Forum Activity for @john-c-knopf

John C. Knopf
@john-c-knopf
05/18/17 09:37:36PM
452 posts

Dennis Dorogi


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions


There is some sad news from New York.  Legendary luthier Dennis Dorogi, 82, passed away Tuesday night at his home in Brocton.  Here is a link to the funeral home in charge of the family arrangements:

http://themorsefuneralhome.com/obituaries/

 

Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme
05/18/17 08:28:40PM
2,157 posts

Possum board options


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I play with both possum board and a stand-up stand.  If you play with a stand acoustically (not amped) you will want a board underneath, as the greater sound will head for the floor if you don't.  If you're playing with a pickup I don't think it makes much, if any, difference.

My stand-up stand is a tall waiter's tray table, from a restaurant supply house for $28.

Richard Streib
@richard-streib
05/18/17 03:30:57PM
279 posts

Possum board options


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions


I am considering a couple of things at the same time.

Had thought about modifying a keyboard stand to make a stand to play lap dulcimer in standing. Will I need a board under the instrument like a possum board or just a support for the tail and head block?

In regard to a possum board for playing while sitting, is there an advantage to the board itself or will a frame like support with support at the head and tail blocks be as effective.

Need your thoughts from those who have tried different things.

Thanks

Richard Streib
@richard-streib
05/18/17 03:27:21PM
279 posts

Tell us about your VERY FIRST dulcimer


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

My first dulcimer was and is (I still play it) a Walnut Valley Wildwood Mountain model I ordered in late 1992 and received in Feb 1993. Lovely instrument with walnut back, cherry sides, walnut fretboard and spruce top. I did replace the tuning machines with geared tuners and added strap buttons. Still looks good other than some mild finish loss from playing it.

It came with a hard shell case with shaped mold for the instrument inside. I wish other builders offered the fitted case. I know Blue Lion does.

Strumelia
@strumelia
05/18/17 11:56:19AM
2,420 posts



I'm hoping the insurance will pay- sometimes they refuse to if they feel the packing job was insufficient.

Keep the packing materials, take photos of it all, including of any damaged box or packing materials, and of course photos of the instrument.

Jan Potts
@jan-potts
05/18/17 11:45:13AM
403 posts



That happened to me once and the person was very apologetic and offered a refund immediately.  I was told that the job of packing and shipping it had been given to someone she thought knew how to do it right and said they had definitely taken shortcuts (from my description), probably not realizing how disastrous that could be!

I hope your results are similar!

Lexie R Oakley
@lexie-r-oakley
05/18/17 11:05:06AM
229 posts



This is very up setting for you. Will you be contacting that person?

 

hugssandi
@hugssandi
05/18/17 10:00:15AM
249 posts



OH I'm so sorry... :(
Strumelia
@strumelia
05/18/17 08:49:41AM
2,420 posts



Oh man.  I truly hate to hear this.  crying1  What will you do now?  

Strumelia
@strumelia
05/18/17 08:42:13AM
2,420 posts

Healthy Living- healthy eating, exercise, weight loss, veggie gardening, etc.


OFF TOPIC discussions


Wow that's a whole bunch of amazing produce, Ken!  I bet you cook up a storm with all that.

My older daughter & her wife buy a farm share too, between Spring and Fall... since they live in an apt with no yard in a city.  They really plow through those veggies...they have a juicer machine and they use it almost every day. They do grow a mini windowbox of herbs on their window railing in the Summer. flower


updated by @strumelia: 05/18/17 08:47:32AM
Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme
05/17/17 10:57:09PM
2,157 posts

Healthy Living- healthy eating, exercise, weight loss, veggie gardening, etc.


OFF TOPIC discussions

A couple months ago we joined a year-round food co-op that offers a veggie box or produce box for $20 or a combo box for $25; plus lots of individual veggies and fruits for sale at way below local megamart prices (golden beets for 50¢ each vs megamart bundle of 3 for $4.49, and parsnips for 33¢ each instead of a bag of 3 for $3.99).  We've found a combo box works just about right for us.  There's no mandatory buy, and they have a number of pick-up points around the area.

This week we're getting:

5 Sweet Potatoes (pesticide free)
1 Sweet Onion
1 Red Onion (pesticide free)
2 Garlic Bundles
3 Bell Peppers (pesticide free,local)
3 Yellow Squash (local, organic)
4 Beefsteak Tomatoes (local, pesticide free)
3 Limes
8 Bananas
4 Sweet Oranges (pesticide free)
3 Avocados
2 Mangos

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
05/17/17 10:40:49PM
1,568 posts

Healthy Living- healthy eating, exercise, weight loss, veggie gardening, etc.


OFF TOPIC discussions

Mark & I have been enjoying the asparagus this spring from our little backyard patch. :)

Richard Streib
@richard-streib
05/16/17 08:58:03PM
279 posts

What's the best thing to use to condition my old all black walnut dulcimer?


