Forum Activity for @carolynf

It was nice meeting you too! Ironically, I'm interested in the baritone partly because I DON'T play with other dulcimers usually. (Nobody around here!) It's attractive to have a dulcimer that can easily manage G or A, without capoing, along with my D-friendly dulcimer.

I did look at your YouTube videos and heard the difference between the 3 and 6 strings. I like the look of the hourglass shape so that's what I'd probably get. I've been researching and it seems like the red cedar is a really popular top. I'd been thinking spruce, but now I don't know.

Hi Carolyn. It was nice to meet you last month.

I can't remember if I told you, but in addition to the little dulcimette I shared with you, I also have a baritone dulcimette, which I actually prefer due to the extra sustain.  I originally requested a 6-string instrument, but I have been playing it with just 3 strings for the last several years.  With 6 strings it is great for strumming, but the 3-string configuration allows for more nuanced play.  It is tuned to G or A, so it is not always easy to play with other dulcimer players; that's why I took the dulcimette up to the Wallowas.

I think you'll have a great time playing your new instrument and figuring out which arrangements work best for it.  Good luck!

I'm 90% headed towards ordering a baritone dulcimette (Ron Ewing). I got to put hands on a dulcimette at camp last month (thanks, Dusty) and it was just too charming. I decided that a baritone version would work the best for me. Does anyone have opinions or input that would be helpful to me at this point?

Looking at a closeup of that mystery empty fret slot...

My thoughts:
A good luthier would never have put that extremely misplaced slot there in the first place, and even if they did, they would not have left the empty slot there after moving the fret to the right place. So, I think someone later on did this.
If you look closely, there are also indications that other fret slots had been cut and then filled, around where the 6.5 fret might go. Again, that job ldoes not look professionally done.

I'm thinking that 'somebody' who didn't know very much wanted to put in a 6.5 fret by themselves, and they misguidedly decided that frets 6, 6.5, 7, and 8 should all be equally spaced. So they yanked the original 7th fret out and put their new 6.5 and 7 frets in, equally spaced between the existing 6 and 8 frets. Perhaps they could hear that the 6.5 was not in the right place, and they yanked it out agin and filled the slot... but left their new 7th fret in place.

Then later yet, someone else (or maybe the same person again) realized that the (new) 7th fret was in the wrong place and it just wouldn't play in tune, so they pulled it out and put in a new 7th fret back in its original slot. But this time they didn't bother filling the empty slot.. too much trouble trying to hide it or match the color.

I do not think the luthier would have done any of this.

Hi Jonathan,
I am not going to be any help as far as your questions.  I just want to wish you all the best in your new adventure!  I have a dulcimer that my dad built and it is truly a treasure, as I am sure yours is too!  I look forward to hearing updates on how you are doing!  Above all - have fun!   🎶 😊

You're correct.  Strothers said 0.020", 0.010" and 0.013".  To be sure, I just ordered an assortment so that I'm sure to have something that feels and sounds good.  I really appreciate the help and the links!

Jonathan

I agree with Strumelia that 27" is pretty much "the normal/standard range for a dulcimer." If you haven't already done so, you might check out this site: https://dulcimercentral.com/gallier-dulcimers  

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Twenty-seven inches is my favorite VSL. I use 28.5 inches on dulcimers for noter playing. I think if you do the calculations on the Strothers calculator they won't be to far off from what I suggested. Restring that dulcimer. It deserves to be played and enjoyed.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I have never heard of a tenor dulcimer. But what do I know. Is this instrument just a standard Starsong Dulcimer?

Here are better photos.  Just ignore the bath mat... That's the best light in this old house!  Also, the distance from bridge to nut is exactly 27".

Jonathan

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That's just what I was thinking!  One of those aggravating "OOPS!" situations that happen to a builder from time to time.   The solution is to play it up somehow, with some decoration or a nameplate or something!  Then tell folks "that's the way it's SUPPOSED TO look!"

Well, that makes perfect sense.  I didn't even think of that.  And thanks for the compliment.  I'll have a better photo in a few hours.

Jonathan

Thanks for photos Jonathan. It looks like the builder may have miscalculated the placement of the seventh fret and moved it but never filled in the slot. Not sure what another reason would be. Your dulcimer looks nice.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Here is a better photo of the "mystery slot" for those who may be curious.

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I have skimmed through the article by Ken Hulme and it seems that this will answer most, if not all, of my questions.  Thanks for this!  I'll print it out when I get home and study it more closely.

