Location:
Location: Westland, MI
Country: US
Country: US
My Latest Followers:
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vimeo videos: 1
youtube videos: 1
images: 52
Latest Activity
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@john-c-knopf
• 3 days ago
• comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on Dulcimer 27 completed:
Posted a new Comment on Dulcimer 27 completed:
"Bob, once again you made a beautiful dulcimer. Have you displayed any of them at art galleries or high-end gift shops? They look like things I've seen at..."
@john-c-knopf
• 3 days ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on My Dulcimer Builds:
Posted a new Comment on My Dulcimer Builds:
"It's obviously an extra soundhole, finely tuned and placed in the optimal resonant area.
Or it could be just a plain hole in the wood..."
@john-c-knopf
• 4 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Will donate student dulcimer to needy beginner":
Posted a response to "Will donate student dulcimer to needy beginner":
"That's great news, Richard!"
@john-c-knopf
• 5 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Replacing the Nut on a Homer Ledford":
Posted a response to "Replacing the Nut on a Homer Ledford":
"Maybe try a heat gun/hair dryer to warm up the glue on the ends? Sometimes that will soften the glue."
@john-c-knopf
• one week ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on My Dulcimer Builds:
Posted a new Comment on My Dulcimer Builds:
"Very nice, Noah!"
@john-c-knopf
• one week ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Question about fret layout.":
Posted a response to "Question about fret layout.":
"Ray, the scale starts at the third fret and goes up."
@john-c-knopf
• one week ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on Cherry and Black Walnut Mountain Dulcimer:
Posted a new Comment on Cherry and Black Walnut Mountain Dulcimer:
"Very nice, Bob. You have a good touch on that tune. So soothing and peaceful."
@john-c-knopf
• one week ago
• comments: 7
Posted a new Comment on Dulcimer vs Dulcimore:
Posted a new Comment on Dulcimer vs Dulcimore:
"It would clear up much confusion if there was the adoption of the universal usage of the terms "dulcimer" and "dulcimore" to refer to the trapezoidal..."
@john-c-knopf
• one week ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "New Body ":
Posted a response to "New Body ":
"Looks sensational, Ken!
Can you make me a new body, too? I'd like to downsize somewhat..."
@john-c-knopf
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 12
Posted a new Comment on Hector the Hero on the Mini Jumbo Dulcimer I build:
Posted a new Comment on Hector the Hero on the Mini Jumbo Dulcimer I build:
"Wondrous music! Love that dulcimer itself, too."
@john-c-knopf
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 10
Posted a new Comment on Staples and Strings:
Posted a new Comment on Staples and Strings:
"Seems to sonically take me to India somehow. Great tune, Dan!"
@john-c-knopf
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Dulcimer just followed me home":
Posted a response to "Dulcimer just followed me home":
"That's great that you could pick up that dulcimer "for a song". McSpadden/Dulcimer Shoppe makes a nice kit, and I've assembled several of them. Mine came..."
@john-c-knopf
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on My latest prototype build!:
Posted a new Comment on My latest prototype build!:
"Now you can put a little bumper knob on the end of the head, and a curved handle on the tailblock, and you've got yerself a WALKIN' CANE! Go stylin' down..."
@john-c-knopf
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 1
Posted a new Comment on My new "Betty":
Posted a new Comment on My new "Betty":
"I'm sorry to hear 'bout Old Betty's demise, Dan... New Betty's a looker, though!"
@john-c-knopf
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on My latest prototype build!:
Posted a new Comment on My latest prototype build!:
"It's a.....it's a......a.....it's a......it's.....what is it? It's right perty, tho."
@john-c-knopf
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "The Ugly Dulcimer - A Story":
Posted a response to "The Ugly Dulcimer - A Story":
"How 'bout 4 rosettes to take the place of those (?)-shaped soundholes, Ken? They can cover a multitude of sins..."
@john-c-knopf
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Melton Galax just finished!":
Posted a response to "Melton Galax just finished!":
"Thank you one and all for your comments.
I'd forgotten how much work was involved in making one of these critters. They may look sorta simple, but if you..."
@john-c-knopf
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Melton Galax just finished!":
Posted a response to "Melton Galax just finished!":
"Robin Thompson:
I'm a professional mountain dulcimer tester-- you'd better send this my way so I can test this beauty! haha Oh YEAH? That's what you..."
@john-c-knopf
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Created a new forum topic "Melton Galax just finished!":
Created a new forum topic "Melton Galax just finished!":
"Here's the latest cherry, spruce and maple Melton Galax dulcimer from my shop. Hope you like it!"
@john-c-knopf
• 4 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Choose just ONE song for all eternity...":
Posted a response to "Choose just ONE song for all eternity...":
"Lisa, that's an IMPOSSIBLE question for me to answer. I love so many songs and hymns!
"Next to the Word of God, MUSIC deserves the highest praise..."..."
@john-c-knopf
• 4 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Mercer Museum Zither Replica":
Posted a response to "Mercer Museum Zither Replica":
"K & S Brand music-wire strips can be found at hobby shops, home centers and hardware stores. I get my .039" steel music wire from my local hardware..."