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Maria,

I replaced my tuners on the Walnut Valley with 5 star geared tuners. Now no problem keeping it in tune. It is an amazing instrument. I have several dulcimers, but doubt I would ever consider selling it.

Blessings to you.

Richard

Linda Matocha
@linda-matocha
05/16/17 07:08:15PM
8 posts

Info about John ans Shirley Naylor Mountain Dulcimer


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

No, it did not break. I've just never seen anything like the material before. I know someone else who has a dulcimer from the same year with the same nut and bridge. They are different-- her's is a 4-string, and mine is a 6-string. Thanks for the input. Linda

Dan Goad
@dan-goad
05/16/17 04:14:04PM
155 posts

Info about John ans Shirley Naylor Mountain Dulcimer


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I agree with Ken.  The nut/bridge on my backpacker (DF1) model looks to be made of delrin or a similar hard plastic material.

Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme
05/16/17 03:48:08PM
2,157 posts

Info about John ans Shirley Naylor Mountain Dulcimer


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Did it break?  Do you need to raise/lower the action?  Black & white is probably some sort of phenolic/plastic.

Linda Matocha
@linda-matocha
05/16/17 03:03:21PM
8 posts

Info about John ans Shirley Naylor Mountain Dulcimer


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Does anyone know the material of the nut and bridge of a 1994 The Dulcimer Factory mountain dulcimer? They are black on the outside and white on the inside. Thanks so much. Linda

Patricia Delich
@patricia-delich
05/15/17 12:19:22PM
154 posts

Hearts of the Dulcimer Podcast in its 2nd year


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Hearts of the Dulcimer Podcast - Episode 25
Aaron O'Rourke: Soulful Virtuosity

http://bit.ly/hotdpodcast

025.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 


We feature the music and our conversation with Aaron O’Rourke, one of today’s most innovative dulcimer players and composers. At the age of 31, Aaron has already produced an amazing amount of work in solo and ensemble recording and instruction.

Listen to the episode, see photos, videos, and more:  http://dulcimuse.com/podcast/resource/025.html

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
05/15/17 10:37:03AM
1,355 posts



Here is the information my friend provided:
"Bruce Henry was an industrial arts teacher. He made dulcimers on the side. His wife Lucy and he played at local historic and town festivals in the noter style. She taugh music in schools. Her main instrument...flute. They live in Montgomery which is over the river and mountain south of Williamsport. I presume they are both alive, but would be in their late 70s or somewhere in their 80s. I do not know if Bruce still makes instruments. I have found that his instruments nearly always need fret work to play well. The fret arrangement was in the traditional 7 fret to an octave. DAA or GCC tuning. He never placed a 6 1/2 fret on his instruments. I'd recommend keeping it that way and use the instrument for traditional noter style playing.

Just Google and find:
C. Bruce Henry, 85, of Montgomery, died Thursday, Aug. 8, 2013"

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
05/14/17 02:51:22PM
1,355 posts



Well, that confirms it. The Henry I am thinking of is from Montgomery. He was not a prolific maker and sold at craft festivals in the areas around Muncy. Lewisburg, and Danville. I need to check with a friend of mine who knew him to see what he can tell me. I'll let you know what I find out.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Strumelia
@strumelia
05/13/17 09:33:54PM
2,420 posts



Ken, you're our Sherlock Holmes!  cooldance

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
05/13/17 09:31:53PM
1,355 posts



There is a Henry who makes dulcimers in central Pennsylvania. I think he is from the Danville area. I do not remember his first name or initials. I am away from home and my files. When I get back next week I can look it up.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Strumelia
@strumelia
05/13/17 09:06:35PM
2,420 posts




Could it possibly be that the "Penna" simply meant Pennsylvania?  I vaguely think in the olden days people might have sometimes written 'Penna' as a shorthand for that state...but maybe I'm remembering it wrong.  Maybe your dulcimer maker was named CB Henry?

Actually, yes people sometimes do use "Penna." short for PA, see here: 

http://englishplus.com/grammar/00000057.htm


updated by @strumelia: 05/13/17 09:09:13PM
D. chitwood
@d-chitwood
05/13/17 12:47:30PM
139 posts

Back to the Luthier you go


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I just now received a refund check for my sent-back dulcimer. The builder did find the issue, albeit, twas an odd issue he could fix by changing out bridges, and did so on several others he found with the same issue. They refunded my money minus the shipping. 

I realize I'm going to be a play it before I pay it kind of consumer from this point forward.....when the instrument is over $400.  

Strumelia
@strumelia
05/13/17 12:11:53PM
2,420 posts



Yes, simply use the Paypal button on the Main Home page.  Thanks so much for supporting the site!  sun

Gail Webber
@gail-webber
05/13/17 10:48:04AM
70 posts

Does size really matter? 28.5 vs 26


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I've had a McSpadden 28.5 and currently have 2 McSpadden 26s.  I have very small hands and find the 26 inch scale much easier to play.  I can't tell a lot of difference in the sound.  My 26" walnut with a redwood top has a very warm sound and the sustain seems to be fine.  I personally wouldn't have one over 27". 

