Forum Activity for @bill-robison

Another thought on the possum board, Mother possums carry their young on their back as the board carries the dulcimer

That a really neat piece of culture I wasn't aware of thanks for filling me in

Like Dan said the name comes from a board used to stretch animal skins for sale. Different sizes for muskrats, mink, racoon, possum, beaver, rabbits. Dad used them in the winter when trapping muskrats and mink to supplement farm income.

 Original Possum Board.jpg - 91KB

Can you help?

I’ve been working for some time on a dulcimer tab book of lullabies, which I hope to finally have ready by early 2022.  I am greatly in need of an illustration for the cover, but since I am not an artist, I am looking for someone who might be able to help me out with this.  If you or someone you know might be willing to send me a drawing for consideration (either color or black & white), please contact me at Lark119@Citlink.net. (I have a couple of ideas to suggest, but will welcome any other ideas that might be proposed.)  I will be most grateful for any and all drawings which folks might want to submit, and if your illustration is chosen, I will make sure you are credited for it in a prominent place in the front of the book, and will gladly send you a complementary copy of the book & CD. - Lori Keddell

 Sample cover page for Lullaby Book.jpg - 119KB

It's a Possum Board for your dulcimer only if it is a separate piece upon which the dulcimer sits upon.

The "false bottom" or Galax bottom" is what we call the bottom attached to the instrument.

"Possum board" is one of the names for a tapered thin board used in the stretching and drying of animal hides in some regions of Appalachia. Hides were skinned out complete for more money than the belly cut hides nailed to the side of an out building. There are those from outside Appalachia who believe we call them Possum Boards to be cute....

Just wondering if anyone knows. It is a pretty weird name. 

Also, is a false bottom considered a possum board, or does the term only apply to the accessory which is not attached to the dulcimer?

Here's some information from Revel's Music about Black Rose Dulcimers: 

https://revelsmusic.co.uk/dulcimers-for-sale/intermediateadvanced-players/black-rose-dulcimers/

The second or Galax false bottom is nothing more than a permanently attached "possum board" with the purpose of letting the bottom of the soundbox freedom to resonate.  It goes by several names, and it is most common in Galax style instruments.

It's also referred to as a false bottom.

Resonators on musical instruments are on or part of the top...  the round metal disk on the face of a resonator guitar for example. 

What you have is called a double back.  The double back is just one element of a complete Galax dulcimer design. Galax (pronounced gay-lax) is the name of the town in Virginia where the design originated.

The function of a double back is to allow the inner back to vibrate freely, which produces significantly more sound volume -- a sort of non-electronic speaker as it were...

Here’s a picture of the bottom - is it called a resonator, or galax back?

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@richard - thank you!  I was really drawn to the Celtic knots.  It has a resonator on the bottom.  I’ll post a picture.  Not sure if I have the term correct.

@Ken - thank you for posting the guide you’ve written!  I’ll definitely be reading through it!

Mine is 4FGCC-E - late 2014.

Welcome to FOTMD, slssls.  Sorry to say I've not heard of Bill Todd as a builder, either.  Nice looking modern dulcimer though.  You may want to check out the booklet I wrote for beginners a few years back, called I Just Got A Dulcimer, Now What?   It's an illustrated glossary of dulcimer terms, so we all speak the same jargon, plus answers to many beginner questions about tuning, playing, care and feeding of your new/old acquisition.  You can find it here for download:

I Just Got A Dulcimer, Now What? (Article) - Forums | fotmd.com

That is a beautiful dulcimer. I have not heard of this builder. Perhaps someone will recognize the name and provide some information.

Hello!  I’m new here and just bought my first dulcimer used.  I’m looking forward to learning to play it.  I’m interested to find more about the builder, Bill Todd, and his Black Rose dulcimers.  I couldn’t find much online about him.  Does anyone have information on these dulcimers they’d be willing to share?  Thanks so much!

 B7C1F012-A8C6-4269-A4C4-FB0F5694E8D8.jpeg - 147KB

I thought I had that McSpadden code worked out but this must be Ginger (g) Walnut (w) back & sides, Redwood (r)Top. Should have a couple more letters though. First, # of Strings, F or S (flat head or Scroll head), Shape (h Hourglass t teardrop), then type of wood for side & back, then type of wood for top). the letters for custom fittings.

Have i got this right?

Love mine, too.  It's standing right here beside me.

@strumelia, Hi, no shipping issues, not from ebay but it is second hand. Giving this to my wife and was just hoping to get a little back ground on it for her.

@dusty-turtle, thanks for the info, she has a couple of 3 string one, but this will be her first 4 string so I just wanted to check.

I believe the song was written by Alice Gerrard who sings here.  A young music friend named Matt told me Penny Seeger is the mountain dulcimer player in this recording.  

