Forum Activity for @sleepingangel

Thanks so much for getting back to me and the info you provided. I will try and "unloosen" the screw a bit as I thought they were supposed to be tight...now I know...also I agree with the way they lay...maybe I will "attempt" to straiten if I can...worse case scenerio I will try to see a "professional" 

and thanks so much I really like it so far

Maria

I think it's safe to say that at best, the Roosebeck dulcimers are inconsistent, which would make sense since their construction seems to move from one country to another, presumably wherever labor is cheaper.  Some folks have gotten lucky with nice instruments and others have what we call dulcimer-shaped-objects, more appropriate for hanging on the wall than for making music.

Sleepingangel, don't beat yourself up over this. I was pretty lucky in finding a good instrument for my first dulcimer, but it can be hard to know what to do. I really wish McSpadden and Folkcraft would make an entry-level instrument, but since their base models start at over $400, beginners look elsewhere. Many of us suggest the student model dulcimers that some luthiers such as David "Harpmaker" Lynch sell for about $125. But without that advice, many people look to the less expensive instruments out there, which is hit-or-miss.  

What do you meant that the "spacing of the strings is wrong?"  Are they too far apart?  Too close together?  Either way, a new bridge and nut should fix the problem.  A more important question is whether the frets are spaced correctly. You can test that with an electric tuner.  Tune your open strings and then check each note as you move up the fretboard. If the intonation is off, you can definitively tell the seller that the instrument is defective.

It is difficult to tell from the photos but you may have the melody strings a little twisted where they pass over each other.  Getting as straight a line as possible from the white string spacer to the tuners may smooth up things a little.  Also, those tuners are not that easy to use.  They work on friction and the little screw on the ends of them sets how stiff they are to turn.  You need to set them so they turn easy but will still hold the strings at the pitch you want.  It takes a little trial and error to get that screw tension correct.

The first fret is actually a 'zero fret' - this is quite a common set-up on dulcimers.  The white 'nut' just spaces the strings correctly as they cross the zero fret.  All in all, the instrument looks lovely and should play just fine once you have the tuners sorted to the correct tension.  If you continue to struggle with the tuners then a guitar luthier should be able to swap them for either guitar or banjo tuners with gears.

Hi thanks so much for your response. I will try the suggestions. What do you mean "attaching them nearer to the center of the peg box?" is that something I can do or is that what the luthier has to do?

thanks

Maria

You might have tightened the screw a little too much.  Try loosening it just a bit.  A little WD 40 on the outside of the peg assemble can't hurt.  But don't get it on the strings!  A guitar luthier could defintely help.  It looks like the outside strings bend too much when going into the peg box.  Attaching them nearer to the center of the peg box would help.  

Ok so I've now realized that the Roosebeck has issues......(c'mon where are the "I told you so's" lol) 

I didn't know it as I am new to the dulcimer but basically it was made incorrectly. The spacing of the strings is wrong and can't be rectified.

ALso I can't use my new Ewing Capo with it because it buzzes. 

I bought a used Walnut Valley for $150 in mint condition and it's NIGHT and Day. I made another post in another forum here on this site asking about the tuning pegs if anyone would help me out I'd appreciate it.

The spacing is the way it's supposed to be and the capo works!!

NOW I HAVE TO FIGHT WITH the company that sold me the Roosebeck because they are calling my return buyers remorse and I don't agree that I just changed my mind. There's a reason. They want to charge me a 30 percent restocking fee and have me pay for return shipping. 

Even if I do I'm still going to sell it back because after playing this 30 year old dulcimer for 4 days I realize I will NEVER play the other one. so I may have to bite the bullet and lose the money.

My dear departed mom used to say "education is expensive"

Take care

Maria

here's another pic

 IMG_8277.JPG.jpg - 171KB

On Friday I re'cd my ebay purchase of a 27 year old Walnut Valley Smoky River Dulcimer.

