Forum Activity for @ken-longfield

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
10/01/18 01:03:23PM
1,235 posts



I dug through my file on Keith Young, but found nothing about the finish he used on his instruments. My suspicion is lacquer, but I am not 100% certain. Here is a link to a  Wood Magazine  article about how to identify finishes. I hope this helps you.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
09/29/18 12:30:02PM
1,235 posts

Guitar Strings?


Playing and jamming difficulties...HELP ME!

Plain steel 0.020 string should be available in a local music store. As Kusani said, "opinions vary." I use squeakless wound strings for chord/melody playing. I like the plain steel on my noter/drone dulcimers. Your dulcimer looks like a Tom Yocky instrument. If it is I would think Tom set it up to take a 0.020 - 0.024 bass string. If it is set for the 0.024, the slot may cause a 0.020 gauge string to vibrate in the slot causing a buzz. This can be corrected by any luthier or even yourself depending upon how handy and confident you are. I hope the new set of strings will work well for you.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
09/27/18 11:46:11PM
1,235 posts

Guitar Strings?


Playing and jamming difficulties...HELP ME!

Given that VSL I would try .010s on the melody strings, .014 on the middle, and a .020 for the bass. You could go up just a little if these are still floppy. If you can't find them locally as single strings, PM me and I can send you a set as I described.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
09/27/18 07:03:15AM
1,235 posts

Guitar Strings?


Playing and jamming difficulties...HELP ME!

Diane, the size of the strings you use is determined by the vibrating string length (VSL) of your dulcimer. That is the distance from inside the nut to the place where the strings contact the bridge. If we knew that length, we could make better suggestions. Just looking at the dulcimer in you avatar I would guess you should have the .012s on the melody strings, the .014 in the middle, and what Dusty suggested for the bass; .022 or .024 wound string.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
09/26/18 07:24:10PM
1,235 posts



Don, the fix will depend on what type of finish Keith used on his dulcimers. I will look and see if I have any information on this and get back to you.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
09/22/18 11:51:18AM
1,235 posts

Remember Our Friend Oliver Ogden.


OFF TOPIC discussions

I think of Oliver often. My wife and enjoyed visiting with him and his wife Sharon. He was a man of many interests. I liked talking about hat making with him. He had a very nice collection of hat making tools and moulds. He had other musical interests as well. We shared a fondness for banjos. His turtles were interesting to see and hear him talk about them. Yes, I miss Oliver.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
09/18/18 03:18:08PM
1,235 posts

Cantilevered Tail/Bridge


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Here is a photo of the cantilevered fret board on the first dulcimer I built. I only made two like this.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."


IMG_2533.jpg IMG_2533.jpg - 172KB
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
09/16/18 02:35:52PM
1,235 posts

Cantilevered Tail/Bridge


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

The first dulcimer I built (back in 1974) has a cantilevered fretboard. I used plans made by Joseph Wallo who worked at Weaver's Violin Shop in Washington, D.C. I made the fretboard from three pieces of wood and after 44 years of constant tension the on the strings (mostly in DAA tuning) there is no curling of the fretboard. Although this is not the largest dulcimer I own, it is the loudest. The top vibrates as well as the back but not as much as the back. I thought I had some photos I could easily find, but I don't. I'll try to take a few and post them for you.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
08/25/18 04:08:00PM
1,235 posts

Play Music On the Porch Day 2018!


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Well, no one else showed up, so I played solo. I did a few tunes on mountain dulcimer and then a few on banjo. No videos.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
08/24/18 09:00:22PM
1,235 posts

Play Music On the Porch Day 2018!


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I'm looking forward to sitting on the porch and playing a tune or two. If any friends stop by they are welcome to play as well. I left the invitation opened ended so anyone can show up between 1 and 4 p.m. After that we are heading to a baseball game. We will see what happens. Have a good day everyone.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
08/23/18 08:12:43PM
1,235 posts

what was your first song on the dulcimer?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions


I wonder how I missed this thread 4 years ago? I do remember the first tune I played on the dulcimer: Go Tell Aunt Rhody. That was 44 years ago.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."


updated by @ken-longfield: 08/23/18 08:13:16PM
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
08/16/18 07:05:31PM
1,235 posts

Recording multiple tracks?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Before I moved to Mac, I used a program from SouceForge called Audacity. It is a free download. I found it easy to use. If you do not have an audio interface for you computer you can get around using two microphones by using the overdub feature in Audacity. I do not think it gives as good a quality as recording with two microphones, but it is certainly a lot less expensive. Audacity is a free download and can be found here: https://sourceforge.net/projects/audacity/ After moving to OS from Windows, I now use Garageband and find that they are somewhat similar in how they operated.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
08/16/18 11:20:26AM
1,235 posts

