Forum Activity for @mandy

, I've caught it bad too. So I'll dream of new dulcimers until the day comes when I can get one.

Cool thanks Geekling. Hey that's my dulcimer too (bought from elderly). the model 58 deluxe, I like it. I'm super bad about bashing things into other things and breaking stuff (but at least my hubby is too). It's not that we're careless I just think we are both driven (yeah that's a nice word) and want to mess with something until it breaks. Hahah. I have dings a few dings already in my new dulcimer from dropping stuff on it or banging it. I'm super careful about my $$ banjo, so I don't mess with it as much. I'd rather get the play-time out of it and not worry about dripping a drop of water from my drink or anything else on it.

Glad to hear that everyone thinks this will work well.

oh, ok. Sorry. My bad that I didn't check out the size of her dulcimer.

Thats a nice gigbag for larger dulcimers. My FolkRoots fits in it really well. But, based on Mandy's dulcimer measurements, I think it would be a bit large. My McSpadden would be swimming in it. But for folks who need a larger gigbag, it's a great gigbag. I got mine last year at the Midland Dulcimer Festival at a great price.

Jim Fawcett said:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/For-full-sized-Deluxe-Dulcimer-Gig-Bag-carr... here's a link to a bag like I have Mandy. It has shoulder straps like you want. I got one like it with the dulcimer I just bought. I just ordered another for my other dulcimer.

Hahahahah!!! That's great! They've actually raided my wallet quite a few times as well. I like dealing with them. Bought my first banjo through them, and most recently my first dulcimer through them as well. Thanks for getting them to stock it, made my day with their reasonable shipping charges. I've had great service through them each time I've bought something.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/For-full-sized-Deluxe-Dulcimer-Gig-Bag-carry-case-/110793410439?pt=String_Instrument_Parts_Accessories&hash=item19cbcd4787#ht_3380wt_1037 here's a link to a bag like I have Mandy. It has shoulder straps like you want. I got one like it with the dulcimer I just bought. I just ordered another for my other dulcimer.

To be honest with you, Elderlys wasn't carrying the Mc Spadden gigbag as a seperate item until I needed one a couple years ago. I talked to their dulcimer buyer and asked him if he would get me one. He said sure, and decided that it should be a regularly stocked accessory. They know me way too well at Elderly. They have freed me of alot of my money over the last nearly 40 years. They are my "candy store".

Elderlys is my store here in MI. Been going there since 1974. They have great prices and service. Can't go wrong there. Glad to hear you'll be all set to ride and play.

Now Barbara! You are trying to get me into trouble. I can hardly scrape up enough for a bag let alone a new dulcimer. Haha.

FYI - Mcspadden wants $40.00 for the case and $25 for shipping??????? That's insane IMO. The thing is a soft case and weighs nothing. Elderly has it for $40 plus like $8 bucks for shipping, at least they are reasonable.

Just talked to my wonderful hubby at lunch and he said to go ahead and get it for mother's day!! Yippie.

Hey Barbara, thanks for measuring it for me!! I'm gonna get one!

You all have been such a great help. I probably would have ended up with something crazy if not for you all.

I'm thinking the McSpadden might still work ok. 1/2" probably won't matter. Since the gigbags are softsided, they give a little. If you were to order one, I'd see what their return policy is from where you are getting it, just to be sure. My larger one would be much too big for what you need. I don't know much about the Applecreek gigbags, but I still think for riding a bike, where you don't want something shifting around on your back, the backpack straps would work better. There would be no shifting around. You don't want your mind on keeping the dulcimer on the right spot on your back, you want your mind on the road, when you are riding. Just my opinion, though.

I just found the navy Mcspadden one but it says it won't fit my dulcimer. Mine is a half inch wider than what it will fit.

My dulcimer measures 32 1/2 by 7 1/2 and that would be a tight fit.

Do ya'll think this one might work? It doesn't look like it's got the backpack straps but it looks like it's got a long strap to go around and I could cinch it up so it's almost vertical. I may have to wait until I can get a better one, short on cash until I can craigslist some more stuff, LOL.