The seller is the son of the original owner who bought it new. The condition looks to be outstanding and I think it sure has a "sweet" tone. I am in the process of trying to "return" the Roosebeck (meeting with some issues as they want to charge me a 30 percent restocking fee and return shipping) The Roosebeck's fretboard was made incorrectly. The middle string was not in the middle which created an unusually large space between it and the double d strings which also were spaced too far apart to hit both comfortably. Adding to that is that I couldn't use the new Ewing Capo which I bought. The instructions said if the strings buzz it's the dulcimer not the capo. SO with that I found this little beauty.  It was packed in two boxes. The inside box is the original that it came in and the dulcimer had the original manufacturer's warrranty with the serial number. It was made in 1989 and it was the 86th instrument made that year. I did research after but heard mixed things about it. but I took a chance because I felt the price was right and it looked really good from the pictures. The truth is it looks BETTER than the pictures as the pictures did NOT show the correct color of this dulcimer. It's a deep walnut. Anyway my biggest and only concern is this: The tuning pegs are really tight. I did use a screw driver to tighten the outside part of it (it's the old fashioned kind with the gear I guess inside the white head of it) 

It does slip a bit when tuning although since I changed the strings (as soon as I got it) and have played it for the last 4 days it seems to be holding the tune. 

I'm nervous because when I tune it now it feels like if I tune it differently (like I want to change it to daa for a music book my son gave me ) then it will pop those two double strings. Those seem to be the "tightest"  it's kind of got a weird thing going on at the nut. There is a space after the 1st fret and then the nut and the a space and then the strings go into an indent into the wood and up into the scroll. But the two d's seem to almost cross each other to get where they need to be (another concern like the rubbing might make them snap)

Also is there some kind of thing like wd40 that I can use? 

Lastly would a guitar luthier help? I don't have any dulcimer people here in my town that I know.  

 IMG_8276.JPG.jpg - 157KB

Patricia, I love the video you posted of Erin.  The audio quality is amazing.  Is that your little mic I see attached to her dulcimer? It was nice to meet her on her trip to Cali this summer.

After I finish a little work and pour a glass of wine, I'll be listening to your latest podcast.  Thanks for all you do to celebrate the dulcimer!

I'm a little embarrassed to say :)  A few years ago I wanted to learn dulcimer, and my husband came home with a First Act.  God love him, he has no idea about instruments - he just wanted to make me happy. I was learning on it when life began to act up, and I had to set music aside for a while.  These days I have a Cedar Creek teardrop and my Christmas present is one ordered from Ron Gibson.  I still have the First Act however, it's great for little ones to play on during our group jams.   For sure they can't hurt anything if falls out of small laps, and with new strings it doesn't sound too badly.

Hearts Of The Dulcimer Podcast - Episode 7

Erin Mae - Playing Old Time Music in New Ways

  http://bit.ly/hotdpodcast

Erin Mae is a young, innovative mountain dulcimer performer and teacher from Kansas who gives old time music a fresh spin on her chromatic dulcimer. We met up with Erin and her sister Amber while they were on tour in Califo rnia. 

Also ... check out the companion video for this episode on our website:  http://dulcimuse.com/podcast/resource/007.html

Thank you, Skip, George, and John P for responding!  I have not yet had opportunity to go further in exploring the problem with the tuner-- I now have guidance to help.  Thanks again, friends! 

I was CG 71 to 78.

Hi Robin.

Skip has covered most of what needs looking at, so I thought a 'plan of action' might be helpful.

i) - Make sure that the string is not slipping on the winding post !!!
This will show up if the winding post is turning, but the string is not getting any tighter. Most players have their own patent method of attaching strings to the winding post to prevent this happening. Just poking the string through the hole and giving it a couple of turns may not be enough to stop it pulling back through when it's tightened.

ii) -  You will have seen from (i) whether the winding post is turning or not, if it isn't turning then the slippage is somewhere else.
So, take off the tuner by removing the nut from the inside of the pegbox, the tuner should just pull out.

