I did a quick recount today. I'm happy to say that I only have 21 mountain dulcimers at the moment. In addition I do have four PA German zitters and a reproduction Praetorius scheitholt I made.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Good ones, Wally and Shopdad. John you have recognized the beginning of the problem, if indeed one considers it a problem. Has anyone found a cure or end to it? It seems every time I sell one or give one away I accumulate a few more. I think I have it under control. For the last few years I've been about to keep the population around 23 or so.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Thanks, Shopped. I've seen that photo before. She does have it propped up on a foot stool, but still it is a very large instrument.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Many folks who have been part of the mountain dulcimer for a while are aware of European instruments that share some characteristics of our mountain dulcimer, most notably a diatonic fretboard and drone strings. Back in 1952 Stig Wallin wrote about The Swedish Hummel for the Nordic Museum in Stockholm. This work has been available on the interned for many years. The problem is that it is in German with quotes in Swedish, Norwegian, Dutch, etc. After writing an article about the term "Scheitholt" and sharing it with some friends, one of them sent me a link to the Wallin's manuscript. I thought it would be good to have it available in English and set about translating. You can find a link to it in a thread here called The Schwedische Hummel. It is a large file so the link allows you to download the 150 pages from my Dropbox.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
A couple of other interpretations of DAS and DAD are Dulcimer Acquisition Syndrome, Dulcimers Are Sweet; and Dulcimer Acquisition Disease and Dulcimers Are Delightful.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings sweet song."
I've visited the Dulcimer Shoppe in Mountain View, Arkansas a couple of times. The first time was in 1974 and then again a couple of years ago. The folks at the Shoppe are friendly and certainly knowledgeable about their dulcimers. My wife and I had a good time on our last visit and I was able to play a few dulcimers. They usually have a good stock on hand. They have a great assortment of accessories for mountain dulcimers, books, CDs, etc. After my first visit Lynn and I became Pen Pals exchanging letters from time to time on dulcimer related topics. There was an occasional phone or two over the years. If you do any camping there is a nice campground in Mtn. View. We stayed there on the last trip. The Ozark Folk Center is also in Mtn. View and work visiting. Take in a concert if you are staying overnight.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Over the years I've put new tuners on many McSpadden dulcimers. I started by replacing wood tuners with metal friction tuners and then replacing those with planetary tuning machines. It's a relatively easy job to do on McSpaddens.
Thank you, Lisa. I never paid any attention to where this discussion was taking place. I'm glad you keep us organized.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
canard, please feel free to post your findings of interesting auction dulcimers. Not everyone checks auctions regularly and you may alert someone to something they are looking for. I appreciate you posting the information about Paul Pyle. He was a significant builder and contributor in the early dulcimer "revival" period. Folks should know about him. I am a dulcimer builder, player, and historian. While I find many new players lack a curiosity about the history of our beloved instrument, I take delight in those who do. Again, thanks for posting and please continue to do so.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
This is devastating news and a tremendous loss for both Christophe and all those who appreciate his Epinette des Vosges. I hope he will be able to recover and begin to promote the instrument again.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
I was at the Appalachian Dulcimer Heritage Day in Sperryville, VA when I learned of Gary's death. It is sad that another great builder and player is gone. I met him at a festival once. He was struggling that weekend and not feeling at all well. He made it through but was not his normal self. He made really nice dulcimers. He will be missed by many in the mountain dulcimer world.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
If the dulcimers are "revival" instruments, mainly post 1950, I don't see any problem in modifying it. I would look to be able to undo the modification if necessary. I have a very early Folkcraft dulcimer (1962) but don't value as much my 1931 James Edward Thomas dulcimer. I think instruments made by individuals should be valued more than instruments built in group shop. Having said all that, you run a business. Do what you think is necessary to move your inventory. You are not keeping them as an investment. And anyone who thinks of owning a mountain dulcimer as an investment probably is kidding themselves.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
When I first started making dulcimers I used violin varnish as that was what my teacher used since he was a violin maker. I think I made three or four dulcimers with this finish and started looking for something easier and less labor intensive. I tried both brush on and wipe on polyurethane finishes, but did not like the look of them. For most of the rest of time building dulcimers I used a spray on lacquer finish. Once I got in to making reproductions I started using oil and shellac finishes. I've also used milk paint. Now, to answer your question, I don't think any of the are the best finish. It just depends on what you are trying to achieve. I think for the end user a lacquer finish is the easiest to care for finish. It cleans and polishes well and looks good plus it can be satin, semi-gloss, or gloss so you can go from understated to flashy.
