Location:
Location: Westland, MI
Country: US
Country: US
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vimeo videos: 1
youtube videos: 1
images: 49
Latest Activity
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@john-c-knopf
• 15 hours ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "rebuilding a MD":
Posted a response to "rebuilding a MD":
"Sometimes the fiber washers are the culprit on that type of tuner. There should be 2 to each tuner, and they tighten against the wood of the pegbox to hold..."
@john-c-knopf
• 3 days ago
• comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on Nathan Hicks Dulcimer almost finished:
Posted a new Comment on Nathan Hicks Dulcimer almost finished:
"The wood is poplar, same as the 1934 one it's patterned after in Lexington, except for the modifications done to it by John Jacob Niles.
"
@john-c-knopf
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Integral fret board and peg head":
Posted a response to "Integral fret board and peg head":
"I'm making a Nathan Hicks hourglass right now that has an integrated fretboard and peghead. It's not easy to build! The spirals on the scroll sides are the..."
@john-c-knopf
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Everything Dulcimer - Closing Down.":
Posted a response to "Everything Dulcimer - Closing Down.":
"Perhaps a member, or a group of members, can consider taking the reins of ED in the future? Is this a possibility?"
@john-c-knopf
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on Nicaea (Dykes 1861):
Posted a new Comment on Nicaea (Dykes 1861):
""Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty!"
Thanks for your rendition of this wonderful hymn tune just before the Lord's day, Dan."
@john-c-knopf
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "The Positive Thread...":
Posted a response to "The Positive Thread...":
"He might be right, Dan. Close, anyway."
@john-c-knopf
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 14
Posted a new Comment on Wheel Hog Fiddle:
Posted a new Comment on Wheel Hog Fiddle:
"I think you've improved the sound very well, Dan.
When you're done messing around with it, you could slip it up on Mr. Irwin's museum wall some dark night...."
@john-c-knopf
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "John Tignor dulcimer rework":
Posted a response to "John Tignor dulcimer rework":
"Thanks, everybody.
Dan, the existing holes were carefully tapered with a violin reamer, and the new pegs shaved to fit with a violin peg shaver. Ken, I..."
@john-c-knopf
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "John Tignor dulcimer rework":
Posted a response to "John Tignor dulcimer rework":
"Here are before and after photos of the Tignor pegs:"
@john-c-knopf
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Advice on crack repair":
Posted a response to "Advice on crack repair":
"Volha, that's a very beautiful dulcimer! And a very big crack, too!
If the wood is still all there, it can be glued with Franklin Titebond wood glue (or a..."
@john-c-knopf
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "John Tignor dulcimer rework":
Posted a response to "John Tignor dulcimer rework":
"Great story, Jim. There are several ongoing mysteries about dulcimers and their builders.
I called the owner of the Tignor, and he said it would be OK for..."
@john-c-knopf
• 4 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "John Tignor dulcimer rework":
Posted a response to "John Tignor dulcimer rework":
"Well, Ken, at least it'll SMELL good, even if it doesn't loosen the glue! "
@john-c-knopf
• 4 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "John Tignor dulcimer rework":
Posted a response to "John Tignor dulcimer rework":
"That sounds like the same sage advice I gave somebody here a few days ago!
Unfortunately the nut has been re-glued with what looks like Gorilla Glue......"
@john-c-knopf
• 4 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Created a new forum topic "John Tignor dulcimer rework":
Created a new forum topic "John Tignor dulcimer rework":
"A young couple came to my home yesterday with a beautiful old Tignor dulcimer that had some problems. The fist thing I noticed is that it bore a striking..."
@john-c-knopf
• one month ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on Bubinga and Butternut wood Mountain Dulcimer:
Posted a new Comment on Bubinga and Butternut wood Mountain Dulcimer:
"Bob, you seem to have contracted a very serious case of dulcimitis. This can be seen in the quantity and quality of the output of your shop. There is no..."
@john-c-knopf
• one month ago
• comments: 7
Posted a new Comment on Observation: Your thoughts welcome:
Posted a new Comment on Observation: Your thoughts welcome:
"Richard, I think the wear is being caused by the bottom surface of the strings pressing against the frets, not what you push the strings down with. But this..."
