Forum Activity for @george-desjardins

My personal experience has been very good and have found some of my most collectible, favorite dulcimers on E Bay, Bill Davis, Bob Mize, John Stockard, Warren May, and most recently a Homer Ledford in fantastic condition.

 My biggest disappointments have been on the selling end, and with the USPS that completely destroyed 2 that I had sold and packed in my usual type A method.

 I am fortunate enough to have not been let down by any I have purchased sight unseen and sound unheard.

 My only surprises were my first accidental discovery of Just Intonation with an on line purchase, took me awhile to figure out that it wasn't a defect, it was built that way, and my first "floating bridge". I had always had fixed bridges, so when I went to restring it the bridge fell off and I was horrified thinking I had broken it.

As far as selling online, I have never had anyone ask to return one. Since I'm out here on the left coast most of my sales have been online. If someone did want to return one, I would share (or in some circumstances) pay the cost of the return shipping. 

Coober Pedy?  I know names can change as they jump continents so is this any kin to Don Pedi?  Sometimes he looks as if he crawled out of a hole!  ROFL

I hear ya, Helen. If not for Ron Gibson's layaway plan my stock of dulcimers would be a bit lower. It makes it so easy to say "well... just one more".

Helen -- you could always go to Coober Pedy and live in a hole in the ground!  Climate controlled!  Solar powered!  Hack an occasional opal out of the wall to cover expenses!!  Start the Coober Pedy Dulcimer Collective (you could probably get a SA government Art & Culture grant), and you'll be no more eccentric than the rest of the residents!

Wow, no self control in this bunch!  

I still just have and play the two mountain dulcimers I bought like 19 and 17 years ago or so. 

I do have 9 banjos though.  Six of those are fretless. I occasionally buy or sell a banjo, but I've almost always floated somewhere in the 6-10 banjo range.  I do play them all and they serve a wide variety of different musical applications.

Oh Terry!! 

I'm so sorry to hear of your troubles. I am going to the doc at the end of the month. I hope it's not arthritis!!

I'm glad that you are able to still play for the old folks and I'm glad that your new "treatment" is helping. I am severely allergic to fish so I can NEVER take fish oil!! 

Take care and keep on keeping on!!!

Maria

Decided to attach the photos of all the "kids" hanging on the walls, hate to admit, but I'm already looking at possibly number 22! 

 IMG_1714.jpg - 111KB

I just bumped up to 21 after finding a sweet Homer Ledford to add to the mix, I was thinking 31 should be the target, That way I can play a different one each day of the month!! I think that counts as DAD.

 Have posted a couple of photos of all the kids hanging on 2 different walls on my profile page.

I, too, suffer from Dulcimer Acquisition Syndrome and ALSO received a brand spankin' new Ron Gibson teardrop this week! LOVE IT!!

One day after I received a used Blue Lion.      Love it too!

My corner is full with the Gibson, McSpadden, the Blue Lion, the Gallier and the FolkRoots. 

What to do, what TO DO. 

A dear gal friend came to visit and she loves playing with the dulcimers, so I gifted her with the Folkroots. She is thrilled and now there is one more member in the dulcimer family! 

And an empty space in the corner!

Three of the four dulcimers currently in my possession were bought sight unseen, sound unheard. One was used, a Music Traditions from 1980 which arrived in advertised condition, one a custom teardrop from Kevin Merchant, a beautiful semi-traditional, semi-modern instrument, one a Feather Wren, a lovely, quiet thing, perfect for weekend trips. The only one I have that I played before I bought is a Warren May, purchased in his shop in Berea April 1st of this year. It is a beautiful thing and getting better-sounding every day. All three of these makers are active, are fair in their prices, and make wonderful instruments.

I presently have five, though one is unplayable.  I have one more on layaway.  I have decided that DAD is ok as long as I thin down the herd once in a while, by selling the lesser loved ones at dulcimer festivals.  5-7 is probably my limit as I don't have room in my house for any more than that!  I'm lucky to be too musically illiterate to pick up a bass or baritone (don't know how to adapt those to DAD songs).

