Forum Activity for @ken-longfield

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
08/25/15 10:45:33PM
1,235 posts

Playing the Bones


Adventures with 'other' instruments...

That's great Lisa. Keep up the good work.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
08/17/15 12:57:16PM
1,235 posts

Using a mic for recording a song?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thanks Jim. I appreciate you comment.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
08/10/15 08:59:06AM
1,235 posts

Using a mic for recording a song?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I'm coming in to this discussion a little late. I have a MacBookPro and use GarageBand to do audio recordings with the built-in microphone. In GB I choose the acoustic guitar setting and then adjust it by turning down the treble setting and turning up the bass setting. If you listen to the second scheitholt podcast at dulcimuse.com, I recorded the piece I played on my Mac.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
08/09/15 10:03:06AM
1,235 posts

Please Don't Pick on Me. *tee hee!*


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Sheryl, if you need a red herdim, let me know. I've been selling out my inventory and I think I still have some red ones left. They are a dollar each.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
08/08/15 11:14:08PM
1,235 posts

Playing the Bones


Adventures with 'other' instruments...

Aw, Lisa, now you've gone and made me want to dig out my bones and give it a try again. I have one set made of walnut and another set, I think, of cherry. Glad you are trying the bones again.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
08/06/15 12:21:30AM
1,235 posts

Types of tuners


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

Marg, I was only trying to clarify something. The washers that John talks about go between the wood and the metal parts of the tuner. What I think you are referring to is a small washer that goes between the head of the screw and the top of the button. I think you might have a difficult time finding a washer that small. If you can't find any let me know. I might have some in my spare parts box.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
08/05/15 10:58:36PM
1,235 posts

Types of tuners


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

Marg, are you talking about a small washer between the hole in the tuner's button and the screw? It would fit in the small indentation just under the head of the screw?

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
08/05/15 07:51:50PM
1,235 posts

Types of tuners


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

Those look like Grover Champion Ukelele pegs.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
08/05/15 01:14:09PM
1,235 posts

Types of tuners


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

John covered it well. Often when going from violin pegs to planetary pegs the holes need to be enlarged. That's happens going to Sta-Tites or Grover Champions, both of which are mechanical friction pegs.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
08/04/15 08:59:03AM
1,235 posts

Please Don't Pick on Me. *tee hee!*


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Randy, thanks for the Robert Force video. Cornwall is a nice piece.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
08/03/15 03:01:18PM
1,235 posts

Please Don't Pick on Me. *tee hee!*


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Bob, thanks for sharing Randy's video. It addresses this question well.

Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
08/02/15 10:47:07AM
1,235 posts

Number of dulcimers


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Playing guitar, banjo, and (occasionally) mandolin besides my dulcimers, I am always dealing with different size (length) fret boards. It's never been a problem.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
08/01/15 01:06:35PM
1,235 posts

Dulcimer Display Stands - What do you use?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I'll second or third (whatever) the recommendation of the stands from the Dulcimer Bag Lady. It is the sturdiest dulcimer stand I have ever seen. My understanding is that they are still being made by Doug's son and are available. If you have a large do, it is not a good idea to store your dulcimer where the dog's tail can hit the stand. I have repaired several dulcimers which were knocked off stands by a dog's tail. Dulcimers on stands also should be kept out the reach of small children. 

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
07/31/15 09:54:06AM
1,235 posts

A new podcast about the mountain dulcimer


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

A little shameless self-promotion here, but I want to let everyone know that Patricia and Wayne have the latest episode posted.

http://dulcimuse.com/podcast/resource/003.html

Enjoy it folks.

Ken

"The dulcimer plays a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
07/26/15 04:54:26PM
1,235 posts

Crack in Soundboard?


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

It looks like a relatively simple repair to me. Certainly worth it if the price stays low, although at the moment it is just under $100 with the shipping.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
07/26/15 10:17:08AM
1,235 posts

Clifford Glenn


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Here is a link to Clifford's obituary for anyone insterested: http://www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com/obituary.php?name=1483

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
07/26/15 09:34:47AM
1,235 posts

Ozark Folk Center in the 1970s


OFF TOPIC discussions

At McSpadden I bought a couple of books, picks and noters, no dulcimer, but I had just built my first dulcimer.

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
07/25/15 12:18:37PM
1,235 posts



 I have several Snarks but I don't use them heavily. Snarks are prone to breaking at the pivot point which is the weakest place. Although they cost a little more, my favorite clip on tuner is the Intellitouch PT-10. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PT10C I use it on my dulcimers, banjos, and guitars.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
07/23/15 07:16:41PM
1,235 posts

Ozark Folk Center in the 1970s


OFF TOPIC discussions

Hello Jimmy. We visited McSpadden and the Ozark Folk Center in 1974. My wife and I camped at Blanchard Springs Campground. We visited with Lynn McSpadden and also took in an evening concert at the Folk Center. I remember Jimmy Driftwood as part of the concert and some other folks from Mt. View. I'm not sure, but I think Elliot Hancock played the dulcimer during the concert. Most of the photos from that trip are on paper and I haven't scanned them in the computer. I do have these two photos of the Dulcimer Shoppe.

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
07/23/15 04:56:35PM
1,235 posts

Clifford Glenn


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

The date of Clifford's death is July 18, 2015 in case anyone is interested.

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
07/22/15 08:57:17AM
1,235 posts

Clifford Glenn


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I just read at Banjo Hangout that dulcimer and banjo maker, Clifford Glenn, has died. He was 79 years old and has been in failing health. I have not been able to indepently verify this at the present time. Just want to let folks know. Clifford's family and friends are in my prayers. 