@john-c-knopf
• one month ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Stanley Hicks / David Love dulcimer":
Posted a response to "Stanley Hicks / David Love dulcimer":
"It really is a beautiful dulcimer, but it strikes me as a non-Stanley Hicks instrument. It seems to me to be a dulcimer built in the Stanley Hicks style by..."
@john-c-knopf
• one month ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on Fret board positioning:
Posted a new Comment on Fret board positioning:
"Sure, why not?
There are nearly as many dulcimer design variations as there are dulcimer builders. A folding-leg music box might work very well."
@john-c-knopf
• one month ago
• comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on Amazing Grace (Wheel Hog Fiddle):
Posted a new Comment on Amazing Grace (Wheel Hog Fiddle):
"Wow, Dan.... sounds interesting, but the melody seems drowned out by the drones, I'm afraid.
There's some real possibilities there, though."
@john-c-knopf
• one month ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Making Lemonade in the Southern Highlands":
Posted a response to "Making Lemonade in the Southern Highlands":
"Ahhhhhhhhhhh....................................no."
@john-c-knopf
• one month ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Making Lemonade in the Southern Highlands":
Posted a response to "Making Lemonade in the Southern Highlands":
"I saw that guy. What was with him anyway? A roomful of folks, and he goes off into a corner with a camera, a paper and a pen, and handles some old..."
@john-c-knopf
• one month ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Making Lemonade in the Southern Highlands":
Posted a response to "Making Lemonade in the Southern Highlands":
"Imagine that! Reckon what gave him that impression?"
@john-c-knopf
• one month ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "To modify or not to modify":
Posted a response to "To modify or not to modify":
"You could make a new nut and bridge, carefully knock the other ones out, and cut the new notches any way you want. This is assuming that you're handy with..."
@john-c-knopf
• one month ago
• comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on Dulcimore Dan Relative:
Posted a new Comment on Dulcimore Dan Relative:
"They both have the same broad smile...."
@john-c-knopf
• one month ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Making Lemonade in the Southern Highlands":
Posted a response to "Making Lemonade in the Southern Highlands":
"The Kentucky Artisan Center off I-75 at Exit 77 is a must-see, if you like dulcimers, crafts, sculpture, books on Kentucky music and history, or want a..."
@john-c-knopf
• one month ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Hindman in Exile Gathering":
Posted a response to "Hindman in Exile Gathering":
"Hear, hear! Well stated, Ken H.!"
@john-c-knopf
• one month ago
• comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on Hindman Exiles Playing Together:
Posted a new Comment on Hindman Exiles Playing Together:
"Yes, I was. We're not quite ready for the big time yet."
@john-c-knopf
• one month ago
• comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on Hindman In Exile:
Posted a new Comment on Hindman In Exile:
""BLAAAAAAAAHHHHNNNNHH" WRONG-O!
(HINT: We're still waiting for them to say something...)"
@john-c-knopf
• one month ago
• comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on Hindman In Exile:
Posted a new Comment on Hindman In Exile:
"Never seen him afore in my life...
Doug Naselroad took a shine to this particular unit, when we visited the Hindman shop."
@john-c-knopf
• one month ago
• comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on Hindman In Exile:
Posted a new Comment on Hindman In Exile:
"He certainly seemed to be happy to me! We were glad to have him with us."
@john-c-knopf
• one month ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on Hindman In Exile:
Posted a new Comment on Hindman In Exile:
"Ken was fixin' to bust a wooden peg here, but was not successful, happily."
@john-c-knopf
• one month ago
• comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on Hindman In Exile:
Posted a new Comment on Hindman In Exile:
"Today's puzzles:
1. How many dulcimers are there in the photo?
2. Who made each one?
3. Who is the photographer?
4. How long before the hotel staff told..."
@john-c-knopf
• one month ago
• comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on Dinner Bell Lunch:
Posted a new Comment on Dinner Bell Lunch:
"Three well-fed luthiers at Berea's Dinner Bell Restaurant.
Beats Cracker Barrel across the street...
David, no Kentucky Hot Brown there, unless it's..."
@john-c-knopf
• one month ago
• comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on Dinner Bell Lunch:
Posted a new Comment on Dinner Bell Lunch:
""Oh-h-h-h!.......a WISE guy!"
(Below photo, L to R: John K, Dan C, Ken L.)
"Nyuck, nyuck, nyuck....""
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
All
Latest Forum Discussions
AllJohn 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
