Ken Longfield

Location:

Location: Reedsville, PA
Country: US

My Latest Followers:

mjlipari188 Micki RobMachin seaswmr AppalachiaSky Moon Dancer MelSabol Mary_Adelee Chaplain Peter SJMawhee87 Kris Paul 1 dronehound Homer Ross mac bhodaich Kenneth Woolley III dreadnought28 Dulcimerlady JDH54 AndiBear Susan Ann MandaPanda NancyH Dulcianne Quigley John Desaulniers Jr Wendell G dchenaul syoung Big Bubba chiselerinwood Wally Venable KnobbyNotes Blackhawk13 Emjay Noah Cline hstulips haydee025 Ballad Gal Exukaden Ariane sbarnett524 Debbie Kopp Simpkins Sue MacKenzie - ADK Friends sweetbriar jcurtis55 cairney Billy T Lucky Dave Mary MacGowan

Stats

youtube videos: 1
images: 77
events: 6
Groups: 1
audio tracks: 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

  All
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 2 hours ago • comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on @robert-owens:
"I'll be in Hindman, KY next week, April 24, 25, and 26, for the Hindman Dulcimer Homecoming. I guess that's about a 3 1/2 drive but if you can get down..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 2 hours ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"With a 28" length I think you would do well with 0.012 for the melody string (the one closest to the player), the same gauge for the middle string, and 0.022..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 3 hours ago • comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on @robert-owens:
"Well, Robert, I'm usually here welcoming people but I responded to your forum before coming here. Welcome to FOTMD. You are fitting right in. I've enjoyed..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 6 hours ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"Well, in discussing the tuning pegs I forgot all about your other questions. It does look like the nut is made of metal. Perhaps it is a piece of sheet metal..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 7 hours ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "WTB: glass noter":
"Mike, are you asking about a solid glass rod or a cylinder that you put your finger in like you would use for playing slide guitar? If it is the former, do a..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 7 hours ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"I decided to look at some Dixon dulcimers. Here are links to two photos of Dixon dulcimers:..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 7 hours ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"Thanks, Nate. I see that I didn't pay attention to that in the original post. It seems like an awful lot of work compared to installing them the conventional..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 8 hours ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"I think I understand the tuning machines now. It appears that they were placed inside the peg head with the gears on the bottom. The shaft that holds the..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 11 hours ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"Both James Edward Thomas and Charles N. Prichard used sound posts in their dulcimers. Thomas installed two post; one around the third fret and the other..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 13 hours ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"That looks like an interesting project. From your photos it looks like you have most of or all of the pieces you need. Since you have experience, what do you..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 13 hours ago • comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on Made in Germany 100 years ago:
"Very nice mandolin. Here is the USA we call those bowl back mandolins "tater bugs." It is because they resemble to shape of insects known as potato bugs...."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 3 days ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @cabbagejen:
"Welcome to FOTMD Cabbagejen. It's good to have you aboard. Let us know if we can offer any help as you begin your dulcimer journey. Ken "The dulcimer sings a..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 3 days ago • comments: 1
Liked a photos item created by @nate: 1000004486
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 4 days ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @tulip:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Tulip. What an appropriate name for someone from The Netherlands. If you don't find any helpful information by searching through this..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 4 days ago • comments: 12
Posted a new Comment on Makeover for Sally :
"I found two copies of "From the Pages of Experimental Musical Instruments Volume III" for sale through Discogs. It is a cassette tape and Aquavina is track..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 4 days ago • comments: 23
Posted a new Comment on Tumbling Skies:
"Here is Dan's website:..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 4 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "International Appalachian Dulcimer Day":
"I can Zoom if we can find a mutually acceptable time. Like Robin, I don't know that I have much to add. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 5 days ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @alex-lubet:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Alex_Lubet. It's good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation here. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 6 days ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @dwyerjh:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Dwyerjh. It's good to have you aboard. You can do a search on baritone and bass dulcimers to see where they have been discussed here. If..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 6 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "International Appalachian Dulcimer Day":
"I, too, like the juxtaposition of international and Appalachian. When one looks at it geologically, the range begins in the southern United States and..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "International Appalachian Dulcimer Day":
"No apology necessary as I didn't think you were implying that anyone was against it. I thought we all embraced it enthusiastically. Ken "The dulcimer sings a..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "International Appalachian Dulcimer Day":
"Robin, I don't recall there being any objection to "international." It seems to me that we all embraced it. Marg had asked a question as to whether it would..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @mom-clogs:
"Welcome to FOTMD Mom Clogs. It's good to have you aboard. Let us know if we can help you any way as you begin your dulcimer journey. We are happy to help. I..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @bglover:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Bglover. It's good to have you aboard. You will find a great community of dulcimer enthusiasts here. Reading through these forums will..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "International Appalachian Dulcimer Day":
"I'm not a graphic artist, but maybe we could come up with logo for the day. I was thinking of something like a globe with an Appalachian dulcimer across it..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "International Appalachian Dulcimer Day":
"Dusty is correct in his explanation. The first event was year one. I have the sticker. I could use a few more to share with dulcimer friends to promote the..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "International Appalachian Dulcimer Day":
"I guess that makes our 5th anniversary March 28, 2026.  Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song""
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 6
Liked a youtube item created by @john-w-mckinstry: The Garden Hymn
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "International Appalachian Dulcimer Day":
"After reading some of the recent posts here, I went back and read the posts in The Positive Thread. Steve, I think you should go ahead and write up something..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on Hindman Dulcimer Homecoming 2025 -(KY):
"I'll be in the audience, so you won't see me. Thank you for the donation. I know they can use it. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on Hindman Dulcimer Homecoming 2025 -(KY):
"Here is the  link  for the 2025 Hindman Dulcimer Homecoming. It has the link for joining the Homecoming online and information for attending in person...."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Amplification of an acoustic dulcimer":
"The problem with a stick-on pickup is that it will not only amplify the strings, but also anything that touches your dulcimer like your hands, picks hitting..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on Dulcimer for Travelling:
"Unfortunately Dave Lynch died a few years ago. He made a very unique travel dulcimer. Here is a link which shows you what it looks like...."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 6
Liked a music item created by @macaodha: Youghal Harbour
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @pux0r3:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Pux0r3. It's good to have you aboard. Please ask your questions. We are happy to offer help to each other as we continue our dulcimer..."

