Forum Activity for @revdave

cardboard? Really! These things exist? I once made a nominally working “organ pipe” from a sheet of notebook paper, but a cardboard dulcimer…

I assume made from corrugated boxlike material? How do they hold up?

Wow, that's pretty cool Chris. What material is the dulcimer made from? Also, do you mean that it has an additional sound board on the inside of the instrument?

RevDave -- I suggest investing $50 or so in a carboard dulcimer.  The sound is good, the frets are dead on and intonation can be adjusted if needs be.  They're a greater learner instrument, and can be 'upograded' by making a simple wooden box...  The picture shows a cardboard dulcimer fretboard transferred to a Virginia-style elliptical body that a student made ...

 Simple Virginia.JPG - 39KB

Thanks Ken. I appreciate your offer and your wisdom, but the dulcimer isn’t mine to repair. That’s partly what’s so frustrating. I have to return it as-is. 

RevDave:  ALL of the issues you have with your no-name kit dulcimer are pretty easily fixed -- by you-- with a  little help from your friends here, for less than $20 and a little time. PM me if you'd like some help fixing it up...

The fact that the instrument is plywood means absolutely nothing -- there are wonderful sounding plywood dulcimers, cardboard dulcimers, even dulcimers made from Legos(tm) and plexiglass!  

Hi, Its along time since I have been on here, but I have decided to become active again. I started by building me a new dulcimer. This on has 6 strings plus 8 sympathetic strings. Also a sounding board. It sounds quite nice

Thats certainly true of my guitar. They seem to be similar quality…

I have access to an old no-name kit dulcimer, built by a non-luthier acquaintance of mine. I’ve been dinking around on that, learning scales, tunings, chords, etc., but it’s fairly frustrating, because the action is way too high, it’s not intonated properly, the fingerboard isn’t smooth, and the frets are poorly finished. Plus it’s plywood. I bet either of the other two will be a vast improvement. I’m having difficulty finding videos of the black mountain so I can hear it. I’d really like to have a McSpadden, but can’t swing the extra $$$ right now… $200 more than I have at my disposal. Maybe someday…

It seems to me that since both options are good quality, and you cant actually play or hear either one before buying, it might be best to pick whichever one you like better aesthetically. If you like to look at it, youll like to have it out, and you'll want to play it more often 😁 

I understand. I played professionally as a singer and rhythm guitar player for 15 years. You will be surprised how quickly you catch on to playing the mountain dulcimer. A more expensive dulcimer that I fingerpick on is a Blue Lion Acoustic Jam dulcimer. It is magical sounding. 

Yes, beginner with dulcimer, but an accomplished guitar player and have played bass professionally. I ought to give McSpadden another look. I used to live not too far from Mountain View.  

Thanks, Ken. That’s solid advice. Unfortunately, in this case, I have only a few sound bites from videos to rely upon. I wish it were otherwise!

Unfortunately, I’m not in a position to hear any of them. I really don’t like to buy sight unseen online; I prefer to see, handle, and listen, but I just don’t have that opportunity in this case.  I thought someone might be able to give me some details of their experiences with these models.

I own a #58 Deluxe Black Mountain dulcimer with a redwood top and cherry sides and back. It is a sweet dulcimer. I found the dulcimer that you are thinking about buying. If you add the case, it is around $425.00 before shipping. I hope it is okay that I am listing the price on this forum. It is more of a beginner dulcimer. Mine stays in tune and plays clearly up and down the fretboard. I have heard of Berg dulcimers but have never played one.

All of that being stated, have you thought about a 26” McSpadden dulcimer? They make them with redwood soundboards and black walnut. I own one and it produces a wonderful warm sound. They start at $545.00 and include a nice backpack case. For another $60.00, you can have a micarta fretboard with mother of pearl dots. If you click on my profile, you will see a photo of three dulcimers. The first dulcimer is a 26” McSpadden redwood/walnut, the second one is the Black Mountain, and the third is a 26” McSpadden all walnut dulcimer. My all walnut one is actually the one I play the most. For just a little more, you can own a dulcimer that will serve your playing for many years.

Are you a beginner player?

