Forum Activity for @john-petry

Better now I hope...

Oops

Truly do appreciate your comments....I agree those mechanical pegs are nice...but at over a hundred bucks a pop...

Well that's not gonna happen. 

Thank you one and all.

If the dulcimers are "revival" instruments, mainly post 1950, I don't see any problem in modifying it. I would look to be able to undo the modification if necessary. I have a very early Folkcraft dulcimer (1962) but don't value as much my 1931 James Edward Thomas dulcimer. I think instruments made by individuals should be valued more than instruments built in group shop. Having said all that, you run a business. Do what you think is necessary to move your inventory. You are not keeping them as an investment. And anyone who thinks of owning a mountain dulcimer as an investment probably is kidding themselves.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I  understand the hesitation to  "cut up" a wonderful historical instrument. It does seem a shame. And like John says, the violin looking mechanical pegs look fairly authentic and are easier for old hands to tune. I have had to go to those due to some severe degenerative arthritis in my thumbs.

I guess it comes down to how valuable the instrument may be one day to donate to a museum for its place in history or whether to make it "playable" for the present and sacrifice some of its historicity.

John (good name), you have many options from which to choose. 

The most popular option with my customers is to replace the wooden tuners with either "Perfection pegs" by Knilling or Pegheds, which are a similar product.  Both of these mimic ebony violin pegs, but have secret mechanical guts in them which allow for very smooth and very accurate tuning.  They can seem expensive at first, but I hear that they save a LOT of tuning headaches for regular players.  Those with arthritis and other hand issues LOVE them!  And they look like wood pegs.

Machine tuners work well, but I think they are a "visual jar" to the smooth historic lines of a fine dulcimer.

Need to pick some brains, get some opinions...

 Seems I get quite a few older, 70's 80's era instruments that are quite nicely put together, except for the fact that they have wood pegs for tuners. I appreciate the craftsmanship, and history,  but if no one will buy them, they are relegated to be discounted wall hangers.  Most players that visit my booth at shows distain pegs, in part due to older hands....

  Sawing off the pegs (as plugs for the holes) and installing machine tuners seems the way to go. 

  But I don't want to "cut up" history either.....

What say you all???

From a web search:

Where to buy pure, 200-proof food grade ethanol in California?

Buying 200 proof food grade ethanol in California is quick and easy from CulinarySolvent.com .  Use the links below to browse, no permit required to ship to California residents or businesses via FedEx Ground or UPS Ground .

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The vendor is a distillery in Maine. Probably expensive shipping for a pint of vodka.

My favorite is French polish and it is best done with pure grain alcohol. The denatured has garbage added to discourage human consumption and isn't that good for fine finishes. It can be had on Amazon...you did say best and not the cheapest.

Ethanol

I agree completely with Ken. When I build a modern dulcimer, I tend to use spray semi-gloss clear lacquer such as Deft. It's fast-drying, smooth-coating, and looks fine to me once it's knocked down with steel wool, waxed and buffed.

For historical reproductions, which I'm known for now, I try to replicate the finish that was used by the original builder.  This would include (amber) shellac, flat black milk paint, oil or whatever else I can determine that they used back then.

Great question!

When I first started making dulcimers I used violin varnish as that was what my teacher used since he was a violin maker. I think I made three or four dulcimers with this finish and started looking for something easier and less labor intensive. I tried both brush on and wipe on polyurethane finishes, but did not like the look of them. For most of the rest of time building dulcimers I used a spray on lacquer finish. Once I got in to making reproductions I started using oil and shellac finishes. I've also used milk paint. Now, to answer your question, I don't think any of the are the best finish. It just depends on what you are trying to achieve. I think for the end user a lacquer finish is the easiest to care for finish. It cleans and polishes well and looks good plus it can be satin, semi-gloss, or gloss so you can go from understated to flashy.

You can't buy denatured alcohol (labeled as such) here in Pennsylvania either, but you can buy denatured alcohol as fuel for alcohol stoves.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Hello everybody, just Jon Lilley here again.  With another dumb question this question is to those who are Luthier out there builders. What is your personal opinion? What do you think is the best finish for instruments? varnish, lacquer,  or French polishing. And why? 

Don't let the fact that here in California. Our wonderful politicians have decided to make French polishing indirectly illegal.  We no longer can get denatured alcohol here it's illegal

Thanks again for your opinions and feedback 

A "fret rocker" can be any straight edge which spans 3 frets, but not 4. The "special tools" sold for the purpose are metal plates with 4 sides of different lengths, but you can use 4 or more separate objects as well.

