Forum Activity for @banjostray

I enjoyed this video. This kind of video is helpful for us brits to get a sense of MD history & culture.

I have one question though. What did Mr Clemmer mean when he said that the Do re mi is different to the European scale?

Regards

Eric

Lucky Dave, if you enjoy hearing deep sounding dulcimer playing blues, be sure to watch @christine-shoemaker 's videos !

For the ultimate in pure acoustic volume, you might consider having someone build you a Tennessee Music Box with modern full-width frets rather than the traditional half-width frets.  My friend John Knopf just listed one of his fabulous TMBs here the other day, but it only has the traditional frets so you couldn't play Chord-Melody style.   I have seen Big Box dulcimers with rounded ends (and different soundholes), so a custom Box would not have to be rectangular...

Ken,

Good to hear this from you, as I respect your opinion.  What I am looking for is a dulcimer that has that deep guitar sound, loud so I can play blues on it that won't break my bank account. I just shipped a lady one of my short scale Dulci's because my hands are too large for it. My go to's right now are my old FolkRoots and a TK O'Brien.  I am also drawn to unique designs and not fond of the heart shaped sound holes ( this is simple personal preference).  And I am open to suggestions.  Thanks again!

Dave

Tom's unique designs have been around for many years.  I understand that he is only making a few dulcimers these days, and not taking any special orders.  He makes a few and if you like one you can buy it...

Yocky's are not something that appeal to me, but I have heard them being played, and they do have more "California" sound than "Kentucky".  If you can find one, I'm sure you would appreciate it.   Personally I'm partial to the 'high silvery' sound of the traditional "Kentucky" instruments.

Hey Folks,

Happy Holidays!  I just discovered this builder and was wondering if anyone has ever owned any of his unique instruments. I like my dulcimers to have a nice bold sound, more like what Howard Rudd refers to a a "Califonia Sound" as opposed to a Kentucky sound.  This one seems to fit the bill, and in my price range. 

Thanks in Advance!

Sunhearth dulcimers are indeed special.  They were the direct ancestors of the Bear Meadow dulcimers and are known for their exquisite intonation and warm tone.  Although my personal preference is an instrument with geared tuners and a 6+ fret, I would not suggest making any major changes to that beautiful dulcimer.  It looks to be in great shape.

Thanks for fixing that Ken. I see there is a space in my link that shouldn't be there. And thanks for the compliment on the kids. The oldest is now a freshman in college. Where did the time go?!

I wasn't able to open that link; even after copying and pasting in my browser. Here Is another link which works.

https://tennesseecrossroads.org/mike-clemmer-dulcimers/

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

P.S. I enjoyed your daughter's family at the end of the video. Very talented group there.

A Sunhearth dulcimer is a treasure!  I know because I owned one (a different model than yours).  I passed it along to a young dulcimer player because I'm reducing the number of instruments I own and I wanted a particular young person to have it.    Enjoy your Sunhearth!  

Here is the link to the video.

http://tennessee crossroads.org/mike-clemmer-dulcimers/

Thanks for sharing the video of Mike Clemmer. I have never had the privilege of visiting his shop, but some years ago my daughter's family happened to be vacationing in the area and had stopped to visit Mr. Clemmer's shop. A local television crew happened to be recording a program about Mike's dulcimers. After the filming was complete my young grandchildren were asked to fetch their musical instruments from their van and were invited to join in a jam. Part of this was included at the end of the film. I guess they were in the right place at the right time, and were thrilled by this special time.

It’s has 3 of the 4 fine tuners. I’ll need to whittle another. 

That's a beautiful instrument. Does it have the fine tuners between the bridge and end pins? They are small pieces of ebony the string goes through. I have one of the Sunhearth teardrop dulcimers.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Thanks for follow up….I have a few decisions to make based on your expertise.

 0D75EBB5-C34D-4F0A-A37D-F5A63A895520.jpeg - 172KB

Bravo Mike!!!

I really enjoyed that, thanks so much for sharing. I had one of Mike's Tennessee  Sweeties a while back. He's so talented and has quite a history in the dulcimer community. 

I came across this video of Mike Clemmer. I thought some folks might enjoy watching it. https://www.voanews.com/a/6346682.html

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Thanks for the addition Strumelia. I was going to mention that, but I guess I got lost somewhere along the way. That's what happens when you reach three quarters of century.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Great info from Ken.

