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Location:

Location: Reedsville, PA
Country: US

My Latest Followers:

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youtube videos: 1

images: 66

events: 1

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 • 9 hours ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Kantele?":

"Watco is good. I just finished a guitar neck with Birchwood Casey's Tru-oil gun stock finish. It is easy to apply and makes a really great finish. I have..."

@ken-longfield • 20 hours ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Dulcimer Queries":

"I'm coming late to the party. I can't tell from the photos, but it looks like your fret board is unfitted. This gives you some latitude in VSL. Like KenH, I..."

@ken-longfield • 20 hours ago • comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on No Dulcimers Here:

"Interesting instrument. The long neck would kill my short arms. Thanks for sharing your experience. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 20 hours ago • comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on Dulcimer #2:

"Really nice walnut on that dulcimer. It is prettier than any walnut Sweet Song kit I ever built. Congratulations on a great job. I am sure you will enjoy..."

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

"Welcome to FOTMD Carmelgma. It is good to have you aboard. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

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

"Welcome to FOTMD Txengineer. It is good to have you aboard. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • yesterday • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @john-r-hensley-sr:

"Welcome to FOTMD John R Hensley Sr. It is good to have you aboard. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • yesterday • comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on @gilappalpick:

"Welcome to FOTMD Gil.appalpick. It is good to have another Pennsylvanian aboard. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 2 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Kantele?":

"A finish I like to use is a satin finish lacquer. I use a rattle-can spray (Deft), but I think any spray can lacquer would work well. The instrument in my..."

@ken-longfield • 4 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Tailpiece help please":

"Yeah, I've never experienced that before, but it is a cheap import a friend picked up at the thrift store. I adjusted the action and put on new strings. Ken..."

@ken-longfield • 4 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Tailpiece help please":

"John, I sprayed a little silcone along both side edges, but it is still holding on there. In fact, I have to put on leather work gloves and push from the..."

@ken-longfield • 4 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Tailpiece help please":

"You pull the top piece off. Pull it away by pulling toward the bent end which is where it attached to the instrument. You may need to turn it over and spray..."

@ken-longfield • 5 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Kantele?":

"The work to do doesn't seem too bad. I'd try to clean the top, back, and sides before doing any sanding. Of course I would take all the strings off before..."

@ken-longfield • 5 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Bass string gauges":

"Assuming a standard size guitar with around a 25" VSL, the bass "E" string is anywhere from 0.046 to 0.056. The Blue Lion bass dulcimer I play in our..."

@ken-longfield • 5 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Kantele?":

"Thanks, Ken, for that explanation of the string anchor photo. I must have been tired last night as I looked at it. I could not figure out why there would be..."

@ken-longfield • 5 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Kantele?":

"I am somewhat familiar with the Kantele as well as the Kalevala having graduated from Suomi (Finland) college. I, too, would like to see a photos of the..."

@ken-longfield • 5 days ago • comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on @pennman3:

"Welcome to FOTMD Pennman3. It is good to have you aboard. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 5 days ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @jamesgpobog:

"Welcome to FOTMD Jamesgpobog. It is good to have you aboard. Ask away. We'll try to help. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 6 days ago • comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on @ferrator:

"I'm glad you are loving it so far. I hope you continue to enjoy the discussions and forums. Jump in when you can. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 6 days ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @kathleen-earnest:

"Welcome to FOTMD Kathleen Earnest. It is good to have you aboard. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 6 days ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @dtaylor:

"Welcome to FOTMD Dtaylor. It is good to have you aboard. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 6 days ago • comments: 7
Posted a new Comment on @jillyhug:

"Welcome to FOTMD Jillyhug. It is good to have you aboard. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 6 days ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @suzestrums:

"Welcome to FOTMD SuzeStrums. It is good to have you aboard. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 6 days ago • comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on @ferrator:

"Welcome to FOTMD Ferrator. It is good to have you aboard. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 6 days ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @achille:

"Welcome to FOTMD Achille. It is good to have you aboard. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on Air dried vs. kiln dried woods:

"I agree with John. Both have worked for me. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on @donaseven:

"Welcome to FOTMD Donaseven. It is good to have you aboard. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

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

"Welcome to FOTMD Cbrown. It is good to have you aboard. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

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

"Welcome to FOTMD Golden Ratio. It is good to have you aboard. This site provides many resources. If you have a question, just ask. Ken "The dulcimer..."

@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @sjspecial19:

"Welcome to FOTMD Sjspecial19. It is good to have you aboard. This site provides many resources. If you have a question, just ask. Ken "The dulcimer..."

@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 253
Posted a new Comment on @ken-longfield:

"Yes, I have a copy of the CD, if I can locate it among my CDs. If you would like it, I'll make a copy and send it to you. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet..."

@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 235
Posted a new Comment on @robin-thompson:

"Robin, many years ago now, on the old Everything Dulcimer site we did a CD where everyone who wanted to participate contributed 3 tunes. Everyone who..."

@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on Oh Susanna:

"That project is well done. Thanks to all who participated and Ariane for coordinating, putting together, and posting the video. Ken "The dulcimer sings a..."

