Forum Activity for @ken-longfield

Well, my memory isn't very good. I took out my Sunhearth dulcimer and it has four strings. Here are four photos of that dulcimer. They may help you as you work on restoring yours. As you can see it has fine tuners; the black things between the saddle (bridge) and the end of the dulcimer. Also, it has three feet on the bottom as early dulcimers were meant to be played on table tops and not on laps. I'd be happy to try and answer any specific questions you have. I knew Walt Martin and visited his shop. I have two articles written about him and a Sunhearth brochure from 1974. If you send me your email address in a private message here I'd be happy to send them to you as pdfs. Just click on the link under my name and that will take you to my home page where you can click on Send A Message.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

The photos you uploaded are too large to really see the instrument in question. Dwain Wilder who is a member here studied with Walt Martin who made the Sunhearth dulcimers. With good photos he should be able to answer your questions. I have a very nice Sunhearth teardrop dulcimer and I may be able to answer some questions as well. In the first photo all I can see a little bit of the top. The second photo shows the tail end and no top on the dulcimer. The third photo shows the saddle end of the fret board. It looks like there are two slots. Maybe one wasn't correct and the builder cut another slot to correct it. The fourth photo shows the strum hollow and perhaps where a slot for the saddle was going to be cut. The fifth photo shows part of the peg head. I have no idea what the sixth photo is.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Here is a photo of the tuning wrench which came with my ukelin. I imagine a similar one was supplied with the violin uke.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

 IMG_0335.jpeg - 301KB

I think most autoharp tuning pins today are 13/64 ths of an inch by 1.5 inches long. I have a ukelin and can check the tuning wrench that came with it to see if that is the same size. Sometimes you can substitute a t-handle tap wrench for tuning wrench depending upon how much space you have between the pins.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Are you referring to the instrument made by the Marx Company? It bears a strong resemblance to another of their instruments called a ukelin. The plain (unwound) strings can be replaced with plain steel guitar strings. The wound strings can be replaced with wound guitar strings. You will have a lot of string leftover. An alternative is to use autoharp strings, but it is probably more expensive. Use a micrometer to measure the thickness of the strings. As Nate said a photo of the instrument or several photos will help us better help you.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Happy along with his brother, Artie, was a great innovator in providing instruction to folk musicians. I think many of us from that era of folk music appreciated Happy's contributions to and promotion of folk music. He will be missed by family, friends, and those of us who used some of the resources he provided.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Thanks for this information, Fiona. That's one of the few issues of DPN that I don't have. It was interesting reading. I sure do miss the Whole Earth Catalog. It was fun to read and leaf through it.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Thank you everyone for your comments. It is still a work in progress as it is an old case and continues to need some work. I do a little repair and restoration on the outside of the case a couple of day a week. I think the top is finally completely glued in place. I'll be dressing some frets that are a little high in the next few days. Then I will restring it and try to get a sound sample posted.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Here is a little project I've been working on. It's not completely finished yet, but enough of it done for me to share it. The sound board is poplar. The fretboard is walnut. There is piece of maple inlaid in to the strum hollow in homage to the violin. The tuning pegs are zither pins. In cleaning out the attic I found this old, empty violin case. I thought I'd turn it into a dulcimer.

 IMG_0328.jpeg - 228KB

I went back through all my photos of dulcimer displays but could not find any displayed as you want to do it. They were either hung vertically or laid out horizontally. Those at an angle were resting against something. The "unobtrusive" support fis puzzling me. Most of what I've thought of would require making some sort of cradle to hold the lower end.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I think his use of pull-offs adds to the delight of this tune.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Since I'm coming into this discussion rather late, all of my suggestions except one have been offered. If you go to the trouble of angling the end block under the peg head, you could angle the end of the peg head to fit flat against the fret board. You could flatten out the top of the peg head by the fret board to place the nut on or cut a dado to accept the nut. This probably the most work intensive suggestion.

And as Ken Hulme said, "Keep us posted - show us your solution."