I do want to add though- you said this dulcimer has no 6.5 fret. That would make it a little hard to play in DAd using chord style playing. You'd frequently get frustrated not having that note on the melody string. 
However, if you try a 1-5-5 tuning (DAA or CGG) you would have most needed notes on the melody string. You can try out playing mostly on the melody string and leaving the other strings unfretted, sounding as drones. That's a very pretty older way of playing and this dulcimer might be perfect for giving it a try. The 'home' or tonic note of the tune is then located at the 3rd fret of the melody string.
For DAA/CGG tuning, you could use .010 or .012 gauge for the melody AND middle strings, and then as Ken suggested a .020 or a .022 for the bass low string. The thicker the string, the tighter it will be, so you don't want to go too tight/heavy on an instrument with wooden tuning pegs.
If you are used to fretting with your fingers, you can try 'finger dancing' style, where you fret the melody all on the melody string and play the other strings open and unfretted. It's a pretty way to play! You get the ancient sound of the drones.

Does your wonderful Sunhearth have the typical sunburst sound holes? We'd love to see a picture of it, it must be beautiful!

Ken,

thanks for sharing your knowledge on my instrument. Very helpful. I’ll give your string gauge suggestions a try. 
Dennis

Your Sunhearth dulcimer made by Walt Martin in Roaring Spring, PA is a great instrument. These instruments were originally meant to be in a 1 - 5 - 5 tuning (DAA or CGG primarily) and using a noter. You might have to lower the action a little if you choose to play chord/melody style.  You should be able to tune up to DAd using  0.010 for the melody strings, a 0.013 for the middle, and 0.020 for the bass. If those are too floppy, you can increase to 0.11 or 0.012, 0.014, and 0.022. Increasing the size of the strings will increase the tension of the peg and if they are friction pegs you may have trouble keeping them in tune.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Thanks for quick reply….the VSL is 27 ¾. I was planning on DAD tuning but if this particular instrument was not designed for DAD I would try something else. You answered my question on keeping it original and will forgo adding 6 ½ fret. Dusted and hanging in humidified room with my guitars.

What is the VSL (vibrating string length)? Measure in inches from the nut to the bridge. Also tell us what tuning you are hoping to tune to.

You should know that your dulcimer by Martin is one that is coveted by many. Don't make changes to it! It is pretty valuable especially since it seems it is in pristine new condition with original packaging. Just wipe off the dust. Let us know about the VSL and your preferred tuning.

I recently picked up a Sunhearth AD3 made by Walter Martin in 1976. It’s his number 266. The date, number and his signature are visible through the sound hole. Condition is near new and still in original cardboard box with sales sheets and the setup paperwork. The “mimeograph” setup paper states it had 3 strings @ .009 and one .12. This is my first dulcimer, but these gauges don’t seem to be what is standard. Any insight on this instrument and advice would be appreciated. 
thanks 

Ok, I'll consider myself duly advised!

Aspen is 'waaay too soft for a dulcimer; nearly as soft as Balsa!   I made a blanket chest from aspen once -- worst wood choice I ever made!  

That's good to know.  I come from a drumming background and there's a lot of lore there about desirable woods and their sonic properties, with maple seeming to reign supreme.  But I tend to form attachments to certain kinds of trees and find meaning in using their wood.  Out here cottonwoods grow in river bottoms and I have a lot of fond memories of rambling around river bottoms, so the cottonwood actually means a lot to me.  Not that I wouldn't love to get - or make - one out of cherry or walnut.

For that matter, I wonder about the suitability of aspen...

Now I'm off to look up more forum posts about woods.

Notyhing wrong with cottonwood as a dulcimer wood.  Poplar (particularly Yellow Poplar) in particular was very popular among the traditional dulcemore builders.  Light in weight, works easily, can have great grain structure or poor grain can be painted/stained over... 

Apparently it's cottonwood, with natural worm holes.  Seems pretty unusual (for all that the wood's so cheap).  I'm curious to hear how it sounds.  I've made several walking sticks out of worm-tunneled branches, including a mountain mahogany shillelagh, but that's another story.

That sounds like fun.  Something to keep as a goal to prepare for.

😻🌈🎉🌟

Some more photos, before and after:   https://fotmd.com/jim-yates/gallery/rs-williams-banjo/all

Great news! I'm looking forward to the new podcasts.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Hooray!!!

I know nothing about Mr. Burton yet I love the wood!  Osage Orange wood?  

Well done and best wishes for '22.

Jim, sounds like your friend Teilhard is skilled at restoring an old banjo. I love to see that! A happy new life for a lovely old banjer... and joy for you to play!

That's lovely to hear Patricia!