Forum Activity for @irene

Finish

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

WOW, another interesting and thoughtful post.   yep, I've tried several kinds of finish.   On my harps and other instruments I've used OLD DAD'S wipe on finish and I loved that.   Easy to put on, to touch up and all.  then they went out of business.  I then went to General Finishes (Oil based) Gel Topcoat Satin.   I also noticed that too many coats seemed to lessen the sound.   So 3 is about my limit and very thin coats.  My brother introduced to some water based finish that dried in an hour........and I didn't like it all....but it was a trial on the one that I had with me there.   I'm going to sand that one down and try something else.   When in Hawaii in the month of Feb.....I made two dulcimers and got what Bob suggested Minwax wipe on Poly.   I like that very much.....3 thin coats is all that is necessary.   Who was it in Berea that said they often didn't have any varnish or paint on the early ones?   and it's very very true, all of these instruments need time to develop their sound.....the little tiny air pockets need to be filled with sound and sing.   There has been studies on instruments that ARE NOT PLAYED and they do lose their musicality.  It's so fun to play an instrument, and have the other instruments I have around me do some sounding simpathetically. aloha, irene

Is the strumhollow redundant?

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Well, now, I must say something here.   Being that I had NO ONE to teach me in Hawaii 35+ years ago, I learned from Jean Richie's books.   Then when I met some wonderful folks in Southern Oregon 20 years ago.....they played all over like you talk about here.   Weird for me....I didn't like the FLAP FLAPITY FLAP with the picks on the fret board. I really LIKE playing at the strum hole.   HOWEVER, I've also watched so many videos on this site and those that play without picks and with chording..............finger dancing all the way.....I love the sound as well.   It's that FLAP FLAPTIY FLAP....and maybe only for me.............distracts from the beautiful melodies and or chords folks use when they play.  Yes, Ken, there is a sweet sound in the middle....but I often play way up high on the fret board....so for me............I stick to playing at the strum hollow.   aloha, irene

What's your favorite tune or dulcimer to play this month?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

My favorite dulcimer and tune are the ones I'm playing at the time I'm playing.

Is the strumhollow redundant?

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

"Is the strumhollow redundant?"....Yes...and no.  About the only reason for having one may be to provide an area on the fretboard to protect it from the wear caused by the plectrum or quill hitting it during play. 

What's your favorite tune or dulcimer to play this month?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

You bet it is, Robin!

Is the strumhollow redundant?

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

IMHO, yes, the strumhollow is unnecessary.  Yes, the ideal place to strum is half way between where the string is fretted and the bridge -- which of course changes constantly as you play.  Most players strum somewhere around fret 12-14, some up as far as fret 8.    I strum in different places depending on the effect I am trying to achieve -- from brash down around the bridge to mellow at the half-way point of the vibrating string. 

Hollowing the fretboard for its entire length will definitely remove more wood than carving a strum hollow, especially with the wide modern fretboards.  Rather than a strum hollow, I prefer to simply round-over the edges of the fretboard between the last fret and the bridge.

The fretboard holes on that diatonic stick aren't so much for reducing weight as they are for adding more sound-hole to the construction.  Some dulcimer builders, following older traditional instrument designs, drill one or two 1/2" or 5/8" holes through the fretboard (hollowed or no) all the way into the soundbox.

Is the strumhollow redundant?

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Not really needed. I make my staple boards with them on the Kentucky pieces because the old masters did. Like Bobby said, we strum about staple 14, a few inches beyond the hollow.

updated by @dan: 05/03/20 12:33:46PM

Is the strumhollow redundant?

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I have no use for strum hollows. I build traditional Virginia dulcimores and they didn't have them is one reason. The other reason is I never strum there so there's no sense in going through the extra work to add one if I don't strum there. 
However I think a lot of fingerpickers do use the strum hollow area. So I reckon it would come in handy for them.

Is the strumhollow redundant?

