Forum Activity for @robin-clark

Does anyone know of a capo that would fit a low fretboard: Height 10mm, width 32mm

Thanks,

Robin

My Maxwell, see pic. in signature on left, was built in 1976.  Maxwell, from Cookeville, Tn. around 2300 dulcimers between the mid-60's and late 70s.  My instrument has 4 strings (equal distant), and does not have the 6 1/2 fret.  My guess yours would be mid-60's to early 70's, but can't be sure. 

Thanks, Ken, for the ideas. Not a woodworker, me. Think I'll trace the outline of the dulcimer and have a look in second hand stores for some of those instrument cases you suggested...BTW, what is a 4/4 fiddle?

Possibly.  But we'll need clear close up and overall photos., and inside, of the sticker and the area around it.  Most Maxwell's have a number associated with them  that is not a date, but a model number.  One "caution" is that Maxwell dulcimers may not have the frets set for the modern "plays well with everything" intonation.  There are numerous reports of Maxwell dulcimers being in Just Intonation or some other system.

 Gun case.  Archer's bow case. Musical instrument cases - trombone, 4/4 fiddle, etc.   Some electric keyboards have hard cases.  There are hardsided golf transport cases too.  It all depends on how mych you want to spend.  If you are, or know a reasonable woodworker, making a simple box case is pretty easy and pretty inexpensive.

Needing a hard case so I can humidify my 37" dulcimer Any ideas? 

OH that's a purty little thing!!!!  

I've always wanted to learn to play harmonica, Bob, and your sharing may just be the kick I need...  Thank you so very much!

That's great to hear Ken, thanks! :-)

george no i am not still building.  health and old age are to blame.  i never wanted to quit.  recently sold most of my wood stash 

i'm happy u enjoy the dulcimer.  

i believe the back and sides are indeed birds eye maple.  the scroll is walnut and the fretboard is too with an over lay of possibly bulbinga

Hi Joe, Thanks for the reply, here are a few more pics. Just have to say how much I'm enjoying playing this. Don't suppose you're still building??

 Great work.. Has moved up in the standings to the top 5 in the playing rotation.

 Also so the group can see the craftsmanship a little closer. Thanks is all I can say.

"Dulcimer is the voice of Angels"

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Thanks for continuing to produce these podcasts. I've been enjoying them.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

 Cool idea...

Jan, that's what did when I needed a 1+ fret to play "It's A Grand Old Flag."

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

In Sam Edelston's class at Kentucky Music Week this summer, we made extra frets using the long side of a jumbo paper clip.  I was amazed at how well that worked!  We found it worked best to have our tape running perpendicular to the fret.  Scotch makes Removable Tape that is clear (with a matte finish) and can be removed from paper the way painter's tape can be removed from a wall http://www.scotchbrand.com/3M/en_US/scotch-brand/products/catalog/~/Scotch-Removable-Tape-Dispensered-Roll?N=4335+3294529207+3294603443&rt=rud

Thanks so much for listening Lexie! We appreciate your feedback. We hope he can come to the US too. :-)

 dan-hess

      I have a small Warren May and no 6+ but slipped a piece of medal in the spot where the fret should go and just tape it down, works great.

Just a thought, maybe someone else can tell us a better way but this takes care of the problem.

by the way the scroll and tail block look like walnut as well as the fretboard.  however the fretboard is probably overlaid with an exotic wood.  more pics would help me determine the various woods

Beautiful instrument!

Very beautiful, enjoy!

Even better to know that you didn't use much Birds Eye, because the wood you used on this is absolutely gorgeous. And just makes it more unique.

thanks guys.  i think the top is butternut.  i used very little birds eye maple because i had a hard time finding suitable wood

Now THAT's a jam!  Thanks for sharing this!   My harmonica is 73 years old and still sounds good.  It's a chromatic---I know, some of you will probably think I should just get a guitar....I've heard that before!

Beautiful addition!

Great find, enjoy

What a beauty!  Enjoy! 

Found this on E Bay, just wanted to say what a beautiful piece of work. The wood selection, the size, depth. Love the carving in the head stock and the sound holes. Especially the heart cut outs in the hollow. The inlay where the bridge goes is sweet too.

 Am hearing it's Birds Eye Maple back and sides, and butternut top, the finger board is throwing me a bit, but just wanted to say, 

 Thanks Joe, it's a beauty. Great voice to it!!

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I generally use a wipe on polyurethane for everything but the top of the fret board.  I apply it in really thin coats with a soft cloth to build up a finish.  I also lightly sand the finish ones or twice during the finishing process.  On the fret board I use boiled linseed oil.

Nice video, Strumelia, you are doing very well. 

I have two Em flutes The ancient territories along with the Fm from the same maker are both tuned to 432. I can't prove with any certainty if in any tangible way there is a difference. But I do feel more peaceful after playing them. As if I just meditated or the way I feel after doing yoga, and they are the two I pick up to play everyday. As for playing along with other instruments.No problem, I simply tuned my dulcimer to 432, you can do the same with any stringed instrument. I tuned my dulcimer here to 432.

youtube.com/watch?v=thralBdwnU4

Thanks Monica, that's good to know. 

Susie, It is surprisingly easy to play. It's the standard size .The top four holes are large but the reach is the same as my Em from atflute.com.Since I had the Em for a while It prepared me for the Low D. I had to return the Butch Hall Dm...it was impossible to play.

Once you have settled in with your F#. I do recommend the Condor bass flutes, E and D are very special. more meditative. The Em and Fm flutes I have are tuned to 432hrz. My next flute is the condor bass C....never say no more :)

the craftsmanship  and playability of John Stillwell's flutes is superb. here are the 3 from him

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Monica, thanks, those bass flutes are intriguing, how does it play/sound?

Strumelia, thanks!

Susie, your new flute is beautiful.

All these flutes are like works of art, really.

Beautiful Flutes Susie, I recently got a Condor bass D from High Spirits. I love it.

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Thanks Jennifer, the the horse head totem was made by George Dyson it's a river cane flute in the key of Em.He takes custom requests for any kind of animal fetish (totem). The short flat one is a Drone Flute in the key of Bm, it was made by Templewindflutes.com here in Canada. ..In the USA Kenny King also makes Drones..well there are many flute makers that make them. I also have 3 flutes from Ancient Territories flutes..my favourites.

Monica, your flutes are beautiful! 

Strumelia, with guitar as my main instrument (have 6), and next my dulcimers (have 6), I'm trying to be reasonable with the NAF's. So, 3 will do it for now. But you're right, never say never.

Lexie, here's a pic.

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Bill!  So nice to see you drop in again!  

I have a couple of Dixon polymer (plastic) whistles and yes the tone is a little more recorder-like than the metal whistles.  But I like both types...so alas guess I just have to buy lots of whistles.   lolol   Good thing they are not the same price as banjos.  

There is always one more flute, because you have to factor in wet out, the different keys and tone of the different woods and they are generally more affordable than most instruments

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