Geoff Black

Thanks for writing back, sorry no I do not have the teardrop but the fiddle-side hourglass.

I  would love to read any correspondence concerning Carrell's dulcimers. Do you know when in '84 he sold his business & moved to Fla?

(The weeping heart soundholes I'm pretty sure I've seen on other Carrells. )  I have seen the 'weeping heart' on an old tear drop add on e-bay but mostly I have seen have the 'f-hole' design. Want to take a guess as to why this soundhole design? 

Your info. on the tunings & care for the pegs, I know I will need to go over many times. Thanks for that information, it could be why I am having trouble with the bass peg, if it had more tension place on it from the heavier strings before. 

If I was to tune DAdd, I probably should put different size strings on for dd, I have 12's on now & tuned DAAA, such a wonderful sound. I took it to practice to see if I could just play in DAAA while everyone else was in DAdd. I don't have many tabs for DAA but the few I had like (Amazing Grace) worked well & I even did part of the song on the bass D, so was able to go back & forth between the two - interesting.

Yes; I had the bridge and where the dulcimer didn't look to have any where, the bridge was more like someone couldn't decide where to place the strings - many notches.

( customer's name inside ("Made for....") I had hear this but mine does not have a 'made for'

What about the head, mine is stretched out making the dulcimer even longer - close to 40".

Thank you again for your reply, I feel like I have a treasure with this Carrell dulcimer.

 marg.

 9/16 post to Jennifer (Interested to know which model you have and how you find it.)

I checked inside my Carrell, he list the wood, the date August 1984 & signed it. It is also signed on the back. 

Did he usually give his dulcimers a model #?

Do you know how often he used the 'weeping hearts' design for the bottom soundholes?

 Since you said you had 2  ( I've found my two to have very good intonation,)  could you give me some info on Carrell & his dulcimers? Do you still have yours?

  Mine is very nice, took some cleaning & setting up & getting the bridge back in the right place. All good now except still having trouble with the bass peg not holding. If you are interested, I found mine in a pawn shop.

In a post on Sam Carrell (9/13 - . Between 1975 and 1984 he made quite a number of high quality dulcimers,) I just saw last night you were asking Jennifer about her dulcimer. Looking at your photos, looks like you have a 'feddleside' dulcimer. I was able to pick up one of Sam Carrell's later dulcimers, August 1984 at a pawn shop yesterday. I have been learning a lot about him & my dulcimer. 

Anything you can tell me about wooden pegs or how to play equidistant courses with 5 strings. Since I am having trouble with the bass peg, I just have the dulcimer set up with 4 strings DAaa, it has such a wonderful tone.  

Looking at the epinette post, you wrote (the melody strings tuned to d are too taut.)

Did you ever come up with a nice tuning? I just picked one up and yes, the d melody is very taut, I usually play DAd - what would be a good tuning for the epinette to sound like it should?

My epinette is 6 strings & 25" VSL

Fast???  Good grief, I will never get it close to that!  Thanks though, it helps

Ok Geoff, where do I find a recording of Branle de Marienbourg please

Ooow, not I am all worried.  I will wait to see what music you send

Thanks Geoff.  I will come to Blackfriars to listen I think.  You have posted a list of thing that you are all going to play, I don't know any of them and don't have the music so I will come and listen and meet.

Thanks for info

You sound very busy, I am afraid I did not get to Malvern either.  I would love more info about Gloucester and Bristol please.  I really do need to meet up with some Dulcimer people.  thanks

Hi Geoff, was it you who has the info on the dulcy group at The Novia Scotia in Bristol.  I still havn't managed to meet up with anyone.  You would not believe what happened when I tried to get to the Bluegrass Fest

I am not put off about workshops but find the informal approach more to my taste.  I just want to get a feel what this dulcimer community is about.  See you at Didmarton, I'll look out for the wooden dulcimer shaped flower!!!

Thanks Geoff, I will try and find you, probably will be Sunday I come up, any tips on where to look for you? I might give the owrkshops a miss and just drift to see whats happening

Brilliant, I am not sure if you have my email address, its tonshei@tiscali.co.uk.  Could you add me to the list for information please.  When you say Didmarton, is that the Blue Grass Fest.  I have been once for a visit as a friend was playing there but can you get day tickets for that and which would be the best day.  I did not know there was dulcimer interaction there

Hi Geoff,

As you know I am in the Bristol area, well nearer to Wotton-under-Edge really.  Are there any meetings I might come to in the near future.  

Its been awhile since I built a dulcimer with the bitterroot dulcimer label. Ask your question via my email address : dave50kate@gmail.com

send me a picture of it if you can

Reguards,

David

Hi Geoff, No problems with the van this year ? What a great day the Saturday was at Allendale . I had a great time , I think I learned a lot this time round or it feels like I have . What a find that Sobell was , I don't think Helen knew what she had, until the vultures ( Guilty ) surrounded her. I am glad Mr Coe strung it up, It sounded gorgeous

See you next year perhaps Take Care

FolkCRAFT not folkworks.

Thanks Geoff. The Folkworks is going fine.A very nice instrument. Sounds good in spite of my efforts. I might post some recordings for comments when more confident ( or maybe not!) . I'll take a look at the facebook page as well

Thank you so much for the music and I have bookmarked your website. Thanks again.

Hi Geoff, Thanks for the welcome. I have a very basic mountain dulcimer, I only bought it on Friday and it is my first ever musical instrument. I have always painted as a hobby but love the sound of the dulcimer. I went to Eagle Music with my husband (he plays ukulele)and there was a dulcimer just hanging there ... I couldn't resist asking for a try and that was it, I had to have it.

I am interested in the old medieval type of musicand classical, I am trying to learn Greensleeves at the moment but rather than 'finger dancing' I seem to be finger knotting I understand the tab music but do not read music so need to know the tune in order to play.