Susie , thanks for the pic that really shows it. I'm hoping something like that will do the trick.

Ken - when i said messenger bag style I meant diagonally on the back. that sounds great, I'm gonna see what I can find.

I wonder if I can get one in cool colors though too. Thanks for the help ya'll.

Susie,

That's awesome! We used to ride almost every day. We had a 30 mile loop that we did with several good hills in it and one huge climb in it. Here's a quick pic to give you an idea of the grade, it's the mens portion of the race held there annually. It was like a block from where I worked, so my husband would come with the bikes when I got off and I'd change and we'd hit it with some other riders all the time. Man I was in serious shape then, now UGGGHHH.

We did that all the time and went down the road to the Gaps in Georgia. Did a century ride in Tn. called the 3 State 3 Mountain challenge. Couple half centuries too. Mtn. biked Tsali a ton (the views are amazing). I miss cycling. Had a sweet full carbon Titus Oseo bike with full Campy Record on it too. Since we had our daughter we stopped riding. Now that she's 5, we can ride some, so we are excited about riding again.

Susie said:

Mandy,

Yes, my husband and I ride. We've ridden DALMAC, 6 times, which is a 5 day ride from Lansing, MI to the Mackinac Bridge (connects the two peninsulas of MI). It's about 350 miles. When we get to the bridge, we are escorted across the bridge by the MB Authority. It's really cool. We've done several other rides here in MI. It's good exercise and you get to see the sights that you don't see and appreciate in a car. Glad to see you are getting excited about riding. Nice thing is, you can ride however and wherever you want.....it's your choice. Taking the dulcimer along for the ride is a great idea. It's not a heavy instrument, so it would work well for that.

Vertical is the best way to carry a dulcimer, IMHO. The head will stick up above yours, and that's OK. Slung 'messenger bag' style it'll be banging into everything. Slung diagonally across your back - 'quiver style' is OK too, but to me vertical is best.

I don't own a car anymore; where I live I can bike to almost everything I need. I ride my bike with my Bag Lady double Dulcimer bag (with backpack straps) all the time. The bottom end hangs down a bit (but not as far as the back fender) and the top is over my head.

Mandy, Here's a picture I found showing how the McSpadden case lays on your back, with the two backpack straps. Its from the Evart Dulcimer Festival (my sister andme on our way to class). Hope this helps you see how it works.

Mandy,

Yes, my husband and I ride. We've ridden DALMAC, 6 times, which is a 5 day ride from Lansing, MI to the Mackinac Bridge (connects the two peninsulas of MI). It's about 350 miles. When we get to the bridge, we are escorted across the bridge by the MB Authority. It's really cool. We've done several other rides here in MI. It's good exercise and you get to see the sights that you don't see and appreciate in a car. Glad to see you are getting excited about riding. Nice thing is, you can ride however and wherever you want.....it's your choice. Taking the dulcimer along for the ride is a great idea. It's not a heavy instrument, so it would work well for that.

Hey Susie,

I didn't realize they had good straps. I've never seen one up close, LOL. I was really looking for something with a messenger type strap, but the backpacker straps sound good. I guess I see my dulcimer as larger than it really is because I would have thought that having it vertical wouldn't work. Haha.

I would prefer to have something I've made or something homemade over that, but I'll probably end up with that.

So you ride? Ummm I may need to talk bikes with you. I used to really ride (mtn and road) but that was awhile back before my daughter came along. I love talking bikes! Thanks for your idea, I'm going to go look at them.

Mandy, why wouldn't a typical gigbag work, like Ken suggested? I have two different gigbags, one is a McSpadden and the other is a bit larger for my FolkRoots dulcimer (it's not a Folkcraft brand, its universal). Both have backpack straps which are adjustable. You can put it over both shoulders alowing the dulcimer to be positioned vertically on the center of your back. They are very comfortable. The bags are nicely padded, too, to allow for decent protection of your dulcimer. For your purpose (riding on a bike), I really think it would work great. I'm a long distance bike rider, so I know the position you'd be in. Knowing how these gigbags work and feel, I think you should give it a try.