@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 8
Liked a youtube item created by @ariane: Oh Susanna

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

"Welcome to FOTMD DulciD. It is good to have you aboard. This site provides many resources. If you have a question, just ask. Ken "The dulcimer sings a..."

Latest Group Discussions

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The Ugly Dulcimer - A Story

Somewhere and at sometime someone decided to build a mountain dulcimer...
@Ken Longfield last year - Comments: 8

A New "Old" Project

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

PA German Zitter

Here are some photos of PA German zitter reproduction I'm making. There...
@Ken Longfield 2 years ago - Comments: 17

Stanley Hicks article

Although not dulcimer specific, Stanley Hicks played a significant role...
@Ken Longfield 3 years ago - Comments: 8

Wood Choice - Food For Thought

I came across this experiment for classical guitars and found it...
@Ken Longfield 3 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 4 years ago - Comments: 14

PA German Zitter

As I understand it, Jean Ritchie saw a PA German Zitter in the...
@Ken Longfield 4 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 4 years ago - Comments: 1

Wartz Tab Book Corrections

In the Wartz tab book for the DAA "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms,"...
@Ken Longfield 5 years ago - Comments: 2

My First Prichard

It is not quite finished, but I thought I would share a photo of my...
@Ken Longfield 5 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 Ed"...
@Ken Longfield 5 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 5 years ago - Comments: 17

String tension calculations

Over at the Banjo Hangout I saw a posting for a string tension...
@Ken Longfield 5 years ago - Comments: 7

Not a Mountain Dulcimer

A few folks here at FOTMD know that I was working on a hammered...
@Ken Longfield 6 years ago - Comments: 9

Latest Audio

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Latest Videos

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Landis Valley Zitter

@Ken Longfield
last year - Comments: 17

Latest Photos

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Latest Forum Discussions

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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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08/15/19 12:52:23PM @ferrator:

Thank you Ken! Still looking about. I have a lot of time with my dulcimer, but that is 20+ years past now :(

FOTMD looks like the perfect place for me! I am loving it so far! :)

08/14/19 09:07:55PM @suzestrums:

Thanks so much for the welcome!

08/10/19 11:36:31AM @julieann:

Thank you Ken for the welcome... so far I'm loving this site... Dulcimer friends are the best... Have a wonderful day.... Happy Strumming

08/08/19 10:18:14AM @ken-longfield:

Yes, I have a copy of the CD, if I can locate it among my CDs. If you would like it, I'll make a copy and send it to you.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

08/07/19 10:10:53PM @robin-thompson:

Ken, do you have a copy of the Everything Dulcimer cd project? I'm trying to recall such a venture yet it may have been done before I joined in '05. Did you participate?

08/06/19 09:19:02AM @ld:

Thank you Ken! I will be exploring...and learning...and looking forward to getting to know the fine folks!

Thanks again for the warm greeting! LD

08/01/19 09:21:18PM @will-adams:

Thank you for the welcome, Ken!

07/26/19 06:45:47PM @aabboud:

Hi, Ken,

Thank you for the welcome. Learning to play a new instrument without formal instruction can be intimidating. Communities like this one help a lot and that's because of people like you.

All the best,

Anastasia

07/26/19 09:11:07AM @beverly-r:

Thanks Ken! I'm so glad to have found this group.

07/21/19 09:01:19PM @ken-longfield:

Jim, I live in Reedsville in Mifflin County. My wife is originally from Huntingdon and we get over that way occasionally to visit with our niece and my wife's sister. If you ever want to get together to talk dulcimers or play, let me know.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

07/21/19 07:52:23PM @jim-lee:

Ken - thank you for the thumbs-up from a fellow central Pennsylvanian

07/16/19 12:05:47PM @sarah-17545:

Thank you so much! Glad to have found ya'll!

07/08/19 09:06:00PM @ken-longfield:

Silverstrings, there are several places to ask about instruments. Under Forums there is a discussion on Instruments. There is a group for Beginners, one for Chord Style Playing, and another for Fingerstlye players where folks who own Blue Lion dulcimers may hang out. Having directed you to those places, I can say that I have a Blue Lion dulcimer and really like it. It is a quality instrument. They keep their value over the years and are highly prized. As you may know they currently are not accepting new orders due to some health problems. When those are resolved they intend to be back taking orders.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

07/08/19 08:34:17PM @silverstrings:

Thanks Ken, Hey, where would be a good group within the FOTMD to ask about a Style I Walnut Blue Lion Dulcimer?

07/05/19 12:33:36PM @ddanner:

Thank you, Ken! Looking forward to getting started on the dulcimer learning curve! Looks like there are lots of folks here that can help.

06/27/19 01:50:34PM @dearcompanion829:

Thanks, Ken! Good to be here!

06/25/19 05:15:29PM @annette-b:

Thanks for your kind welcome, Ken!

06/25/19 06:28:06AM @dulcimergeorge:

Hi Ken, thanks so much for the welcome, FOTMD looks like a great site....also a wonderful resource for a beginner like me!!!!

06/24/19 06:36:06PM @nick-sherwood:

Thank you Ken. I am finding my way at the moment. With time... . It is the "sweet song" which spoke to me. I've already found some lovely tunes, here!

Best wishes, Nick

06/17/19 05:39:15PM @retomas:

Thank you for the welcome!

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