 

Strumelia
@strumelia
05/12/17 09:12:56PM
2,420 posts

Healthy Living- healthy eating, exercise, weight loss, veggie gardening, etc.


OFF TOPIC discussions

Well, I pretty much finished planting the veggie garden today.  Looks like our cold snap is over, weather getting warm and normal for the next week or two.

All the beds are forked and hoed.  I don't mulch the beds, but i do keep them fluffy.  The earthworms do much of the work.

Planted in 12 tomato plants, some green bush beans, got all my lettuces and onions and a few cabbages in too.  Some coriander and sage.  They didn't have the type of cucumbers I wanted- guess I'll buy a packet of seeds for those.  I have other lettuce/mesclun seed which i'll continue to plant at intervals.  Skipping the zucc & summer squash this yer- the plants get so big and messy and are so cheap to buy anyway... unlike greens and tomatoes which are expensive.

Strumelia
@strumelia
05/12/17 06:31:02PM
2,420 posts



Hi MK-  sorry I did not see this before.

Do you still need your FS ad removed?  If so, tell me and I will remove it.

Did you sell the dulcimer?  (and if so, did you make the small requested site donation?)

Let me know- thanks!

Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme
05/12/17 07:18:44AM
2,157 posts

Tell us about your VERY FIRST dulcimer


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

It's pretty easy to adjust that string height by sanding a tiny bit off the bottom of the bridge (and maybe the nut)  Start a new General thread about that, and we'll talk you through the process.   

Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme
05/12/17 07:15:54AM
2,157 posts

Dulcimer records


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

The only one I own is the Pacific Rim Project; I was gifted a copy by Robert Force a couple years back when he came to the Mount Dora festival here in FL.  

Jennifer Wren
@jennifer-wren
05/12/17 02:20:33AM
15 posts

Dulcimer records


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Here is my dulcimer record collection. A few are not exclusively dulcimer, but have enough, I reckon. Anyone else listen to dulcimer on vinyl?
IMG_20170511_231936.jpg IMG_20170511_231936.jpg - 133KB

updated by @jennifer-wren: 10/27/19 12:02:25PM
Jennifer Wren
@jennifer-wren
05/12/17 02:06:36AM
15 posts

Tell us about your VERY FIRST dulcimer


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

My husband bought me my first dulcimer 13 years ago on eBay from Pakistan, or somewhere unexpected like that. It's an hourglass with heart shaped sound holes. I call 'her' Dulcina. I still play it now and then, but the strings sit a bit too high for my liking. The fretboard sits nice and high, which I do like since I use a noter. It came with a wooden noter, which was a nice touch. It was delivered while we were out one day, and some kind postal worker tucked it underneath our porch, presumably to keep it safe. We didn't see it and my poor husband was a bit panicked until he figured it out!
Cindy Stammich
@cindy-stammich
05/11/17 10:24:54PM
72 posts

Bill Taylor


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thank you Jan for your input, and I was really happy to see the response from Mark.

That must have been awesome to have Bill for a week-long class!

Sounds awesome!!!

 

Cindy Stammich
@cindy-stammich
05/11/17 10:22:50PM
72 posts

Bill Taylor


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Mark!  Thank you so much for responding to this!  I hope all is well with Bill and his family.  It makes me very sad to know that he has stopped playing and stopped building dulcimers.  I only ever had the privilege of meeting Bill the one weekend at the KADC retreat.  He is a truly a wonderful person, and sooooo talented.  The dulcimer I have is beautiful and has such a wonderful sound.  One of the fun moments (one of many) from that weekend was when Bill played and sang "The Preacher and the Bear". 

When you see him again - please tell him I said hi.  He won't know who I am, but he made such an impact on me....I was pretty new to the dulcimer, and he showed me what the dulcimer community is all about!

Thank you again!  And sorry for rambling.......

Jan Potts
@jan-potts
05/11/17 07:37:07PM
403 posts

Does size really matter? 28.5 vs 26


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I'm very fond of dulcimers with a shorter VSL (no longer than 26.5 if possible).  The ease of making the chords has really improved my playing over the past few years!

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
05/11/17 08:21:50AM
1,568 posts

Bill Taylor


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

It would be my privilege to get to meet Mr Taylor!  

 

Jan Potts
@jan-potts
05/11/17 01:48:38AM
403 posts

Bill Taylor


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Mark, I'm so glad you saw this question and responded to it, knowing what a great friend Bill is to you.  I was waiting to see if anyone was going to respond and if there was no response, I was going to suggest they contact you--I knew you'd know!

I had Bill for a week-long class at Dulcimerville (I think), held in Black Mountain, NC and my friends and I still talk about what a great class that was.  He was a great instructor, luthier, and is, as you relate so well, continues to be a kind, wonderful man.  Thank you for writing this message!

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