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
07/07/15 09:48:39AM
1,235 posts



 If you can find a copy of The Autoharp Book by Becky Blackley, many of your questions will be answered. The book is a bit dated as it was published in 1983, so it does not take in to account the many improvements made in the autoharp by individual builders over the past 32 years. While there are not as many autoharp festivals as dulcimer festivals, they do exist. I highly recommend participating the Mountain Laurel Autoharp Gathering here in Pennsylvania. It takes place the last full week in June every year. Some dulcimer festivals offer a workshop or two on autoharp. MEG stands for Music Education Group and Oscar Schmidt sold a couple of models of autoharps with the MEG label on them. I think some of the first 21 chord harps were sold with the MEG label.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
07/04/15 05:02:59PM
1,235 posts



Here you are Dusty. During the time that Lynn McSpadden owned the company some of the dulcimers were made from solid wood. These were the higher priced models. From my converstations with Lynn, the reason he gave for using plywood for back and sides was to insure a consistent quality of sound and construction as the plywood would be more stable than solid wood. This also accounted for there being only two types of wood offered; cherry and walnut. When Jim Woods acquired McSpadden all solid wood became the standard. I do not know the reason for this, but it may be due to discontinued production of the plywood used to make the dulcimers. I understand that the David Schnauffer model was discontinued because McSpadden could no longer get the cherry plywood that David specified for his signature model. Maybe this is more than you wanted to know. Now back to our regularly scheduled discussion.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
07/04/15 01:31:02PM
1,235 posts



Probably the one thing you should know about McSpadden instruments is that they are high quality instruments that hold up well. The usual cautions about used instruments certainly apply. You want to make sure that there is no damage or bad repairs. Check to make sure the frets are smooth and level. If you can not see the instrument in person, make sure you can return it if not satisfied. McSpadden dulcimers hold up very well.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
07/04/15 01:24:05PM
1,235 posts



I don't think you are the only one, but I don't name my instruments.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
06/30/15 12:00:44PM
1,235 posts

Clicking straight to the newest post on Forums


Site QUESTIONS ? How do I...?

Strumelia: I should mention however, that there IS something I'm working on fixing that is related but different-   When we are 'following' a discussion and we get an emailed notification of a new post, if we click the link in the email, we are not taken to the new post as we should be...instead we are taken to the reply box at the bottom of the discussion's first page.  This is something I currently AM working to correct.  

 

This will be wondnerful Lisa. Thanks for taking on this project.

Ken

"The dulcmer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
06/29/15 11:44:28PM
1,235 posts

Clicking straight to the newest post on Forums


Site QUESTIONS ? How do I...?

LOL, Lisa. We are all discovering new things with the new site. You are doing a great job keeping things running smoothly. I hope you still have all of you hair, wits, and patience. Thanks.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
06/29/15 11:27:57PM
1,235 posts

Clicking straight to the newest post on Forums


Site QUESTIONS ? How do I...?

For me it does, Lisa, but I can't answer for the others. I noticed that if you put your cursor over the last posters' name, you will see when they posted the last response.

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
06/29/15 11:03:34PM
1,235 posts

Clicking straight to the newest post on Forums


Site QUESTIONS ? How do I...?

Wow, I learned something new. Thanks Lisa.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
06/26/15 11:36:08PM
1,235 posts

Only in West Virginia?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I remember dulcimers being for sale in a gift shop on the Blue Ridge Parkway, but I don't know if that is still the case. That was over 40 years ago.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
06/26/15 11:33:21PM
1,235 posts

Do You Have A 'Go To' or Favorite Dulcimer


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

For the most part my go-to dulcimer is my all walnut Folkcraft FSH. When I'm playing noter/drone it is either my J.E. Thomas or the Prichard reproduction dulcimer I made. Because my Blue Lion has a built-in pick-up, I often use that one when playing out in noisy venues.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
06/26/15 11:27:27PM
1,235 posts

Anyone familiar with June Apple Cellomer?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Carl Gotzmer makes very good instruments. Here is a link to the June Apple Cellomer page. http://www.juneappledulcimers.com/pages/Cellomer/ I would not play it as a bowed dulcimer. I would play it as a regular dulcimer. I hope you got a good deal on it.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
06/19/15 10:01:49PM
1,235 posts

Interesting looking dulcimer setup


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

 I definitely would bid on that if I were in Oregon and could pick it up. I have only seen pictures of those and the patent information in magazines. It is a very interesting instrument.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
06/18/15 01:19:09PM
1,235 posts

Pickup


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Michael, I purchased a pickup from Folkcraft for my Folkcraft dulcimer and installed it myself. It is an under saddle/bridge pickup. If you don't have the skills and tools to do it yourself, take Dusty's suggestion and send it to Folkcraft to have it done.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
06/18/15 01:15:52PM
1,235 posts



I am extremely grateful for all the hard work Strumelia and others put in to making the move. I am sure that it has been an experience of mixed emotions and will continue for a while as various issues arise and get ironed out. To Strumelia, the moderators, and those who took part in the various tests of this site: THANK YOU!

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
06/17/15 04:37:39PM
1,235 posts



 Jean, I'll give it a try at explaining it to you.

1. Click on you name in the upper right hand corner of this page. Do not click on any of the drop down options.

2. When that page opens there should be a bar under your name with several different options. One of them is Events. I think it is the fourth one from the left.

3.  Click on that tab and it will take you to a page called Events that will be blank.

4. On the right hand side there will be a plus (+) sign. Click on that to create your event to be added. I hope this helps you.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."


updated by @ken-longfield: 06/17/15 04:40:29PM
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
06/09/15 12:47:15PM
1,235 posts



Call the luthier. You should have the string height adjusted for easier playing or you won't play the dulcimer.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

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