Forum Activity for @ken-longfield

Here is an article about Hindman, Kentucky where the Hindman Dulcimer Homecoming takes place every year. The folks at the Lutheriery make quite a few dulcimers based on the J.E. Thomas pattern as well as others. Just thought some folks might find it interesting.

http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/tom-eblen/article116038888.html

Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Playing a Galax style dulcimer with those holes was usually done with a noter. This keeps the fingers from getting caught in the holes (grin).

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I'm about three hours from you in central Pennsylvania. I have repaired a few dulcimers over the years, but I would need to see some photos of the damaged dulcimer before deciding if I could do the job. A Keith Young dulcimer is definitely worth repairing.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Thanks for continuing to produce these podcasts. I've been enjoying them.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Jan, that's what did when I needed a 1+ fret to play "It's A Grand Old Flag."

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I don't know who she is, but I have that issue of DPN. Ken Kesey and Paul Erhlich; pretty heady stuff in CoEvolution.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Not sure what you mean by "ringing," Marg. If you had a .014 in before and went to a .011, I am sure the string is moving in the slot as you strum it. Do you want a permanent fix or temporary? String choices vary buy the vibrating string string length and note you want to tune the string to. The choice of .011 seems light if you are tuning to the standard A note used on dulcimers. Let me know which one you want to do and I will try to explain it.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Well, I already congratulated you over at Everything Dulcimer, but why not here as well? So, CONGRATULATIONS, MARK! You did well and so did Cassandra and Wendy. Congrats to all you.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Loved it Dusty.

Ken

"The dulcimer whoops a sweet song."

Appreciate the link.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

The Grover Sta-Tites that you are looking at are mechanical friction pegs just like your wood tuning pegs. I did not check the dimensions of the pegs, but you would need to make sure your holes are small enough to accept the new turners. Frankly those pegs would not be a great improvement over Warren's tuning pegs. I had one break last year. I sent Warren the peg. He repaired it and send it back to me along with a new peg at no cost to me. That's great service. I put the new peg in and it works fine. If you were to use Pegheds you would have to make sure you the size of the holes in order to get the correct size tuners.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Annie, that's very pretty. What a nice dulcimer bag!

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Here are two photos of the case I built for the first dulcimer I made.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

 DSCN1623.jpg - 234KB

Paula, I have not used any of these devices. You can do a search for drum machines which are devices that create drum sounds/rhythms and are connected to amplifiers. Usually they come in the form of pedals. Looking at stores like Elderly Instruments or Sweetwater, you can find many options. Another way of doing it, I think, is by using an iPad/tablet or computer or phone, with some app on it that produces rhythms. I think the latest Dulcimer Geek podcast at DPN talks about pedals for use with dulcimers. Check it out at the Dulcimer Players News website. Sequencers and samplers may also produce rhythms for accompaniment.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

John, thank you for sharing your story. What wonderful treatment by the airline personnel. Enjoy that Amburgey.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

How many dulcimers is enough? Just one more.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Sandi, I don't know if you'd be interested but the songbook we use at church camp is this one: http://songsandcreations.com . It is certainly worth the price. I've used it for years.

Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Thanks, Brian. They didn't have that deal when I was looking for one.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Yes, I was, Ken. Can't say that happened the last time I was in. But, that's another story!

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Yes, it is Dusty. I tried to get the same deal at Guitar Center. They advertise that they will meet any Internet price. Showed the salesperson the Sweetwater website. He went to talk with a manager and returned 45 minutes later. I didn't mind as I was playing guitars in their acoustic room. They told me they couldn't do it because they did not have the same brand cable. I said that it didn't matter to me, but they told me it had to be exactly the same. They were selling the Loudbox Mini for $329. I went out to their parking lot, called Sweetwater and had the package in three days.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Sweetwater has a nice deal on a Fishman Loudbox Mini with a microphone, cable, and stand for $329 which is what most places ask for just the amp. I use this now more often than plugging the instruments in to the amp. Here is the link:  http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LoudBoxMiniPK

