Ken Hulme

Location:

Location: Fort Myers, FL
Country: US

My Latest Followers:

RobMachin MelSabol Rickyt AndiBear tednms martha woodstock Buckeye67 Big Bubba oldmdpicker railbike1 Ballad Gal Debbie Kopp Simpkins Sue MacKenzie - ADK Friends lal chris hornby Don Grundy jcurtis55 Laurel K Scott Billy T Kevin R. hugssandi Repp Kusani Peggy M JGD Salt Springs Kandee Sheryl St. Clare Charles Thomas Annie Deeley Cat Brown Volha Anne Bowman Lexie R Oakley Melanie Cook Stephen Addison jeffrey charles foster Bob Mark Runge Estes George Bert Bennett Stewart McCormick Steven Berger Linda2 James Phillips Lois Sprengnether Keel Patricia Delich Patty from Virginia David E.Hall David Bennett

Stats

youtube videos: 2
images: 42
events: 1
videos: 2
audio tracks: 3

A retired Technical Writer, I live aboard a 26 ft sailboat (called ManCave)  in Fort Myers, Florida.  I'm a working Personal Chef and writer (these days) of historical fiction and general non-fiction.  

Latest Activity

  All
Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme • 4 days ago • comments: 11
Posted a new Comment on Setting up for CGG:
"Dave made some fabulous instruments, and tuned them the way you wanted them tuned.    DAd vs CGG is no big deal. The same string gauges will work for both..."
Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "String guages for slide dulcimer":
"The onlty slide player I've ever seen was at Cullowee years ago when I was in the Traditional track. One of the teachers -- Norris Bennet --  was a member of..."
Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Differences between two dulcimers":
"RevDave -- I suggest investing $50 or so in a carboard dulcimer.  The sound is good, the frets are dead on and intonation can be adjusted if needs be...."
Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme • 3 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Differences between two dulcimers":
"RevDave:  ALL of the issues you have with your no-name kit dulcimer are pretty easily fixed -- by you-- with a  little help from your friends here, for less..."
Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme • 3 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Differences between two dulcimers":
"Essential differences?   Apple & Oranges!!!  EVERYTHING:   Internal volume of the body, internal bracing dimensions and locations, plank thicknesses,..."
Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme • 4 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "OPINION ON BUILDER":
"Thank for looking!   Building ekeps me off the street occasionally!"
Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme • 4 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "OPINION ON BUILDER":
"I do occasionally build for sale.  You can see examples of my work on my Facebook page in Collections on the top left under my basic info."
Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme • 4 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "OPINION ON BUILDER":
"Bill has been a quality builder for quite a few years.  I've played, but don't own any of his dulcimers, as I prefer the sound of traditionally-built..."
Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme • 4 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Pick noise":
"If you don't like pick noise, change your angle of attack.  Do not hold the pick rigidly vertical like this ...|... Instead, turn your wrist as you strum out..."
Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme • 4 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Cleaning a 1992 Angell Dulcimer":
"Yep -- NOT  baritone.   The overall length of a dulcimer is almost meaningless -- it's the VSL -- distance between the nut and bridge -- which matters.   I..."
Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme • 4 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help in choosing dulcimer(s) to keep":
"Second question is "Why down-size?"  After all, you only have five!!  Tune each one to a favorite tuning, like many of us do;  that's one way to avoid having..."
Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme • 4 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Barbry Ellen Tab Experiment":
"Basically everyone writes tab in their own way.  So, if guitar-like notation works for you, that's great.  Realize of course that Jean did not play chords..."
Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme • 4 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Ways to play in other keys":
"Well there's a YouTube vid that teaches DGD chords:   Dulcimer chords in DGD tuning #5 Am #mountaindulcimer with FREE chord chart (youtube.com) There's this..."
Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme • 4 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Hurricane Helene news?":
"Milton came ashore about 85 miles north of us, at Siesta Key in Sarsota.  Nothing here but winds, not much rain.  Lost power for about 15 minutes is all.."
Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme • one month ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Hurricane Helene news?":
"We're in the Cone Of Uncertainty:"
Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme • one month ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "for what its worth":
"Have been using MIMF for twenty years I think...  They have(or had) the best fret spacing calculator on the planet -- WFRET; The older version (which I still..."
Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme • one month ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Hurricane Helene news?":
"Don Pedi and Lois Hornbostel and their local groups have come through pretty well.  Black Mountain is devastated.  Asheville is still pretty much an island...."
Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme • one month ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "The Drifting Thread...":
"MARKED SAFE FROM HURRICANE HELENE!  We were just south of the major effects.  Sunny half of yesterday, but then the usual Tropical Storm tango of winds..."
Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme • 2 months ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "History of mountain dulcimer":
"Robin has been a member here for years, although he hasn't participated much recently.  He's a great dulcimer player and innovative builder."
Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme • 3 months ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Magic Mountain 469-H Dulcimer":
"Pictures would help.  Especially a close up of the Maker's label inside the instrument."

