Forum Activity for @strumelia

Another beauty!

Yessir, this Thomas dulcimore is bound for the Cold Star State!  Ah...Lone Star State, sorry. Poplar and walnut with an antique black finish.  Looks 100 years old, but it's new. 

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It's too bad about the typo, David, but there would have probably been a mistake somewhere no matter how many times you edited it. 

I was really impressed with Ashley when I worked with her last year.  DPN is in good hands.

Thanks Dusty!  There is one typo in the article. I think the article says it weighs 28 lbs, it actually only weighs 18 lbs.  The typo was my fault, not DPNs.

Wonderful news about how you are healing well, Ken L!

I'm glad to have it clarified about the two different giant dulcimers- the Mawhee-ish by Dan Cox, and the Thomas-ish by John Knopf. Yes a boxing match between the giants... how fun! 

Ken, that is great news!!!

Thanks, Patty. I am doing well. I have to be careful to not do too much because I feel so good. My sternum is mending (wired together) and the incision looks to be healing very well. I will see the surgeon again in a couple of weeks and may be able to drive again after that visit. The heart is back in normal rhythm and I've experienced no afib since returning home.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

It's nice to know my 8-foot-tall Uncle Eddie hasn't been forgotten!  Though he has been "upstaged" somewhat by the 9-foot-tall Mawhee dulcimore built by my talented buddy Dulcimore Dan!  Maybe someday we can stage a boxing event between the giants?

Ken Longfield, it's good to see you posting here. I hope you are doing well.

[quote="Dusty Turtle"]

[quote="Strumelia"] Woops!  I see Ken beat me to a response. I guess his coffee is better than mine.

[/quote]

No, Dusty, it's just that I'm on the East coast and three hours ahead of you. Still waiting for my issue to arrive, but with all the bad weather we've been having our mail has been delayed.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Perhaps the black stain makes it resemble the Thomas dulcimers, but according to the article, @Dan's 9-foot dulcimer is "partially patterned on John Mawhee's dulcimore."  One obvious modern element is the machine tuners, since wooden pegs would never be able to handle the tension of such long strings.  

Woops!  I see Ken beat me to a response. I guess his coffee is better than mine.

The big Thomas dulcimer, Uncle Eddie, was made by John Knopf. Dan's is a teardrop model patterned after a Mawhee dulcimer.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Dusty that's great! That huge black dulcimer is a sort of Thomas model, isn't it?

Great article in the February 2021 issue of Dulcimer Players News by @david-bennett about @dan's 9-foot long dulcimer.  Nice work, guys!  Everyone should give it a read.

Congratulations! Enjoy your dulcimer.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

We all hope you will learn to love the dulcimer and dig in to all this simple instrument is capable of accomplishing.

Enjoy the journey.

I hope you like your new dulcimer when it arrives!

@ken-longfield that's a shame about your vaccine delay. It must be frustrating. On the bright side, the delay is 'only' 12 days, so I'll keep my fingers crossed your new appt goes as planned! 

Around our area the snowstorm turned out to be almost all rain (there was ice last night) and was in the mid 30s today. Our 45 min drive was no problem at all, just wet. We were just plain lucky here, when so many are suffering from the current huge winter storm(s).

I got my first covid Moderna shot today - was so excited!     It was ultra quick and easy. I had filled out the vaccine forms ahead of time at home, no crowds or lines at all  -only took 7 minutes total from when i walked into Walgreen's til when i walked out... and i got to wait the 15 minutes observation time afterwards out in our car with my husband instead of sitting inside the drugstore. 
My only reaction was my cheeks got noticeably pink and flushed for several hours afterwards   but i felt just fine and had no fever. Arm site is getting a little sore now hours later but that's really common with vaccines.

Unfortunately my husband does not turn 65 until July, so he still does not qualify in NY state yet. I wish we could get the shots at the same time! But he's always home while I do all the shopping trips, so it's good I get the shots started now. My second shot is in 1 month, same place.

The one piece of good news in the UK is the vaccine program, which is going full speed with about 15% vaccinated already. But we still have thousands in hospital and hundreds dead daily. Our thoughts are with all those affected, wherever they are.

Susie, those straps look great!  

My wife was to get her first shot of the Covid19 vaccine today and I was to get mine tomorrow. Both of us received notices that due to the bad weather and the availability of the vaccine our first shots will be delayed. My first shot is now scheduled for February 28.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Susie, I am happy that you like your Legacy straps. I have used and sold Legacy straps for years. I am partial to the cotton straps that they do not interfere with the instruments finish. When I first started selling them you could only get the cotton straps in solid colors. I like that you can now buy the cotton straps with graphics.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I wanted to replace my 2” guitars straps on my dulcimers, since I find them to be big, bulky, and overkill (just my experience….not trying to discourage the use of them for anyone else.) I searched and found Legacy Straps (www.legacystraps.com). They have a category called “Mandolin and Ukulele Straps”, which offer ¾” and 1” wide straps. I thought the 1” wide straps were exactly what I was looking for. 