Great idea SAM!! Oooh I gotta go look in the garage and see what we got. Cool!

Swipe the bag from one of those folding lawn chairs. 'bout the right size, has a draw string closer, shoulder strap, HEAVY rip stop nylon ... AMAZING colors (if you look). Works good, I'm using one for a dulcimer I take with me sometimes. The one I have is in electric lilac ... a bit feminine but really bright and cheery.

Ken - good idea about the sweatpants, that would get me started anyway. Thanks!

We call them Gig Bags. Sort of like a quiver for your dulcimer. Unpadded or lightly padded. Some sort of top closure. Some sort of strap. Simple one you can make until you find one you like: Start with a pair of old sweatpants with long legs. Cut off one leg, and sew the ankle shut. Punch holes and make a draw string closure for the top. Add a strap. Yer good to go.

Dennis Waldrop's wife Elaine makes nice ones for $30. Here's the discussion:

http://mountaindulcimer.ning.com/forum/topics/question-to-my-fellow-dulcimer-friends-about-bags

Cool Phil, thanks for asking her.

My wife is a retired sithcher used to make rain wear. Now she a full time quilter. Let me talk to her and see if she has any Ideals. IN the past she has made case for my Flutes. maybe she can take the same Ideal an apple it to a dulcimer. Don't be afraid to PM if I forget to get back with you.

Ok so I want to ride my bike on the local rail to trail and bring my dulcimer. Thing is I have no strap or case. I want something that I can strap around me like a messenger bag only it be a dulcibag. I want an adjustable strap so I can tighten and loosen, and I want something like thick canvas in case it rains I'll have a bit of protection until I can get to cover. To top it off it's gotta look cool. Any solutions anyone? Something I can either make myself or get on the cheap is preferred of course. Haha. I haven't really seen anything like this out there but maybe I missed it. Regular canvas carrying cases won't do because it almost needs to cradle my dulci like a baby. I don't want it bouncing around on the rides either. I don't have a sewing machine or I'd already try and make something.

Robin my cousin and her husband own the Lee's in Mt Sterling and it is alway nice, clean and good. We eat there alot I like it better than KFC.

Mandy go back and read my first Blog about the 1st Redneck farmers tour. You might get a laugh out of it.

Carter is a Sweet little dog for dad, but dad is teaching him bad habits . Didn't go over good when Jim turned his head the other night and Carter helped himself to a bite from Jims plate on his lap. Not a good thing, glad Carter can move fast . lol

With any title with the word Redneck in it i have to stop by and see what's up. Eating and music always appeal to me, bet they had a great time, but downtime is great in it's own way.

Phil, I'm thinking Carter got caught in a sting operation.

phil said:

Carter sounds like a great little dog for you Dad. I have a feeling he was not stealing that fruit, but was invited to have some too.

Carter sounds like a great little dog for you Dad. I have a feeling he was not stealing that fruit, but was invited to have some too.

Woo-hoo-- another tour! I didn't know there were still any Lee's Famous Recipe places left.

Dana, seems like Carter is a helper dog for your dad! And he helps himself, too, to whatever he wants. I love dogs!

Hope you've gotten some time to re-charge your own batteries!

Well the bus is getting ready to leave the station on another trip.

The group minus me and dad are heading up to Mt Sterling just 15mins up the road to eat at Lee's famous recipe and then to the Hee Haw Review. Dang and I'm missing it!LOL

OH well right now I'm watching dad on the vid monitor eating a plate of fresh pinapple(his and my favorite fruit)I just cut up for him.

Carter his little dog has gotten wise to me and when the door opens he jump down and under the bed where I can't get him to put him out.I just watched as he stole a piece of pineapple off dad's plate and back under the bed. Now that I'm out and back in the livingroom the little thief jumped back up on the bed and nosed his way under the covers. Dad loves that little dog to death and I think it goes the other way to.