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Sorry, melanieangel. I did not see your reply until just now. Yes, I have Paypal. If you are still interested, send me a private message with your address and I can get them in the post to you.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Going Fishin' is a copyright song. I have not recorded it.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Very nice. Thanks for letting us know how you made out with this project.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I'm a Pepsi fan, too. I prefer it to Coke. Now, back to the topic. My fun song is "Going Fishin'" which is best know as the theme to The Andy Griffith show.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Here are the suggested sizes for a Folkcraft dulcimer: 0.011, 0.011, 0.013, and 0.024. The last string is the only wound string. All the others are plain strings. If you need a set of Folkcraft strings, let me know. I can send you a set (post paid) for $5.00.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

You need a ball end string. I suggest that you make sure is a 0.024 wound string. You might try phosphor bronze wound rather than nickel wound.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Hello again, Beth. I have purchased instruments on both eBay and Goodwill auction sites. A couple of them were good buys, but I have been burned as well. If you can return it if not satisfied, that's a plus, but a lot of trouble. A Warren May I purchased needed repairs which was not disclosed in the information, nor visible in the pictures. Because I build and repair instruments, it was no big problem. I responded to you post over at ED with other advise.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Well, John, like you, I enjoy playing with three strings and for the reasons you mention. Occasionally I will play one of my four string dulcimers with a double melody string arrangement, but when I do, I usually play with a noter.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Unless the original finish on the Hondo is worn through, I would not put anything on it other than a good polish. I think those old Hondo dulcimers had a light lacquer finish. I really like this polish:  Smith Pro Formula Polish .

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

All this brings back memories of spending one day week from 2nd grade through high school square dancing. It was a real blast. Took a gym class in college called Folk and International Dancing. Those were the days! Thanks for sharing all your dancing experience. I always enjoyed watching John Hartford play his banjo and dance at the same time.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

It doesn't look at like any Frank Proffitt instrument I've seen. Depending upon how the metal friction pegs were added, replacement with wood pegs may be relatively easy. If violin pegs do not fit, you may need to move to viola pegs. Also, if the taper of the whole was destroyed, that will need to be fixed. There are a number of ways to do that. I just looked at the other thread. If the reason for thinking that these tuners were added because of the holes all the way through the peg head, then I suggest rethinking the idea that this dulcimer originally had wood pegs. The early dulcimers I made required a hole through both walls of the peg head in order to put in those pegs. The space between the walls was not wide enough to slip the string end of the tuner in the hole. I could only assemble the tuner if I had a hole straight through both walls.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

What did your dulcimer do that it deserves capital punishment? There are a variety of ways to hang a dulcimer for display depending upon what type of peg head you have. The leather/cord tie is one way. I have seen "holders" that are mounted to wall where the bottom of the dulcimer is in a cradle and the top between two dowel rods with a rubber band stitched across the face of the dulcimer to keep it from falling out. There are commercial dulcimer hangers available which are similar to most guitar hangers that you can mount on a wall. 

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I don't know how I missed this a week ago. I, too, met John at the second Wartz gathering. John and I had several conversations about building and dulcimer history. I missed his participation, and now I know why. He was a gracious gentlemen. I cherish the brief time I knew him as a member here and dulcimer enthusiast.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

That's a good starter instrument and well worth the $45 you spent. As long as it frets accurately and the action is not too high or low you should have a good time learning to play on it. As to the gumminess, I would soak a small area of a rag or paper towel with some Goo Gone and rub over the area that is sticky. I shouldn't harm the finish, but always test in a small inconspicuous place before doing large areas. Best wishes as you begin playing the mountain dulcimer.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I might be part of the plethora of Ken's, but I have posted no videos.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Glad to hear that things worked out. Enjoy that dulcimer.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Hello Gary. Glad to hear that you still pop in occasionally. Also happy to hear that you are spreading the news of dulcimer playing. We can't have too many dulcimer players out there. Thanks for posting.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

For the most part my Internet buying has been good. I did buy one off eBay where the seller did not disclose that one side had a crack in it, but I was able to fix it without any problem and the price was right. 

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I don't usually disagree with my brother Ken. His advice is good. On the other hand, I'd look at the strings to check their condition. If they are not rusted or corroded and do not break when you tune them up, you will be able to use them. They probably will not last as long as new strings, but will work until you can get a new set. That goes for the old (new) set in the package. Enjoy your new to you dulcimer.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."