Ken Longfield

All I can say about Ron Ewing is that he is an excellent builder who makes fine dulcimers. You won't be disappointed with his work. As for the wood choices, they will make a fine instrument. Both will give a warmer sound than, say, walnut, cherry, or spruce.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken:  thank you for the prior comment on the older McSpadden M12-S

Thanks for the warm welcome Ken.  So much to learn and just don't know where to begin, but looking forward to this new adventure. 

Hi Ken, I just saw the message you sent in February about the time I was traveling down to Florida and then driving back to Maine.  I went by 81.  Stopped by a place in West Virginia that I am hoping to come back to later this year.  So much was closed due to COVID.

Ben

thank you glad to be here

Hello Ken:  I am a brand new member and Jim Fawcett suggested I contact you regrding a 2001 McSpadden M12-S that I'm considering.

I contacted McSpadden and they gave me the following specs:

The M12 series dulcimers used a laminate back with solid wood otherwise.  You are correct that this dulcimer is made of walnut except for the top which is spruce.

The overall length of this dulcimer is 36 inches.  The width at the upper bout is 5 ¾ inches, the lower bout is 7.  The VSL is 28 ½.  The depth of the body is 1 ¾ and the fretboard stands 1 inch above that.

It looks in great shape from pics (see attached photo) but it's about 5 hours away.  I'm somewhat concerned that it has a laminated walnut back and it appears that it has 20 frets (including what looks like "0", 6-1/2 and 13-1/2 frets).  Any comments on laminated back and fretting or other comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, John

Thank you for your warm welcome.

Ken, thank you SO much for your thoughtful donation to keep FOTMD running!

Strumelia 

Thanks for the welcome, Ken!  I look forward to the music and the community in the day us ahead!

Hello Ken!  Sorry I didn't respond to your message earlier.  I'm still getting used to navigating around this forum.  I have pictures I can send you and would love to be on your list of people who have older dulcimers.  How should I send the pictures to you?  Privately or on the forum?  I am certainly not a computer wiz! LOL!  

Thanks for the welcome, Ken!

Thank you for your welcome I have only just worked out how the board works!

Thank you, Ken, for the warm welcome. I'm looking forward to participating in this group; I have a lot to learn and it seems there are a lot of people who know a lot! The dulcimer may be called a "simple instrument," but once one gets into different tunings, modes, additions of frets, and styles of playing, it goes beyond "simple" very quickly. I really look forward to progressing and enjoying playing.

I notice you post a lot of very helpful knowledge and suggestions. Thanks; I'm sure you're going to be a real help to me. Hope to advance to the place where I can "give back" to other new players! Thanks again.

Fumble Fingers (aka Mary)

Thanks for the warm welcome!

Hi thanks Ken I have send you a private message to see if you still have the Walnut Valley brochure I saw you mention to someone else about 3 years ago, and if you would be able to email me it please. I have just bought a vintage Walnut valley Smokey River series model, just waiting for its arrival.

I'm new to dulcimer but I do play guitar and sing so looking forward to a different instrument.

Thank you, Ken. Good to meet you! Todd

Thanks, Ken.  We've reached out to several of the dulcimer makers of the ones we have in the estate sale and we've found that the dulcimer community, in general, is very friendly and helpful.

Thanks Ken, glad to be here.  

Thank you, Ken. It's nice to be here. I'm looking forward to all of the great information and friendly exchanges.

Thanks!  Looking forward to it!