I inquired as to the maximum length of these straps (turns out….about 50”). That was at the max of what I wanted/needed, so I got in contact with the owner. He was very responsive and said that length was no problem. He said he could make the straps up to 54” instead, to be sure I had sufficient length. 

I’ve been conservative my whole life and was thinking about going with solid color straps. My husband told me to “liven up my life” and pick straps with designs instead….I’m glad I did. I picked out 6 designs that I liked, enough for each dulcimer, plus one for my guilele. I got tab ends on each end, as all 6 of my instruments have 2 strap buttons.

I just received them and wanted to report that they are nicely made! The tab ends are on the stiff side, but the holes that he cuts out for the strap buttons work well, allowing them to fit nicely on standard strap buttons. I will have to enlarge the hole for my dulcimer that has a pick-up, because it has a larger diameter button. They easily adjust for length and feel nice while playing. The prices were very reasonable and the owner’s communication, customizable sizes, and prompt shipping was awesome. 

I’m really happy with them. If you are looking for a narrower strap for your dulcimers (or any other instrument), take a look.  

I’ve put pictures out here so you can see how they look (the ends, etc.). 

My sympathy goes to Kusani and everybody else who lost somebody because of the virus.
The problem with different local government sounds familiar, it's the same here in Germany and also quite frustrating. At least some learnt the hard way after the numbers in their state sky rocketed. 
Still quite sad and frustrating for everybody who lost somebody because of this mess.

So sorry about your loss. I live between two states KY/TN I understand frustrations with the difference in how their Governors view Covid.  Please stay safe. Covid doesn't care what view you have. It's a virus.

Kusani, my sympathy goes out to your family.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Great answers to a great question!

The calculator will help you avoid putting on strings that would be either too slack or so tight that they might break. It's so useful when you want to try out a new tuning or key for a particular sized dulcimer. (btw, it works well for other stringed instruments as well, not just dulcimers!)

Traildad --  exactly right -- string gauges calculators give you as usable string gauges 

String gauges are  like many, many things "dulcimer", there is no such things as "the one and only" answer.    You've seen several times now that there are no hard and fast rules, no "best", no absolutes. 

Each of us approaches the dulcimer differently, with clusters of people in several different (sometimes wildly different) groups.

The proper answer to most questions is usually "Whatever works for you."

@kusani I'm very sorry to hear about your brother in law passing away from covid. How awful this virus is.

I’m glad I asked. I had gotten the impression or made the assumption that it was like using a calculator to figure what 2+2 is. It sounds like the calculator will give you a useable string but not the one and only. More of a starting point than THE answer. Thanks for the info. 

Drive carefully!

@kusani I offer my deepest sympathy.  

My wife lost one of her brothers last week due to complications caused by Covid.  Please use all recommended precautions and be safe!  Unfortunately we live in a state, Tn.,  where the govt. officials have not taken the virus seriously. :( 

I had my first covid shot two weeks ago.  I was  impressed by the professionalism of the volunteers and how organized they were! No after effects other than a VERY small tender spot for 3 or 4 hours. I go back Mar 4th. It is only about 5 miles from the house.  I got a Focusrite recording interface so will try some recording tomorrow since they probably will not have the roads clear. It will be a good day for that

Yes Strumelia, well worth trip. The more folks who get the vaccine the closer we get to at least a little of normalcy. It'll still be months probably before enough are vaccinated for it to be normal to be realistic. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

We'll be doing some snow blowing and shoveling here tomorrow too, Bill!

I'm pretty excited- tomorrow I am getting my first covid vaccine! Will be driving to a Walgreens about 45 minutes away, but well worth the trip i think! 

Covid has had us inside for way to long!  Heavy snow now will require firing up the snow blower so at least I have reason to go outside.   Not so bad though electric start and heated handle grips. 

 Just a reminder that better times are coming, just be patient.

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We are snug in the house and prepared for a major snowstorm heading into the region.  

Take care, all, and wherever you are, be safe!

Your website looks great, Grant!  

That (7-string) fretboard with the fanned frets looks pretty cool and wild!

@peter-w I still cannot find a way to get to the tabs you are referring to here in this thread. Can you please give us a link to where/how to find them?  I suspect the pdf attachments were lost when this site transitioned to a new platform.