Advice on old dulcimer


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

Sorry I missed that you mentioned the 28" VSL. KenH's suggestion for strings is good. A 6.5 fret can be added if you don't have one and really want one.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
08/15/18 09:11:52PM
1,235 posts

Advice on old dulcimer


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


Hi Janis. Here a few things to look for: no separation of joints, a flat fret board, and length between the nut and bridge (VSL). Tuning pegs can be replaced if they don't work. My guess is that the ones on this dulcimer may need a little adjustment after 30 years. If those are the original strings on the dulcimer, they will need to be replaced. If your friend does not know the gauge of the strings a stringed instrument repair person should be able to use a micrometer to measure them for you. There may need to be an adjustment in the action (height of strings above the fret board if they are too high or low. The reason I mentioned VSL above is how far you need to stretch to make chords. If you do not play chord/melody style VSL is not a problem. Smaller hands work better with a shorter VSL.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."


updated by @ken-longfield: 08/15/18 09:17:59PM
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
08/09/18 11:43:34PM
1,235 posts

Question about fret layout.


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

I see from my friends here you have received all the help you need on this issue. Enjoy your dulcimer. Have fun playing it. Anymore questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
08/05/18 10:03:22PM
1,235 posts

Dulcimer just followed me home


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

Enjoy your Sweet Song dulcimer. Like John, I've assembled a few of them. They are a nice dulcimer. I do like the walnut ones.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
07/30/18 10:38:32PM
1,235 posts



Thanks for the link. I agree with Ken.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
07/30/18 09:13:57PM
1,235 posts



I'm too lazy to search through all of Stephen's videos to find the dulcimer. Do you have a link to the video?

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
07/26/18 09:48:30PM
1,235 posts

Choose just ONE song for all eternity...


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

After a great deal of agonizing, a lot of playing, and careful consideration, I finally chose my song. It is Bob Franke's "Alleluia, The Great Storm Is Over." I have not been able to get it out of my head since my first post in this discussion. 

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
07/25/18 09:56:53PM
1,235 posts

Will donate student dulcimer to needy beginner


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Richard, that is very generous of her and you. I'm currently working on refurbishing a kit built dulcimer for a friend of mine to give to one of her students. She is always looking for instruments to get children from our area started on the mountain dulcimer. Someone will have a fun time getting started with the Apple Creek.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
07/22/18 09:24:19PM
1,235 posts



I don't name any of my instruments. Most of them are just called by the name of the builder; e.g., the Folkcraft, the Blue Lion, the Thomas, the Prichard, Number 1 (the first one I built), etc. The same goes for my banjos and guitars. They are tools to help me make music. I don't name my screw drivers, wrenches, pliers, chisels, or other tools either. It doesn't mean that I do not care for or cherish them.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
07/21/18 07:27:30PM
1,235 posts

Choose just ONE song for all eternity...


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions


Too tough for me. I have no answer.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."


updated by @ken-longfield: 07/21/18 07:28:09PM
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
06/29/18 04:51:09PM
1,235 posts

Hearts Of The Dulcimer Podcast In Its 4th Year


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Keep the coming. I find them both educational and enjoyable. Thanks for producing these.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
06/17/18 06:08:26PM
1,235 posts

Favorite noter?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Sandi, thanks for sharing your hymn playing. I enjoyed it very much, but, LOL, another "headless" dulcimer player video.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
06/02/18 11:40:56AM
1,235 posts

Favorite noter?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thank you, Lisa, for fixing the link. Thank you, Sandi, for sharing Take Time To Be Holy. Sounds good.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
06/02/18 08:56:45AM
1,235 posts

Call 'em Ukes, Ukuleles, but never Ukeleles!


Adventures with 'other' instruments...

Lois, thanks for sharing your story. Having recently visited Hawaii, I am aware of how ukulele is pronounced differently there (and perhaps correctly). How we say a word often influences how we spell it. I am developing an interest in the ukulele. I have scraps of wood left over from building four hammered dulcimers and wondered what to do with it. I found a plan for a standard size ukulele. I discovered that i could use the leftover wood to make a few ukuleles. I am now working on building six of them; three grandsons, son-in-law, son, and myself. I don't know where it will lead, but it is fun working on them.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
06/02/18 08:43:40AM
1,235 posts

Favorite noter?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions


Sandi, there must be a bad link in your post. When I click on the YouTube link it takes me back to this discussion.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."


updated by @ken-longfield: 06/02/18 08:44:28AM
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
06/01/18 01:22:56PM
1,235 posts

Everything Dulcimer - Closing Down.


Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs

I agree with you Dusty. Ron, I appreciate all you did at ED. I know we had a chore keeping things running smoothly; especially guarding against malicious attacks and posts. I appreciate Bruce's creation of ED and his constant attention to it's development in the early days of the site.

We have a wonderful site here at FOTMD. I trust that all of us will continue to support it and Lisa as it continues to grow.

And who know what new developments will arise in the future.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
05/31/18 07:31:47PM
1,235 posts

Hearts Of The Dulcimer Podcast In Its 3rd Year


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Joellen is a treasure. I will enjoy listening to her. Thank you for continuing these podcasts.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
05/21/18 09:06:10PM
1,235 posts

Kennedy Barn String Band


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Congratulations, Rob! A well deserved honor.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
05/03/18 06:26:06PM
1,235 posts

4 equidistant strings/McCarty tulip dulcimer


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

I didn't check this, but I seem to recall on the Stew-Mac calculator it automatically calculates the position for the 6 1/2 fret but designates it the 7th fret making the 8th fret the 7th fret. So, using their terminology, the 8th (7th) fret would be the octave.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
04/30/18 07:39:10PM
1,235 posts

4 equidistant strings/McCarty tulip dulcimer


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

From what I can tel from the photos, the first piece of metal after the peg head is a Zero fret. The next is one and so on. Measure the distance from the middle of the zero fret to the middle of the seventh fret, double it and you have the place where the bridge (in this case another fret) should be. It is difficult to see, but do the strings pass along the slots in the tail piece? It was also constructed before the 6 1/2 fret became popular, so I would place it nearer to 1963 than, say, 1975.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
04/26/18 01:43:13PM
1,235 posts

Pick paranoia!


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

I use a variety of picks, but my "go to" pick is a Herdim three point pick. After that I use a V-pick but not the Bing ultra-lite. I use a different shape and it come is red as well as clear. Over the years I've used picks cut from plastic milk containers, margarine containers, Cool Whip tops, and credit cards. I've also used thin strips of wood and leather as well as turkey and goose feathers. I choose the pick according to the type and style of music I am playing. There really is no right or wrong pick. It is just what works best for you.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
04/23/18 08:54:35PM
1,235 posts

How do i add my tunes...?


Site QUESTIONS ? How do I...?


I would be interested in hearing your music. So, yes. You need to follow the rules of which include the music must be in the public domain and you must perform it. Click on you name (it's in blue in upper right hand corner next to the search symbol. Just click on you name, not the drop down menu. You will find a button that says "Audio." Click on it and then on the + sign to add audio files. You can do that from either Soundcloud or a file on your computer. Choose the file and the click upload. Then click on "create." That should do it.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."


updated by @ken-longfield: 04/23/18 08:56:46PM
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
03/30/18 09:03:53PM
1,235 posts

John Tignor dulcimer rework


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

Nice new pegs John. The old ones look like planetary banjo tuners.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
03/30/18 09:50:27AM
1,235 posts

John Tignor dulcimer rework


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

John and Jim, I'm glad to hear that both of these fixes worked.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
03/26/18 11:08:00AM
1,235 posts

Tell us about your VERY FIRST dulcimer


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Enjoy your "new" to you dulcimer. Keep us up-to-date on your progress and don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
03/25/18 03:59:00PM
1,235 posts

John Tignor dulcimer rework


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

Sounds like you've got yourself a sticky situation there John. (Pun intended) The big problem with that glue is it expands as it cures so you have a very tight fit. You might try knocking it out from the side, but you risk damaging the slot if the glue bond does not break. I think I would try to either rout or saw it out and make a new nut. I know that is not easy to do and would require making some type of jig to do the job. Of course, if this is just going to be a wall hanger, you don't have to worry about any of this.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
03/20/18 10:09:43PM
1,235 posts

Warren May still going strong in 2018!


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


I was there a little over a week ago. Unfortunately a snow storm kept the shop closed and I couldn't hang around. I needed to get back to Pennsylvania. Next year (2019) in May we are having a noter drone festival in Berea. Some of the group did get to meet Warren.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."


50051fc33e033eb1c568657ec46b7fc0.jpeg 50051fc33e033eb1c568657ec46b7fc0.jpeg - 19KB

updated by @ken-longfield: 03/20/18 10:14:00PM
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
02/24/18 07:02:46PM
1,235 posts

Hindman Dulcimer Homecoming


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Richard, at this point we are planning to meet in Berea on March 8. I am staying at Boone Tavern and so are David and Karen Bennet. KenH is staying at an AirBnB. I don't know what the any of the others are doing. There are many places to stay around Berea. We have exchange mobile phone numbers and will make contact with each other via phone when we arrive. At this point we are thinking of going to Hindman on Friday and maybe U of K's JJ Niles center on Saturday. The rest of the time we will talk and play.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

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