Tiny mahogany dulcimer thingy just made
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
I love it John! Let us know when they are available for sale. 
updated by @susie: 03/24/19 08:57:40AM
Forum Activity for @susie
Tiny mahogany dulcimer thingy just made
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Yes I know all too well about "ideas" gettin' in my head, I got a fire barrel chop full of great ones.... Wonderful work John, I'll play you a door chime folk tune at the Gathering!
Tiny mahogany dulcimer thingy just made
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
What a cutie! I can't wait to see it when it grows up!
Tiny mahogany dulcimer thingy just made
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Cute! I like the scalloped fretboard, John!
Tiny mahogany dulcimer thingy just made
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Dang John, that's just cuter than a bug's ear! And I love the built-in tuning key storage.
updated by @ken-hulme: 03/23/19 10:12:25PM
Tiny mahogany dulcimer thingy just made
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Here is the outworking of some brainstorming I've had recently. You know how an idea gets in your head and won't go away peacefully? Well, this lil' guy is less than 12" long, but can be played-- SORT OF. It's my version of a true "pocket dulcimer". Just thought you might like to see it!
updated by @john-c-knopf: 10/27/19 12:02:25PM
Slight bow in back of dulcimer.
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Thanks John. Baritone, 4 string equidistant, chromatic etc etc, the dulcimer bug has definitely got me.
Slight bow in back of dulcimer.
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
So, full steam ahead! Congratulations on building your first dulcimer. You'll get lots of ideas for future ones now.
Slight bow in back of dulcimer.
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Thank you guys, I was hoping for this response!.
I added kerfing to make the joints stronger & as I said earlier, I love the vibrato achieved by gently rocking the dulcimer from side to side when playing.
I play slow fingerpicking ballads mostly.
I'd thought about forming a bowed back by making it from 2 pieces & shaping the braces, but in the end decided not to change too much from the original design as it's my first build - I expected some kind of learning curve!
I just need to sand, finish & put the tuners etc on, and decide whether to fit the LR Baggs pick up.
Slight bow in back of dulcimer.
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Since the fretboard is level I do not see a problem with playing it on your lap. As long as the glue joints are solid I do not see a problem with it coming apart. Some dulcimer builders put a curve on the bottom intentionally.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Slight bow in back of dulcimer.
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Some builders actually build-in a bowed back -- the idea that the curve acts as a kind of projector for the sound.
Slight bow in back of dulcimer.
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Thanks John.
I don't mind it having a slightly bowed back as I play with it on my lap and use a gentle rocking motion for slow vibrato.
It was more a structural concern really.
Slight bow in back of dulcimer.
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Joolsy,
You could try sanding the back flat if the bow is minor, or you could glue 3 feet on the back like they did in the old days.
Slight bow in back of dulcimer.
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Hi all.
I recently finished my walnut fokcraft teardrop dulcimer kit & have noticed a slight side to side rocking motion when placed on a flat surface. I think this may have happened because when I glued the sides to the back, they may not have been perfectly at 90 degrees, so when the fretboard/top was clamped on, it caused a slight width ways bow in the back. I'm wondering if it may eventually cause any problems later on, i.e. delaminnation or cause the neck to bow.
Other than the slight side to side rocking, I've checked the fretboard & with straight edge & winding sticks & it's all good.
Thanks for reading, any thoughts?
Cigar Box Guitars
Adventures with 'other' instruments...
Pondoro:
I've always seen CBG's and CBU's tuned in fourths. You can tune ukes and guitars in fifths but it is rare. Tenor guitars are probably tuned in fifths most of the time.
I’ve been looking at three string cigar box guitars and most seem to be tuned as GDG, or similar tuning. Often played with a slide. Check out https://www.cigarboxguitar.com/knowledge-base/5565/
Ruth Randle
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Sorry to hear this news. Condolences to Ruth's friends and family.
Ruth Randle
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I am so sorry Patty....
Prayers for her family and friends........
May each one hold tight to the precious memories 🙏💕
Ruth Randle
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I knew Ruth from several dulcimer events I attended. I enjoyed sharing music with her. We talked about her on another dulcimer site (probably one of the Facebook dulcimer pages). She is missed by many.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Ruth Randle
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I met Ruth in '09 at Ken Bloom's Pilot Mountain Bowed Dulcimer fest. She was generous, gracious, a prolific knitter, and all-around good gal! Ken called her Saint Ruth for her work transcribing his chicken scratching on paper to music. Ruth was a treasure.
Ruth Randle
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Thanks Patty.
I met Ruth over 20 yrs ago, she let me come and look at her Keith Young dulcimers before I ordered one from Keith. She was very gracious.
Sad to know she's passed on.
updated by @strumelia: 03/19/19 08:53:57AM
Ruth Randle
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Many may not know Ruth but I wanted to share that she went home to the Lord March 4th. She was very much a part of the Northern Virginia Dulcimer Group. I believe she was one of the founding members of that group. She knew Keith Young. She went to many workshops and some of you may have met her. She often gave dulcimer lessons at her home. She wrote a lot tab. We went to quite a few jam sessions together. I know she left a wonderful musical legacy to her sons. They sang at her memorial service. Ruth touched so many lives. She is already missed.
updated by @patty-from-virginia: 10/27/19 12:02:25PM
New player / New purchase / Wellborn dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Ken Hulme:
There are photos of two different instruments there... one with a walnut back, one showing a maple back with a thin walnut 'racing stripe'. One with a maple fretboard, the other with a walnut fretboard.
