Forum Activity for @salt-springs

Just did a little digging and found out that many dulcimers from that era were set to play in DAA or CGG and with a noter.  The belief was that when a noter was used the tension on the strings would compensate for the flat ring.   You might check with John Huron at Noteworthy Instruments as he worked with Bob Mize...he can probably tell you  more about why the frets were set to sound flat at 7 and often times 1 than I can.  Since your question has got my curiosity up I'll keep looking around some of the back issues of DPN and see if I can figure it out.  I read a post a bit ago that said that every Mize dulcimer he ever played was flat on 1 and/or 7.

Update: I just found a thread on Everything Dulcimer that discusses this issue.........check out the posts under Robert Mize Authority?  From what I can discern the root note was tuned at the third fret with adjustments made for string gauge, bridge height and so on...........Robin Clark has written about this too.....when you figure it all out post what you have learned because old codgers like me are a little bit fuzzy on all this stuff.

Well that's good. I changed the strings to equidistant (still 1-5-5) and had fun with that, but the 3rd fret and 7th fret are just too flat for that. It is better playing noter drone.

Rather than Just Intonation, it could be fretted for Mean Tone.  John is right that none Equal Temprement dulcimers are often set up for  specific tuning that is usually not 1-5-8.

Noah, it could be fretted in another temperament other than the equal-temperament that most modern dulcimers have.  It could have been designed to play in one particular tuning, or to play only in the noter/drone style. There are discussions on this site regarding this issue.  By no means should you consider the fretting pattern a defect in building.  You may want to check into this here, or at Everything Dulcimer.  Best wishes in your research.

My grandpa on my mom's side owns an all cherry Mize dulcimer.  We moved their stuff up to tn over the weekend (they are moving up here later this week) and I have gotten to play this dulcimer.  The dulcimer's frets have a strange intonation I haven't come across before. They are greatly flat and the 7th fret is more flat than the others. What intonation is this and why did Mize tune it like this? Maybe it's Just, but I didn't think Just was this flat.

Craggy Mountain has some nice ones... and two sizes too. They are the only large cases that fit my baritone.

Elderly has this one. They sell FolkRoots dulcimers too, so they could tell you how it fits. Been a customer of theirs since 1974, they are very helpful.

http://www.elderly.com/accessories/cases-gigbags/dulcimer-cases-gigbags/canadian-dulcimer-case.htm

Check out Bill Berg's wooden hard cases..............at mountainmademusic.com.

Great idea.

Gun Case

This is what I have for my 36 inch.

There's always the lightweight fiberglass gun case route you could take. 

They're about the right size and shape, once you pad the inside to suit.

It's just that you might get some interested looks from airport security if you try to bring one on a plane... 

Thanks!

Give Folkcraft a call. You'll probably get Richard (the owner). They used to sell hardshell cases for their FolkRoots dulcimers. Not sure if they are anymore, because they now sell a really nice Deluxe Rigid Case. But, they may have some of the hardshell cases laying around. It might be worth a call. 

It would seem to me the closer fit your case is to the length of your instrument the less space for it to shift and bang around when being transported? 

I think I'd like to switch from my cushy padded case to a hard case. I've seen some on ebay and they tend to be 38 inches long. Any thoughts of what I should look for (or avoid) in choosing a hard case? I have a FolkRoots and McSpadden, both at 36" and a Gallier at 42". Thanks for your insight and input! 

I like them both. I really like the solid surface on the folding stand. Like a portable table!

Kandee

The folding stand is very light. I fling the strap over my shoulder and I am on my way. It amazes me what kids can do if you give them a direction and responsibilities.

Congratulations, would love to see some pictures!

I found some high school shop students that needed a project for a class grade. I gave them a rough sketch of the "house" stand and the portable folding stand. This was the results.

 IMG_20160209_131248_kindlephoto-5178787.jpg - 224KB

Thanks everyone! I've wanted an old-style dulcimer for quite a while and I already know I have a great one. John has been a great help throughout the entire purchasing process, and he's a very talented luthier. I couldn't be happier!

Steven, Favor is a really nice dulcimer. John did a great job in building it. It will give you a lifetime of pleasure. Enjoy.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Steven, you've got a treasure!  I look forward to seeing and hearing Favor again; what you describe about the sound is just what I heard when John K played Favor in Hindman KY.  

Can't wait to see "Favor"!   Sounds really lovely.