Essential differences?   Apple & Oranges!!!  EVERYTHING:   Internal volume of the body, internal bracing dimensions and locations, plank thicknesses, dimensions of the fretboard, mass of the fretboard (hollow or solid), dimensions of the soundholes, location of the soundholes relative to the bouts,  where the nut and bridge set relative to the end blocks, how much length of string between the bridge and the sttring break to the pins, style and material of nut & bridge construction, just for starters. 

Wood choices actually play very little part in the sound of the dulcimer compared to the hundred or more other factors.  External shape plays NO part in the sound of the instrument.  

Choose an instrument first by its sound, second by its look, third by its price, fourth by the craftsmanship, fifth by reputation of the builder.

Have you actually played both of them? If you are buying a musical instrument, the sound and the way it fits your playing should be the deciding factor.

The night of All Hallows Eve has also long been associated with the Irish harvest festival of Samhain. This year, I will celebrate with a concert that tells the story of a young woman going to a harvest ceili: how she prepares, who she meets there, and the tales that are told by the fireside. Come join me for an evening of story and song! To claim your seat for the concert, please send me a message on Facebook or at the email address from my website; then I will send you a concert link and my PayPal link ("name your price")! www.JessicaComeauDulcimer.com

 7101330B-8B61-4BA9-865D-F0A9ECCDDF7C.jpeg - 217KB

I’m looking at one of two different instruments. A Bill Berg #2292 short scale (all walnut), and a Black Mountain #56 in mahogany with an old growth redwood top. They’re both essentially the same price. For those experienced with both Bill and Dave, what are essential differences between these two that might help me to make a decision? I know real mahogany is hard to come by, and old growth redwood is impossible. Is there any other remarkable difference between builders and build style that anyone can point to? Thanks.

Amen Mr Turtle....

@lilley-pad, I would suggest first that you join the Four Equidistant Strings Group here at FOTMD.  Peruse what has already been posted, and if you still have questions, start a new discussion there.

Remember that there are several different ways to tune with 4 equidistant strings, so you need to specify the tuning before anyone can answer your question about chords.

The chart shared by @john-petry is for a chromatic instrument, so I don't know how helpful that will be.

I don't know the source....might help a bit?

Worth checking out the new book by Mark Tindle. It's specifically on 4-equidistant strings: 

https://tindlemusic.com/products/b103-the-essential-four-string-dulcimer

Howdy kids, just Jon Lilley here again. I have a question. I'm starting to play around with a four string equally spaced setup. My question has to do with how do you do chords with that setup. Any feedback would be appreciated. I have noticed that there are many good books online about using chords, but in the book description it doesn't have four strings equally spaced. as far as I can tell without buying the book. So how do you play chords with equally spaced strings 

Thanks, Ken. I certainly appreciate your experience and expertise. I’ve had some high-end stuff of all kinds, but I also know 2 things: 1) I don’t want to spend a lot until I know if I’m going to attain the proficiency to warrant it. 2) I want to spend enough that a lack of quality won’t frustrate and deter me. This happened with my brass instruments in school and through college. I was a music ed. major, and taught music for some years. So I’m looking at some moderately-priced stuff: McSpadden, Black Mountain, Feather, and Berg. His “beginner” model struck my eye, and it’s so much less expensive, it made me curious as to its quality.  Also looking at another model of his, as well.

Thank you, Ken!

There are several places where you can download tab for Ashokan Farewell.  Here is one of them: https://www.coloradodulcimerfestival.com/music/ashokan.pdf Jay Unger and Molly Mason do not seem to vigorously enforce the copyright for dulcimer clubs as far as learning the tune. I think if you were to record it for profit or as part of a streaming service regular performing rights would prevail. Just MHO.

Here is a simple arrangement from Digital Traditions: http://sniff.numachi.com/lookup.cgi?ds1=D&ds2=A&ds3=D&ti=ASHOK1&tt=ASHOK1&tab=d

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I'm looking for dulcimer tablature (DAD) for Ashokan Farewell. It's copyrighted and I'll have to pay for it, of course. I've looked online and haven't been able to find it. I watched someone play on YouTube, but I couldn't see all the chords he was using. I'm a beginner/novice. I've been teaching myself for about five months and am attempting to play it. But the sheet music would be so much better for me. Right now it's all guesswork. 

