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Location:

Location: Reedsville, PA
Country: US

My Latest Followers:

Stats

youtube videos: 1

images: 72

events: 2

Groups: 1

I am retired and live in the Appalachian Mountains of Pennsylvania. I built my first mountain dulcimer in 1974. I continue to build mountain dulcimers, hammered dulcimers and do repair work on them as well as guitars and banjos. I enjoy old time music, bluegrass, and folk music from before and after the folk scare of the 1950s and 1960s.

Latest Activity

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@ken-longfield • yesterday • comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on @natebuildstoys:

"Welcome to FOTMD NateBuildsToys. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation in these discussions. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet..."

@ken-longfield • yesterday • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @liverpoolwalrus:

"Welcome to FOTMD LiverpoolWalrus. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation in these discussions. Ken "The dulcimer sings a..."

@ken-longfield • yesterday • comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on @hammer:

"Welcome to FOTMD Hammer. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation in these discussions. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • yesterday • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Take a guess on who made this dulcimer":

"Yes, a Folkcraft, but I don't think it is a kit. The kits did not have that type of peg head. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 3 days ago • comments: 15
Posted a new Comment on Berea Traditional Dulcimore Gathering -(KY):

"Randy, don't be concerned. Most of those are just to assure a group norm for jams. You can play in whatever tuning you like at other times. It would be good..."

@ken-longfield • 3 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Adding a Sound Post":

"Sound posts were used by "Uncle Ed" Thomas and Charles N. Prichard in their dulcimers. Thomas had two sound posts; one about the 3rd fret and one about the..."

@ken-longfield • 3 days ago • comments: 0
Liked a photos item created by @bob: New member of the Presnell Dulcimer family

@ken-longfield • 4 days ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @dfb:

"Welcome to FOTMD DFB. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation in these discussions. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 4 days ago • comments: 7
Posted a new Comment on @gayle:

"Gayle, if I understand the procedure correctly, you go to your name in the upper right hand corner of the page. Click on accounts and on the left hand sides..."

@ken-longfield • 4 days ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @dulc4:

"Welcome to FOTMD DuLc4. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation in these discussions. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 4 days ago • comments: 7
Posted a new Comment on @gayle:

"Welcome to FOTMD Gayle. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation in these discussions. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 4 days ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @john-spokane-wa:

"Welcome to FOTMD John. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation in these discussions. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 4 days ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @bluegrass37918:

"Welcome to FOTMD Bluegrass37918. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation in these discussions. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet..."

@ken-longfield • 6 days ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @martyj:

"Welcome to FOTMD Marty. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation in these discussions. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @spaceoddity:

"Welcome to FOTMD Spaceoddity. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation in these discussions. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet..."

@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @shellback-72:

"Welcome to FOTMD Shellback72. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation in these discussions. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet..."

@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Trying to get in touch with member":

"I think you are talking about Kevin Messenger. I will PM you his email address. He is busy building a new house, so I don't know how often he checks in to..."

@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 15
Posted a new Comment on Berea Traditional Dulcimore Gathering -(KY):

"Unless everyone is off on a field trip, there should be people around all day. This is laid back gathering and things take place randomly. As we get closer..."

@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on String spacing and fretboard width:

"There is no standard fretboard width that I know of. It depends upon what you feel best fits your fingers. I think 1 3/8 to 1 1/2 inches are probably the..."

@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on Making sound holes:

"If the wood is a brownish color, which it looked like to me, it might be walnut. I'll look to see if I have an old Cripple Creek brochure that might..."

@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @mm-ky:

"Welcome to FOTMD MM_KY. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation in these discussions. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @chas5131:

"Welcome to FOTMD Chas5131. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation in these discussions. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on Worley Gardner Winter Music Fest -(WV):

"I'll be there and doing a presentation on the history of the American dulcimer. I'll have some instruments for show, tell, and play. Ken "The dulcimer..."

@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 3

Is attending an Event:
Worley Gardner Winter Music Fest -(WV)

@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on Making sound holes:

"This is new to me. I have never seen a mountain dulcimer with sound holes in both the top and bottom. If I were building this dulcimer I would get another..."