@john-c-knopf
• 4 weeks ago
• comments: 14
Posted a new Comment on Cherokee Shuffle:
Posted a new Comment on Cherokee Shuffle:
"Very jaunty and happy-sounding! Thanks."
@john-c-knopf
• one month ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Mercer Museum Zither Replica":
Posted a response to "Mercer Museum Zither Replica":
"Huzzah, huzzah!"
@john-c-knopf
• one month ago
• comments: 13
Posted a new Comment on 1st Dulcimer Build:
Posted a new Comment on 1st Dulcimer Build:
"OK, Sheryl, time to fess up...
Are you SURE that this is the first dulcimer that you've made, or is it really the FIFTY-first one you've made?
'Cause MY..."
@john-c-knopf
• one month ago
• comments: 10
Posted a new Comment on Making dulcimer end blocks :
Posted a new Comment on Making dulcimer end blocks :
"Ken is right -- slotted endblocks are a lot of trouble compared with flush-glued endblocks. If you prepare the blocks well, and the sides fit together..."
@john-c-knopf
• one month ago
• comments: 10
Posted a new Comment on Mountain Dulcimer History:
Posted a new Comment on Mountain Dulcimer History:
"No, that looks like a one-off dulcimer to me. It doesn't look familiar. Is it fretted accurately, or can it be played?"
@john-c-knopf
• one month ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "The Positive Thread...":
Posted a response to "The Positive Thread...":
"Bob, I'd be greatly surprised if you don't sell those dulcimers. They're works of art (and Bob)!
Have fun and make some connections."
@john-c-knopf
• 2 months ago
• comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on And the Holy Ghost (Number 6 Simerman):
Posted a new Comment on And the Holy Ghost (Number 6 Simerman):
"Dan here's a good-un! We've sung it at my church.
Holy Ghost, With Light DivineWords by Andrew Reed, 1817
Music by Louis M. Gottschalk
VERSE ONE:
Holy..."
@john-c-knopf
• 2 months ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "What Are You Working On?":
Posted a response to "What Are You Working On?":
"That zitter-critter's lookin' right perty, Ken H.!
As fer ME, gotta get back to puttin' a cherry 'n' maple Galax together."
@john-c-knopf
• 2 months ago
• comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on Help with a New Purchase and a thank you!:
Posted a new Comment on Help with a New Purchase and a thank you!:
"I got a little guy (25" long) with a 21-3/8" VSL. It has zither pin tuners, though, so if you like to change tunings frequently, you'll need to consider..."
@john-c-knopf
• 2 months ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "The Positive Thread...":
Posted a response to "The Positive Thread...":
"I'm very happy to hear it!
I stopped arguing with table saws after one took a small chunk of meat out of my right thumb 40 years ago. "
@john-c-knopf
• 2 months ago
• comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on Little Mary:
Posted a new Comment on Little Mary:
"A wondrous tune, Bob. You have a lucky little girl."
@john-c-knopf
• 2 months ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on A Black Walnut creation:
Posted a new Comment on A Black Walnut creation:
"You continue to amaze us, Bob. Another wonderful creation."
@john-c-knopf
• 3 months ago
• comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on Building a solid body electric bass dulcimer:
Posted a new Comment on Building a solid body electric bass dulcimer:
"Jerry, I don't know anything about Black Limba lumber, but as far as the scale goes, you can check out Woodcraft stores for a 40" stainless steel..."
Latest Group Discussions
All
On the Workbench
My latest creation is nearly finished. Bird's eye maple throughout.
@John C. Knopf last year - Comments: 8
On the Workbench
My latest creation is nearly finished. Bird's eye maple throughout.
@John C. Knopf last year - Comments: 0
All-Walnut Thomas Hourglass
Here is my latest dulcimer, finished just minutes ago. Its name is...
@John C. Knopf 2 years ago - Comments: 10
New Chromatic Walnut Hourglass
Here's the latest from my shop. My first chromatic (and last?).
@John C. Knopf 3 years ago - Comments: 4
First Singleton build
Here are some peeks at my "Uncle Will" Singleton replica now underway....
@John C. Knopf 3 years ago - Comments: 6
A problem with my special project
Hi all. I made a special cane for somebody, and I'm having trouble with...
@John C. Knopf 3 years ago - Comments: 15
Making a Davis kit dulcimer playable
Well, it seems a lady nearby has a Davis dulcimer she built from a kit...
@John C. Knopf 4 years ago - Comments: 14
What Does Your Spouse Think?
I've been wondering for some time what our luthier's lives are like at...
@John C. Knopf 4 years ago - Comments: 13
Here's a Delight!
I finished this Thomas hourglass dulcimer replica just this afternoon,...
@John C. Knopf 4 years ago - Comments: 11
"Middletown dulcimer" sneak preview!
This is what I'm working on now in my shop. If you look at Anne Grimes'...