Latest Group Discussions

  All
Ken Hulme

Free Wood


Builders within driving distance of Fort Myers, FL -- We're having a...
@Ken Hulme last year - Comments: 0
Ken Hulme

Museum Replica Bowed Zither


The original was made by Jacob Gross, a school teacher, fracture artist,...
@Ken Hulme 2 years ago - Comments: 5
Ken Hulme

Museum Replica Bowed Zither


Back in 1865 or so, a fractur artist, schoolteacher, woodworker named...
@Ken Hulme 2 years ago - Comments: 7
Ken Hulme

Sawn-Frame Dulcemore


Somewhere here awhile back, we had a discussion about making dulcimers...
@Ken Hulme 4 years ago - Comments: 9
Ken Hulme

Another "Not A Dulcimer" Build


In collaboration with a Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland  professor of...
@Ken Hulme 4 years ago - Comments: 6
Ken Hulme

Unison and Bagpipe Tunings


You may find these two tunings more useful for your "no 6+ fret"...
@Ken Hulme 5 years ago - Comments: 5
Ken Hulme

NC Holly Leaf Pattern circa 1860s


Here's my almost finished latest build.  This is based on the...
@Ken Hulme 5 years ago - Comments: 9
Ken Hulme

Berea Traditional Dulcimer Gathering!! 2019


A great time was had by all at the first annual Berea Traditional...
@Ken Hulme 5 years ago - Comments: 10
Ken Hulme

Hindman in Exile Gathering


  We were NOT about to let the cancellation of the Hindman Homecoming...
@Ken Hulme 6 years ago - Comments: 7
Ken Hulme

Get Noterized! (article)


For those who might be interested I've posted my Noter & Drone...
@Ken Hulme 13 years ago - Comments: 0
Ken Hulme

Berea Traditional Dulcimer Gathering


You've read about our adventures in the posts here called Hindman in...
@Ken Hulme 6 years ago - Comments: 14
Ken Hulme

New Body


Here's a new body I made for a student's cardboard dulcimer.  Butternut...
@Ken Hulme 6 years ago - Comments: 7
Ken Hulme

Mercer Museum Zither Replica


So... awhile back I was looking at pix of 'transitional' dulcimers' on...
@Ken Hulme 6 years ago - Comments: 48
Ken Hulme

Latest JI Calculator?


(repost because I got silly and hit the wrong button.  Got your response...
@Ken Hulme 9 years ago - Comments: 22
Ken Hulme

First Build in Years....


Awhile back I got the urge to build a dulcimer -- first time in years....
@Ken Hulme 8 years ago - Comments: 13
Ken Hulme

Home-Made Peg Shaper


I have only built a couple instruments with wooden pegs because...
@Ken Hulme 6 years ago - Comments: 4
Ken Hulme

New Wood Seller with Gorgeous Wood


Early this month, I received a blind e-mail from a pre-cut wood seller...
@Ken Hulme 7 years ago - Comments: 2
Ken Hulme

Size of Music Wire?


