Forum Activity for @strumelia

I just wanted to share this lovely video to enjoy and inspire us all...
https://youtu.be/o4OlL0OpbW8?feature=shared

What a gorgeous instrument!  

It's lovely! I'm amazed that it is in perfect/new condition after over 40 years. I'm thinking it deserves a case, if even just a cheap cardboard or padded gig case.

Hello, Jud, that is a very nice example of Jeremy's dulcimer building. He made for traditional styles of playing as he did not include a 6 1/2 fret on most of his instruments. There are two things that make this dulcimer unappealing to modern players; the lack of that fret and friction tuners. I would not like to see it changed as it is such a fine example of his work. Also, Jeremy is not well known as a dulcimer builder outside of the northeastern US. As to a selling price, I hesitate to offer one. If you put it in an auction, it could go for perhaps $300 or more. As a straight sale, I would guess maybe $150 to $200. 

Oh, and by the way, those little blocks are fine tuners.

I hope this helps and gives you something to think about.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

PS - If you send me your contact information via a private message here, I know of someone who might be interested in this dulcimer. Thanks.

Greetings from a snowy Vermont. I just joined this forum to get some advice on selling a dulcimer that I recently re-discovered while cleaning out the family home for my aging parents. Thank you for the warm welcome upon my joining.

The dulcimer has a backstory, which I’ll share here:

In the late 70’s and early 80’s our family used to take a vacation in Hancock, VT for a week every summer, renting the house of a family friend. Every year there was always some new “Vermonty” experience to be discovered. We came home with fly fishing rods one year, new jackknives for whittling another year, and in 1981, a beautiful handmade dulcimer.

The dulcimer purchase stands out in my memory because we had to navigate our station wagon up a steep and curvy dirt road to a rustic home where we were met by a bearded, bespectacled man named Jeremy who invited us in. My Dad, a corporate-type guy, had been romanced by the simplicity and beauty of the instrument while in VT. I wasn't privy to the transaction, but the dulcimer came home with us to western NY to be explored for about 2 weeks before it took up residence on top of the equally unused piano for the next 40+ years.

I rediscovered it while paring down my aging parents’ belongings. The label inside the dulcimer was handwritten and confirmed my memory that a man named Jeremy had built it. It also revealed his last name, Seeger. With a little research on the web, I learned of Jeremy’s lifetime of dedication to the instrument and also that he had sadly passed away in 2023 (otherwise, I would have reached out to him first, as I currently live about 1/2 hour from Hancock.)

While this dulcimer does have some sentimental value, I’m content with having the memories. I would like to find it a new home where it will be appreciated and played as intended when it was first crafted.

I’d love opinions from this community on a fair selling price and welcome inquiries from potential buyers. I will happily donate back to the forum upon sale.

The dulcimer is with me in Vermont. It does not have a case, but I am wiling to work with a buyer to coordinate safe and secure shipping. I replaced the strings just to keep the little blocks by the bridge from falling off (they probably have a name that I don't know!)

Thanks for reading and I look forward to your comments and questions.

Jud

Thats really unfortunate to hear. Its important to know that an Appalachian dulcimer is often built in a much more "hands on" fashion than most mass produced string instruments, and still often manages to offer handmade instruments at much lower prices than other instruments made in factories. For this reason, some amount of imperfections could be expected.

Nonetheless, I can definitely understand your frustration. If the instrument was damaged before it reached you, it doesnt make sense that they should say "we didnt look that close." Given that a skilled woodworker would obviously know if they accidentally left dents on the wood. 

They should have known the level of cosmetic issue on the instrument and should have been honest with you about it before shipping, and after your negative feedback.

In a business sense, its surprising that they didnt simply placate you, even if they disagreed.

Sorry to hear about your poor experience. I agree. That is not the way to encourage repeat sales.