The tuner is made up of sections, very much like the transmission in a car.
The winding post is the prop shaft that turns the wheels.
The barrel section is a single speed gear box.
The button is the engine.
The fibre washer is the clutch plate. You can only get at this by taking off the button.

iii) - Examine the underside of the barrel, and make sure the small pin is in place. This digs into the outside of the pegbox and stops the barrel rotating.

iv) - Take off the button. Hold the barrel between your fingers and turn the button shaft, does the winding post also turn. If it doesn't then most likely the gears are stripped and it needs replacing.

v) - Examine the fibre washer and look for any parts that have become shiny with wear.

vi) - You might not need to do this, depending on (v), but do it anyway.
Put a piece of fine sandpaper on a flat surface and give both sides of the washer a gentle rub over, just enough to rough up the surface a bit.
Most unlikely, but take a look at the bottom of the button itself for any signs of wear. If you do any sanding on this part be very careful to keep everything flat.

vii) - Put the tuner back on, ensuring that when you tighten up the nut the pin digs into the wood and the barrel is tight and flush.

Good luck.

Here is another one. 

 old thomas photos027.jpg - 112KB

In this digital age I miss the shoe box of old photos. Do you have any to share?  

 old thomas photos030.jpg - 129KB

Yes, David.  I retired from the USCG in 1989.

do you have a picture of the tuner? might be able to help,

Skip, the tuner didn't seem to be slipping in the wood.  It's late so I'll not fiddle with the thing tonight. . . Thanks for your advice!  

I have similar tuners. Can you tell if the tuner is slipping in the wood or the shaft turning in the housing. Put a piece of masking tape on the body and a separate piece on the wood and a pencil reference mark on both, tighten and check the reference mark. If it's the body turning, the nut may be loose or the pin anchor protrusion on the body/wood interface may be damaged [which probably cannot be fixed]. Not sure what can be done if the shaft is slipping in the body or the adjusting screw or the gears inside are stripped except replace the tuner. The only other thing I can think of is to remove the button and see if there is a friction washer that is wear polished. 

When she returns I'll find out exactly. Maybe it can be fixed.

I've tightened the end screw-- the screw on the outside end of the wooden button-- and the tuner still slips/turns free.  If you have experience working with Grover Star planetary tuners, please advise. 

[quote="Dan Goad"]
I've never heard of a complaint about the TK Obrien before, David. 

She just doesnt care for the sound. Not clear enough for her.

Was that you Dan in the CG?

I forgot to mention that I got the hourglass shaped dulcimer from Walter. It does have the geared tuners. The teardrops he makes have the Grover Sta-Tite metal friction tuners. That might make a difference for some as far as ease of re-tuning. 

I own a Cabin Creek, Walter Messick, dulcimer.  I like the sound of it.  I know everyone's likes can be different. I do know that you can call up Walter and he can play his dulcimers over the phone for you. That's what he did for me. I have to say when I received it and played it for the first time I was not disappointed. It sounded better in person than it did over the phone but it did sound good over the phone. 

I've never heard of a complaint about the TK Obrien before, David.  What is your playing partners problem? Maybe we can fix it, we are pretty good about doing that.

My playing partner has a TK Obrien. Shes not happy with the sound. Not trying too be rude.

There are closer to 50 different factors that can effect the tone of an instrument.  None is more important than another, really.  Generally we say listen to a specific instrument, not a general maker's line, as each dulcimer can be different.  Call the builders and ask them to play a specific instrument for you over the phone or Skype.  Buy by ear, not maker's name or shape or wood or VSL or any other things.  Generally speaking a dulcimer with more cubic inches in the body will be deeper sounding than one with less cubic inches. 

I don't have any experience with either of those makes.  My rule of thumb is deep sound box with larger strings produces a lower more 'mornful' tone.  Others may disagree but that is just my own opinion.

Exactly, is there a preference as to the two?Does one provide better? I'm leaning towards  the Walter Messick, great wood.

There are many different factors that make up the sound of a dulcimer.  Tone woods, sound chamber size, VSL (viibrating string length) and string size (gauge) used. 