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I built my first dulcimer before I had ever seen or heard any played, after reading a page in a homesteading book on how to build them. I sort of just assumed the strumhollow is where you strum. Once I watched a couple videos about antinodes I realized I should strum in the middle of the string, and once I watched some dulcimer videos I realized most players strum about 1/4 the way up the string from the bridge. Most players agree the strumhollow is just not the sweet place to strum. For a while I stopped adding them, and instead would just hollow out the channel on the underside of the fingerboard all the way down to the bridge. It worked terrifically and probably was much more structurally sound than a strumhollow due to the shape. Sometimes on quicker builds I will even just drill a few holes where the strumhollow would be, to reduce the mass of the neck without sacrificing so much structural integrity. What do y'all think? is there any value to a strumhollow other than just to reduce some of the wood off the fingerboard? Is extending the channel on the underside just as effective as adding a strum hollow? Is drilling holes like on this strumstick as effective?

Finish

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

The first three dulcimers I made for practice were exactly identical in materials and dimensions, but one was unprotected craftboard, one had just enough of a poly stain mix to coat the surface, and the third had a heavy few coats of poly forming a shell around the wood. These three were all made from craftboard so not exactly identical grain or anything, but the difference in the three was stark. The bare craftboard has by far the softest most mellow tone, and the one with a heavy poly coat is very twangy and bright, while the one with a modest amount of poly falls in between. The one with the most poly is loudest, and the one with exposed wood is the quietest, also. My assumption has been that because the poly is stiffer than the wood, the more i add, the more the tonal quality resembles a stiffer type of wood. I dont know how this would translate to harder types of wood. Maybe if it were a wood that is stiffer than the poly it would actually dampen the sound?

What's your favorite tune or dulcimer to play this month?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@Ken-Hulme & @Dan Those instruments look great!  It'd be fun to have a go at playing them.  

I've been working on a yet unnamed original tune and am playing it mostly on my Blue Lion Jean Ritchie model instrument.  Playing mountain dulcimer is a comfort in these days.  

What's your favorite tune or dulcimer to play this month?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I have been working on several songs, but I'm really enjoying my version of "Beauty and the Beast". I got Bing's original tab, but revised it some for my playing style, which I really like. Such a pretty tune. It sounds wonderful on my Doug Berch Standard Dulcimer, but it is also beautiful on my Folkcraft Custom Baritone. 

updated by @susie: 05/03/20 09:40:54AM

What's your favorite tune or dulcimer to play this month?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Though I don't have a particular favorite dulcimer to play, somehow I found myself really enjoying the simple melody of a hymn called "Oh God Almighty Father". It brings to mind many fond memories of my seminary years and indeed makes me feel quite peaceful. It's kind of like meditative prayer when I am playing it.

What's your favorite tune or dulcimer to play this month?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I've been playing some old ballads on my just intonation hogfiddle built by our very own Bobby Ratliff. There's something special about just intonation and 1-5-5 tunings. And Bobby knows how to fret them just right.

What's your favorite tune or dulcimer to play this month?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I've been concentrating recently not on a single song but a whole bunch of songs from the American west around the mid-19th century: Strawberry Roan, Lorena, Billy the Kid, Green Grow the Lilacs, and The Maid of Monterey.

What's your favorite tune or dulcimer to play this month?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

That is impressive. A couple of years ago I did build a hurdy gurdy and I think I enjoyed the challenge of building of it more than anything else.

What's your favorite tune or dulcimer to play this month?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

No, just my own design, "keep it simple" two string, ten key.

What's your favorite tune or dulcimer to play this month?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

The wheel fiddle looks really nice Dan .... was it built to a specific plan?

What's your favorite tune or dulcimer to play this month?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Wheel fiddle I made out in the shop a short time ago, been working on an embellished Go Tell Aunt Rhody because it is an easy tune.

updated by @dan: 05/02/20 04:14:57PM

What's your favorite tune or dulcimer to play this month?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Sorry, I don't have a sound clip.  I need to sit down and make some, one of these days...

