Who made this dulcimer?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Thanks Ken for the quick response. That's good news. I will be filing tonight.
Forum Activity for @john-c
Who made this dulcimer?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Filing those new slots will not affect the value of the dulcimer. Just use a small triangular file, not a saw.
Who made this dulcimer?
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Well I wound up passing on the Doty Dulcimer, but I think for good reason. I will let you guys decide. I was able to get my hands on a Robert Mize 1988 solid cherry Dulcimer. It is mint. It came with the case, some books and the original card that had the specs of the dulcimer as well as the number. I have attached some pics, please let me know your thoughts. Also it has the 4 equidistance string setup and the nut and saddle do not have the slots to change that configuration. Would it devalue it to have those slots cut into them? Thanks
Who made this dulcimer?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Me too Robin! The person who sold it to me didn't have any idea how old it was, where it was from or who made it
Who made this dulcimer?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Curious. I wish I had a clue as to who was the maker, David. What jumps to mind, though, is the maker had some sort of banjo tail piece in mind when they they did the tail on the mountain dulcimer.
Who made this dulcimer?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Hi Robin, no sign of any markings under that metal piece or on the tail. I had a good look at it before I put that fender strap button on.I think that metal piece must be copper, it isn't magnetic, but it sure is heavy
Who made this dulcimer?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
I could pull the screws and look underneath it Robin...
Tell us about your VERY FIRST dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Wow, @paulinphoenix, such a neat story! It sounds as though you have a wonderful collection of instruments with memories to match.
Who made this dulcimer?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
@david-messenger That metal piece surely is distinctive-- thanks for the photo! I can't help but wonder whether under this metal piece is where the original string anchors were located and the metal piece was added after the original string anchors failed some way.
Who made this dulcimer?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Sounds like a great price on the Doty, John-C
Tell us about your VERY FIRST dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
[quote="PaulinPhoenix"]
My "very first" dulcimer was actually six dulcimers. I spent a summer in West Virginia many decades ago and heard my first dulcimer played on an old front porch by an equally old and delightful lady who was regarded as the matriarch of the town (the name of the town and her surname were the same - it was founded by her ancestors).
What a wonderful story. You are fortunate to have that collection of dulcimers.
Tell us about your VERY FIRST dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
My "very first" dulcimer was actually six dulcimers. I spent a summer in West Virginia many decades ago and heard my first dulcimer played on an old front porch by an equally old and delightful lady who was regarded as the matriarch of the town (the name of the town and her surname were the same - it was founded by her ancestors). She played noter/drone style, and simple melodic sound of the thing just fascinated me - it had an appealing singular plainness about it, but she had some techniques as well where she could make it seem to warble, chirp and sing. Our families kept in touch, and not long after the day came when she eventually passed a carton was delivered to me - 6 of her dulcimers, all wrapped so they would survive the postal transit in an old bed coverlet.
I came to learn that two of the instruments qualify as "ancient," according to the luthier that looked at them, as they were made before the Civil War. One, I was told, was either owned by (or made by, I can't remember exactly) Jean Richie, two were made in Walton West Virginia, and the newest one is a walnut McSpadden that is maybe 30 or so years old. I've cared for, but not much attempted to play, all these instruments for years, but recently have picked up the walnut one and started practicing again, as even just hearing the sound of the thing transports me back to a far less complicated time in my life.
Who made this dulcimer?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
@david-messenger The tail on your instrument looks really distinctive. If we could have a better look at it, perhaps someone can help make a positive ID on who was the maker?
Who made this dulcimer?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Good price. Especially considering that includes case, books, spare strings...
Who made this dulcimer?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Thank you for the information. I agree, I thought it was odd she stated she watched it being made, that being said we have only communicated via email and I have not seen it in person yet. I did have another pic that I didn't post, but now that you mentioned Dan and Ethel Doty it makes sense, because strings that come with it has Dan's name on them. See Pic. Dulcimer, case, 2 how to books and strings asking $175. Does the price seem in the ballpark?
Who made this dulcimer?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Well it depends, when it was bought. Dan and Ethel Doty have been there for about 40 years and that dulcimer should have a signature inside one of the bottom sound holes. Check it out if you can.......I suspect it is one of their's and if so it is a pretty good instrument. If the price is right, I would not be afraid to buy it. When the seller said she watched it being made, I suspect she may have meant string it up or setting it up somehow............you're not going to build one in a day or so........
If it is a Doty it is going to be signed.
updated by @salt-springs: 10/02/19 10:49:01AM
Who made this dulcimer?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Could someone help me identify a Dulcimer I am looking at. The lady said it was made in Dollywood and she watched it being made. Does anyone know who may have made them or the value?