What number of "music wire" are you buying to make strings the...
@Ken Hulme 9 years ago - Comments: 5
Ken Hulme

Sherrie's Broken Dulcimer


On the Care & Maintenance Wall, Sherrie H wrote: I purchased a...
@Ken Hulme 9 years ago - Comments: 8
Ken Hulme

Tribute Album Announcement


Got this from the Compass Records website. To be released in September:...
@Ken Hulme 10 years ago - Comments: 6

Latest Audio

  All
Old Joe Clark

Old Joe Clark


@Ken Hulme
5 years ago - Comments: 3
Lay the Bent To The Bonnie Broom

Lay the Bent To The Bonnie Broom


@Ken Hulme
5 years ago - Comments: 2
Fretted Zither Sample -- Amazing Grace

Fretted Zither Sample --...


@Ken Hulme
6 years ago - Comments: 3

Latest Videos

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Hindman Exiles Playing Together

Hindman Exiles Playing Together


@Ken Hulme
6 years ago - Comments: 11
RosintheBeau

RosintheBeau


@Ken Hulme
13 years ago - Comments: 12
BanksoftheBann

BanksoftheBann


@Ken Hulme
13 years ago - Comments: 13

Latest Photos

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HomeMade Picks.jpg
final3.JPG
SmHolly2 tuning head.JPG
Sanding Sealer.JPG
SawnFrame 3.JPG
SawnFrame 2.JPG
SawnFrame 1.JPG
Dia-chromatic fretboard.jpg
Fake Quill.jpg
Tail.JPG
Strung.JPG
Head.JPG
Front.JPG
Front left.JPG
Back.JPG
Lois 2.JPG
Lois 1.JPG
Cdbd Frame.JPG

Latest Forum Discussions

  All

Archive of original Everything Dulcimer??

Posted: Wednesday March 1 2023, 9:31 AM
By: @Strumelia

Tom Strothers Passes

Posted: Thursday February 16 2023, 2:39 PM
By: @Strumelia

Howie Mitchell Dulcimer Building Book and...

Posted: Tuesday November 29 2022, 4:56 PM
By: @Ken Hulme

Holiday

Posted: Sunday October 9 2022, 9:03 AM
By: @Robin Thompson

Tull66

Posted: Tuesday June 7 2022, 5:47 AM
By: @jost

Sam Rizzetta Has Passed

Posted: Monday November 1 2021, 9:18 AM
By: @Susie

2021 Berea Traditional Dulcimore Gathering...

Posted: Tuesday May 18 2021, 3:04 PM
By: @Ken Longfield

Hughes Mountain Dulcimers

Posted: Monday July 27 2020, 10:38 PM
By: @Ken Hulme

Berea 2020 Traditional Gathering...

Posted: Thursday January 16 2020, 4:44 PM
By: @Robin Thompson

Rebec

Posted: Saturday December 21 2019, 12:31 PM
By: @Hobbyhorse

Group Contents Re-ordered???

Posted: Sunday October 27 2019, 7:08 PM
By: @Strumelia

McSpadden --- wax

Posted: Thursday September 19 2019, 1:44 PM
By: @Ken Hulme

Great Lyric/Chord Find

Posted: Monday August 5 2019, 6:20 PM
By: @Lois Sprengnether Keel

Visit With Kusani

Posted: Saturday May 25 2019, 9:23 PM
By: @hugssandi

Berea Gathering Attendees

Posted: Thursday May 23 2019, 6:23 PM
By: @Ken Longfield

Berea Traditional Dulcimer Gathering Update

Posted: Tuesday April 16 2019, 6:47 AM
By: @Dan

Dulcimer Players News 1975-2012 Searchable...

Posted: Sunday December 2 2018, 6:25 PM
By: @Ken Hulme

Oberflacht Lyre Finished

Posted: Thursday January 18 2018, 12:37 PM
By: @IRENE

Capo? False Nuts?

Posted: Tuesday November 28 2017, 8:55 AM
By: @Ken Hulme

Oberflacht Lyre started

Posted: Thursday October 26 2017, 3:39 PM
By: @Ken Hulme

Recognize this?

Posted: Saturday August 12 2017, 9:21 AM
By: @Ken Hulme

Happy Anniversary!!