@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @desnewbie:

"Welcome to FOTMD Desnewbie. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation in these discussions. Didn't know my MDiv could be that..."

@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Epinette":

"Indeed, it is a small world. You did a nice job figuring out what you needed to do. It looks like a very nice instrument. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet..."

@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 12
Posted a new Comment on Dulcimer Builder’s Books and References :

"You mentioned the John C. Campbell Folk School. I have not seen or played any of the dulcimers made by their instructors, but I think that would be a good..."

@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on @buckeye67:

"Welcome to FOTMD Buckeye67. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation in these discussions. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @carolyn-t-goza:

"Welcome to FOTMD Carolyn. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation in these discussions. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Tell us about your VERY FIRST dulcimer":

"If you can contact the folks at the luthiery in Hindman, Ky, they may be able to help you. I am sure that they have seen and handled many Amburgey dulcimers...."

@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 22
Posted a new Comment on Source of Non-Fancy Noters in Different Hardwood Choices:

"Thanks, Greg, I was planning on doing that. A couple of them will need a little sanding as there are some rough spots because of the grainy wood. I like the..."

@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 22
Posted a new Comment on Source of Non-Fancy Noters in Different Hardwood Choices:

"My strikers (a.k.a. noters) arrived in the mail today. I haven't tried them yet as I am still trying to figure out which woods are which. Some are easy to..."

@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @jed56:

"Welcome to FOTMD Jed56. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation in these discussions. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @appalachiandreamer:

"Welcome to FOTMD Appalachiandream. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation in these discussions. Ken "The dulcimer sings a..."

Latest Group Discussions

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Current build

Here are some photos as I near the completion of this project. The...
@Ken Longfield 2 months ago - Comments: 8

Tuning peg knobs

I have a customer who is having the tuning pegs replaced on two of his...
@Ken Longfield 6 months ago - Comments: 23

The Ugly Dulcimer - A Story

Somewhere and at sometime someone decided to build a mountain dulcimer...
@Ken Longfield 2 years ago - Comments: 8

A New "Old" Project

Back maybe 20 to 25 years ago, my sister was wandering through a yard...
@Ken Longfield 3 years ago - Comments: 2

PA German Zitter

Here are some photos of PA German zitter reproduction I'm making. There...
@Ken Longfield 3 years ago - Comments: 17

Stanley Hicks article

Although not dulcimer specific, Stanley Hicks played a significant...
@Ken Longfield 4 years ago - Comments: 8

Wood Choice - Food For Thought

I came across this experiment for classical guitars and found it...
@Ken Longfield 4 years ago - Comments: 8

The Story of the Dulcimer, Second Edition

This is just a notice that it is available for pre-ordering on Amazon.
@Ken Longfield 5 years ago - Comments: 14

PA German Zitter

As I understand it, Jean Ritchie saw a PA German Zitter in the...
@Ken Longfield 5 years ago - Comments: 0

Old-time West Virginia bands

County Sales currently has these two CDs on sale for $7.00 each if...
@Ken Longfield 5 years ago - Comments: 1

Wartz Tab Book Corrections

In the Wartz tab book for the DAA "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms,"...
@Ken Longfield 6 years ago - Comments: 2

My First Prichard

It is not quite finished, but I thought I would share a photo of my...
@Ken Longfield 6 years ago - Comments: 15

J. E. Thomas Dulcimer #1465 played by Joe Collins

Here is a link to a video of Joe Collins playing my James E. "Uncle...
@Ken Longfield 6 years ago - Comments: 6

Repairing a Diamond Dulcimer

While this is not a build, we do not have a specific area to show...
@Ken Longfield 6 years ago - Comments: 17

String tension calculations

Over at the Banjo Hangout I saw a posting for a string tension...
@Ken Longfield 6 years ago - Comments: 7

Not a Mountain Dulcimer

A few folks here at FOTMD know that I was working on a hammered...
@Ken Longfield 7 years ago - Comments: 9

Latest Audio

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Latest Videos

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Landis Valley Zitter

@Ken Longfield
2 years ago - Comments: 17

Latest Photos

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Latest Forum Discussions

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Guitar project

Posted: Tuesday January 28 2020, 9:13 PM
By: @Susie

Just For Fun - sayings regarding the...

