Forum Activity for @ken-longfield

With the advent of people playing chords on mountain dulcimers, the VSL shortened. Longer VSLs were common when people played only noter style. Most guitars today (and banjos) have a VSL in the 24 - 26 inch range. Guitarists who play MD may find a shorter VSL more comfortable as they are accustomed to that on the guitar. For chording I either play my Folkcraft or my Blue Lion. The Blue Lion has a shorter VSL. If you can get to a festival and play different instruments you can see how the various VSLs feel.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I'll second Dusty's suggestion of the Blue Snowflake. I have not used it, but a friend has one and he really likes it. I use Blue microphones for our dulcimer club when we play out. They are very good. Here a like to the Snowflake: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Snowflake. 

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Steven, Favor is a really nice dulcimer. John did a great job in building it. It will give you a lifetime of pleasure. Enjoy.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Dulcimerville was a week long festival run by Lois Hornbostel. It was held a YMCA camp near Black Mountain but is not longer held. I think Lois was going to do a weekend festival or two under that name. The website you linked to mentions dates in 2013. If you do get to Black Mountain visit both shops listed above.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

What John said. Most pickups will use a 1/4" in jack with a female end. The cord will have two mail jacks. One plugs in to the dulcimer and the in to the amp.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Thanks for sharing that information Ken. I didn't check it as the book came as a gift. I think when I come to the point of replacing my Kindle, I'll get one that is in color. It will certainly help with the pictures. I have not used mine much lately. The few books I have that contain photos seem to have all the photos at the end of the books. Is that usual for e-books? Just wondering.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I usually do Cripple Creek for finger dancing, Skip to My Lou for noter/drone, and Going Fishin' for flat picking. I mess up the latter sometimes. I like to do Old Joe Clark, but often mess up when switching to a harmony accompaniment. Still working on that transition. I do mess up less when I'm truly concentrating on my playing

Ken

"The dulcimer sing a sweet song."

Bob, that sounds like an excellent idea. Play the banjo! And, you're welcome.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I think you'll like it Robin. My only complaint is the layout. I dislike the little boxes that provide additional information which either break up the narrative if you stop to read them while you are on that page or force you to go back and read them all after you've finished the chapter.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Steven, you are getting a really great dulcimer. I am sure you will enjoy it. Have fun playing it.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I just finished reading this book that I received as a Christmas present and am wondering if anyone else read it. If so, what do think about the book. For those who have not read it, here is the the complete title and other information: Wayfaring Strangers - The Musical Voyage from Scotland and Ulster to Appalachia by Fiona Ritchie and Doug Orr. It is not a book about dulcimers, but it does contain information about dulcimers. It is primarily a book about the people and their songs as the migrated from Scotland and Ireland to the New World. The book comes with a companion CD. I enjoyed reading the book and listening to the CD. The interviews with people who play the music provides wonderful insights into the songs and their meanings for them. The history is fascinating and covers Scotland, Ireland, and the United States. It also covers the evolution of the music into an American form. It is worth checking out from your local library if you haven't read it.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ryan, no I don't have a physical shop. I do sell Folkcraft dulcimers and usually keep a few in stock. Actually, you are closer to Pristine2 who sells some used dulcimers from time-to-time. He lives in Hollidaysburg. I do some building and repair work.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Jim, it seems to me that there are several things to consider here. The repairs to your current dulcimer should not be very expensive. Making a new nut and/or bridge is not difficult. Are the tuners wood, mechanical/metal friction, or planetary? If they have little screws through the button, they can be tightened. You did not mention who made your dulcimer. Knowing this, would aid us in figuring out if it is worth fixing up. It is important to play an instrument with the sound you like. It will make you want to play it more. There are many good luthiers out there who would be happy to make you a custom instrument.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

When I have had all three dulcimers side by side, all walnut, all cherry, all hickory and all Folkcraft, my perception is that the cherry is the brightest and crispest in sound, followed by the walnut and then the hickory. My personal choice is the walnut which is what a play most of the time. I have noticed that you can change the sound the all of these dulcimers by changing out the nuts and bridges. Replace the micarta nuts with wood and you will get a mellower sound.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Have you tried an all hickory dulcimer? I think they are one of the most muted dulcimers I've every heard. It is a lovely sound.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I haven't tried it, but if you don't need the stuff for electric guitar, keyboard, etc., that seems a good way to go. They appear to be identical expect for the amp modeling. Looks like a very nice unit to me.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Jim, might be able to put you in contact with Larry or someone else who worked there in the 1970s.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