With sadness I have to say that I had a frustrating experience with The Dulcimer Shoppe, the maker of McSpadden dulcimers. It was the first time that I dealt with this company. I ordered a Ginger short scale dulcimer, and the instrument that was shipped to me had two nicks-dings on the top. Ok, just cosmetic, but it bugged me. I wrote to The Dulcimer Shoppe and added photos. The owner answered that when they check an instrument before shipping they “do not use a magnifying glass”… which I think it is not the right attitude towards a customer who has a problem. He also said that he offered to fix the dulcimer, or that I was free to return the instrument, as long as I was going to pay for the shipping cost... Again, I am not sure this was right because I was not returning a perfect instrument just because I changed my mind, but I was returning an instrument with a cosmetic issue. Anyway, before deciding to return the instrument, I asked the shipping department how much they were going to deduct from my refund because of shipping costs. The answer was: $25.81. So I shipped it back. Today I received the refund, and they deducted $84.25 from it, for shipping expenses… that is more than 3 times than what I was told. I wrote to them asking to explain. Response: “ Sorry for the misunderstanding. When I replied to you I was focused on the return shipping and not the previous one. Due to the fact that you are returning and not exchanging, our policy is that the customer pays for the shipping both ways. If you had elected to exchange or have it repaired, we would not have charged you the shipping”. I would have much appreciated if they had given me this detailed info upfront, which they didn't. If I knew that I was going to lose 85 dollars, I could have chosen a different option, as having the dulcimer fixed or having it replaced. I am sad to see that they didn't do any effort to put themselves on the customer's side and understand my frustration. It looks like, for the Dulcimer Shoppe, a few dollars are more important than losing a customer for life. I am sure that there are many customers who have been very satisfied with their experience with The Dulcimer Shoppe and McSpadden dulcimers, this is one of the reason why I decided to go with a McSpadden. But in my case, unfortunately, It looks that I had bad luck. My frustration is not that I received an instrument with a cosmetic issue (it happens). It is the way I have been treated when I tried to resolve the issue. Confusing information about the amount of refund that led me to believe that the return would have cost me just 25 dollars, when instead, after I shipped back the dulcimer, I discovered that they have a return policy that establishes that even if a customer receives a defective instrument, he has to pay both shipping charges if he wants to return it. Something that I have never seen applied by any other reputable maker. And something that it is not mentioned on The Dulcimer Shoppe web site... In the end, I have lost $85.00 and I did nothing wrong, I just received an instrument that was in subpar cosmetic condition. Every other maker would have accepted the return and issued a full refund.

 469202108_2046020082536367_448645389491526548_n.jpg - 40KB

will do....probably won't start excavating tll tomorrow...I'll let you know either way

John, That's what I'm looking for.  If you find a set around the shop, let me know.

$329. Free Shipping

Introducing another splendid  Dulcimer by John and Shirley Naylor - The Dulcimer Factory Inc.  Model DF-1 is designed not only as a  shorter VSL "back packer" model, it plays easily for those learning or having hands and fingers that no longer wish to cooperate like they used to... And it comes complete with a hard sided case in great condition as well! Nice pretty wood patterns please the eyes...
Unlock the ethereal melodies of this exquisite dul$cimer, skillfully crafted by the talented hands of John and Shirley Naylor at The Dulcimer Factory Inc. This particular model, adorned with a vine design, encapsulates the beauty of nature in both its aesthetics and harmonious sound.
Well-maintained, and in an almost brand new condition, it is ready to embark on a new musical journey with its next owner.
The Dulcimer Factory holds a cherished history, nurtured by John and Shirley Naylor's passion for their craft. Their dulcimer-making expertise blossomed as they learned from Bud and Donna Ford, the renowned authors of the Cripple Creek Dulcimer Book. Relocating from Colorado to San Antonio, TX in 1986, the Naylors established The Dulcimer Factory, capturing the attention of the local community and media. Notably, they even earned a spot on the "Eyes on Texas" TV show, broadcasted from Houston. The overwhelming demand led them to further expand their operations in 1987, ultimately settling in the picturesque town of Fredericksburg, TX.
The Dulcimer Factory flourished during its peak, employing a team of 20 skilled individuals. The company garnered immense recognition, with Newsweek featuring an article about their exceptional instruments in 1991. During the early 1990s, The Dulcimer Factory became the world's leading manufacturer of mountain dulcimers, surpassing renowned names such as McSpadden or Folkcraft in terms of production.
While the Naylors passed on the business to Randy Thompson in 1998, who continued manufacturing dulcimers under the name Hill Country Dulcimers, The Dulcimer Factory label remained prominent under their watchful guidance. However, mass production eventually ceased in 2003, marking a significant chapter in the company's history.
This particular dulcimer, distinguished by the model number DF1, showcases The Backpack Dulcimer design. Its flawless construction, featuring a flower/vine motif, invites you to appreciate the harmony between artistry and functionality.
Don't miss this extraordinary opportunity to own a dulcimer that embodies both elegance and musical brilliance. Let the dulcet tones of The Dulcimer Factory's craftsmanship inspire your artistic spirit. Order this dulcimer with its captivating  design today and experience the magic of this timeless instrument.

