Forum Activity for @susie

I got an adjustable possum board from Jim VanderWoude at Evart. It fits all my dulcimers. I added rubber tubing to the posts and some additional felt in a couple spots to make sure the dulcimers don't get scratched. Very well made and thought out. It folds up too, for storage/travel.

 IMG_20150830_145323.jpg - 60KB

(the heavier string I had put on that day was just a bit wider then the originals and that was what was causing the issue.)

This may very well be the problem, I will check this out - if it is sitting in the slot.

thanks so much

Double check your nut and bridge and make sure that string is fully set in the slots.   I had that problem awhile back and even though it looked fine, what I found was that the slot in the nut let that string go from time to time.   I had to widen that slot and deepen it a bit..........no problem after that.  I would guess that the heavier string I had put on that day was just a bit wider then the originals and that was what was causing the issue.

.24 - .26 wound string is what I use.  Flappy as in maybe strumming too hard and the string jumps back vibrating flappy, hard to explain. No problem with easy strums, maybe instead of strumming across I go down some. Need to see if I can figure it out. Trying to figure out somethings is sometimes harder than fixing the problem but I will. Strange it's only a problem with the Mcspadden, beautiful voice just flappy a bit sometimes on the bass string.

thanks, as always

For a bass string in the 27"-29" range I would go with a .024 or .026 wound string tuned to the D or C below middle C.  It should not be flappy at all, if by "flappy" you mean loose.

Here is my alternative to a possum board, I call them 'skunk boards':  They are made them from misc. lumber in my shop.  They each have 4 stick-on non=skid plastic feet on the bottom and 2 feet on the tops. The top two feet on each are the only contact with the dulcimer. These skunk boards provide minimum dampening of the sound; they are small and easy to transport and fit under any style of dulcimer. They are not visible when placed under the dulcimer. :) 

I have found for years just using a cheap $8.00 or so T.V. tray.....then I got a black (good grief plastic) bigger adjustable one that is larger to accomadate a "found dulcimer" at an antique store....that had 4 little wood pegs on it.  wayyyyyyyyyyy more sound and easy.  I think I got that for $13.00 at Walmart.  I keep these at various kids houses as i take my dulcimer and play for the families that I visit.  Truely, the old style had 4 little pegs or something to set these on tables.  you can get a cute little table and cut the legs off and be comfortable playing your dulcimer at home and with others.  playing them on the lap really does dull the sound.  That's why you see soooooooo many various ways of making them louder....love looking at all the photos on this site. THIS IS A FANTASTIC SITE....glad to learn one more thing about "possum boards". 

Here is my alternative to a possum board, I call them 'skunk boards':  They are made them from misc. lumber in my shop.  They each have 4 stick-on non=skid plastic feet on the bottom and 2 feet on the tops.  The top two feet on each are the only contact with the dulcimer.  These skunk boards provide minimum dampening of the sound; they are small and easy to transport and fit under any style of dulcimer.  They are not visible when placed under the dulcimer.  :) 

Welcome Claud!

If you click on the "Forums" link along the top of any page, you'll see we have forums that focus on various subjects.  I'd suggest you make a new discussion in this forum:  http://fotmd.com/forums/forum/instruments-discussing-specific-features-luthiers-instrument-problems-questions  and put Pyle's name in the thread subject line.  That way, more folks will see it and possibly someone will have more info for you about it.  

Did you look on the INSIDE of the dulcimer for any labels with maker info?  I ask that because it's possible the taped on label in your photo was the name of the dulcimer's owner, not the person who actually made it.

some of the discussions:

Possum Boards revisited

New Possum Board  

Possum Board Question: Pros And Cons  

 If you do a search on possum board you will find lots of good info on the forum discussions on what they are for and now to make one, as in part of the post below - I hope you don't mind ken my reposting part of your post.

Ken posted:

"Dulcimer on a table - whether 5/8" or 3" thick -- is better than dulcimer on the lap.  The lap is soft and absorbs sound. Tables are hard and reflect sound making the dulcimer louder.  However.  Dulcimer suspended even 1/8" above a "table" gives you even more volume because it frees up the entire back of the instrument so it can vibrate."

I have a bass string that is flappy, I have a 26 on it -  Mcspadden 28.5.