I am just looking for feedback on the sound of the O'Brien, compared to Walter Messick? I have heard the O'Brien as having a better "sad", "lonely" sound, but was curious as to the Messick, has a beauty right now I am seriously considering. American Chestnut. I really like the deeper, more melancholy, "sad" sound. I know, cheery soul! :-)

My first dulcimer was a kit I bought from a shop that no longer exists in Estes Park Colorado, The Dulcimer Shop, I think it only stayed in business for 2 seasons. I put it together with absolutely no experience whatsoever. It was a little rough around the edges to say the least! :-) But it held a tune, started coming apart at the seams a little over time, and got my love affair with the mountain dulcimer right then. I eventually gifted it forward to anther interested newbie dulcimer player, but have no idea where it ended up. 

 It was the only kit I ever built, but it did teach me enough aouyt them to be able to do some minor repairs in the future.

My very first dulcimer I purchased is a Cabin Creek made by Walter Messick. I was looking for something that I could make music with, something that was easy to learn to play a song. I did a lot of research and saw recommendations about dulcimers. I remember hearing dulcimer music at Tamarack in WV. I saw some videos on Youtube and was convinced that was the instrument for me. I decided to look for builders in Virginia. I'm not sure how I came across Walter's web site but that's where I landed. I called him up and he played a few over the phone for me. I wanted to order one I saw on his web site. He asked me to wait because he was in the process of making one that had butterflies for sound holes. He said if I didn't like it I could get the other. Well, when it arrived I was amazed at the craftmanship and how beautiful it really was..... a lot better in real life than pictures on a web site. I got the pick and started playing a tune. I was thrilled to be able to play a song right out of of the box so to speak and not having any music training I felt like I accomplished something wonderful. I still own that dulcimer and I wouldn't part with it for anything.  

Welcome fellow Tar Heeler. Not sure where on the OBX you are, but there is a group listed that meets in Morehead City that can probably help you out. Contact information can be found at www.everythingdulcimer.com under the Clubs tab.

Also, there is the  North Carolinians Plus group, here on FOTMD you can join, if you haven't already.

Good luck, enjoy your dulcimer journey.  

I've had some decent success on Ebay, but as stated, be wary. It helps to know what you're looking for and do specific searches. What are you looking for in a used dulcimer? I have several out of many from my personal collection that I am getting ready to sell.

 I'll have a Blue Lion 4 string Model IC, cherry top back and sides, a McSpadden 4 string hourglass, Sitka top, sycamore, (I think) back and sides, flat headstock, and most likely a late 1970's John Maxwell 5 string with wood case also. That one is a bit more "rustic" with wood "butter paddles", not geared tuners. I'm needing to thin the herd a bit, have 20 right now and just simply running out of room! :-)

I made my first one in about 1967 out of a sheet of unfinished mahogany paneling I bought for $3.00 and scrap 2x4s from under my dad's work bench. I got some fret wire and guitar tuners from a local music store. It was awful. The peghead canted off to the right about fifteen degrees. It was meant to be a symmetrical teardrop, but ended up rather "free-form." I don't remember if I used my banjo or guitar as a model for the fret placement, or if I fretted it by ear. I used something in a spray can to finish it. 

It was a pretty crude affair and the sound wasn't very good, either. I played it a bit and passed it around to others who wanted to try dulcimer. I don't know what ever became of it and I'm no longer in contact with any of the people I ran with then. But I do know a half-dozen people or more learned the rudiments of the instrument on the thing. At least one of them got pretty serious about dulcimer, and early on had a chromatic instrument made. I built a few more over the years, along with some other instruments, but never became much of a luthier.

There is no shortage of "used" dulcimers, but as Robert sez, be wary of Ebay specials.  You can find quality "previously loved" dulcimers here quite often, and also in the Marketplace at www.EverythingDulcimer.com

You'll find that there is no dramatic drop in price between new and used dulcimers. 

Welcome...  There is no shortage of cheap dulcimers on E bay. Although I won't vouch for their quality or playability its a place to start. People don't give up good dulcimers very often. There is a classified ad page on this site. And a handful of very good dulcimer builders who can help you out... Robert.

BTW.. Dulcimer players are the most open and friendly people I've ever met in the music world. You came to the right place...

Jan - it was so wonderful to meet you at Warren A May's in Berea last week! Thanks for your lovely playing and for the fellowship over lunch. I hope to get to KMW next year!

Jill