Posted: Monday April 8 2019, 5:54 PM
By: @Strumelia

Sad News

Posted: Tuesday January 15 2019, 8:16 PM
By: @jeffrey charles foster

Capritaurus Dulcimer - Oh My!

Posted: Thursday November 22 2018, 7:56 AM
By: @Robin Thompson

Hindman Dulcimer Homecoming

Posted: Monday February 26 2018, 12:56 PM
By: @Jan Potts

Ukulele construction

Posted: Thursday September 14 2017, 9:42 AM
By: @Ken Longfield

Hindman, Kentucky

Posted: Saturday November 26 2016, 9:14 PM
By: @John C. Knopf

Wayfaring Strangers

Posted: Thursday February 4 2016, 1:05 PM
By: @Ron Larson2

Clifford Glenn

Posted: Sunday July 26 2015, 10:17 AM
By: @Ken Longfield

For Old Time Music Fans

Posted: Friday April 3 2015, 1:07 PM
By: @Ken Longfield

Folk Music Resources

Posted: Wednesday February 11 2015, 1:18 PM
By: @Ken Longfield

A photo for Patty from Virginia

Posted: Thursday January 15 2015, 8:28 PM
By: @Patty from Virginia

The Dulcimer in Eastern Kentucky Videos

Posted: Thursday December 11 2014, 5:41 AM
By: @Rob N Lackey

2014 National Mountain Dulcimer Champions

Posted: Sunday September 21 2014, 7:35 AM
By: @John Keane

Encyclopedia of Appalachia

Posted: Friday October 19 2012, 10:17 PM
By: @Ken Longfield

Comments

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02/19/20 09:53:58PM @gayle:

Thank you for your kind welcome Ken. Yes, it does 'sing a sweet song'. Can someone tell me how to put my pic in the profile box. I don't understand the protocols required. Never had this problem before. Y'all will have to accept my autoharp pic until I get one with my dulcimer. Gayle

02/10/20 05:31:51PM @dulcimerdonna:

Thank you!

01/30/20 01:59:41PM @pekwalker:

Thanks for allowing me to join. I hope to learn a lot

01/25/20 01:57:36PM @sheltie-lover:

I hope I'm posting in the right place. Have to get used to the site. Thanks for the welcome. Folkcraft is a nice place. My husband and I have visited a couple of times. Small little shop in a tiny little town. Beautiful dulcimers to see and hear!

01/15/20 10:38:59AM @jacques:

Thanks for your kind welcome Ken, I'm looking forward to joining discussion groups and asking lots of questions about this wonderful instrument I' just bought.

01/13/20 11:37:06AM @adkzookeeper:

Thank you for the warm welcome.

01/12/20 05:06:54PM @geezer:

Thanks

01/02/20 12:14:03PM @digitalshrub:

Thanks so much for the warm welcome!

12/31/19 05:19:33PM @rusty-g:

Thank you!

12/19/19 05:40:20PM @recovering-baptist:

Thank you for the welcome

11/25/19 09:38:32AM @robinnc:

Thanks for your welcome. I'm looking forward to all the knowledge I can gain from the community.

11/11/19 11:12:50AM @dave54:

And how sweet it is, thanks for the welcome

11/10/19 08:24:28AM @harmony51:

Thank you for your Welcome. I look forward in learning from this group. and meeting more of you all.

11/10/19 07:12:22AM @slowpicker1950:

thank you for the welcome.

11/10/19 02:07:42AM @diane-mayfield:

Thank you, Ken! Looking forward to more sweet music!

10/06/19 06:25:09PM @jackie:

Thanks for the welcome and event info. I hope to make it to Wartz 'n All this month. It sounds like fun.

09/01/19 10:56:45AM @redwolf:

Thank you for the welcome!

08/31/19 02:20:40PM @gilappalpick:

Thanks Ken. Nice to hear from you. Best wishes.

08/31/19 12:12:49AM @susan-bigelow:

Thank you, Ken! I'm very glad to have found this place.

08/29/19 08:16:13PM @marlene-powell:

Thanks Ken, I'm really excited to start learning. I, too, love the song: How Can I Keep From Singing. I have a beautiful version by Eva Cassidy that I play frequently. I would be overjoyed to learn to play it on the dulcimer.

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