Forum Activity for @revdave

cardboard? Really! These things exist? I once made a nominally working “organ pipe” from a sheet of notebook paper, but a cardboard dulcimer…

I assume made from corrugated boxlike material? How do they hold up?

Thanks Ken. I appreciate your offer and your wisdom, but the dulcimer isn’t mine to repair. That’s partly what’s so frustrating. I have to return it as-is. 

Thats certainly true of my guitar. They seem to be similar quality…

I have access to an old no-name kit dulcimer, built by a non-luthier acquaintance of mine. I’ve been dinking around on that, learning scales, tunings, chords, etc., but it’s fairly frustrating, because the action is way too high, it’s not intonated properly, the fingerboard isn’t smooth, and the frets are poorly finished. Plus it’s plywood. I bet either of the other two will be a vast improvement. I’m having difficulty finding videos of the black mountain so I can hear it. I’d really like to have a McSpadden, but can’t swing the extra $$$ right now… $200 more than I have at my disposal. Maybe someday…

Yes, beginner with dulcimer, but an accomplished guitar player and have played bass professionally. I ought to give McSpadden another look. I used to live not too far from Mountain View.  

Thanks, Ken. That’s solid advice. Unfortunately, in this case, I have only a few sound bites from videos to rely upon. I wish it were otherwise!

Unfortunately, I’m not in a position to hear any of them. I really don’t like to buy sight unseen online; I prefer to see, handle, and listen, but I just don’t have that opportunity in this case.  I thought someone might be able to give me some details of their experiences with these models.

I’m looking at one of two different instruments. A Bill Berg #2292 short scale (all walnut), and a Black Mountain #56 in mahogany with an old growth redwood top. They’re both essentially the same price. For those experienced with both Bill and Dave, what are essential differences between these two that might help me to make a decision? I know real mahogany is hard to come by, and old growth redwood is impossible. Is there any other remarkable difference between builders and build style that anyone can point to? Thanks.

Thanks, Ken. I certainly appreciate your experience and expertise. I’ve had some high-end stuff of all kinds, but I also know 2 things: 1) I don’t want to spend a lot until I know if I’m going to attain the proficiency to warrant it. 2) I want to spend enough that a lack of quality won’t frustrate and deter me. This happened with my brass instruments in school and through college. I was a music ed. major, and taught music for some years. So I’m looking at some moderately-priced stuff: McSpadden, Black Mountain, Feather, and Berg. His “beginner” model struck my eye, and it’s so much less expensive, it made me curious as to its quality.  Also looking at another model of his, as well.

You’re doing some unusual and beautiful work.

Thanks, Ken. I appreciate that. Do you build for sale, as well? Do you have a web page?

The same goes for pipe organs, and probably everything else, too. There are purist enthusiasts of all instruments.  For me, there’s a line of integrity between forward-thinking and honest development of the instrument, and wandering into the territory of appropriation, turning the instrument into something it was not intended to be. I’m all for development and evolution, but not bastardization. The difference between “folk” and “legit” is the same as the difference between “jazz” and “legit.” It has to do with what may be considered “mainstream.” Jazz has become mainstream. So has a lot of folk. For ME, folk should be accessible to all who want to play, without regard to “acceptable credentials.” One’s talent and dedication will out, in the end. 

I’m not familiar with nylon tape wound, but I am familiar with metal tape wound — and with nylon wrapped flats for bass, as well as classical guitar strings. I don’t care for nylon strings. They stretch too much and require fiddling with the tuning.  I also don’t care for the sound — they’re too mellow; YMMV. If I had an issue with string squeak, I’d probably look at either nickel flats or tapes. For me, they produce a livelier tone.  

Martin uses bone on its guitars; Gibson and Taylor use a synthetic (Tusq) that they insist is better tuned to conduct the frequencies particular to guitars. Gibson also uses Micarta and Corian. Most of us would likely never really hear the difference. I bet these materials are harder than at least most woods, and likely conduct better. However, I suggest that, like all other musical instruments, it’s not really a concern of the material of one component, but the synthesis of all build factors. A bone nut will still sound bad if the total build is suspect. 

Those are good. But if you want less pick noise, you might try the Dunlop Jazz III. They’re small, so not much point. They’re a thick, mellow pick.

Hi, just beginning on dulcimer, but I have years and years of professional experience with fine guitars, boutique electric basses, and minor violin repair. I appreciate fine instruments, and grow quickly frustrated with poor intonation, poor quality build, poor action, and mediocre tone. I’m looking for a less expensive instrument to begin with. Looking at either a McSpadden or an interesting “beginner” instrument by Bill Berg.  What do you think of Bill’s quality?

Is there an instrument that doesn’t infect with “acquisition disorder?” I have a friend who has 27 guitars. I try to keep my condition to a minimum to placate She Who Must be Obeyed. I only own 2 guitars: a cheap, short scale Squire and a new Gibson L-00. I own two electric basses, 7 Irish whistles and 14 Native American flutes. No dulcimers yet; I’m currently refurbishing a kit model owned by my church, but I expect to break out in acquisition pustules at any moment… Pray for me; these things are not cheap!

Bass amps are tuned and equalized to efficiently reproduce and amplify lower tones. If using a bass amp, I expect you’ll have to roll off the bass and boost the treble. If you have access to an acoustic guitar amp, that would be better.