The "Uncle Will" Singleton dulcimer built by John Knopf arrived today!

For being a relatively small, shallow dulcimer, the sound is louder, deeper and more resonant than expected. "Favor" (John names all his dulcimers) rings out with a voice all its own. "Favor" is also a handsome little devil...2 cherry diamond-shaped inlays decorate the fretboard, and the nut, bridge, and pegs are walnut which accents the light colored poplar of the rest of the dulcimer. A scroll headstock and staple frets (no 6+ fret) complete the picture.

John was very pleasant to deal with...he answered all my questions promptly and courteously. He also knows a thing or two about building dulcimers...I highly recommend him!

Anyway, as soon as I can, I'll post some pictures and a sound sample (this might take a bit of doing).

I clicked on their FB page and that is current up to date but I see their web is '13 

https://www.facebook.com/Dulcimerville-287290135810/

Marg, the link you posted if dated 2013.  Dulcimerville was a festival organized by Lois Hornbostel and others.  I believe that they ceased doing Dulcimerville after the 2013 event.  Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

Dulcimerville was a week long festival run by Lois Hornbostel. It was held a YMCA camp near Black Mountain but is not longer held. I think Lois was going to do a weekend festival or two under that name. The website you linked to mentions dates in 2013. If you do get to Black Mountain visit both shops listed above.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Does anyone know if anyone can visit Dulcimerville or is it just for classes?

http://www.dulcimerville.com/special-features/

   They have some type of market place and sell dulcimers and supplies and are right in the same area as the two other locations you gave above.  It is in Black Mt. also 2 miles off of 40, but before 9 where the other two are.

Ah!  I wondered why there were two addesses I found for Native Ground.  Thanx Steve.  Did I miss anyone?

I've played D-A-d-d 99% of the time for the last 35 years, but I also like D-A-c#-d for some of the interesting chords it offers as well as the chromatics.

Tom Fellenbaum builds some great instruments, too.  If you like Celtic music, he alternates Sundays with Richard Beard, another great dulcimer builder, as a host of Celtic Roots on WNCW from Noon-3pm Eastern.  Richard was on today, so Tom ought to be the host next week.  (Available online.)

That's just Wayne Erbsen's house - there isn't a store there, and he doesn't sell dulcimers, anyway.  But the others are good.  Have fun, Annie!

What John said. Most pickups will use a 1/4" in jack with a female end. The cord will have two mail jacks. One plugs in to the dulcimer and the in to the amp.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Thanks, Ken. You are always so quick to help! I know for sure we are passing through Black Mountain, so that's good. A.

Hearts Of The Dulcimer Podcast - Episodes 11 and 12
Judy Klinkhammer: A Dulcimer Life  

A two part celebration of Judy Klinkhammer's life. She was a well-loved dulcimer player and teacher who lived in the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas. Many people credit Judy for introducing the dulcimer to that part of Arkansas in the early 60s. She truly lived with the dulcimer in the center of her life.

For episode resources:  http://dulcimuse.com/podcast/resource/011-12.html

Here's the shops I know of in that general area.

Native Ground Music -- 109 Bell Road, Asheville, NC 28805-1521 - 828-299-7031

Song of the Wood  --  203 W State St Black Mountain, NC 28711 - 828-669-7675

Fellenbaum Stringed Instruments at Acoustic Corner - 105-F Montreat Road - Black Mountain, NC 28711 - 828-669-5162

High Country Dulcimers --  8830 NC Hwy 105 South  Boone, NC 28607 - 828-963-TUNE (8863)

Going to visit NC next week. Please suggest shops/builders I could visit in this dulcimer heartland?Thanks!

Ken. I sometimes play regional variations. There's a lot of them when it comes to old tunes.

When Sandy and I get together weekly, our first tune is Boonie Doon. She plays harmony and I melody.  Then Softly and Tenderly followed by 5 Tull Glazner Gospel songs we play w/o tab. We are working it.

What do the 2 jacks look like?  A 1/4" phone jack is pretty much the standard for guitars, amps, mikes, etc.

Sometimes you run across a 1/8" phone jack, in which case you can get a little adapter to go from one to the other.

I got a super fun little amp from Mike Clemmer and while I hope to use it playing at the nursing home, right now I like to use it to better hear my finger picking. I got a Gallier and it has a pick up but I don't know what type of cord I would use to put the two together. Any advice? Thanks!