 c2.JPG - 146KB

Found this on line....I'll see if I have anything close

No promises....Just a LOT of old parts in the shop.... Do you have a picture of what they looked like?

That's terrific!  Thank you for sharing those wonderful photos!

I have gone down to .08 and up to .16 for a D melody string on a 25" vsl. Its mostly a matter of preference. The amount of tension on the strings affects tone, volume, and sustain. It also affects how comfortable the instrument is to fret. A lot of dulcimer players prefer pretty low tension, relative to an acoustic guitar of the same VSL, for example.

@gerardo1000, it's a good idea to start with the luthier's recommendations about string gauge, as you are doing, but don't feel locked into those gauges.  Follow your own preferences.  And in fact, a difference of 1 or 2 is inconsequential, so I wouldn't fret about the difference between .011 and .012 or .022 and .024.  

There are factors other than VSL to consider, and again, the most important is your own preferences.  One thing to remember is that you want some consistency of tension across the strings.  You might consult a string tension calculator such as this one to ensure that the three courses have similar tension.

FWIW, I prefer slightly heavier strings for a variety of reasons, including the fact that they are louder and also that they provide more resistance, allowing more precision when bending.  There is also a faster response to the flatpick (something enhanced with heavier picks).  On my dulcimers with VSLs in the 25"-26" range, I use .026 on the bass, .016 on the middle, and .013 on the melody.  YMMV, of course.

Strings are cheap. I would suggest buying single strings (not pre-packaged dulcimer sets) and experimenting to find your own personal preferences.

So... McSpadden, for a dulcimer that has a 26in VSL, tuned to ddAD, recommends these strings gauges: 12 12 16 26. Quite heavy, considering that the McSpadden "short scale dulcimer" is two inches and a half shorter than their standard dulcimers that have a VSL of 28.5....  Folkcraft, for a dulcimer that has a 25in VSL (my custom Folkroots) also tuned to ddAD, recommend these strings gauges: 11 11 13 24. Very light. I know it because I asked them. How come ? These two dulcimers have almost the same scale length, I am surprised to see such a difference in the recommended strings gauge, a difference that ranges from very light (Folkcraft) to medium heavy (McSpadden)...these recommendations are also shown on the two makers web sites, when I look at "strings".  Any opinion? 

The height of the bridge and nut slots can also adjust how high or low the string action is from the frets.

It should be noted that there are members of the zither family which have raised fretboards but which are not mtn dulcimers, for example concert zithers.

My 4 string Dulcimer has Jumbo frets which are bigger to make fretting the double melody string more comfortable.

I use 4 strings but I have bigger frets (Jumbo size) to make the double melody string easier to fret

Has anyone ever put Roller Wound Strings on a Folkcraft Lap-Jo? I'd imagine that it would feel smoother because the string squeak would be eliminated.

 dulcimer banjo.png - 95KB

Here's a Folkcraft Chromatic Dulcimer. It's still a Dulcimer because it's part of the Zither family in which the fretboard is above the body as opposed to extended from the body like a Guitar so keep that in mind. The 4 string setup w/ the Doubled Melody String is a bit easier to play w/ Jumbo Frets because the larger sized jumbo frets reduce the distance between the strings & the frets allowing for easier action.

It will also make it easier to do hammer ons and pull offs.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Went ahead and made bridge and nut cuts and removed the inner melody string.  Now have equidistant three strings.  Definitely easier to make a chord!