I strongly suspect the dulcimer was made by Mike Clemmer or Sam Carrell.  It's elliptical, but Mom ordered it in Townsend, TN around 1980 or '82.  I don't know of any other luthiers from that time in Townsend.  I have an email in to Mr. Clemmer, but he keeps limited hours these days.  My main question for him is about a slot that has been cut in the finger board, so that's the only photo I have right now.  I'll take another when I get home.  As for the slot, it looks like it's for a missing fret that should be immediately past the 7th, but I can't figure out why a fret would be in that location.  It's more of a curiosity to me.

Also, Thanks for the string calculator.  I'l get a measurement this evening and plug that in.

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Jonathan, can you post a photo of your dulcimer? It may help us to better help you. Also, if you the maker of the dulcimer that would be helpful. Since your father played noter style, it makes sense to start learning in DAA. You double melody strings would be tuned to the A below middle C. The middle string would be the same. The next two strings would "d" and "D" respectively. The bass D, your thick string would be the D below middle C and the other "d" would be just above middle C.

Using 29 inches as the vibrating string length which you estimated to 28-30 inches, the "A" strings would be 0.012, the "D" string would be 0.018, and the high d 0.009. The Strothers string calculator tends to be "light" on string string suggestions so I would change the D to 0.020 and the d to 0.010. If those turn out to be to loose when tuned to pitch you could try 0.011 or 0.012 for the d and 0.022 for the D. You can find the calculator  here.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I'm not Ken Hulme.I'm the other Ken. Here is the link to his article: https://fotmd.com/strumelia/group_discuss/2316/ken-hulmes-i-just-got-a-dulcimer-now-what-article  

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Thank you for the information!  I'm searching for it now.

JD, one of our members here, Ken Hulme, wrote a very helpful lesson on just such a situation. 

It's called "I Just Got A Dulcimer. Now What?"  He will no doubt be posting a message for you soon!

So, the information on the internet is only as good as the information people post online, and the google search results are only as good as the questions I ask it.  It seems that if a dulcimer is involved in the search term, I get answers that only confuse me more.

My oldest brother recently passed away and I'm now in possession of our father's dulcimer.  This is an instrument we were strictly forbidden to go near as children, so I understand very little about them.  I have figured out that the configuration would be referred to as a "5 string with double melody" and information on this setup seems lacking online.  Here are my big questions:

Is there any particular tuning that would best suit a complete novice?  I have read about DAD, DAA, etc, but nothing really explains what to do with the extra strings aside from the general consensus that the melodies are tuned the same.

If I try to tune the low string to D, I either end up needing to tune the melodies to an A that's way too high for their diameter or I have to tune the low string to a D that's way too low to even be considered a note.  More of a rattle than even a buzz, I suppose you could say.  Should this low string be tuned to A maybe?

Also, my father was a "noter," I think the term is, and that seems like a simple enough route to get started with.  My tuning questions are geared toward this playing style, if it helps.

I also have some questions about the strings themselves.  I know they are very old, possibly even original to the dulcimer.  If so, that puts them in the range of 45 years old, but I'm sure they're in need of replacement at the very least.  Without having the exact length of the finger board in front of me, would it be possible to get recommendations on sizes for new strings?  I do know the overall length of the instrument is 38.5" and would assume the distance between the nut and bridge to measure 28-30."  I ask, because the strings that are on it seem terribly small in diameter.  The melodies measure out at 0.009", progressing through to 0.010", 0.012" and 0.022" respectively.  Nothing online even mentions a string as thin as 0.009" so that has also added to my confusion.

I've been fascinated by this dulcimer, more so than any of his other instruments, since I was a small child when Mom had it made for him.  I'm eager to dive in and start learning, so any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated!

Jonathan

It strikes me that a VSL scale length of 27" is in the normal/standard range for a dulcimer.

I understand.

Hi thanks for the suggestion, I have tried to contact him numerous times, hes not big on communicating so that's why I'm reaching out.

I would recommend contacting Gary Gallier to find out the specifics of your dulcimer. There should be some information if you look inside the sound hole to help him tell you more about your dulcimer.

Congratulations on finding and purchasing one of his dulcimers. It is rare to find one for sale.

I would recommend contacting Gary Gallier to find out the specifics of your dulcimer. There should be some information if you look inside the sound hole to help him tell you more about your dulcimer.

Congratulations on finding and purchasing one of his dulcimers. It is rare to find one for sale.