Like my friend, I don't own, but have played some Bill's dulcimers. They were all of good quality. If I were looking for a new dulcimer I'd certainly look at his. My main dulcimer is a Folkcraft which I play with our local club. The dulcimer I currently play the most is one I built based on the CN Prichard pattern. I have a few what I consider to be historic instruments and a very nice high end dulcimer. I also have a few that I made for myself. I only share this to let you know I have some experience playing many different dulcimers.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Thank for looking!   Building ekeps me off the street occasionally!

@ken-hulme Thanks Ken!

@wally-venable I will have to get my hands on one of those books, thanks for the recommendation :)

@strumelia Interesting! From the wikipedia page on Barbara Allen: American folklorist  Harry Smith  was known to, as a party trick, ask people to sing a verse of the song, after which he would tell what county they were born in.

I love singing these songs that are hundreds of years old and thinking about how many people have sung them and enjoyed them over the years. I'd love to check out that book as well.

You’re doing some unusual and beautiful work.

I do occasionally build for sale.  You can see examples of my work on my Facebook page in Collections on the top left under my basic info.

Thanks for your responses! Unfortunately, they won’t all fit where I’m moving to (back to a studio apartment in the city). I have medical issues and need to have better access than where I’m living now. It’s the only other home I know and I have some family there, but I’ll sure miss living in the country and having the space. I also have a lot of other instruments that take up space, so I’m trying to lessen the collection to about 1 of each type. Thank you for that info about Folkcraft. I’ll do a search on there. I tend to go for the darker wood Folkcraft, but also really love the Hickory Ridge. I never went for the zebra wood, but recently I did and was pleasantly surprised. The older Folkcraft gives me some pause to sell it because it’s an older instrument now and I have some attachment for it though it’s not my favorite. I also don’t think it’s a Gary Sager based on the signature. I wonder if anyone would know if his signatures changed at some point, but I doubt it’s his. 

Thanks, Ken. I appreciate that. Do you build for sale, as well? Do you have a web page?

Bill has been a quality builder for quite a few years.  I've played, but don't own any of his dulcimers, as I prefer the sound of traditionally-built dulcimers rather than modern-built instuments.  The builders (other than myslef) who produce traditionally-built dulcimers today make fantastic replicas of original instruments with the traditional high-silvery sound.

Thank you for your help! I took off the strings and wiped her down with a damp rag last night. Already so much better.

Yes, I thought at least the nut was very thin, but also I can see that the bridge is odd. Looks and feels like plywood. I have room to widen the groove and install a regular bridge, but I don't think I have room to install a more sturdy nut. Maybe I can insert a sheet of brass of appropriate thickness? Any ideas?

Looking at the tuners, the pegs do not cross the entire valley within the neck, although there are small divots to support a longer peg. Should I replace the pegs??

 Bridge mm.jpg - 128KB

If you don't like pick noise, change your angle of attack.  Do not hold the pick rigidly vertical like this ...|... Instead, turn your wrist as you strum out and back so that the pick slides across the strings at a flat angle,  like this ///  and this \\\   but even flatter.  Robert Force likens the motion as similar to when you burn your fingers pulling off a toasted marshmallow -- and whip your hand back and forth to cool them off...   Don't strum by rotating the arm at the elbow hold the hand rigidly, but by rotating the hand at the wrist. 

Yep -- NOT  baritone.   The overall length of a dulcimer is almost meaningless -- it's the VSL -- distance between the nut and bridge -- which matters.   

I second the Howard Feed N Wax.  Those tuner knobs are yellow because the tuners are very old, they were originally white.  The tuner bodies are corroded and need cleaning along with everything else.  

As Dusty sez, both the nut and bridge are "worryingly thin" (unless they are made of brass)  and need to be replaced with something besides credit card and doorskin plywood.    The gaps can be filled with Titebond (tm) glue which can be mixed with some fine dark-wood sawdust to make it a real filler.