Forum Activity for @marg

Oh my, great fix idea for a loose sting in a slot. 

Thanks 

I had that problem and used the red tube off a wd40 can..........the string fit fine and it tightened up properly.

A good music store would have the thin tubing that is used on some violin string and other instruments. The string goes through the tube and the tube sits in the notch on the saddle or nut.  Has worked for me when not wanting to fill and recut.

Congrats Mark!

Hugssandi you sound very busy, I remember the days of storytelling! What a lovely time! My two are now 19 and 21 years old!

I'm hoping you find time to finish your work so it's ready for your Wren. I'd have as much padding as possible for it.

Ken-hulme thanks for the Velcro idea - I was thinking about using it yesterday but was worried it could rip off the material from the padding. Although I could do a strip/band of such webbing and just have Velcro at those ends and have about 4 of them strategically placed along the rectangle.  So then to carrying straps, which I think may only be done once the safe retention of MD is achieved. 

Thank you so much for your positive and uplifting responses x

Vlillik -- Velcro (tm)  is your friend.  You can use several strips for "latches" to close that case, and even use it to hold a strap on as long as the pull is "around a corner".

Paula, I think Matt may be on the right track.  If there is a buzz in a particular area, you can check it with a short straight edge or a small square.  It needs to be long enough to rest on at least three frets.  As you check the frets you will quickly see and feel where the high and low points are.  You might also be able to see a curve or twist in the fret board by holding the instrument up to your eye and sighting down the length of the fret board from one end.

Vlillik, I did not expect the square shape and love it!  Beautiful fabric and my favorite green.  :)  ~genius idea~

So last night I realized my liner is longer than what I've crocheted, meaning I could leave it and draw string over it so that it sticks out, or I could cut it down and restitch just a little bit.  Not sure how I will proceed!  I have not crocheted on it more but might be able to while sitting through the kids' storytelling today.  My Wren dulcimer is on its way, so I need to get a movin'!  SO EXCITED!  ~will share pics of both~

Hi, hope you're crocheting has gone well today?

I've finished my bag but need to work out the best way to pop straps on and a way of stopping my dulcimer from falling out! 🤔

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Agreed-  a very well deserved honor.  

How exciting :)

Happy for you, winning and enjoying the dulcimer

ken,

Just so I will know, what would be your ' temporary' fix?  

I will probably want to try another tuning at some point and could be back to string problems. I know about putting something in the slot, is there additional find

'Twould seem to me that if it IS a real Presnell dulcimer, it would not be anonymous, but have a label inside it to identify things.  The Presnells usually marked their products, didn't they?  And one might check with The Pisgah Inn on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Brevard, NC.  They're still in business, and have a craft/gift shop as well.

WTG Mark -- a well deserved win.

Mark, I so enjoy listening to you play your wooden thing with sweet strings. We are excited for your win!!!

I do agree with the note where it says "wormy chestnut".  

I would say not Edd, but, could be another Presnell. Dan ask his grand daughter on FB  she worked with him she may have some insight.

Looks to be in the style of Gatlinburg's Bill Davis or Townsend's Mike Clemmer.  Maybe Baxter Presnell made one like this?

Or another Presnell altogether.  There's lots of them in that part of North Carolina.  Also lots of Hicks', Harmons, Glenns, etc.

*CONGRATULATIONS, MARK!*  ~I cannot wait to listen to all those tunes~  

WOOHOOO!!!  ~this is wonderful~  Congrats to all winners!!!

I cannot wait to see that M.D. case!!!  I finally sewed the inner lining to mine today, but I have not attached it and will also need to crochet a strap and drawstring top....

ken,

I was trying to tune higher from middle string A up to c or d (Fcff or Gdgg) I couldn't turn the 14 that high but the string gage said could do 11. But I think the slot was not meant for an 11, so I changed back to 14 and retuned back to DAdd.

I guess the way I learn the dulcimer is by trying and doing and then re-doing. I had tried putting a bit of paper in the slot but the string still had a ring so just decided to go back to what this dulcimer was design for, a 14. I wasn't ready to fill and recut a slot. 

Thanks, all fixed for now was just trying and learning

m.

Not sure what you mean by "ringing," Marg. If you had a .014 in before and went to a .011, I am sure the string is moving in the slot as you strum it. Do you want a permanent fix or temporary? String choices vary buy the vibrating string string length and note you want to tune the string to. The choice of .011 seems light if you are tuning to the standard A note used on dulcimers. Let me know which one you want to do and I will try to explain it.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

The design is very close to the Tennessee models. (Bill Davis for one) Looks close to a Milford Blevins piece? And there were more than one Presnell making instruments. I will double check the pieces we have in the morning.

Well, I already congratulated you over at Everything Dulcimer, but why not here as well? So, CONGRATULATIONS, MARK! You did well and so did Cassandra and Wendy. Congrats to all you.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

It sure looks nice; I'd love to hear it.  Maybe Jerry Rockwell might know something about the maker?

I don't believe it is.  Never saw one of his like that.  If there's no label, I'd say it's not a Presnell, at least not an Edd Presnell.

 Congratulations, and well deserved!

Steven

Good on you Mark, this is well deserved!

More piccies to add tomorrow as I'm finally making my M.D case from an exercise mat and covering it with material!

That is the question, being told they think it's an Edd Presnell, but from what I've been seeing, Presnell dulcimers look to be hour glass shape, this is that fiddleside type.

 To me it looks much more like a Bill Davis, but it doesn't have the edge that sticks out over the side, (Can't recall what that's called), like Davis's others, also there is no signature inside or engraved on the back like his others.

 The only thing they are basing the Presnell call on it, is a business card they found with it, see photos.

 Any opinion?? 

 Thanks folks!!

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Congrats Mark, nice job!

Huzzah!  

This is beautiful, top and bottom!  Have never heard of the maker, though.

I'm wondering if the top could be sour gum.

Congratulations, Mark!  Thanks for sharing your songs with us!

Wow, Mark!  So proud of you!  You've always been a winner in my book!  Bask in the glory--you'll always be a champ!

I am very pleased to report that I won the 2016 National Dulcimer Competition at Winfield.  Second place went to Cassandra Damper and third went to Wendy Songe.

Mark Gilston
http://markgilston.com/

Thanks all,

Here are videos of the four tunes I played in the competition.

Grigsby’s Hornpipe:

Mark Gilston
http://markgilston.com/

 Winfield winners 50.jpeg - 148KB

Pretty Fabulous, I hope this man strings it up and lets it sing. It would be wonderful to hear it.