    It had a 24 but that was flappy also, am I going the wrong way. I wanted a deepper bass. Yes, I know about the string calculator,  it has a really low gage size, I have never used a bass that size (19- 20)  Mcspadden has string set they sell with .023 for the bass - so my question on the flappy bass, what size should I be looking for? There isn't much difference between 23 & 24 and the 24 was also flappy.

   What can I use for a good bass sound but not flappy.

Thanks

Pardon my ignorance... What is a "Possum Board"?  Is that something to help hold it on your lap?

The dulcimer hides the painting so it's almost a secret painting but I didn't like it with nothing on it, had to give it it's own personality. I don't really use a possum board but when there was a discussion awhile back, i needed to make myself one. All in learning on our dulcimer journey.

Thanks lexie

Hello everybody.  I just wanted to introduce myself and say thanks for having such a great wealth of information on here!

My name is Claud.  I currently reside in Austin, Texas, but will be moving to Lenoir, NC in the next month.  So happy to be heading back to the Mountains where I was happiest!

I have always been a fan of Mountain music and enjoyed the stringed instruments the most.  I have no skills, but lots of desire to learn how to play.

My treasure is a Paul W. Pyle Dulcimer that I "rescued" from someone that was selling it.  They explained that they had no clue what it really was.  I am very curious about the history of this instrument and hope to learn as much as I can about the builder/musician Paul W. Pyle.  I know he is from Tennessee and has written a few books and tabs and also did some teaching about Mountain music.

If anyone has any more information on how to learn more about the dulcimer I have, I would be forever grateful.

Claud Yeiser

I've recently re-strung my dulcimer. I keep it tuned DAA for now, but I have an oddity in tuning.

After bass is tuned to a pitch pipe's D, I do the typical relative tuning of the A strings using bass 4th fret. This sounds fine. Also, if I walk a scale up from open to 7th fret, I get a normal D or A scale on the respective strings.

But when I hold 3rd fret on the melody pair and strum, the result is a significant dissonance in the bass. The 3 upper strings sound fine together, but the bass is off.

For the moment, I've gone to tuning the other way, tuning bass to A 3rd fret. So this sounds fine, but of course now it's off elsewhere.

As a mathematician, knowing that I can get a correct scale on all strings individually (so the frets are of course properly placed) but I can't tune one to another and expect to get a matching chord elsewhere on the fretboard is a deep weirdness to me. I mean, this is about sonic frequency, and all things being equal -- frets placed right, relative tune from one to another -- these ought to be Right.

Can anyone offer an explanation for why I get this discordance?

Marge, that is one beautiful possum board.

What gauge string would one suggest for a 28.5 inch VSL. Presently I'm using 10, 13, 22wound. On one Dulcimer they seem fine on another of the same VSL they can seem a bit flappy.

What my brother Ken said!  Enjoy your dulcimer journey!

My possum board, I painted mine

 P. board.jpg - 95KB

I have done this many times and the strings hold tight

Totally Agree with Dusty. I love to dabble with every instrument I can try. I do however have my favorites. My Banjo and Dulcimer are in the lead along with my guitar, mandolin,uke, recorder and harmonica. Phewww. That keeps me busy. Lots of fun and yes, worth well because we all need to relax and enjoy things that pleases us without the worry of how much money we can make when we learn a particular instrument. My first admirer was Wayne Newton. He can play lots of different instruments. So Robin, Go ahead and enjoy. Your worth it !! 

Glad to hear that things worked out. Enjoy that dulcimer.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I have put planetary tuners on all of my steel string banjos, but my nylon string banjoleles have friction tuners as does my favourite dulcimer.  I think you can see Pete's guitar tuners here.  He had three Grover Rotomatics and one cheap knock off that he put on when one of the Grovers got busted.

 Pete's strap.jpg - 12KB

Friction tuners will hold a tuning if they are adjusted correctly using the little screws in the ends of the knobs.

Hello Gary. Glad to hear that you still pop in occasionally. Also happy to hear that you are spreading the news of dulcimer playing. We can't have too many dulcimer players out there. Thanks for posting.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

 My bad. I should have said friction tuners. That's what they have no. The guitar shop said that if I wanted to play the banjo, I should get gear tuners (same as planetary?), but if I wanted to sell it, I should keep the friction tuners.

@userno4, Why would planetary tuners cause a banjo to not hold its tuning?  Most banjo players seem to prefer them, although Pete Seeger did use guitar tuners on his banjo.
I think the planetary tuners on your Lyon & Healy would be add ons.  I believe it would have come with friction tuners.