Posted: Saturday July 8 2017, 9:25 AM
By: @Ken Longfield

Stand-Up Stands

Posted: Thursday March 16 2017, 8:51 AM
By: @Ken Hulme

Rabel & Gusli

Posted: Thursday August 11 2016, 2:50 PM
By: @Strumelia

Dr. Ralph Stanley Passes

Posted: Friday June 24 2016, 12:25 PM
By: @Dusty Turtle

Grace Notes

Posted: Friday March 4 2016, 4:54 AM
By: @Dusty Turtle

I Just Got A Dulcimer, Now What? (Article)

Posted: Wednesday August 19 2015, 10:05 PM
By: @Ken Hulme

New Noters Coming

Posted: Wednesday August 19 2015, 9:44 AM
By: @Ken Hulme

Get Noterized! (article)

Posted: Thursday June 25 2015, 10:56 AM
By: @Ken Hulme

Florida Old Time Music Championship

Posted: Monday April 27 2015, 11:03 AM
By: @Ken Hulme

Comments

Strumelia
08/08/24 09:41:13AM @strumelia:

Ken- please see the private message I just sent you- important.  Thanks!


Lois Sprengnether Keel
02/23/19 11:33:45AM @lois-sprengnether-keel:

Ken, somehow I don't think of using an "@" when replying, but my two comments were especially for you. 

In case you don't drift back to the "spooky, mournful, lonesome" discussion, I said:

     WOW!  I just went to YouTube and caught Nic Jones's fingerstyle guitar version.  Oh Ken, that's one heck of a rockin' Child's ballad.  I know for a fact they plan to bring the theme of Child's Ballads back next year and I was dreading a real downer of an evening.  The librarian in me will research the heck out of this song, but I'd thank ye kindly for any arrangement, or whatever you might be willing to send my way.  I know I could probably manage it on guitar, but I'd love to do it on the dulcimer.

     Bit of a postscript here.  I had heard of the title "Little Musgrave", but that's about it.  This is one wicked little song.  Yes, it ends as unhappily as Child Ballads have a nasty tendency to do (are there any happy ones?), but the action is far from slow and I think our Strumelia would agree this one ought to hold the audience's interest.  I'll prowl the verses to get it as lean as possible. 

Since I wrote that I've prowled a bit and have a melody and think Nic Jones kept the verse "as lean as possible."  I know it also became the probably better known "Matty Groves", but I won't have time to get too detailed in my intro since the song is so long.  I would be very interested in whatever you may care to share about "Little Musgrave."  If it's easier, right now I'm hoping to attend the Berea event (subject to change if work conflicts).


Ken Longfield
09/03/18 06:22:24PM @ken-longfield:

Ken, I received this message today and replied with a general comment about Berea College probably being ADA compliant.

09/03/18 05:31:24PM  @Sbarnett524 :

Would this event and housing be ADA accessible as per wheelchair use?

I also mentioned that some field trips might not be. Do you know anymore?

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."


Jim Phillips
06/01/18 10:21:53PM @jim-at-gcreek:

Ken,

i have used quite a bit of sassafras for soundboards.  Wood is available here in Ohio.  Sassafras also resembles chestnut.  Most of sassafras wood I have used has a slight olive hue when finished.  Usually I combine sassafras soundboard with a walnut body.  This combination has been very popular.

 

JimP


Jim Phillips
06/01/18 09:40:35PM @jim-at-gcreek:

Ken,

i do not have any Catalpa.

i do have several nice pieces of "Wenge" (Africa) that are cut to proper

size for dulcimer fretboard overlays.  Provides a slicker surface for fingering

and material's hardness reduces pick marking.  (Kind of a replacement for ebony).  I can provide size of these overlay blanks, if anyone is interested.

JimP


marg
09/08/17 10:42:40PM @marg:

Worry about you & all of Fla. Could you move your boat & go to Ala or someplace? Be safe & let us know how you are.

 


marg
09/07/17 07:39:57PM @marg:

Do you have plans for yourself & your boat? Let us know how you are & how you make out after the hurricane comes through


marg
09/05/17 12:31:11AM @marg:

Not knowing where this next hurricane is going, along the coast or right up the middle - do be safe & let us know how you make out if it comes your way.


marg
06/28/17 06:27:05PM @marg:

Well ' I just start adding '3' to my DAd tabs' & some songs worked out better than others. Mostly I ran into trouble when trying to figure the middle string, even with it already an A - I started thinking maybe I should just keep it as is & pick it. 