You can't buy denatured alcohol (labeled as such) here in Pennsylvania either, but you can buy denatured alcohol as fuel for alcohol stoves.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
I talked with Doug Naselroad the other day and he hopes to be able to have the Homecoming in November 0f 2026. I think the dates he mentioned to me are Nov. 5, 6, and 7. It still depends upon receiving some funding to make this possible. If it happens I plan to be in Hindman for it.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
You're welcome, Dusty. The Road to Recovery is an excellent program for recovering addicts. Not everyone stays at the Stringed Instrument Company. Some go on to further education and other jobs. I spoke with one of them last year who now has a Masters degree and is teaching at a community college. He continues to come back to speak with employees encouraging them to keep working in the program. Some stay on and become permanent employees at Troublesome Creek. Doug said the recidivism rate among Road to Recovery is very low. He did tell me the number but I can remember it. I do all I can to support Road to Recovery.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Last night (4/6/26) PBS News Hour featured The Road to Recovery program and the Troublesome Creek Stringed Instrument Company in its final segment of the broadcast. I thought they did a good job. Here is a link to the video: Rebuilding I hope you enjoy it. I spoke with Doug Naselroad shortly after the segment aired and he told me he hopes to hold the 2026 Hindman Dulcimer Homecoming the 5th, 6th, & 7th of November if funding for it comes through.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Happy Easter to you as well Richard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
I agree that it is a Blue Lion.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Very nice instruments, Shopdad. I just worry too much about temperament. I follow this philosophy.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
This is an e-book, so you have to download and print it out yourself. However, it has everything you need to know about mountain dulcimer chords. https://www.melbay.com/Products/93858EB/dulcimer-chord-encyclopedia.aspx?classificationSId=D09
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Lisa, I think you are on the wrong side of the river for me way as I go by. I'm planning to head down 9W to see my cousin in Bergen County, NJ. Thought I'd take the old route instead of the big highway and relive some memories of driving up the Hudson River when I was young.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song,"
Here is a photo to show that we are at the Dulcimer Association of Albany's festival in Latham , NY. We met up with each other yesterday and reconnected with many other friends here. Here is photo of us together at the Saturday evening concert.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
I just learned today that John Huron who led many in the building of Thomas type dulcimers died on the morning of March 6, 2026. His obituary can be found here: John Huron . I met John when I attended Dulcimerville in Black Mountain, NC. He restored my J.E. Thomas dulcimer to playing condition and gave me the inside mold in case I decided to build one. He was a part of current mountain dulcimer history. Rest in peace, John.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
According to Doug Naselroad there will not be one this year. They were unable to secure funding to continue the homecoming. Funding primarily used to pay the workshop leaders and provide meals and housing for them. Other participants paid their own housing and meal costs.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
In 1976, Appalshop made a movie entitled "Sourwood Mountain" which is about I.D. Stamper. He plays the mountain dulcimer in it.
There is also the "Hearts of the Dulcimer" video about the West Coast dulcimer community.
I have a VHS tape which Lynn McSpadden gave me. It told how they make dulcimers at the Dulcimer Shoppe. I don't if there are other copies floating around. He told me he send it to his dealers.
Jean Ritchie plays a mountain dulcimer on an episode of Pete Seeger's "Rainbow Quest" TV show.
You can find many videos with the dulcimer on YouTube. Some are clips from movies and TV shows.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Still waiting for my February DPN. I do have a First Class Mail subscription. Can't wait to read it.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
I love banjo music. I bought my first banjo in 1971 when I was in graduate school. It was a Gibson RB175 which was an open back long neck. I was a big fan of Pete Seeger. I was using his book to teach myself. The next chapter found me moving to Washington, D.C. and falling in with a bunch of bluegrass pickers. I sold the RB175 and bought a RB250 and started learning Scrugg's style. Then my family grew and work impinged on my time and the banjo spent more time in its case. Now in retirement my three banjos continue to spend most of their time in their cases. I'll occasionally get one out and pick a little, but my hands don't seem to work as well as they once did. You will often find me listening to banjo music as I work on researching mountain dulcimer history or build them.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
I'm glad that you are enjoying the Hearts of the Dulcimer podcasts. Unfortunately Patricia and Wayne don't participate here that much. I think they've gone on to other things. I think Wayne might be building dulcimers now. Dusty may know more about that.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Paula, Garry just celebrated his 77th birthday on January 29th. I don't know if he is still building. Have you tried contacting him through his website? www.dulcimercentral.com ?
Rick Probst died in 2024 I'm sad to say.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
I agree with John.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Garage Band is an app that comes with Apple computers, iPads, and iPhones. As far as I know Clean AMP is a way to process your recording in the app. I use Garage Band to record (using a microphone) but haven't used any of the amp modeling for processing the signal. There are so many different settings in Garage Band it is often difficult to decide how to proceed. I took a course in Garage Band many years ago offered by our Guitar Center. That was a 130 mile round trip for six weeks. Luckily a friend and I shared the driving and cost of gas. The course was free. Garage Band has gone through so many changes since then that I hardly recognize it anymore.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
The single string monochord with which I am most familiar is the psalmodikon. It is a Swedish instrument. Here is a website: http://www.psalmodikon.org/nap_items/index.htm . Here is the Wikipedia site on Diddley bow: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diddley_bow#:~:text=The%20diddley%20bow%20is%20a,single%20string%20of%20baling%20wire . Probably more than you want to know about either instrument.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
It appears that the instrument in the photo with the woman is resting on a stool. She appears to be holding a pick of some sort in her right hand. I think it would fall in to the humle or langleik family of zithers.
Wally, I agree with you regarding the distinction between fret board and fingerboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
If you look at some of the old dulcimers by J.E. Thomas and Charles N. Prichard you will see that they only had frets under the first string.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
I think the fret board is the most important part of a mountain dulcimer.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
I never met Ron, but I do know that he was a tremendous asset to the dulcimer community. He will be sorely missed as a builder, player, and innovator. RIP, Ron.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Thanks, Dusty. That link allows you to download the article which I have had for quite some time. It is easier than having people send me a PM to receive it.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
I searched for the article here but didn't find. I'm probably not entering the right search criteria to narrow it down. I have a pdf of the article that Wally talks about if any one is interested. PM me with your email address and I'll send it to you. The file is too large to post here. Maybe that's why I didn't find it. Something to note about Seeger's article is that in photos from the Mercer Museum in Doylestown, PA, he identifies them as Pennsylvania zitters.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
I just received word that the article is posted to this website. https://dulcimerhistory.com/2026/01/24/lets-bury-the-term-scheitholt/ Check it out there if you like.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
You're welcome, Strumelia and thank you for the compliment.
Here is the article that was to appear in Dulcimer Players News. Originally it was scheduled for November, 2025 but postponed until February, 2026. I heard that the "Traditons" themed issue in which it was to appear is now postponed until May, 2026. I have also included a bibliography for the article.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Scheitholtnomorev5.b.pdf - 252KB