Thanks for the feedback!  I will probably use this for noter/droning which should be less sensitive to any spacing.  I may cut nut and bridge grooves to move the bass closer to the edge.  I could then remove the inner melody string and have equidistant spacing.  Or, I will just look for a second dulcimer with more of a standard spacing and do all the chord and finger picking on that one. 

I am looking to buy a set of original Clifford Glenn Stubby Walnut Handmade Tuning Pegs.

I recently obtained a Clifford Glenn dulcimer.  Unfortunately, one of the previous owners removed the original pegs and replaced them with commercial violin pegs.  If you have any of Clifford's original pegs lying around unused, I would be interested in purchasing them from you.

Thanks for sharing those photos. I would say that the string spacing on that dulcimer is pretty unusual, which might make it extra difficult to play. If you look at the dulcimer in the 4th photo you attached, you can see that the two melody strings are usually close together, and the "course" of paired melody strings is equally spaced with the other two strings. I'm not sure if your father in law intended for it to be "paired melody strings" or "four string equidistant" but I think it would difficult to play in either.
Also, there are many different ways to hold a noter based on your preference, and I recommend joining the "Old Style Drone & Noter players group if you haven't already.
https://fotmd.com/strumelia/group/19/old-style-drone-noter-players

If these don't work let me know.  Lynn McSpadden was also doing C-G-cc Ionian.  I haven't checked online examples of using a noter, but I did not expect the thumb to be on top.  According to Lynn McSpadden in this book, the index finger is used to position the noter and prevent it from moving to far in.

 1974 Kit 1.jpg - 97KB

Thats a very peculiar design in a few different ways. Could you please take a photo of the entire instrument, id be really curious to see it

The string rests in the bridge.  Another interesting thing about 1974 was that the bass and outer strings are located more toward the center and further from the edge of the fretboard.  So all strings are closer.  I don't have experience on any other type of dulcimer so it's no skin off my nose.  In the "four and twenty" book by Lynn McSpadden that came with the kit he recommends the strumming one beat to be toward the player.  The extra space at the edge of the fretboard might make that easier.  I play a lot of things with strings but I am starting from scratch on the mountain dulcimer and really looking forward to it!  BTW, the Dulcimer Shoppe told me the early 70's kit was about $37 dollars!

That's great! And one thing I didn't think of. Glad it was such an easy fix. Looking at the photo, do the strings rest in the nut or the slots in the tailpiece? I don't recall seeing that type of tailpiece on a McSpadden dulcimer kit. It's interesting.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Figured it out!  The bendover slot from the loop screw to the bridge is not deep enough.  It prevents the string from having a good breakover at the bridge, thus adding at least a 1/2 inch to the string length.  We pushed down with a pencil just behind the bridge, retuned the open melody strings position and the pitch is now perfect!

 Dulcimer isssue.jpg - 80KB

The first thing I would check is to see if the string is seated in the slot in the nut. If it is then I would check the slot itself. Does the string contact the nut in the same place as the rest of the strings? It is possible that in cutting the string slots the point of contact is farther back in that one slot. Is that string binding in the nut? It seems odd that all the other strings perform well and only the one string is a problem. 

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

We have pulled a 1974 McSpadden kit dulcimer (standard, 28.5", 1.5", zero fret, four string) out of long term storage.  My late father-in-law assembled it in 1974 and it was played a total of about 1 hour since then!  I tuned it D-A-aa.  The bass, middle and outer melody strings keep perfect pitch at all frets.  There is no fret damage that I can see.  The inner melody string can be tuned to match the outer when open but it is noticeably flat by the 3rd fret and gets worse up the neck.  Having the zero fret I don't think the problem is at the nut end.  I am going to replace the strings anyway but the originals were not stored in tension and look normal with no corrosion.  What could cause this string to behave differently than the other three?  Thanks!

Hello @dyannay , your images were no longer showing in your post, so I removed them. Is your ad here still valid? If so, please add at least one new picture of the item for sale now. Thanks!

@jim-yates Thanks for the story and the great photo! 

Wow @chris-hornby . That is quite a futuristic approach. It turned out great. I'd love to hear a recording of it!