Do you think something like this could be a discussion some of the members could used - learning how to tab from/to DAd to/from DAA & the other way around?


marg
06/28/17 12:38:23PM @marg:

ken,

Since I have the Carrell dulcimer tuned to DAA but most of my tabs are in DAdd, what is the best site to find many DAA tabs or should I just start adding '3' to my DAd tabs? I get a little confused (trying to update) when a DAd tab has some #'s on the middle string.

thanks


hugssandi
05/11/17 09:45:31AM @hugssandi:

YOUR PICTURES ARE AMAZING!  They make me 1.) Hungry, 2.) Want to live a FULL day, and 3.)  Visit Florida!!!!!


Laurel K Scott
03/01/17 02:02:39PM @laurel-k-scott:

Thank you, Ken --  I already know it's currently strung left handed because of the position of the bass string. What I *meant* to ask was whether the wrapping on the tuning pegs looks correct in that photo.

My inclination would be to wrap the strings in either ascending or descending order from left to right, but as you can tell, I have no knowledge of stringed instruments! This dulcimer came to me with the bass string (which is currently on the bottom rather than the top) strung on the lowest peg, the middle string strung on the highest peg and the end melody string (this is only a 3-stringer) wrapped on the middle peg. All are wrapped overhand rather than underhand.


Sheryl St. Clare
04/19/16 12:03:19PM @sheryl-st-clare:

Hi Ken, 

Your document  I Just Got A Dulcimer, Now What??? -- A Beginner’s Guide -- by Ken Hulme shows a John Stockard adjustable dulcimer stand. I searched for it on the "Interweb" eyeroll  but can't find it anywhere. 

 

I had a class with Joe Collins Saturday. He used one, and I really liked the setup better than the laptop desk I currently play my dulcimer on, which allows me to play while standing. 

 

Can you point me in a direction where I might find this stand?

 

Thanks,

Sheryl


Sheryl St. Clare
01/25/16 06:47:33PM @sheryl-st-clare:

Ken, I recently picked up a BD built by Ken Bloom. I have restrung it, and I am trying to tune it. I recall you had a link to a piano tune site, but can't find the discussion. Please let me know what that site was. 

Sheryl St. Clare

 


Salt Springs
01/17/16 09:28:26AM @salt-springs:

Mancave fared OK during last nights nasty weather, I presume?


Annie Deeley
09/29/15 08:35:49PM @annie-deeley:

Hi again, Ken. Thanks again, I just realized that the string guages you listed did say the G's would be 15's. The penny finally dropped, duh. Found some 15's in a drawer, just haven't worked up the courage t switch 'em yet...

I am a writer, too, but a poet.


marg
08/01/15 04:50:33PM @marg:

Seems attached files don't get posted with the comments. The image was just the site you sent for the banjo pegs, just checking that these are the ones I need to order. Non of the guitar stores carry anything like banjo pegs or buttons.

marg.


marg
08/01/15 04:45:40PM @marg:

Ken,

       Since you have gotten some knobs before, many years ago  -  are we sure these are the right ones to fit the red dulcimer I have?    I  would need 4 to replace all now, should I also have 4 as a back up? Elderly also makes banjo tuner buttons, are they the same or just go with the ones you sent the site for?

 

Thanks for your help, see photos

marg.

ps: Thinking, I should just go with your site, just tell me they seem right or the ones you would order. I can not delete the attached file of the one from elderly. Is there a way to delete files once they're attached? No worries.

 


banjo pegs.jpg
banjo pegs.jpg  •  81KB

1 banjo peg.jpg
1 banjo peg.jpg  •  65KB

Ken Longfield
06/10/15 08:51:38PM @ken-longfield:

Hi Ken. Retirement is treating me well. How about you. You working on another book? I enjoyed the first one. I'm working on rebuilding my workshop after a water leak back in March. Haven't had much time with all the yard work and some work at our daughter's house.


Strumelia
02/25/15 10:11:28PM @strumelia:

Ken i posted the answer to your blog image problem, but you'll need to 'approve' it before it appears.