Forum Activity for @shopdad

I have found Richard Ash's book "Fret positioning fret guide" a tremendous help cutting fret slots. I have made several fret boards and repaired a few that weren't cut properly. The distance between two frets is important but the slots must be perfectly vertical. Hand cutting is fine but must be done when a person has the time to do it right. You are correct, Wally, the distance of each fret from the nut is crucial. Mr. Ash makes it clear in his book. He checks fret distance, over all distance and distance to nut. I'll admit, I'm a bit OCD, as its called, when cutting my fret boards. If the individual slots are off, by the time you get to the last cut it can be off enough to make a difference. With all this being said, let's not neglect string quality and cleanliness. As pointed out in earlier posts the type of wood is important too. Oh, Keep sound hole size and location in the formula too. Ha! I built a "CanJo" using a 1 Gal. lacquer thinner can. I never thought I would hear so much resonance come out of an old can. Anyone is welcome to let me know if all this is off the subject of temperament, but, from what I have learned since this thread began it all helps. 

Yes, I just did some research on temperament and really got a head full of information. Yes, much is over my head,  but very interesting. I'll just stick to my tuning method and enjoy what I love, .the sweet song of the dulcimer. Going back and forth from guitar to dulcimer keeps me on my toes. Keeps the cobwebs cleared from the old grey cells

OK, now you guys have spurred my interest. It's time for some deep diving into temperament. Thanks Dan, all this is helping and explains a bit more each time. How long have you guys been dealing with this? Do makers of all string instruments understand the temperament. Skip, I use the note frequency on my instruments rather than just an eyeball on the balance point. I try to get the frequency as close as possible. Yes, the material in which the instrument is made is definitely a factor. I am careful not to install too much bracing inside just for that purpose. The tone/resonance on my homebuilt tear drop is about the same as the kit made from walnut. My next build will be another hourglass design so I may reopen this discussion with you. Maybe I'll have more knowledge about it and not sound as ignorant with my statements and questions :)   Here's a pic of the kit walnut Cedar Creek and my handmade teardrop mostly poplar and some oak bracing, Hand carved eagle head stock is also oak.

 Dulcimer finished _171719.jpg - 115KB

I haven't noticed any difficulty tuning my guitar. Totally different even if same note as Dulcimer. I chalk it up to the resonance of the guitar vs, the dulcimer. Diatonic to chromatic I guess.

That makes sense. I don't believe I have perfect pitch. Mine is more like "pitch the perfect" and depend on my tuner. That's when I get fussy. I believe that also explains why some of the notes that show up when I do a pull off sound a bit off. I only hear it in certain chords or songs. Probably just some 83 year old ears too.

Wow! every time I think I'm making progress something new pops up. This is very interesting Wally. Let me see if I'm in the right thought pattern of this information. I have 5 dulcimers I have one tuned CGC so I can sing the music in the lower key. Two of my dulcimers are DAD. Even though the instruments are tuned differently (one C and One D) I would believe they should be the same bass on my cell phone tuner. They are very close but off enough if it were the same instrument I would tune to the correct note. My question is, does this fall into what you are discussing in the video? Oh! its ok if I'm "all wet" on this comment.  This may help too. The DAD is a Cedar Creek kit build and the other tear drop is homemade and tuned CGC. I'm what you may call "OCD" when it comes to cutting my fret boards and it shows up when I tune them. It just bothers me when I, for instance, tune the bass string one on D, Shouldn't it be as close when I use tuner on the "C" on my tear drop? If it were the same instrument going from one string to the other I would be correcting it on my tuner. Hope this makes sense. 

Some music I want to learn on the Dulcimer is not available except for piano or guitar and seldom for dulcimer. I have found it easier to tabulate the song myself. It takes a few minutes but I am able to add harmony and bass to it as i learn the basic melody. 

Welcome Drew, I'm rather a newbie myself. This site has been a great help to me. The folks here are eager to help. Seems like someone is available to assist with every issue or question. Tell us about your new Dulcimer and what other instruments you play.