In my house I have:

Piano: A console piano from my late mother-in-law. I took (half-heartedly) piano lessons as a kid and have enjoyed playing hymns and other songs by ear. I play the melody with one hand and broken chords with the other. So far, I primarily play in C and use the C, F, and G chords.

Electronic keyboard: From my mother. I received this before the piano. It may have a means of recording and mixing sounds since it has all sorts of options. I'd like to use my chart of frequencies for various instruments and play through the range of some of the instruments in the bank, such as violin.

Soprano recorder: It's a $5 Yamaha unit that I bought when I bought one for my daughter's music class at school. I get confused by the fingering.

Alto recorder: It's also a Yamaha. I prefer the depth of the sound over the soprano but don't play it often.

Clark tin whistles in C and D: I definitely prefer these to the soprano recorder, though I play them more "breathy" than I'd like to. I have gotten into the second octave on both.

Spoons: More of a novelty item than anything, but they're in the box.

Slide whistle: Does this count as an instrument? It's good for occasional silliness.

Harmonica: Another piece of plastic. No, I can't play it all that well. Oh, and a kazoo, too.

4-string banjo: I found this when cleaning my late father-in-law's house. It's a 1925 (or so) Lyon and Healy Washburn. I had a great time digging out information on the company and model. It has planetary gears, which means it doesn't hold a tune well. I'd prefer a brighter 5-string model, but I don't know how to play either. I've experimented with scales and a few chords.

you can make ball end strings work by simply threading the end of the string through the ball forming a noose or a snare type

of end.  then......install it.  might require several attempts to tune the string as the noose tightens up on the pin.

Hi everyone. I just had to say to all that I have never left this group. I have been gone, life has been busy, but still pop in and listen and look at all your wonderful playing. I miss you all and just felt impelled to let you know. I still play when I get a chance and spread the news of Dulcimer playing to all my friends. I threaten to return and share some more. ( humbly speaking). Kep up the learning and sharing. Continue to thank all those whose help this site continue. They will help and they have helped me also.               So in ending, thank you for being there for me even though I leave sometimes. Love you all and God Bless.

Gary Major

The ball is a tube, it can be crushed. Pinch it with pliers or vicegrips across the diameter and break it, the pieces are then fairly easy to remove. Don't pinch the string though, just grab a side, you may have to try several times. 

Buy strings from www.juststrings.com.  They have Just Strings dulcimer sets, and individual strings in any gauge you can think of for really little money.  Buy several seta and have them around.  I buy sets for as little as $3 each.

My guitar buddy, Houseboat Jim, and I are working up Love Me Tender/Aura Lee for guitar and dulcimer. Two dulcimers would be even easier.  We alternate Aura and Love Me verses and choruses, each singing in turn.  I do the Aura Lee parts and he does the Love Me Tender bits.

Aura VerseLove Me chorusLove Me VerseAura Chorus

and repeat

Thanks Rob. You're a scholar and a gentleman ... as they say..

Dusty's advice is good and is a great way to start off playing duets.  If I can get the darn thing off my onedrive, I'll send you a copy of a duet arrangement I've done.

Hmmmm....well this just isn't working out at all. I have several traditional string that come with the tiny metal nut with the loop wrapped around. The luthier showed me how to twist that loop a few times to release that nut. Easier said than done! I've twisted and twisted and used two needle nose pliers and taint happening. The wire finally broke. (and yes I was twisting in the correct direction, LOL)  Any idea how to do this since I need the loop and not the nut? I only have access to these types of strings in my area, none with just the loop.

Thanks everyone. Knew you'd come through. Hey Guy, working out Bonnie Sweet Robin from watching your video, so thanks for that. It's working for DAD, but what tuning were you in? I've had no luck finding a copy of Randy's book...

Heidi Muller also has a duet book out called Dulcimer Duos.

You could also just use regular tab with chords and one of you can play the melody while the other chords.  Then you switch around.  If you start adding different voicings of chords (for example, in DAD you play 0-0-2 for D the first verse but then move to 2-3-4 for the second verse and 4-5-7 for the third, etc.) and playing the melody on the bass string for a spell, you can create pretty interesting arrangements that don't take a whole lot of planning.

I'v found nylon picks [I use Herdums] don't make as much of a click as plastic ones.