Forum Activity for @robin-thompson

How did you first discover the mountain dulcimer?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

When I was in fourth grade ('68-'69), a boy in my class brought a dulcimer to school that, I think, his dad had built. (If I remember correctly, the dad came that day, too, to show a muzzleloader that he'd also put together.) Kevin, my classmate, played with a noter to demonstrate the dulcimer for us.Fast-forward to 2005. I made a trip to Gary Sager's Prussia Valley Music Shop and, at the time, was primarily interested in the autoharp. Gary wasn't in the shop when I was there but I looked around; the idea of maybe getting a dulcimer/banjo hybrid got in my head. I started exploring on the internet, joined ED and read up on all things dulcimer and decided to buy a mountain dulcimer. Over time, I moved from liking mountain dulcimer to loving mountain dulcimer.

How did you first discover the mountain dulcimer?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I found the dulcimer through our long standing participation in 4H. We would always go to the fair with the 4Hers and every year there would be dulcimer players in a booth promoting the dulcimer. I would always wonder off and when the family could not find me they would look for the dulcimer people and yup that is where I would be. After many years of watching and listening I took the leap and bought a dulcimer. After buying I found a local group to play with. They ended up disbanding and pointed me in the direction of a group I have been playing with for several years. Two of the dulcimer players in this group also taught dulcimer so I ended up taking a beginning dulcimer class with them. I have now advanced to local jams and festivals. I find the dulcimer very rewarding and I have now converted my wife who is also playing the dulcimer!

How did you first discover the mountain dulcimer?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Built one for my brother, came home built one for myself. Trying to learn, easily frustrated, hard to learn by self. Went to a class in North Carolina built one with John Huron. Now i have 2 and still not make much music with them. The Internet is nice, like someone said in my other post, [Sherry] i just have to make a commitment and do it.Bill

How did you first discover the mountain dulcimer?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Tell us your story of how you stumbled upon the dulcimer and got started playing...
updated by @strumelia: 02/10/25 04:16:30AM

my Mize dulcimer

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

ff,I miss the Mize a tiny bit; the greatest part of me is happy about the dulcimer finding a new home.Robin

my Mize dulcimer

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

I'm glad it gone to someone who can enjoy it, wooden pegs and all. However, if it had been me and I loved the sound of the instrument, I would have changed the tuners. I know, I know, I'm a Philistine ;-) but unless an instrument has great historical value and belongs in a museum, I'd want to be able to play it.

my Mize dulcimer

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

Shas,It is a beauty and those gorgeous pegs are a part of it. I'm glad Greg is the new owner and hope he gets to enjoy it for a loooooong time! :-)Robin

my Mize dulcimer

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

Barbara,Greg R owns this beauty now and I think he likes it!Robin

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

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:

I consider myself it's permanent owner as I do not plan on passing it on to another "custodian".

Are you planning on outliving the dulcimer? ;)

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

Here are a couple of close-up photos of the peghead and upper bout. Later, I'll give a go at getting a good shot of the whole dulcimer. (I'm having trouble figuring out iPhoto & my camera, so my apologies for not having better photos to show at the moment.)

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

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updated by @strumelia: 11/08/24 05:01:29PM