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Well, John, it is an exquisite instrument, but coming out of your workshop that's what I expect. You do beautiful work. Thanks for sharing it here.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ever since I encountered my first live dulcimer person back in the summer of 1970 I've had mostly positive experiences with dulcimer people. There have been those who looked down on me for playing mostly in 1 - 5 - 5 tunings and those who thought I was a simpleton for playing with a noter, but I've ignored them. I try to be encouraging of all dulcimer player and builders and find positive things to say even if there dulcimer thing isn't my dulcimer thing. After 54 years of having a love affair with mountain dulcimer, I'm not about to discourage anyone from having a similar experience. Just remember, no matter where and how you play or build it,

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken

Well, idle, I'm looking forward to your questions. Many folks seem to migrate to the mountain dulcimer when having problems playing other instruments. I am having problems fingering chords on guitar, but don't have a problem with the banjo. Luckily I've been playing mountain dulcimer for the last 50 years and can still play chords on it although my preferred style of playing is with a noter.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I don't know what didn't work, but I like the drawing. Always nice to see some FOTMD friends no matter the form, human or drawn characters. Thanks for sharing it, Jon.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Yes.

Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Walt Martin, of Sunhearth Dulcimers, put fine tuners on his instruments. Rather than using beads he made them out of ebony and they were pyramid shaped. A small hole drilled from one end in a slightly upward direction met another hole drilled from the opposite direction met in the middle so that the string moved over a slight peak inside the tuner. By sliding it forward or backward one could shorten or lengthen the string length. I believe Dwain Wilder continues to off this on his Bear Meadows dulcimers, the successor of Sunhearth.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Jan, that is wonderful that you were able to visit Cynthia. On the way there and back you could have visited many more members of FOTMD who are not far off the route you traveled. I have not seen Cynthia participating here in a long time and must admit that I've been neglectful in contacting her.  Thank you for your report on your visit.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I'm happy to hear that you are back home. I pray that you recover fully and heal quickly.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I'm glad to hear that everything worked out for you with your new dulcimer. I'm sure you will enjoy playing it and it will bring you joy for many, many years.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Thanks for pointing this out Wally. I guess I skimmed over the Geared Tuners part without it registering in my brain. The word "Friction" jumped out at me. 

Yes, it would be nice to see the installation instructions.

I agree, it is a puzzlement.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

The one thing I noticed in the description of the tunes from aliexpress is that they are described as "friction" tuners rather than planetary. Could these be friction tuners disguised as a planetary tuner? Or is it an AI generated description? It has been interesting reading all these responses.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I'm glad my friends here were able to help you, Andrew. The next time you decide to change your strings I would do as suggested and put a drop of glue under the nut and the bridge to keep them from moving when you put the new strings on. If they are not secured in place they will slide in the slots as you've discovered. You are conquering the idiosyncrasies of the mountain dulcimer. Stick with it, you are doing well.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Like Ken I haven't heard of James Norris. My guess is that he was not a prolific builder and sold most dulcimers he made locally. Also, like Ken, I'd be interested in seeing some photos of the dulcimer.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

The reference to long neck banjos being folk banjos probably harks back to Pete Seeger elongating the neck of his banjo by three frets. Many of the banjo players in folk groups in the late 1950s and 60s copied this and banjo manufacturers such as Gibson and Vega offered long neck models. My first banjo was a Gibson RB175 long neck. Unfortunately my arms were too short to continue playing it. I liked the sound of that banjo. Maybe some day I will find an RB170 for sale that I can afford. It's the short neck version of the long neck "folk" banjo.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song." 