If you explore the guitar makers' websites you will find suggestions that a credit card, small machinist's square or "ruler", etc. are suitable for different places along the fretboard. They don't have to be metal.

You can refine a straight edge by putting fine sandpaper on a mirror and sliding the edge back and forth along it.

Stewmac sells a tool called a fret rocker.  The idea is that you slid this tool along the frets.  If the tool sits flat all the fret are at the same height and life is good.  If the tool rocks a bit, you have found a fret that is higher than the other frets.  This tool works well on the higher frets, but not as well when you get below the five fret.  Has anyone found a tool that has the same rocking motion below the five fret?  (The three fret doesn't count.)

I talked with Doug Naselroad the other day and he hopes to be able to have the Homecoming in November 0f 2026. I think the dates he mentioned to me are Nov. 5, 6, and 7. It still depends upon receiving some funding to make this possible. If it happens I plan to be in Hindman for it.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Okay HDH fans, let's all consider contributing what we can to make sure this great time is possible for next year. I look forward to it every year and am so sad it isn't happening in 2026.

Dusty, thanks for your helpful reply.  I went to my local office supply store and bought a webcam.  While there I looked at the Blue Yeti mic.  I will buy that in a week or two.  Can't wait to start noodling around with this stuff. Should be fun!  I'm sorry I put my question re tech stuff in the wrong place.But I did get more helpful info directly from you.  Thanks again!

The mystery continues . . .

A friend called Corky Wolf (in the second video) and she says it's called "Rocking My Baby Through The Sugarcane."

You're welcome, Dusty. The Road to Recovery is an excellent program for recovering addicts. Not everyone stays at the Stringed Instrument Company. Some go on to further education and other jobs. I spoke with one of them last year who now has a Masters degree and is teaching at a community college. He continues to come back to speak with employees encouraging them to keep working in the program. Some stay on and become permanent employees at Troublesome Creek. Doug said the recidivism rate among Road to Recovery is very low. He did tell me the number but I can remember it. I do all I can to support Road to Recovery.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Thanks for sharing this, Ken.  The last time I saw a video on Troublesome Creek Instruments it was immediately after the flood.  When companies embrace their workers as whole human beings instead of beasts of burden, remarkable things happen.

What an excellent update on the work going on in Hindman!  Now folks everywhere can see what's really happening in the factory with these workers in recovery.  Doug has started a meaningful enterprise, with world-class musical instruments being made and lives being changed.

Thanks for sharing this wonderful PBS News Hour segment on the Troublesome Creek Stringed Instrument Company!  The folks there on the bank of Troublesome are doing wonderful work!  

Also, I hope it comes to pass that the 2026 installment of the Hindman Dulcimer Homecoming will take place! 

Last night (4/6/26) PBS News Hour featured The Road to Recovery program and the Troublesome Creek Stringed Instrument Company in its final segment of the broadcast. I thought they did a good job. Here is a link to the video: Rebuilding I hope you enjoy it. I spoke with Doug Naselroad shortly after the segment aired and he told me he hopes to hold the 2026 Hindman Dulcimer Homecoming the 5th, 6th, & 7th of November if funding for it comes through.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

@david-bennett, I tabbed out Corky Wolf's version.  Send me a personal message with your email or contact me at www.rivercitydulcimers.com and I'll share it with you.

David, there was a banjo player from Arkansas named Carlos "Bookmiller" Shannon.  Alan Lomax recorded some of his tunes in the late 1950s.

My guess is that someone learned a tune from Bookmiller but couldn't remember the name and just started calling it "Bookmiller's Tune" or something like that.

I just looked on Spotify and the only tune by Bookmiller Shannon is "Eighth of January."  But those Lomax recordings must be around somewhere. Maybe there's some other stuff, too.

P.S.  I could probably tab it out based on the recordings, but I won't be able to get to it for a couple of days.

Here's someone else playing the same tune

Do any of you know a dulcimer song by the name of Book Miller's Song or Bookmiller's Tune?
I am looking for a friend who first heard it at a jam in Mountain View, Arkansas several years ago. He is wanting to know the background/history of the tune and where to get the tabs.

I did find this on YouTube "Bookmiller's Tune" which my friend is the song he is looking for:

This may or may not be the same tune, I can't tell because I can't get the volume loud enough to hear
https://soundcloud.com/omareastwind/bookmiller-39-s-tune

Any info would be appreciated.

Hi @maddie-myers.  I hope you're doing well.  I'm sure "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" would sound great in fingerstyle arrangement.