I like that Nate. I think I found out how cool it sounds by accident. Now it seems natural in some arrangements. Same with pull offs. Just sounds natural and comes easy on certain notes on the melody string. Not to mention, it's fun.

Thanks Robin. I started out using a noter but watched so many videos on picking and strumming I got away from it. When I was young my uncle was the musical therapist at the mental institute in Pontiac, Michigan. Each visit to Florida he would bring a different instrument so we could learn to play. One year he brought a steel guitar. I played around with it but never mastered it. Playing the dulcimer with a noter reminded me of the sliding technique on that instrument. It brought back fond memories.

Very cool. I saved the sites on line. I belong to an airboat club here in central Florida. I have been the club Historian for several years. A few of the members play guitar. I see a Historian report on "music on a string" in my future. I listened to some of the recordings on the Psalmodikon.  I also see here is a site for plans to make one and even an available kit. I was not aware that the Diddly bow went back that far in history. I already have so much info I may have to make it a two-part presentation.

the pic is my boat, powered by a 220 Lycolming GPU.

 13413034_10206694947275577_7103448658817529659_n - Copy.jpg - 110KB

wally, that's why I enjoy this site. I was corrected once when I mentioned fret board. Now I understand the difference. thanks

Ken, I saw something at the lower end but couldn't figure it out. The article I read said it may be the forerunner of our modern dulcimers.

When I see something I don't quite understand I like to research it. Problem is, often there is a multitude of opinions. All I can do is try to make sense of it all and settle on one that aligns with the subject. A college professor called it "word smithing". Ken, are those one string instruments what they call "diddly bow" if I have the spelling correct. 

I found the pic of the Dulcimer type instrument. History reveals these instruments from 1700s to 1800s. Dates and tradition are questionable and I would not choose to argue with the women pictured.

 Dulcimer oldest european_instrument.jpg - 51KB

If a person enjoys playing different types of music and want to "kick it up a notch" , try using the tree techniques of hammer-ons, slides and pull-offs. I whole new enjoyment  scale awaits. 

If you are successful with any or each of them. I would love to hear your experience. Suggestions are always invited and of course funny and interesting stories would make a great subject of conversation. 

Without a doubt Ken. I find it very interesting that some of the oldest dulcimer type instruments dating back even into the early 1800s all had a similar fret arrangement. One I read about had one string with frets and the rest were all open. It appeared to me to be 4 or 5 feet long. I wish I kept the article. Thanks to all of you on FOTMD and other sites I frequent, I have learned a lot about the dulcimer and what separates quality from simple. 

From past experience, if frets are not level or all the same height off the fret board there is potential vibration in certain notes played. Adjusting the nut and bridge is important but if the frets are at different heights it will affect the quality of the note. When I discovered my fret board (also called the finger board) was badly warped I smoothed out the high spot and replaced the frets. In my effort to fix the problem previously, without fixing the board, I filed down some of the frets to compensate for the bad board. The result was disastrous. I replaced all the frets and aligned them with a framing square. Before the repair, playing anything on the first two frets was difficult because of the distance between the string and the fret board. I couldn't lower it because the frets in the center would touch the strings.   

Wally, Wow! that's pretty precise fret work. The black marker process is a great idea. I will use that on two of my instruments. I have filed frets before but never thought about rounding them back again after. I wonder if sanding the frets without polishing them could be detrimental to the life of the string after extended use. Very helpful info. 

Very useful information. I found out about frets and fret boards the hard way. I purchased a kit that was partially built. The owner lost interest (if you can imagine losing interest in a dulcimer) I had trouble from the start after assembly until I noticed the fret board had a noticeable warp. I had to remove the frets and block sand the board then recut some of the slots. 

another antique instrument I bought had some frets cut by a chimpanzee, I filled the some of the slots with Durham's and recut them. I seldom play it but soon will need the fretboard completely rebuilt. Probably add a thin piece of mahogany on the top and recut.  