Let me know what you find out. I personally have never heard of a tenor dulcimer.

His website is dulcimercentral.com.

You have a true treasure there. My music mentor has one of Gary’s dulcimers. I have played it a couple of times. It has an amazing sound 

Hi kids have a question hopefully somebody out there can answer it has to do with a 

Gary Gallier Starsong Dulcimer. I was very fortunate to be able to pick up one of his instruments a little while ago; it was advertised as a tenor Starsong. “A Tenor” If this is the smaller "tenor" version of his normal instrument what size Dimensions is his normal starsong? This one  measurements are. 

Lower bout is 11"  Upper bout is 7.5"  Overall is 39" and the V.S.L. is 27"

Another possibility if you aren't interested in the money would be to donate it to the Appalachian Dulcimer Museum in Sperryville, VA. I'm sure John Hallberg would be interested if he doesn't already have one.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Thanks, Strumelia. I've been around the Appalachian dulcimer world since the late 1960s. Over the years I've met many folks in this community. If I hadn't worked most weekends since 1969 I might have met more. Keeping my eyes and ears open I learned about the history of and people who love the Appalachian dulcimer. I'm still learning and enjoy every new encounter with dulcimer folk and history.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I agree with John and olddog75 that $300 is a fair price if you are looking to get it in to the hands of someone who will enjoy playing it. Of course you can always ask for more and if it doesn't sell lower the price. It just depends upon whether you want to get it in the hands of a player or try to make money.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

$300 sounds like a good, solid value to me.  It's a beauty!

Searching google for Mark Blair dulcimers, I found one on the reverb.com website marked "sold". It was a teardrop with wormy chestnut top and walnut sides and back. The price was $250.00. It showed as listed eight years ago, but no indication of when it actually sold, though I can't see a company keeping a dulcimer on it's site for eight years.  Looks like Ken's estimate is very valid, maybe leaning a little toward the $300 side nowadays?  Hope this helps..

4 

No one in our family plays instruments so would you have any ideal what I should ask for this Mark Blair dulcimer or any suggestions on a member that might like to have it?

I only knew of Carol (I believe she was connected to the Smithsonian some way) so it is good to know about the work she and Mark did together.  His instruments are beauties!  

@ken-longfield , you never fail to amaze me with how much you know about dulcimers and their makers.

Mark Blair made some wonderful dulcimers. He, along with his wife Carol, wrote a couple of books of music for Appalachian dulcimer. One is a book of hymns, Best Loved Hymns for Appalachian Dulcimer and the other was a book of Christmas hymns. I think the latter might have been self published. Back in November, 2024 I spent some time with his wife, Carol, and their son. We had a good time reminiscing about the dulcimer community around Washington, D.C. in the lat 1960s and 1970s. Looking at the Facebook page John suggested I see that he made 700 dulcimers. I would consider him one of the "revival" builders.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Look up "Mark Blair Dulcimers" on Facebook.  There is a page there of photos of Mark's work.  He passed away several years ago according to the posts there.

Thanks for the on finding the info. There are two stickers inside.  The first one says it was custom built especially for my mother and father in law. The second has the maker

525.       11-83

Blair Dulcimers

Handcrafted Mountain Dulcimers

1704 Trenton Drive

Alexandria,  Virginia 22308

My father in law pastors a Baptist church in Alexandria. 

Vicrich, you have a beautiful dulcimer there! 

I don't recognize it right off, either, but it seems to be well-designed and assembled by somebody.  The soundhole patterns intrigue me.  They remind me somewhat of Ben Seymour's hole patterns on his Galax dulcimers.

Robin, it is a possibility. I don't have the Foxfire plans in front of me to compare, but from the photos posted there are differences from the Mize dulcimers I've seen. The tuning pegs are not quite the same shape and the end block is different from Mize dulcimers. I can't see the peg head well enough to make a comparison. Folks who use plans like Mize's are known to make modifications that appeal to the builder. If the owner of this dulcimer does find a label inside we will know for sure.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

@ken-longfield Elements of the instrument remind me of a Mize-- what do you think?  I'm wondering whether a highly skilled woodworker built it based on Bob Mize's piece in Foxfire and/or patterned this one off an actual Mize instrument.  The tuning pegs look to be nicely hand-carved (and Bob Mize's carved pegs were lovely).  I could be way off track with this line of thinking, though.  

I agree- use a flashlight to really look inside there, peering in at various angles. It happens, but it's rare that a dulcimer that nice would have no label inside at all.