Ozark Coffin specs:

26" VSL
Strung for Bagpipe Ddd or Ccc tuning
5" wide
33" overall length
1-3/4" deep; 3 wood button feet for playing on possum board or table

What's your favorite tune or dulcimer to play this month?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Brian and I once stayed in Burnsville for a couple days.

Ken what's the VSL on that little stick?  Do you have a clip of it being played?  It looks small like an epinette?  How do you like to keep it tuned?

updated by @strumelia: 05/02/20 10:00:23AM

What's your favorite tune or dulcimer to play this month?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thankee Ma'am!  

I had intended to take it to the Berea Gathering this year, and our friends had intended to come home (bringing my dulcimer) after a week in NC, not five.  All's well that ends well

Since our friends' house is just 'up the hill' from Burnsville, NC, I'm going to build one of my Burnsville Holly Leaf dulcimers to send back up there the next time we go.  Seems appropriate, anyway!

What's your favorite tune or dulcimer to play this month?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@ken-hulme that's a very purty walking stick!

What's your favorite tune or dulcimer to play this month?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Right now it's "Star of Bethlehem," not the carol, but the fiddle tune from Alabama (I think.)  I've been playing my Jeremy Seeger, cherry top, mahogany body, no extra frets, tuned DAA for now.

What's your favorite tune or dulcimer to play this month?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@Richard-Streib, I don't know where I heard this, but supposedly the "Buffalo" in "Buffalo Gals" was originally whatever town the band was playing in, so it might be "Albany Gals" or "Charlotte Gals" or "Montpelier Gals" or whatever.  The song was often sung as the last song of the night and was an invitation to the ladies in the audience to hang out with the band after the show.

What's your favorite tune or dulcimer to play this month?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Been playing Hard Times Come Again No More.  Can't imagine why?  Also the wonderful tune Don't Let Us Get Sick by the late Warren Zevon.  I've been saying for a year or more that that tune should be the theme song for anyone over 50!   Imagine -- me playing a modern tune!!!

A couple friends have been isolating in the North Carolina mountains but came back to town the other day.  They brought with them a dulcimer I made several years ago and had left at their house so I would have a dulcimer to play when we stayed there without having to fly one in.   

This is a small Ozark Walking Stick or Coffin style.  26" VSL.  Tuned Ccc Bagpipe.  Top and back are wormy Chestnut, sides are Eastern Red Cedar.  Head and tail are 300 year old Southern Yellow Pine.  Arched Walnut fretboard.  Notice that the arch widths mirror the wide and narrow spacings between the diatonic staple frets!

updated by @ken-hulme: 05/01/20 10:33:54PM

What's your favorite tune or dulcimer to play this month?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Just had to jump in on this question. Currently working on Buffalo Gals as a challenge from some traditional dulcimore playing friends.

My favorite instrument is an UltraLite model made by Dan Cox and specifically set up for playing in Cgg. If I play a CD player I don't make nearly as many mistakes, but it is not the fun of playing the dulcimore.

What's your favorite tune or dulcimer to play this month?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Tell us what your current favorite song or tune is right now, and why it's your current favorite.

also... Tell us what your current favorite instrument to play right now is, and why.

Let's hear it, friends! 

Finish

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Body volume differences, wood differences, internal bracing differences, age of strings, many other factors will audibly affect the quality of sound between two dulcimers.  Finish... not so much, IMHO.

I'm not sure that, all things considered, anything short of sensitive audio recording equipment could "hear" the difference between poly and lacquer finish.  Please,  if you have such sensitive audio measuring and recording gear, do a recording with one finish and then the other and report back to us the numeric differences between the two..

updated by @ken-hulme: 04/30/20 04:26:05PM

Finish

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I actually have some. Poly may not have anything to do with the dead tone of this dulcimer, but I have some lacquer coming that gets good reviews for stringed finishes. I don't know beans about the subject, but maybe it's the larger mass of this bigger dulcimer that is keeping tone and volume down. As of now, there is no comparison to my Calkin dulcimer.

What's the deal with Aquavinas?