A group of us visited the Niles Center back in 2018. We were able to not only view, but also handle all of the instruments. Niles had some interesting ideas. Listening to him play and sing is an "acquired taste." While he did build some instruments, as John said "he had some builders make him dulcimers." Dr. Pen has the most knowledge of anyone I know about Niles and his instruments. Dr. Carr was very gracious in hosting us at the Center. We did see some patterns and drawings he made for some of the instruments. I don't know if there are any specific articles about the instruments themselves which talk about why he did what with a particular dulcimer.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Larry, I'm having trouble understanding your question. Do you not bring the string up to the proper pitch when you pout it on? No matter what instrument Ion which 'm replacing strings, I always bring the new string up to pitch before moving on to the next string. I don't know why one would want to bring up the string up to "a certain tightness of the string" or slightly below pitch before moving on to the next string. Once you put a string on continue tightening until you reach the proper pitch. Are you using an electronic tuner? Tuning by ear? Tuning to another instrument? Certainly using the first method there is no reason to stop.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Wow! Fifteen years. I'm looking forward to the anniversary party.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I didn't buy any dulcimers in the 1970s but made my own. I do have many catalogs and price lists but not sure of the dates. There may be one or two from the 1970s and early 1980s. Of course, I have a lot old issues of DPN from that time with prices of some instruments. Let me know if you are interested in any of these. I can scan and send them to you.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Jennifer, you might get a better a response if you post this as a separate inquiry rather than in the discussion where few people will see it. I have not seen any dulcimer tab for it or even sheet music. I have found guitar chords, but that is all.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

For Pete Seeger fans, there is a new book out, Pete Seeger with David Bernz Chopping Wood Thoughts & Stories of a Legendary Folksinger. It has a forward by Arlo Guthrie. It is not a biography but as the title says, thoughts and stories. David Bernz, the editor of friend of Seeger's provides some commentary and context.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I was in New Jersey this past weekend and made it a point to stop at the Pete Seeger memorial. It is behind the Puffin Foundation building at 40 Puffin Way and at the entrance to the Teaneck Nature Preserve. Pete is recognized not only for his contributions to folk music, but also for his community activism in cleaning up the nearby Hudson River and other activities. Whether or not you like his politics, no one can deny his positive influence in getting folks to sing and play musical instruments. I think he is one of the most underrated banjo influencers. His book,  How To Play The Five-String Banjo , started many on a lifetime journey. Well, today is the anniversary of his birth so I thought I'd share a photo of the memorial and one of me with Pete. BTW, he did a lot to encourage Jean Ritchie's participation in the folk revival (scare?) of the 1940s, 50s. and 60s.

Memorial

Me and Pete

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I agree Robin. The Culture of Recovery is a wonderful program. The luthiery and Troublesome Creek Stringed Instrument Company are a great way to give people the opportunity to develop a skill and turn their lives around. Kudos to all involved.

Ken

"the dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Me, too. It's on at 9 p.m. EDT on my PBS station.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Thanks Robin. I'm on the road the rest of this week and the beginning of next so I won't be watching for at least week. I do plan to join when I get back. Thanks for the heads up on Mike Seeger. I miss him. We had some good times when he was here to do some concerts.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Today I received a very nice reply from Mark Brewer who is the general manager of WOUB. Here is part of his reply:

"Best advice I can give you at this time is to join WOUB Passport at https://donate.woub.org/woub/passport .  As you probably know, it’s a $5 minimum monthly donation. Create and use a different email address that is not tied to your current WPSU Passport so nothing wacky happens there.

We currently have 15 episodes of Ramblin’ on Passport and 6 episodes of Hocking Valley Bluegrass (produced in 1978) available.

If you can watch them all in a month, just reach back out to us to let us know you want to cancel.  If it takes two months…..well, you get the idea! If you want to go this direction, when it’s time to cancel, just reach out to membership@woub.org and we’ll take care of it."

As you can see, the advice is pretty much watch KenH suggested, but a little less expensive. The folks in Athens get a good deal on their membership price for Passport.

So, I'm away at a dulcimer festival this week and then on to NJ to visit my cousin. When I get back I'll join because I should probably be home for a month and can binge watch all of the programs.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I already tried that Dusty, and it didn't work. So it looks like if you want to view the program it will cost at least $12. Our local stations cost for Passport is a donation of at least $60, btw. Ken, I think you mean $12 per month donation.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Thanks, Robin. I sent an email to WOUB but it goes to a general inbox, so I don't know if anyone at the station will read it and respond. I'm sure they get a lot of email. There was no way that I could find through the website where you can contact a specific person.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Thanks, Dusty. I've seen Mountain Born a few times.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."