@John C. Knopf 4 years ago - Comments: 16
I need some advice re: shellac drips
I'm hand-brushing shellac (premixed, from a can) onto my new walnut...
@John C. Knopf 4 years ago - Comments: 15
Electric Hybrid TMB
I just finished a hybrid Tennessee music box for one of our members...
@John C. Knopf 4 years ago - Comments: 16
"Heritage" is finished!
I just finished building my all-wormy-chestnut dulcimer, and have named...
@John C. Knopf 4 years ago - Comments: 10
My "Uncle Eddie" Tribute Dulcimer Is Finished!
Well, after a very long planning and building process, my super-sized...
@John C. Knopf 5 years ago - Comments: 35
Any wormy chestnut out there?
Somebody posted on here awhile back about possibly getting some wormy...
@John C. Knopf 5 years ago - Comments: 20
Cherry and Curly Maple Galax
Thought you folks would like to see the Galax dulcimer I just finished...
@John C. Knopf 5 years ago - Comments: 15
Stringing A TMB Correctly
I just finished this new Tennessee music box for one of themembers...
@John C. Knopf 5 years ago - Comments: 4
My "Noah's ark" dulcimer
Here are some photos of the "Noah's Ark" dulcimer I just finished. It's...
@John C. Knopf 6 years ago - Comments: 18
Latest Photos
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Latest Forum Discussions
AllMelton Galax just finished!
Posted: Sunday July 29 2018, 9:29 PM
By: @John C. Knopf
By: @John C. Knopf
John Tignor dulcimer rework
Posted: Friday March 30 2018, 9:25 PM
By: @John C. Knopf
By: @John C. Knopf
Just finished-- another Thomas!
Posted: Tuesday January 30 2018, 1:43 PM
By: @Bob
By: @Bob
Dennis Dorogi
Posted: Friday May 19 2017, 6:33 AM
By: @Robin Thompson
By: @Robin Thompson
Another cherry and maple solid-body electric
Posted: Monday November 7 2016, 6:15 PM
By: @hugssandi
By: @hugssandi
Jeopardy! Contestant Likes The Dulcimer
Posted: Saturday September 17 2016, 1:25 PM
By: @hugssandi
By: @hugssandi
Siegrist Dulcimer on ShopGoodwill
Posted: Saturday June 20 2015, 9:34 PM
By: @John C. Knopf
By: @John C. Knopf
Your story about rescuing damaged dulcimers
Posted: Friday September 26 2014, 3:28 PM
By: @John Henry
By: @John Henry
Something Big Going On In Michigan...
Posted: Friday November 15 2013, 11:28 PM
By: @John C. Knopf
By: @John C. Knopf
Comments
06/05/15 07:48:18AM @timothy-p-teefey:
Justlooking at your photos,that's quitea collection of dulcimers you'vegot there!
06/05/15 07:44:38AM @timothy-p-teefey:
Thankyou for the kind words. Guess I'm kind of an old world kind of guy. :-)
08/26/14 05:04:03PM @robin-l-sacks:
Hey John, Robin here, I need your assistance if you would please sir...
I'm in the process of making a bass ducimer out of a gourd, I got the fret calculations from Stew-Mac, but for a three stringed instrument, what size strings shold I use? your recomendations willl be muchly appericeated.. I did write the ones suggested by he folks there at Stew-Mac, but now I caint find it
12/26/13 08:01:10PM @patty-from-virginia:
John, Yes, Mike kept it up on the site and I did see it. That was fantastic!!! Lisa had him to take it down. I asked Mike if there's any way he could put it up on Youtube and apparently he didn't have the capability to do that. I did see it and I think Uncle Eddie sounds great. I'm hoping to make a trip to Kentucky to see it. I've got to save my pennies
Thanks John!!!
09/09/13 02:08:31PM @ed-stjean:
John, I see my Tenn. Music box pictured, now you need to show the world your newest Galax creation. She arrived this afternoon ,Packaging held up in perfect condition as if mailed from next door. WHAT A BEAUTY !!! the grain pattern doesn't show well on the picture it is Marvelous. the sound is more mature than I expected not the high tinny sound of new wood .I'm getting older and don't have time for the sound to mature so this is a pleasant surprise.The Sustain is good and 4 egual distant .090 strings give it that great ole timey traditional sound.I'm glad we used the Galax bottom it has just the right volume to not get lost in a 4 piece group.Overall I'm very pleased and excited with my new girlfriend. God bless you and know you will always be my first choice to go to for my concept custom dulcimer .ED St.Jean
09/05/12 11:05:21PM @ed-stjean:
Peace is wonderful such a uniqe sound .I have an early Homer Ledford It has nowhere near the sweet soundthe Thomas Replica you made for me. thanks so very much for making these wonderful instruments and naming them.my new Peace is a gift fromGod made by a true man of God. Bless you Ed St.Jean
08/27/12 05:27:41PM @ed-stjean:
IT'S HERE !!!!!ALL I Can say is thank you .I haven't been home to see and play "PEACE" but I'm on my way ED