Who made this dulcimer?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
I ordered some cool tuners for her from Trenton, NJ, off a 1920's banjo. 3 good ones in there. Still not sure what make they are. Any ideas?
Who made this dulcimer?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Does anybody have any idea who may have made this dulcimer? It doesn't have any tag or anything on it. I bought it on ebay out of Alford, GB
Group Contents Re-ordered???
Site QUESTIONS ? How do I...?
Hi Lisa:
Just got here for my morning scan of things, and noticed that the Wall contents of the three Groups I follow most commonly have been completely and randomly re-ordered -- and current threads have been misplaced somewhere in the many pages of threads.
Specifically the Groups are Beginner Players, Dulcimer Making, and Old Style Noter & Drone.
updated by @ken-hulme: 10/14/19 02:30:25PM
Lillie’s Lullaby
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Great tune, Kendra...The kind you go around humming when you're happy! Hope to see you again in Berea next year.
Lillie’s Lullaby
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Kendra, it'd work better for you if you posted this info and link to the tab etc right in the Comments section of your Lillies video.
That way, your info about the tab and the video will all be in one place, right on the actual video page. If you start a forum thread in the Forums about your video in the video section, the two will not stay connected and people's comments here about your video will sink out of sight as the forum thread gets older. That's the trouble with having two different comment areas about one item (the video, where comments are left... and this thread about the video, in a forum that is not part of the video.)
I know you are having some confusions about using this site, so I'm trying to help you. It's best not to start a forum discussion about your own video- each videos has its own comment area where you can post thoughts and info and hold discussions about the video right there, on the video's own page. It gets quite confusing after a while to have comments on the video page and also comments about the video in a separate forum thread like this one. Go to your "Lillies" video's page (find your video by going to the main link for Videos at top banner, OR by going to your own profile page and clicking the Videos Tab to see your VIDEOS there) and post your info and tab link there in the video comments instead of starting forum discussions about each of your videos. That way everyone will find all the comments, discussion, and info on the video right there, on the video's page. I hope I've explained this without confusing things!
updated by @strumelia: 10/01/19 11:33:17PM
Lillie’s Lullaby
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Kendra, thank you for sharing the tab of "Lillie's Lullaby" and for sharing your family's connection to dulcimer history. Most of us came to the dulcimer later in our lives, and it is nice to hear from someone who lived the tradition within their own family. I've printed off your arrangement of "Lillie's Lullaby" and will give it a whirl tomorrow when I'm more awake. All the best.
Lillie’s Lullaby
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Hello all...I posted a video playing my grandmothers dulcimer which was made in 1892! The tune is called “Lillie’s Lullaby” which I wrote in her honor around 30 years ago...
Heres a link to the tab and music...I hope you will think of my grandmother Lillie when you play it...
https://dulcimertimes.com/freebies/LilliesLullaby.DAA.pdf
Thanks...
Kendra...aka Dulcerina
updated by @kendra-ward: 10/27/19 12:02:25PM
I only see original post in a discussion, not replies..?
Site QUESTIONS ? How do I...?
Kendra Ward:
I can’t find comments or read them on something I posted...
Kendra, please tell me an actual example of 'something you posted' that you cannot see the comments on. I need that.
I only see original post in a discussion, not replies..?
Site QUESTIONS ? How do I...?
Kendra it's hard to know exactly what comments you are talking about- can you please post here an URL where there is a comment you cannot read? or tell me what the comment says so i can find it? that would enable me to help guide you better. I'm understanding only that you somehow know there has been a comment or message to you, but are not using the correct link that takes to the comment or message so that you can see and respond to it. I'm not knowing how/where you are being presented with these links or notifications so that I can advise you where you are going wrong.
My best guess right now without getting further clarifications from you:
Is it in an email that you find out about a new comment? This would a site notification, which typically has two or three links in it (to unsubscribe, to go see a comment, to turn off notifications altogether). If so, please copy/paste the text of what the email says here... that will help me determine whether these 'comments' you are referring to are comments on your videos, private messages, comments on your profile page, etc. Or, it will help me guess which incorrect link you are clicking on in the notification. Knowing that will help me tell you how you are perhaps going to the wrong place, resulting in your not seeing the items.
updated by @strumelia: 10/01/19 11:17:57AM
I only see original post in a discussion, not replies..?
Site QUESTIONS ? How do I...?
Kendra Ward:
Are you logged in? I think you also need to be logged in to access some things?
I don’t know what group it’s in? I’ve joined several in the past but the comments are not within those groups. I can’t find comments or read them on something I posted...
I only see original post in a discussion, not replies..?
Site QUESTIONS ? How do I...?
