Forum Activity for @caleb-dan-bennett

You might try a Budist temple for information on that instrument. I know my granddaughter is part Laotian and danced at the temple and they had those hammered dulcimer type instrument and others.

Nellie -- without seeing the pictures you are looking at we simply cannot tell anything about the instrument.  Post the pictures here so we can help.

You said: "Is wr walnut and redwood? If that is true than not plywood so should not darken?"

Plywood does not darken compared to solid wood in any scenario I've seen in over 60 years as a woodworker.

could be just the picture... it's hard to take pictures in the house is my experience... you can't really go wrong with a mcspadden.   

Don hasn't been in the shop for about a year, but he will always be my hero dulcimer maker.......

I'm sorry to hear that.    But thanks for passing on the news.

I have just been in touch with Don's wife, via email. I was hoping to discuss his building a true replica of a TMB a few years ago.  She replied "He isn't building anymore due to health problems." 

The bridge and nut may be set up....just be sure he installs 4 tuners so you have that flexibility. 

I think it's easier with 3 strings, so I think you made the right call!  But then I usually play dulcimers with just 3 strings--if a dulcimer happens to have 4 tuners, I just use 3.  So I guess it depends on what you're used to...

The solid bass string will have the traditional "twang" that is commonly referred to as "silvery". The wound strings are generally fuller toned, what I liken to guitar sounding. It all boils down to personal preference.....

I play noter drone.

Hi Richard,

I have a keyboard stand that I have used for a long time - to stand while playing my dulcimers.

At first - I used 2 pieces of shelving covered with the rubber shelf liner.

The shelving was heavy, so I found some much lighter paneling and covered it with the shelf liner.

Once you have your "base" just adjust to the height that you are comfortable with, and Voila!

Works like a charm!

Keep strumming and smiling!

Cindy

Drone or chording?

For me, the gauge remains the same.

Is the plain string the same gauge or a different gauge from the wound string?

Correction. Has anyone modified a keyboard stand to use for the dulcimer while standing to play?

@dulcinina Way to go!  And thanks for the update.  

Here's an update on forming a dulcimer group.  I have 4 people in the group so far.  I had a PSA on the radio and sent emails to those who were in the group before.  No one from the old group came but the 4 who did heard about it through word of mouth.  They are beginners but know a little about the dulcimer and are very enthusiastic.  So while I was hoping to just be the coordinator/leader, I am teaching basics.  It was a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to the group growing.  Thanks for your input a couple months ago.  Oh, we have free space at our local Carnegie Center, a venue for music and art exhibits. We decided to meet twice a month. The group is going to work on coming up with a name.  Things are looking good.  Dulcinina 

It eliminates most of that awful sound the bass strings makes when the finger slides up or down the string.  The tuning does not change.

Duh! 

@annie-deeley Look for the emoticon on the second line of strip at the top of the box in which you make replies.  

Can't say enough about what FOTMD has meant to me in the last 2 1/2 years...but, um, where do we keep those smileys, so I can give y'all a hug?

No, but I've seen them; better for sittin  I use a waiter's tray table

Has anyone modified a keyboard to use for the dulcimer while standing to play?

I remember seeing some comments about using a plain string for the bass rather than a wound string.

Can anyone offer some enlightenment about why and also what tuning you use when you use the plain string?

FOTMD is my online mountain dulcimer club. :)

Folks, I am one of the newest members here and this forum has already been invaluable in helping me learn about both building and playing a dulcimer.  Let's ALL chip in so Strumelia doesn't have to support this website out her own pocket; it's valuable to all members in so many ways. 

Caleb, I do not use a heating blanket for bending the uke sides. It was just too much for me to invest in for this project. I steam the sides and then place them in the bender. I use a heat gun to heat the sides as I bend them. I make a sandwich of galvanized steel, wet paper towel, side, wet paper towel, and galvanized steel. The first bend went well. I'll see how the rest do; especially when I change from mahogany to rosewood.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Wow Ken- looks like a great (and extensive) project! Hope you keep us posted, along with photos, as to how they are  coming along!

Do you use a heating blanket for bending sides?

WOW, working on 6!! Can't wait to see them. All the best.

Work on my 00 size guitar is stalled as my friend who is helping me with it is renovating his home. The renovation is taking most of his time, so we do not find time to get together. So I looked through my shop and discovered that I have lots of scraps waiting to be used on other projects. When my son was here from California in June, I asked him if he would be interested in a soprano size ukulele for himself and one for his son. He replied in the affirmative, so I decided to go ahead with the project. I am now making six ukuleles; three from mahogany and spruce and three from rosewood, spruce, and mahogany. I spent the last few weeks thickness sanding wood, making forms, and other prep work. Today I bent the first set of mahogany sides. I have one neck roughed out. Here are a couple of photos of the bending.

 IMG_1899.jpg - 169KB

Patsyannie, I have owned my Banjammer (made by Mike Clemmer at Wood 'n' Strings Dulcimer shop in Townsend, Tenn.) for 8 years.  I have never mastered playing the "real" banjo playing techniques (like "claw hammer") but I really like the sound you get when you play songs like "Camptown Races".  I also play slow songs on it though...it's a lot of fun to experiment!

For anyone who is interested in learning to play a Banjammer (which you can play like a dulcimer or play it clawhammer style like a banjo) the Clemmers will be hosting the 5th annual Banjammer Gathering in Townsend, TN the first weekend in October.  Here's a link http://www.banjammer.com/    I went the first and second years and it was a LOT of fun!

 They have classes for beginners/novice and intermediate/advanced levels.

Hearts of the Dulcimer Podcast - Episode 28
A Conversation with Judy Collins

  http://bit.ly/hotdpodcast

We spoke with legendary award-winning singer-songwriter Judy Collins about her good friend Richard Fariña. We also explored the importance of Judy Collins’ Fifth Album in introducing the dulcimer in the mid-1960s. With additional commentary by Neal Hellman and readings from Richard Fariña’s cousin Omar Lugones.

Hearts of the Dulcimer Podcast can be found on most podcast apps.
Here's the link to Hearts of the Dulcimer on iTunes: http://bit.ly/hotdpodcast

Don't use a podcast app or iTunes? You can listen to all the podcast episodes directly on our website: http://dulcimuse.com/podcast

We also have a resource page for every episode, where you can find photos, videos, and song lists. Here's the resource page for this episode:  http://dulcimuse.com/podcast/resource/028.html

Wow, George, that is a big critter!  Enjoy! 

Well, I got the 6 string Presnell all fixed up, re-strung and tuned. 

Knew about the crack on the back but found some fairly serious separation on the tail in several places. But got some feedback and had all the proper clamps etc. to fix it up, can't even tell there were any issues now!!

 I was surprised at how large this dulcimer is. My 1966 3 string is 34 1/2 long, VSL of 29 inches, 4 1/2 inch upper bout, 6 inch or so lower bout, 1 3/4 inch deep body.

 The 1972 6 string is 42 inches long, 2 1/4 inch deep body, 5 1/4 inch upper bout, 7 inch lower bout, and a 3 1/4 inch VSL !

 Sounds great, I've attached a couple photos to show the size contrast.

 I love a success story!

 IMG_2294.jpg - 157KB

Yes, for sure it has a very big Hummel like sound and tone, I have done a variety of tuning it it and seems to play well in most, great fro jam sessions, can be very well heard with accompanying instruments.