To get a more complete answer about microphones and cameras, you might want to join the Technology/Software/Amplifying group and pose your question there.

Yes, I think the first USB mic I ever bought was a Samson Go mic. Back then they cost about $40.  Now they are almost twice that.  They are really small and portable and have much better sound than any mic built into your computer or webcam.  Nowadays I use a Blue Yeti USB mic, which cost about $100 and is much bigger than the Samson Go. But I think the sound quality is better as well. It seems simple, but what I like most about it is that it has a big volume knob right on the front, and if you push it, it mutes you, with a noticeable red circle indicating that it's muted.  Pretty idiot-proof.

Those are only the microphones I've used, but there are lots out there.

I use several Logitech webcams, including a C920S Pro, a C925e, and a StreamCam Plus.  They are all several years old, so there might be newer models around with faster speeds.  They all produce very clear images and all have built-in microphones.  The microphones are very good for a work meeting, but not so hot for recording music.  My only advice about webcams is to make sure you get a lens cover.  Being able to glance up and know for certain that no one can see you is invaluable!

Hi, Dusty - greetings from SW Western Australia.  Been a long time. I'm working on "You Don't Bring Me Flowers," finger style.  It's kind of a funny choice because my wonderful other half brings me flowers often, but I do love the song, anyway!  Not sure, but I may still be the only mountain dulcimer player in Western Australia.   It's a lonely road. Your 'Moon Shadow' sounds good.  I don't think I would have thought to try that on dulcimer, but you make it work.  Onya!!  I have a probably unrelated reason for writing.  I looked at a post you made with Anne Bowman like 10 years ago about microphones.  My old computer has neither a camera nor a mike.  I want to join in on the many dulcimer social sites but can't record or film myself because I don't know how or have the equipment.  You recommended a Samson something-or -other mike, but from 10 years ago, surely there are improvements? Can you tell me what you use these days?  Also, what about a camera?  Any and all help would be much appreciated.  Thanks in anticipation.  

Beautiful McSpadden 4FHWR hourglass mountain dulcimer (4-string), made in 2016.

This is a high-quality, all-solid wood instrument with walnut back/sides and a redwood top. Features a pretty "skunk stripe" (that's what I call it) on the back where the walnut sapwood meets at the join—see picture.

Condition is never played (displayed only), extremely clean. A few slight marks of wear. Call it Ex+ or Ex++. I included two pictures that show the worst blemish, first the area of the top where the blemish is, to the left of the heart on the left; and then a picture that shows a closeup with a flashlight held at an angle. I could not get it to show up any better than that.

Includes original soft gig bag, navy blue with embroidered logo. Will be carefully packed. Shipping to U.S. only please. It may take me a few days to ready it for shipping as I do not yet have a box large enough. I will tell you the whole cost including shipping before you pay.

These currently sell new for around $545. Asking $425 plus shipping. Offers welcome. 

Happy to answer questions or provide additional photos.

Mike

Western New York State

 dulcimer-12-p-2.png - 817KB

Nice, Dusty-- I like "Moonshadow"! 

Have a blessed Easter to everyone from the ShopDad house hold as well.

Noodling around this morning, I found the entire melody for Cat Stevens's "Moonshadow."  The only non-diatonic melody note is a G#, which we get on the middle string at the 6+ fret.  It took a while to arrange this one, partly because the rhythm is a lot more complicated than it seems.   There is just a lot of syncopation.

For example, here is the beginning of the part of the song that goes "If I ever lose my hands."  Note that after the first note come 6 straight notes that all begin on the offbeat (meaning the "and" if we count "1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and").

I could have written them all as quarter notes (or a dotted quarter for the last one), but to make the off-beat rhythm clearer, I used tied eighth notes.

This was a nice project for a Saturday. And I still got the front lawn mowed!

Happy Easter to you as well Richard. 

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Happy Easter to all our friends on Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2SpunacfFU

I play the dulcimer by stringing it with 3 strings, and reversing the strings on both sides of the middle a string. Meaning I put the wound D string where the treble d string usually goes, and I put the d treble string where the wound D string usually goes. I play with my thumb and fingers and it makes sense to play the 2 unwound melody strings with my fingers and the would bass string with my thumb, Setting up the stringing this way makes my playing style way easier. I also string a classical guitar with only 3 nylon strings and play it like I play my dulcimer on my lap ---- it produces a rich warm tone.

Thought some might enjoy this video by Joshua Messick.

https://youtu.be/Y0587mo-Jqs?si=6WR1zznZhouJuY6R

Really nice John! Blessings and happy Easter!