I just finished lowering the nut and bridge on my tear drop. Wow! what a difference. Problem solved thanks to the pros at FOTMD group. 

I spend a lot of time with a straight edge on the frets, making sure they are the same height. I learned to make sure all my fret boards are stored in a dry place on a flat surface. I am always open to any suggestions about building and tuning. 

That is an interesting experience you had with the frets from one part of the country to another. That kind of info will go down in the archives as, things to think about in the future. 

I'm 83 years old and still stick to my same motto, try not to go a day without learning something weather it's the easy way or OOPs! the outcome is still useful to me or someone else.

Thanks Ken. That may well be the reason for the buzz. My strings are set much higher. I have tried several different remedies. I learned one thing. You can't ignore the buzz and pretend its not there. Even the slightest bit distracts what I'm playing.  The pic shows the tear drop I'm having difficulties with. As I mentioned, this one is tuned CGC. I love the tone and reverberation on it when it's set up correctly. It took me longer to make that the others so I want it to sound good in this key.

 Dulcimer Patriot tear drop.jpg - 119KB

There seems to be some differences of opinion on bridge and nut height from fret board to string. One builder says 3/8s" One of my dulcimers is tuned AEA and one CGC. I sing bass and DAD is just out of reach for many songs. Consequently, 3/8s" is not and option. lots of buzz and I don't know how to sing in key of "buzz". Any suggestions on nut and bridge height?

Five. One is a kit dulcimer by Cedar Creek. It all began when I ordered an antique Fishtail Dulcimer by Hughes in the mid 70's. The next three are home builds by myself and more to come. 

Hello Jack, Welcome to the Friends of dulcimers group. I am somewhat new myself. I have been playing for almost two years and working on my third build. I have learned a lot from experience even though others have been a great help. I have also learned there are a lot of great folks on this site that are willing and capable of helping with questions about playing as well as building. These comments are from a retired Floridian familiar with wood projects as well as metal. raised in a Body shop since I was a young boy. 38 years as an electrician and years of music background in school and college. I also do a lot of fossil digs and guide for school, boy Scouts and church groups. I started carving my own decoys for duck hunting back in the 70's then went into carving other types of decor. Married for 60 years with 4 great kids. Sounds like we may have a few things in common

I just spent nearly an hour on Nina's site. I listened to most of the videos and viewed the photos. I am familiar with black Mountain. I have family in the Asheville and Burnsville area. Yes, Damon, that is what attracted me to that style. It may be miles down the road for this old man but everyone began somewhere and it was always at the beginning. 

Nate, (and to anyone else that wishes to respond) I appears you have been playing the dulcimer for a while. I'm somewhat new at it. I have viewed several posts on "finger picking". I have been "note plucking" for a long time and found the finger picking sty very intriguing. It appears there are several "picking" patterns to choose as a person plays the piece. I have a ton of questions. Who or where can I get more info on the subject? 

Thanks Nate, I have been working with wood projects since the 70s, but not until the past two years making dulcimers. I am a duck hunter and carved my own decoys for years. I love fishing, so I have several fish decoys and wall decors in the den. Building dulcimers just came naturally I guess. With me, I love to stay busy. I retired in 2004 and have many interests that keep me miles away from boredom. 

This is Shop Dad, I'm slowly catching on to the FOTMD system. My name is Paul Shutes, I have lived in Florida since 1942. I have several other interests other than music. I have had an interest in fossil hunting since my kids were young. I do anywhere from four to seven digs a year. I am a guide for Creation Studies Institute. 

I also am a member of a local gym and work out on a scheduled basis. This began after some health issues myself, determined to stay healthy. 

I am a father of four of the best kids in the world, one of which is with his heavenly father. My wife and I just celebrated our sixtieth anniversary. 

Bottom line, I love life.  

I just joined a few months ago. I do have a question and wasn't sure where to post it. Can anyone tell me if there is a dulcimer or strings group in Central Florida? Somewhere around Brevard County or, Vero Beach, Palm Bay, Kissimmee, or Cocoa?