Forum Activity for @revdave

OPINION ON BUILDER

Playing and jamming difficulties...HELP ME!

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.

OPINION ON BUILDER

Playing and jamming difficulties...HELP ME!

You’re doing some unusual and beautiful work.

OPINION ON BUILDER

Playing and jamming difficulties...HELP ME!

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

Folk Instruments?

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

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. 

squeakless nylon strings?

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

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.  

Nut & saddle Material

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

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. 

Pick noise

Playing and jamming difficulties...HELP ME!

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.

Native American Flutes

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

I have 15. I have a problem. 

OPINION ON BUILDER

Playing and jamming difficulties...HELP ME!

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?

How Many Dulcimers Do You Own?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

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!

amps and dulcimers

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

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.