Of course, I should really hold off on getting any more until I can save enough for one of the several that I dearly want that are just out of my price range.

  About 6 months ago I began my journey with the NAF.  I loved it, and I still do.  For several years now I have suffered from arthritis in both hands, especially in the finger area.  Some days good, some days worse.  It wasn't so bad that it stopped me from learning dulcimer and ukulele.  

However, a couple of months after taking up NAF, I noticed a pronounced change in the pain and stiffness of my hands and fingers.  It just got worse and worse.  Recently, I took up pipe (3 hole flute) and tabor (small drum).  Regrettably, I found that holding a flute with one hand and covering the holes with 3 fingers, only escalated the problem.  This is a huge disappointment, as I found pipe and tabor to be hugely fun, I mean really fun.  

So this is a word of caution.  If you suffer from arthritis in your hands, just know that if you take up NAF, you too may suffer more pain, as I have.  My advice would be to take it real easy.  Don't start playing 2 or 3 hours a day, as I did.  When I attempt to learn a new instrument, I'm all in, I go hog wild.  Just limit your playing time to perhaps 30 min. a day, and notice carefully of any increased discomfort.  

I still have my harmonicas, which is painless, so I have stepped up my playing time.  I still manage to play dulcimer and ukulele at two assisted living homes each week for an hour.  Dropping a pic was a problem this week, but Strumelia gave me a great tip, "use a larger pic".  I think it will work.  Yes, it's painful, but I love these folks too much to give it up.  

The good news is I may have discovered some help.  While my doctor has prescribed me some stronger meds, I believe 4000 mg of fish oil, no tomatoes, very little potatoes, and no white bread will help the most.  I've been taking the fish oil for 4 days now, and I can already feel some relief.  Less stiffness when I woke up this morning.  The fact that I am typing up this absolutely way too long post, is evidence that my fingers feel better.  Victory is near.  

Strumelia, I just wanted to thank you publicly for helping me get through this, with your advice and genuine concern.  You are a winner for sure.  "I will not be giving up on pipe and tabor."  

Best Regards,

Terry

Got my first in 2003 and have my order in for the second right now.  ~No money at the end of yer month is a blessing in conquering DAd!  :P ~

When you get up to 20, call me and we'll talk.  I think I'm up to between 25 & 30 now.

Charles, a few people I know own twice as many. I think you should step it up. 

Nowadays they are mostly in pentatonic minor.  The b minor is particularly nice when playing with dulcimers playing in D major (b is the relative minor of D).

Original NAF weren't tuned to any key. They were made according to a person's size of arm and hand. It was called grandfather tuning. Each flute was tuned to itself.

Only thing I can tell you is you're just getting started. lol I had to start making them since I can't afford to buy them. lol I think I got somewhere around 15 or so now. Good luck!

Only six?  That's not DAD, that's just a "healthy appreciation of the instrument".

After all you need at least nine -- one for each of the traditional Modes (Ionian, Mixolydian, Dorian, Aeolian, Lydian, Phrygian, Locrian) plus one for Bagpipe tuning (Xxx) and one for  Galax setup (double back, deep body, tuned xxx).  Then, if you're really perverse you'll get one of those Chromatic dulcimer-shaped-objects, so that makes ten.  With a little extra thought I'm sure you can find a legitimate reason for at least two more.

So you can see, that hardly even half way to being diagnosed with a major case of DAD.  Good luck!

I have been diagnosed with DAd (dulcimer acquisition disease). I already have five dulcimers and I just purchased a Ron Gibson "Barbara Allen" model. Is there a cure for DAd? Wait a minute... Why am I posting this here...this site is enabling my addiction with all of it's beautiful music, wonderful photos (dulcimer porn),and informative discussions. I need help (choosing my next dulcimer)!

Question: are all NAFs in minor keys?  If so, is that because Native American music tends to be in minor keys?