Hi Ken,
A couple posts back I stated that I had purchased a second dulcimer. The maple backed pictures were posted at the beginning of this thread. I did notice that if your looking at pictures and start scrolling them, the forum will show all attached pictures from the entire thread. I thought that might be confusing!
updated by @wmacky: 03/18/19 10:11:58AM
New player / New purchase / Wellborn dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Wmacky, you have purchased a beautiful instrument. Congrats. I saw it on ebay but did not pursue it.
I have purchased 5 dulcimers over the years which appeared that someone purchased, looked at, and put in a closet waiting for the "some day" when they would learn to play. But never did. One even had the pick and noter stick still sealed in a little envelope. So long as they have been stored where there is not extreme temps or humidity, one can find some good buys in this scenario. Usually the dulcimer will need new strings, and sometimes some care of the fretboard as frets will sometimes oxidize a bit over time.
I know you are looking forward to many years enjoying your dulcimers. It sounds like your DAD (dulcimer acquisition disorder) may be at bay for a while. Thankfully, that disorder is not harmful, unless it makes the spouse unhappy.
New player / New purchase / Wellborn dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
There are photos of two different instruments there... one with a walnut back, one showing a maple back with a thin walnut 'racing stripe'. One with a maple fretboard, the other with a walnut fretboard.
Hammers for the MD?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Interesting marketing, that's for sure. Personally, on the rare occasion that I hammer my MD I just use a wooden chopstick...
Hammers for the MD?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
So, has anyone ever heard of or used a hammer specifically designed for the mountain dulcimer?
New player / New purchase / Wellborn dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Even better is that although it's 10 years old, he sold it as new / unplayed. Never left it's case.......
Looks like it's maple top. sides, and fretboard, walnut back and scroll?
Look like this is missing the 6 1/2 fret, so now I have one of each fret layout.
updated by @wmacky: 03/17/19 11:09:30PM
New player / New purchase / Wellborn dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Way to go! My favorite dulcimer: is the one I’m playing.
New player / New purchase / Wellborn dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Yeah, I'd agree that's a special dulcimer! Congratulations!
New player / New purchase / Wellborn dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Holy moley thats a beautiful instrument!!!!!!!!!!!
New player / New purchase / Wellborn dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Outstanding! I'd say you stole it! Congratulations.
New player / New purchase / Wellborn dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
How many Dulcimers does a dulcimer player need???
Just one more 🤣
New player / New purchase / Wellborn dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
It's official. I'm out of control! My first purchase won't arrive until tomorrow, and I have made my second purchase moments ago. I truly was in no rush, but then saw a nice special looking MD on eBay that looked like it was going to go cheap. It did! I'm no Dulcimer expert being a beginner, but I think I stole it I hope no one here was bidding on it too?
Not much info on the "deceased" builder, but can tell from the construction that he must have been great. Fred T Wellborn?
Paid $161 with a hard case. Here's a quick peek! And yesy, more flamed maple.
updated by @wmacky: 03/17/19 09:33:11PM
New player / New purchase / Wellborn dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I've only played Richard's dulcimers once, but I could be very happy with one. I play a 30 year old custom McSpadden that I absolutely love, and I think his had much the same sound. Very mellow but solid, and the build was excellent. I'm sure you'll love yours.
New player / New purchase / Wellborn dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Welcome to the FOTMD community. As you have already discovered, you will receive a warm welcome and friendly advice on this forum. This community will continue to welcome your questions and suggestions, and we will do our best to make you keep coming back for more.
While I have no personal experience with your dulcimer maker, his dulcimers sure look sweet. I'm sure your new dulcimer will serve you well and provide you with many hours of joy.
New player / New purchase / Wellborn dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Thanks so much for the warm welcome everyone. That's a breath of fresh air compared to some of the hobby forums I visit. I have not received the dulcimer yet but the anticipation is great. I've been intriuged since first seeing one about 45 years ago on a episode of "The Walton's". My God, has it been 45 years?
Any way, thanks for not scolding. I know as a beginner, that was not the standard path. However I do appreciate finely crafted pieces using choice woods. I just had to have it. I made a offer that brought the price down to almost what a standard McSpadden goes for, and he accepted, so I jumped. I'm already thinking about another.
I came here as a so so struggling guitar player. So I'm familiar with strumming. fretting, and musical concepts, but of coarse, know little about the dulcimer.
Ken, I'm going to read that article right now! Do some of you that know of Richard, ever heard his dulcimers? Just curious which way the sound leans. Modern / traditional.... It doesn't much matter to me as which ever way it goes, I'll compliment it with another that leans the other way!
updated by @wmacky: 03/15/19 10:23:21PM
New player / New purchase / Wellborn dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Welcome to our musical family. Great purchase as a first instrument. Here's link to an article I wrote several years back for folks in your position
https://fotmd.com/strumelia/group_discuss/2316/ken-hulmes-i-just-got-a-dulcimer-now-what-article
The article is called I Just Got A Dulcimer, Now What? It's an illustrated glossary of dulcimer terms, so we all talk the same jargon, plus answers to many beginner questions about tuning, playing, care and feeding of your new best friend.
Enjoy your journey -- you're in for a fabulous ride!
New player / New purchase / Wellborn dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Yes, Richard builds some nice instruments! If you're interested in hearing him, although not playing dulcimers, he and Tom Fellenbaum (another builder of wonderful dulcimers) are the alternating hosts of Celtic Winds on WNCW here in western North Carolina every Sunday from Noon-3pm Eastern. You can listen live at wncw.org or through several apps. They play some great music, and very occasionally you'll hear some dulcimer, too!
New player / New purchase / Wellborn dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
That sure is a pretty instrument-- happy strumming!