Great article Kevin63!

Well it’s not a Stockard, Gary Galileo says he has no idea who built it.

@illmade2 , have you received this instrument yet?  Are you experiencing any irregularities in the shipping/tracking info?  Was this an ebay purchase?

Hey @illmade2, it may be that there is little information on that particular maker, but as far as "common tuning," there is no reason to think your dulcimer is any different than others.  That instrument has three courses, with the melody course doubled.   The most common tunings would be DAAA and DAdd. The Get Tuned website can help.

Ok, Thanks, guess there just no info available, 

Yes, Rick is great to work with.  I'll try to post some pictures of mine.  I have had trouble uploading photos here in the past. 

Ah -- you're right, John....  dang these Senior Moments anyway!

Ken, "Perfection pegs" are made by Knilling.   That's their brand name.  And "Pegheds" are made by an different company.  As are Wittner "Fine-Tunes", I believe.

Thank you. I remember this tune from bluegrass festivals...The Osborne Bros. Found them tonight on you tube.

Rick Gooden. After telling him specs I wanted, ie 25" VSL, extra frets & showing him one of their web pics of a baritone that had the dark wood tones I like, I told him to take over & do what he does so well ... designing my new dulcimer to his specs. He explained everything he wanted to do, why, etc. and gave me options. I genuinely learned quite a bit. Above all, I was impressed with his confidence in his craftsmanship & product and his attitude towards how he likes to do business. I found that same sense of integrity with Ron Gibson & it really means a lot to me personally & its what makes me a returning customer. I had to laugh because he's simply not gruff like he looks in some of the pics they put up. :) I suspect he's just a man who'd like to put all that aside & get down to doing what he loves doing. I am the same so I understand. 

I'm sure I'll love the final product. Lucky you to own three. :) Hope I can drive down this fall & get a chance to see the shop and maybe see a dulcimer being worked on. I'm at the top of Illinois, west of Chicago & the shop is at the bottom of Indiana so a long drive but worth it. An overnight stay for sure. Put on some loud, good music and away I go......... 

Seeing shop...woodworking fascinates me...I'd be very good doing that I suspect because of my love of detail & patience. It must feel similar to what I feel as I progress through a very complicated Japanese knitting pattern using an exquisite yarn....takes so much attention but a thrill to see as it slowly takes shape in my hands. Can't wait..it'll be a loooooooooong 3 weeks I suspect. LOL  Hey, I'm still waiting for pics of those beautiful dulcimers you have ... hope you can post them. I'd love to see them. Thanks again.  Barb 

That's great!  I'm glad you had such a good experience.  Did you meet with Rick Gooden or Rick Huffman?  I'm sure you will love what they build for you.  The workmanship and sound are hard to beat in my opinion.. 

Gail..I met with Rick via Zoom yesterday & what an interesting man he is. We talked of cabbages & kings :). He made some suggestions & gave me a lot of information. I placed my order for a 25" VSL whale tail model with black tuners, butternut top, dark Peruvian walnut back & sides. Rick said he'd look for woods that have a lot of character as well since I like that. The whole experience was good & I felt he truly backs his craftsmanship & sound in every way. I also like the idea of knowing I have somewhere to send the dulcimer if I ever need to. I feel totally at ease with my decision. I mentioned you & Rick said he has several customers who have 5 of his instruments so you are in good company indeed.

He'd just returned from the Gateway Dulcimer Festival & they are totally out of dulcimers so he's starting on mine right away :) When I mentioned I like the dark configurations on the Peruvian walnut (plus want a warm sound) & butternut, he seemed to like that particular combination greatly & said it has outstanding tonality together. I actually prefer a darker top but with the black tuners & dark Katalox overlay on the fret board I thought it would look lovely which is also what I wanted. 

All in all, dealing with New Harmony Dulcimers has been a pleasure and I'll definitely be a return customer because of that. So many luthiers are just wonderful to deal with. Ron Gibson is one I've had experience with as well. Great people. I'm happy with my choice. Barb 

I found an interesting article about John Frazier.

https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/lifestyle/2021/07/18/student-teacher-reunite-over-dulcimer-built-woodworking-class/7970945002/

Thanks Geoff,

I had seen it but didn’t know the website belonged to someone here in FOTMD. It’s good to know there are still other North Country Dulcimers out there!

cheers,

paula

I remember Charley from Berea...nice dog!  And, at 6 months, he looks as happy as a Bassett  could possibly look!

Charley @ 6 Months :)

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If no-one's referenced it yet, here's my website page on North Country Dulcimers .  There's an hourglass and a teardrop model pictured.  I've sold three, one of which needed quite a but of work to strengthen the neck.

The Dulcimer-cello is a product of the other Dulcimer Ken -- Ken Bloom.  Beautiful instruments they are too...