I don’t know what group it’s in? I’ve joined several in the past but the comments are not within those groups. I can’t find comments or read them on something I posted...
I only see original post in a discussion, not replies..?
Site QUESTIONS ? How do I...?
Not quite clear on what comments you are referring to, (this thread here is about what to do if you can't see the entire discussion in a group because you;ve not joined it yet) but....if you are referring maybe to email site notifications you get when people have commented on your items, then follow the LINK provided in the notification, which leads you to the comment itself, on your item.
Maybe you are clicking on the wrong link in the notification. Please look carefully at the notification- the link to follow should be near the top, above the comment.
updated by @strumelia: 09/30/19 10:34:44PM
I only see original post in a discussion, not replies..?
Site QUESTIONS ? How do I...?
Kendra, have you tried reading this thread?
It explains how you need to join a group in order to be able to read the complete discussions in the group. It also shows pictures on how to join a group. Try that.
updated by @strumelia: 09/30/19 10:21:51PM
I only see original post in a discussion, not replies..?
Site QUESTIONS ? How do I...?
I’m pretty frustrated. I cannot see any replies. I’ve tried everything. Please help.
Saw this discussion a little late. Was looking around after posting a fret calculator I designed for my own dulcimer making. You can find it at https://bearmeadow.com/calculators/fret-calculator.html
I just posted an article on this forum discussing some of the problems it helps dulcimer makers solve.
Bear Meadow Fret Calculator lives again
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
The fret calculator on the Bear Meadow website is live again, thanks to Google! You can find it under the "Calculators" menu. I haven't gotten the others converted yet.
This calculator has a few features of special interest to mountain dulcimer builders:
1.You can change the scale length (of course! duh...)
2. You can get an idea of what kind of error (in cents) is being introduced by your cutting method. This is particularly helpful for those who hand-cut fret slots. To get that estimated error, enter a number for "Saw Error." A good beginning estimate is the width of your saw.
3. Positions of every "extra fret" is shown, and its distance from the previous diatonic fret. Very useful for knowing where extra frets go on your scale
4. In addition to "Nut to Fret" distance, "Fret-to-fret" distance is shown. This is helpful if you don't have an accurate ruler long enough to range all the way to the highest fret position. Though measuring fret-to-fret will accumulate errors, at least you have a better chance at getting it right if you have an accurate distance (these are shown in the closest 5 ten-thousandths of an inch, the upper limit of digital calipers on the market.
5. "Fret-to-Saddle" distance is also shown, giving you a way to double-check your fret-to-fret measurements at the high frets (but that depends on how accurately you can mark your nominal saddle position). CAUTION: Don't use this on existing fretboards, as it will not account for any intonation or compensation offset!
My next chore will be to add a choice of measurement units. Right now, the display and "rounding-off" is appropriate for English units (inches). I hope to get to proper display and rounding for milimeters, and a selectable user's choice for that.
Another thing I'd like to add is the math for the calculations of fret positions and error. Haven't figured out how to present math symbols on Google Drive yet!
updated by @dwain-wilder: 10/27/19 12:02:25PM
Dulcimer Project (Reasonably) Complete!
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
@cbrown, you might want to contact @bob-stephens. He is a luthier who had been making steel-string dulcimers for a while but recently developed a nylon-string model. I think he tried unsuccessfully to simply put nylon strings on his older models so he designed a new model specifically for nylon strings. I don't know enough about instrument construction to understand the differences, but I think his nylon-string dulcimers have many different design elements, from bracing inside the box to the way the fretboard connects to the rest of the instrument.
Dulcimer Project (Reasonably) Complete!
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Hm. This one is built ultra light, so gut might be an interesting experiment.
I ought to measure and compare it with my other dulcimer.
PLEASE Click to READ THIS before posting items for sale here. New requested small fee for sellers.
FOR SALE:instruments/music items/CDs/Wanted to Buy...
Hi Sharon, an Admin needs to remove the threads from the For Sale forum. I have deleted it for you. Thanks!
Conversation with Kendra Ward
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Hi everyone! Thank you so much for the kind words...wow!
It was quite an honor to be included in the conversations series...I’m humbled. ☺️
Give us a date and we will head to the UK...it’s been too long since we were last there It’s so awesome to be able to connect better with dulcimer players across the pond.
Kendra...aka Dulcerina
Dulcimer Project (Reasonably) Complete!
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Two kinds of metal strings -- loop end and ball end. Which you use depends on how your dulcimer is set up. There are plain steel strings and wound strings. Type of string is irrelevant, brand of string doesn't matter -- the gauge is the most important factor.
Some people have used gut or nylon strings. Unless the dulcimer is built ultra-light, they tend to make too soft of sound.