Jim Kirkwood

Will write more later, but for now--here's a link you might enjoy, Lee Cagle's comparison of the sound of 20 different dulcimers. Sound Comparison of Various Mountain Dulcimers

I'm retired from teaching at a branch of Purdue in Hammond, IN... returned home to PA with my husband when we retired 10 years ago.

Your dulcimer building sounds like a wonderful avocation, and the work with kids must be both a challenge and very rewarding. Some local high school kids here perform on their tubulum. Have fun tomorrow!

Judith

Wow, Jim!!! That dulcimer is a beauty!!

I have heard that Zebrawood has a nice full tone. I'm sure it is as much a joy to play as to look at. I love the way you have worked the Zebrawood into the scroll peghead with the zebra dowel, and the Zebrawood below the fretboard. The soundholes are lovely! The whole instrument is very classy!!!

Great idea to take it with you to a festival and get someone to play and record it.

Sorry to be so slow responding but my Internet was down for the last day and a half and just was repaired. I was eager to reply, but couldn't until now.

Judith

Hi, Jim. Thanks for your nice comment! Actually those 2 tunes are still works in progress. A newer version of Eleanor is more to my liking. Will share it one of these days.

My recording setup is through the amp directly to the computer, so no ambient noise. I did use a stick-on transducer microphone for Eleanor, but since that recording was made I had my McSpadden retrofitted with a Baggs pickup and the sound is even better now. Sir Festus was done on my Blue Lion, also with a Baggs pickup. I've been working slowly on a "real" recording, and the sound quality is entirely different. It's a bit intimidating to have 3 mics pointed at the lowly dulcimer. They pick up every ping, twang, and thump!

Your dulcimer building is a wonderful endeavor, and I'm sure a labor of love. I would love to see/hear your dulcimers.

Judith

Thanks for "friending" me! Judith

Hey Jim and welcome to the site. This is a great place to share ideas and listen to music. I hope you enjoy!

Thanks for the nice welcome, guys. I have already found some interesting posts and will do a lot more exploring. I do have some photos of some dulcimers I've built and some process photos of ones I'm working on now.

Jim

Hi Jim, and welcome to the wonderful world of the Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. It's a good place to spend some time, exchange ideas about the dulcimer and to meet some good people.

Ben

Hi Jim from one Hoosier to another Welcome to FOTMD

Howdy and welcome to FOTMD!

Hey Jim, welcome aboard. Glad ya found us.