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Well curiosity got the better of me and I dug out 2 pans of similar construction to your Bundt pan...they are both sheet steel and a magnet will stick to both...they are both 9 1/2 inch diameter but the bundt pan on the right is Very heavy duty and 3" deep the left angle food cake pan is Very thin and 4" deep..I wanted to preview them to predict just how much Tremelo each would produce....I slide a metal spoon handle first up from the bottom thru the center hole...the spoon part is to large to pass thru the hole so in this way I hold the spoon handle and hang the pan like a bell of sorts as no part of my hand touches so if I tap the side of pan with a second spoon I get a real nice ring tone...next I add a similar amount of water to each pan then suspend and tap...then rock the pan a bit to get the water moving...I can now say the pan on the left produces about 400% of the "spooky Tremelo" of the pan on the right!
I realize this is not a perfect test but may help you sort thru many pan types to see which has greatest effect...i feel the thinness and depth and the flat bottom all contribute....the flat bottom is not as stiff as the curved bottom so the gentle hum of the strings can stimulate the pan more.
I do feel the Bundt pans are Much better looking, am in no way am I trying to steer you away from them. Your very talented and perhaps you have all ready devise your own way to select pans best suited...I had fun playing around with these today and thought I would share my findings...please keep those sound test video's coming!

What's the deal with Aquavinas?

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

This is super cool.
I think it would be additionally fun to make a little folded paper origami boat to float in the 'canal' while playing it.

What's the deal with Aquavinas?

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Nate, I somehow overlooked this thread until now but I am impressed! I love the concept and have a couple thoughts...first thought is that if you made it electric and played around with where the pickup was placed you could possibly GREATLY increase the tremelo effect...I know little about adding electric but have seen it offered on mountain dulcimers for $70 upgrade...Also water and electricity don't mix so you may want to scratch this idea completely!
The second is you could build a very decorative dulcimer with the Bunt type pan or similar...my personal favorite color metal is Copper. Aluminum and Titainum are likely acoustically superior but who knows.
Anyhow just wanted to give a big thumbs up and keep up the Great work...I may try one of these myself after I get a few more builds under my belt. Thanks for the inspiration!

Finish

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Gennaro, have you tried Minwax Wipe-on Poly? I have gotten good results with it.

Finish

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Thanks for the responses guys.  I just wasn't sure if the poly finish didn't affect it negatively. I'll play it for a few weeks before I strip the poly off.  Update: Found an article on finishes that described poly as " that dreaded finish". I stripped it and will probably go with lacquer. No matter what I do, I know it's not going to sound as good as my John Calkin dulcimer. I know nothing, but feel the feather light Calkin will always be more vibrant. 

updated by @gennaro: 04/28/20 12:52:52PM

Finish

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I own (and have made) dulcimers which vary by well over a pound in weight.  Different woods, different overall size, different material dimensions, different building techniques --  all can make significant differences in dulcimer mass. 

Likewise there are several dozen factors in dulcimer construction which can make a difference in dulcimer tone and volume, even between "identical" models by the same maker.

Dulcimer building is an art, not a science, especially when trying to build an instrument with specific properties for a specific person's taste.

What's the deal with Aquavinas?

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

WOW! I love your spirit. I seemed to hear the effect on the deeper strings best. Do you think a bass or baritone dulcimer would sound amazing? I'd love to hear that if you do.

Finish

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

In construction, there's no real standard that I'm aware of. Sometimes a newly refinished instrument is "stiff" until it gets played a few dozen hours, just like a new instrument. 

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Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I actually only played it a few times. I may not have noticed if i didn't have both at home right now. Bought it from her so i wouldn't have to drag mine back and forth. There is a marked difference in tone(lower) and volume( just not near as loud). My other was made by John Caulkin. It is extremely light. My problem dulcimer seems to have been made by a wood worker. Nice work, but all materials are heavier or thicker. 4.3 lbs vs 3 lbs. Is it common to see such a difference in dulcimers?

updated by @gennaro: 04/27/20 10:27:00AM

Finish

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

How did it sound before the accident?