That certainly is difficult to read Richard. Looks like it might have been made from a kit.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Jim, John does indeed produce some fine books. I am glad that you found them and like them. For those interested in learning more, here is a link to John's website: http://www.johnsackenheim.com/John_Sackenheim/Home.html

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Hi Susie. I don't have a battery powered amp, but I do have a Loudbox Mini. I'm not sure how much sound you are looking for from the amp. A 1 watt, 3 watt, or 5 watt battery powered amp will not give you the punch of the Mini. Having said that, I have heard good things from the Roland Mobile Cube. Here is a link describing it: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MobileCube One of my friends has one and uses it primarily in small groups of around 20 people in a room about the size of a typical school room.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Happy New Year friends.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I use the Folkcraft sets with the flat wound bass strings. Certainly cuts out the noise when you slide on the string. If you don't play chords, squeakiness strings are not needed, IMO, as plain  steel strings do not squeak.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Maria, you shouldn't have any problem with the Lemon Oil. I disagree with Bob on the use of Pledge or any polish that contains silicone. It can cause problems with trying to match the finish if a repair is needed. Just speaking from experience. Stick with polishes made for instruments.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I think Randy Adams tunes his dulcimers to banjo tunings minus the fifth string, but, then, Randy is a banjo player. He does some amazing things with a four equidistant string dulcimer in banjo tunings playing noter/drone style.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Brian, those are wonderful instruments and I'm sure a pleasure to play. Have fun with them, which I am sure you will.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Kandee, I am glad you enjoyed your visit to Folkcraft. Richard, Steve, and the rest of the staff are first class folks. They work very hard to make excellent dulcimers and other instruments. 

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Here is a photo of the Ritchie family dulcimer that Ron Pen shared with folks at the Homecoming.

 DSCN1963.jpg - 203KB

Nice summary of your activities Rob, but you forgot to mention how great your roommate was. LOL! I did something a little different this year and decided to have a table in the vendors area to show my J.E. Thomas dulcimer and have some dulcimers and accessories for sale. Although I did not sell any dulcimers, I did sell some books, picks, noters, a tuner, etc. I had a wonderful time, enjoying workshops and the seminars, playing dulcimer and guitar, renewing old acquaintances, and making new friends. I'll post some photos of the museum.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Dave is both a wonderful teacher and performer. Check out the link from John.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Another person sees the light! That's great Sheryl.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Welcome back, Kimberly. Our group meets monthly for two hours. If you have beginners I suggest devoting some time (1/2 hour as you mention is good) for someone to work with the beginners, perhaps separately from the main group. This lessons the intimidation factor. Then, have the beginners join the main group and let them jump in as they feel comfortable. I find that some time for chit-chat before or after the meeting is good for folks to get to know one another. You might even take a ten minute break as the beginners join the main group.

Whenever you perform, aklways get the name and a phone number for anyone who says they have one of those funny looking instruments hanging on the wall. Call them invite them to the next meeting. We have recruited new members this way.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

My first dulcimer was made from plans obtained from Joseph Wallo in Washington, D.C. It is an hourglass and has a cantilevered fretboard. I made it out rosewood for the back and sides, spruce for the top, and the peg head and fret board are walnut. The fret board is three piece. I laminated a piece of hickory down the middle of the fret board figuring that with string pressure pulling against the cantilever, a three piece board would be less likely to warp. Forty-one years later the fret board is still flat. I do not play it as much as I did, but still use it for noter/drone playing. It has four strings and no 6.5 fret. It is one of my louder dulcimers.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Cool! Thanks Lisa.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Very nice Susie. You and your husband did a fine job on the conversion. Thanks for sharing your handiwork.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Yeah, it does kind of favor a Galax, although all the Galax I've seen do not have a strum hollow. That's an interesting peg head design. I guess the builder was making sure he/she had enough space for six pegs.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

What a great deal Dusty. Must be a really nice music shop to give you such a good offer. Enjoy.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Nice find. I would certainly look at it and admire it if any of your folks bought it.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Good job Patty. I'm sure your neighbor will enjoy the bow.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Best wishes. I hope it goes well.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I play N/D and flat picking. I like both styles. I don't do fingerpicking very often, but I have done it.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."