/02/25 04:18:02PM
20 posts

Chet Hines “dulcimore”


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

Ken, that’s wonderful. What a great article! I’ll be sure to contact Ron and see if he can give me any more information. I’m starting to feel I have a real treasure with this dulcimer. 

paula
@paula
03/02/25 02:26:17PM
20 posts

Chet Hines “dulcimore”


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

So Steve, I see a picture of that on The Mountain Dulcimer Lore FB page. Very nice!

paula
@paula
03/02/25 02:08:33PM
20 posts

Chet Hines “dulcimore”


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

Wow, thanks Steve! I’m really excited to actually lay hands on the dulcimer. From the looks of the photos I’ve got, I think it had been strung equidistantly.

cheers,

paula

cairney
@steve-c
03/02/25 01:46:39PM
99 posts

Chet Hines “dulcimore”


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

I would guess your instrument is from the 1960's the lack of an area code on the card might indicate that.

cairney
@steve-c
03/02/25 01:44:08PM
99 posts

Chet Hines “dulcimore”


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

Paula, I am a member of the Mountain Dulcimer Society of Dayton so don't be surprised if they refer you to me.  I own Chet's Hogfiddle pictured in Jean Ritchies Dulcimer People book.  Ron will be the best resource for you though, as he worked on many instruments with Chet.  There is an article in an old Dulcimer Player News about Ron and he recounts those years with Chet.  

Chet also appeared on the Grand Ole Opry and gifted a dulcimer to Roy Acuff.  

Strumelia
@strumelia
03/02/25 11:38:32AM
2,422 posts

Chet Hines “dulcimore”


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

cairney:

I have photos but can’t seem to figure out how to post them here.


 

Try looking at these threads... (it depends on if you are trying to add a photo to a discussion post, or to your profile gallery):


https://fotmd.com/forums/forum/site-questions-how-do-i

paula
@paula
03/02/25 11:37:32AM
20 posts

Chet Hines “dulcimore”


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

It looks like to Mountain Dulcimore Society was founded in 1965 I assume the card included in the case with my dulcimer would date my dulcimer to being from sometime around that. I’m not sure at what point the MDS changed their name. So I at least have a broad range of between say 1964 and his death in 1977. 


updated by @paula: 03/02/25 11:39:09AM
paula
@paula
03/02/25 11:29:11AM
20 posts

Chet Hines “dulcimore”


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

Wow. So young. Thank you so much Steve for this additional information. I’ll be curious to see if I can determine a date for my dulcimer. I’ve reached out to the dulcimer society of Dayton (the current iteration of the Mountain Dulcimore Society) to see if they have any additional information but I haven’t heard back yet. 

(I’d try to help you with posting pictures but I’m clearly doing something wrong regarding size)

cairney
@steve-c
03/02/25 10:52:56AM
99 posts

Chet Hines “dulcimore”


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

I have photos but can’t seem to figure out how to post them here.

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