Just wondering.

Congrats to all the new folks discovering this amazing Instrument that only came into my life 4 months ago and yet feel like I've been playing my whole life. It has truly changed my life! I've squirreled away money to buy flutes and even have been selling some of my other instruments. It has also come at a good time as I have been having very bad hand pain in my left hand between my thumb and my pointer. It's made it very painful to play the dulcimer or the guitar. Thankfully the flute has been mostly okay! (If I do a marathon session of playing when I get afforded that luxury then it could cramp but again nothing like the pain when playing the other instruments. And forget mandolin or uke even worse!

I reached out to an incredible flute player and maker George Dyson and he is making me an Em flute out of River Cane and the fetish is going to be a hawk because ever since my mom died 17 months ago I've been seeing Hawks at the oddest times. Usually when I'm thinking of her. When I asked him if he carved Hawks (as I saw his incredible horses) he said he did but usually it's just the head. I asked if he ever did one with wings spread and he said he hadn't but he felt moved to try with my story of my mom. He lost his dad this past March and he was he teacher and mentor so he felt a kinship. I'm so excited! 

Well take care everyone. I don't have any people near me that play so I'm really glad for forums like this and on Facebook!

Yay Susie!

Congratulations.   You won't be sorry.

This is addicting. Ordered a B flute in walnut yesterday from High Spirits. :)

Thanks for the input everyone, greatly appreciated!!

KEN!  HA HA HA HA HAAAAA!

LOL~will hafta look that one up....

The dulcimer is beautiful, I hope the sound is also wonderful and you have many years enjoying it.

The Five Constipated Men of the Bible!  I learned it in church camp decades ago, then relearned it from the Sweetwater album Sing No Evil.

You're welcome Ken.  I understand this deal wasn't available when you were looking, but I thought it might help others if they wanted to actually go to a store and play with the stuff vs buying unseen/unheard.  I hope someone finds it useful.  :)

I really like the idea of the "possum box" doubling as a case for your dulcimer and accessories.  May give that a try myself.

I am really looking forward to our church retreat the end of September, and I'd love to start practicin' some fun or silly or spiritual campfire songs!  Know any good ones?  TIA!

My Bag Lady double bag is falling apart after only a dozen years of serious wear and tear.   I needed a carry mechanism to fly with a dulcimer to North Carolina from Florida, stowing the dulcimer in the overhead compartment.  And I love the idea of multi-tasking devices.  A "possum box" seemed like the obvious solution.

Making a box is a great idea, Ken.  I'm surprised all possom boards aren't boxes.  

The only problem with rubber feet or felt covered feet/risers is that they do deaden the sound somewhat.  Wood-to-wood contact is best whether on a table or the risers of a possum board.  I once used little wooden 'buttons' from a craft shop for feet, stuck on with the thin double sided tape.  Worked perfectly.

Most good violin fine tuners pull the end of the ball string to tighten/loosen it slightly.  However, these are 'inline' cheaper removable fine tuners.  Fine tuners of this type (which I have used on several various instruments at one time or another, as a last resort) will eventually create a weak spot in the string since they depend on their screw forcing a bend in the string to pull it tighter.  

If you find them useful then by all means keep them.  You'll need to figure out how they hook onto the string in a threading sort of way when you have to change a broken string.  Sometimes it's tricky to hook the string.  They are hooked only to the string, so they can also go flying when the string breaks and you might lose them on the grass that way. 

If you find the wooden tuners work great for you, then my personal advice would be to take these little contraptions off as the strings get replaced.  I have always found them to be way more trouble than they're worth.  That said, I think better violin fine tuners are great, but then you need a type of tailpiece they can be attached to, like here .

Thanks, Brian. They didn't have that deal when I was looking for one.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken!  Great box, dulcimer, and pool!!!  I really do appreciate the visual~thank you.  

CD!!!!  It's great to "see" you, and great minds!  I had that same idea and am so blessed to see it tried successfully already!  :)  ~I will proceed~