Jerry, that is wonderful that you have a few McSpadden dulcimers signed by Richard Stoltze. I am glad to see that you said "signed" rather than "made." As you probably know everyone in the shop has a hand in making each dulcimer. Lynn McSpadden told me that the person who was putting the backs on on any particular day was the person who signed and pasted on the label. I do hope you can get a Folkcraft dulcimer someday. I recently purchased an early Folkcraft dulcimer made by David Marks the founder of Folkcraft. It look very much like a Virgil Hughes dulcimer. David learned about dulcimer making from Virgil. The dulcimer I play most often is my all walnut hourglass Folkcraft dulcimer.
Folkcraft made and still makes teardrop dulcimer kits. If Pigeon Forge Strings built instrument from Folkcraft kits (or copied kit parts) who is the "manufacturer"?
My, my, you have been busy Jerry. There are a lot of Capritaurus, Folk Roots, Folkcraft, and McSpadden dulcimers popping up lately. I think a lot of folks my age are no longer playing or downsizing which creates a good supply of used instruments. There are some good deals out there and some folks who think they have the Holy Grail of mountain dulcimers or at least they price them that way.
And... since it's been a long time since I posted, an update on Dulcimer Acquisition Disorder: I started in November purchasing a 2000 walnut McSpadden on local Facebook for a great price. Started perusing eBay and even Goodwill auctions looking for great deals and have found a few. I have obtained a Capri-Taurus (no 6.5) probably made in the 70's that I use for my DAA instrument. I have a Rugg & Jackel FolkRoots probably from the 80's that I also enjoy (got from Goodwill auctions). I have a 1998 Folkcraft teardrop walnut that someone on eBay thought was a mandolin and have recently acquired another similar model from 1993 on Goodwill. I have purchased a Cedar Creek hourglass walnut/birch but have since sold that one. I have bought a couple of new instruments too: a McSpadden hourglass redwood/cherry I got this February when traveling through the area (I like its sound the best) and a Ron Gibson 26" juniper/walnut with a pickup. I have another McSpadden on order. Funded in part by the selling of my old original Hot Wheels collection on eBay. I've had fun with all of this. DAD is probably not going to get any better.
Question: I think that older teardrop dulcimers made by Folkcraft look remarkably similar to those from Pigeon Forge Strings. Are they the same manufacturer, or just very similar?
Be careful Jerry. DAD (dulcimer acquisition disorder) is a highly contagious disease. You just getting started and you already have two. After 50 years on this journey I've finally whittled my collection down to nineteen, but I'm in the early stages of making a few more. It never ends.
I look forward to reading more about your progress and am happy to try and answer any questions you may have.
Thanks all for the warm welcome. Just getting started with my winter project but Alaska has long winters :) . Came upon a McSpadden teardrop (2000) locally for a great price so snatched it up. I'd been looking for instruments. Then, as luck would have it, also came upon an older but in great shape Cedar Creak hourglass to play with. Reading books and looking at Youtube videos to get started. When I know more I'll probably have lots of questions.
Hi Jerry, and welcome to the wonderful world of the Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. It's a good place to come, spend some time, learn about the dulcimer, and to meets some good peole.
Welcome Jerrytro to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. Glad you joined. What a wonderful winter project. Best wishes as you learn. There is a lot of information here. Please ask if you have questions. We are here to help each other.
Welcome to FOTMD Jerrytro. It's good to have you aboard. If you want to learn about the mountain dulcimer and how to play it, this is a good place to do that. If you have any questions, just ask. I look forward to your participation here.
Jerry, that is wonderful that you have a few McSpadden dulcimers signed by Richard Stoltze. I am glad to see that you said "signed" rather than "made." As you probably know everyone in the shop has a hand in making each dulcimer. Lynn McSpadden told me that the person who was putting the backs on on any particular day was the person who signed and pasted on the label. I do hope you can get a Folkcraft dulcimer someday. I recently purchased an early Folkcraft dulcimer made by David Marks the founder of Folkcraft. It look very much like a Virgil Hughes dulcimer. David learned about dulcimer making from Virgil. The dulcimer I play most often is my all walnut hourglass Folkcraft dulcimer.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Folkcraft made and still makes teardrop dulcimer kits. If Pigeon Forge Strings built instrument from Folkcraft kits (or copied kit parts) who is the "manufacturer"?
My, my, you have been busy Jerry. There are a lot of Capritaurus, Folk Roots, Folkcraft, and McSpadden dulcimers popping up lately. I think a lot of folks my age are no longer playing or downsizing which creates a good supply of used instruments. There are some good deals out there and some folks who think they have the Holy Grail of mountain dulcimers or at least they price them that way.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
And... since it's been a long time since I posted, an update on Dulcimer Acquisition Disorder: I started in November purchasing a 2000 walnut McSpadden on local Facebook for a great price. Started perusing eBay and even Goodwill auctions looking for great deals and have found a few. I have obtained a Capri-Taurus (no 6.5) probably made in the 70's that I use for my DAA instrument. I have a Rugg & Jackel FolkRoots probably from the 80's that I also enjoy (got from Goodwill auctions). I have a 1998 Folkcraft teardrop walnut that someone on eBay thought was a mandolin and have recently acquired another similar model from 1993 on Goodwill. I have purchased a Cedar Creek hourglass walnut/birch but have since sold that one. I have bought a couple of new instruments too: a McSpadden hourglass redwood/cherry I got this February when traveling through the area (I like its sound the best) and a Ron Gibson 26" juniper/walnut with a pickup. I have another McSpadden on order. Funded in part by the selling of my old original Hot Wheels collection on eBay. I've had fun with all of this. DAD is probably not going to get any better.
Question: I think that older teardrop dulcimers made by Folkcraft look remarkably similar to those from Pigeon Forge Strings. Are they the same manufacturer, or just very similar?
Glad to hear. No DA for you. (Dulcimaniacs anonymous)
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Be careful Jerry. DAD (dulcimer acquisition disorder) is a highly contagious disease. You just getting started and you already have two. After 50 years on this journey I've finally whittled my collection down to nineteen, but I'm in the early stages of making a few more. It never ends.
I look forward to reading more about your progress and am happy to try and answer any questions you may have.
Enjoy the journey.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Thanks all for the warm welcome. Just getting started with my winter project but Alaska has long winters :) . Came upon a McSpadden teardrop (2000) locally for a great price so snatched it up. I'd been looking for instruments. Then, as luck would have it, also came upon an older but in great shape Cedar Creak hourglass to play with. Reading books and looking at Youtube videos to get started. When I know more I'll probably have lots of questions.
Hey Jery, welcome aboard. Glad ya found us.
Hi Jerry, and welcome to the wonderful world of the Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. It's a good place to come, spend some time, learn about the dulcimer, and to meets some good peole.
Ben
Welcome Jerrytro to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. Glad you joined. What a wonderful winter project. Best wishes as you learn. There is a lot of information here. Please ask if you have questions. We are here to help each other.
Welcome to FOTMD Jerrytro. It's good to have you aboard. If you want to learn about the mountain dulcimer and how to play it, this is a good place to do that. If you have any questions, just ask. I look forward to your participation here.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."