Well the bus is pulling out, dad is loving on Carter and I get some down time. Hee Haw!

It's mighty hard to find fault with "delighted"!

Paul

Depending on how the string slots in the nut and bridge are made, you may be able to 'just swap strings'. However you may also find that the thin melody string is not seating properly in the wide bass string slot, and that will cause problems. Most builders (and I'm one) create the nut bridge slots for right handed players unless specifically asked to set up for a left handed player. Also a wide bass string may not seat correctly in a narrow melody string slot, and that too can cause problems.

If you are going to play left-handed, I strongly recommend that you tell your dulcimer builder that you are left handed so that he or she can 'make it right'.

Great way of explaining things PAUL. All this time I was the one who was right and everybody else was playing wrong. MUUUUUUAAAAHHHHH. I am a lefty and must whole-heartedly agree with everything you have said. The strumming does get much easier (after all it's really only repeated patterns), while the fretting hand needs to be very dynamic and free flowing. Fretting was no big deal at all for me when I started playing. Harder chord shapes were easier to accomplish for me on my first instruments.

What's a challenge for me now really is the thumb. I really need practice with it, even though I'm left handed and that's my most dexterous hand it's still difficult to master that thumb.

Go enjoy, dance with the one who brung you - Love that Paul

Ken isn't commenting about left handed musicians at all. He is saying that the dominant hand, in your case the left hand, would be better utilized if put to the more demanding part of playing a stringed instrument, which is the hand fretting the strings. The reality is almost all of us righties are playing backwards. We are playing the way lefties should be playing. Same for guitar, banjo,and ukulele. I play all of those, and know the left hand to have the harder job. I suspect mandolin and fiddle would be similar, but I don't play them so I really have no experience to back that up. Our dominant right hands should be on the frets, not strumming. Eventually, strumming becomes the easier job, once we put the time in to learn it.

If you have a left handed dulcimer, and feel you are progressing, that's fine, stay the course. There are millions of right handed people playing backwards to prove it can be done. Ken's advice is probably more aimed at aspiring players who haven't yet purchased their first dulcimer, and are concerned about finding one built for their dominant hand. The bottom line is this:

1)For the beginner, both hands are untrained, and have to learn their job.

2) Either hand can learn either job, but there is a certain unfixed amount of time required for this to take place. How long this time is varies with a lot of contributing factors. But the destination isn't the important part, the journey is what counts. Enjoy the ride.

3) Since both hands have a new job to learn, it really isn't critical that they learn a specific job. There are two jobs to be learned, and we have two hands to assign to these jobs. If one is accustomed to fretting from playing another stringed instrument, continue in the path you have been following. If neither hand has done either job, go ahead and pick one and start learning.

For the record, I concur with Ken's assessment that most of us are playing backwards. But I started guitar in 1966, and banjo in 1968. By the time I realized I was playing with the "wrong" hand on the frets, I wasn't about to start over. The "lefty" guitar I tried showed me that even with 30 years playing, both hands only knew the jobs I had taught them. Neither knew the other hands job. It was day one all over again. I could spend a lot of time relearning how to play "backwards", or I could play as I had been and enjoy what I had learned/was learning. Go enjoy, dance with the one who brung you. You'll learn just fine with whichever hand you prefer to put on the frets.

Paul

Why advise lefties to at least try right handed? Well, for one thing, there's no harm done if it works out good for them.

Second, there are Zero left handed dulcimers being manufacturered. And technically it's more than just swapping the bass and melody strings to convert a right handed instrument - the nut and bridge really must be tweaked as well because of the difference in string thicknesses.

Third, there is practically zero re-sale potential for left handed dulcimers.

For another thing, playing right handed makes a leftie's dominant hand do arguably the more important part of playing - getting the notes right. Strumming is a pretty automatic sort of thing and your dominant hand is, in some sense, wasted playing rhythm rather than playing notes. IMHO this is especially important if the leftie wants to do complicated fingerwork like fingerpicking.