Latest Group Discussions

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Ken Longfield

Another Tabledit question


Yesterday I updated my Tabledit for Mac to version 3.03 a4a. I can no...
@Ken Longfield 2 years ago - Comments: 10
Ken Longfield

T - 6


This is my sixth teardrop dulcimer. The shape comes from plans by Scott...
@Ken Longfield 4 years ago - Comments: 12
Ken Longfield

Latest project - Prichard


I started to build a C.N. Prichard reproduction, but made a mistake...
@Ken Longfield 5 years ago - Comments: 9
Ken Longfield

Making wood tuning pegs


For those of us who make wood tuning pegs, what finish do you put on...
@Ken Longfield 5 years ago - Comments: 3
Ken Longfield

Current build


Here are some photos as I near the completion of this project. The...
@Ken Longfield 5 years ago - Comments: 15
Ken Longfield

Tuning peg knobs


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

Wood Choice - Food For Thought


I came across this experiment for classical guitars and found it...
@Ken Longfield 9 years ago - Comments: 13
Ken Longfield

The Ugly Dulcimer - A Story


Somewhere and at sometime someone decided to build a mountain dulcimer...
@Ken Longfield 7 years ago - Comments: 8
Ken Longfield

Repairing a Diamond Dulcimer


While this is not a build, we do not have a specific area to show...
@Ken Longfield 11 years ago - Comments: 17
Ken Longfield

PA German Zitter


Here are some photos of PA German zitter reproduction I'm making. There...
@Ken Longfield 8 years ago - Comments: 17
Ken Longfield

Not a Mountain Dulcimer


A few folks here at FOTMD know that I was working on a hammered...
@Ken Longfield 12 years ago - Comments: 9
Ken Longfield

A New "Old" Project


Back maybe 20 to 25 years ago, my sister was wandering through a yard...
@Ken Longfield 8 years ago - Comments: 2
Ken Longfield

Stanley Hicks article


Although not dulcimer specific, Stanley Hicks played a significant...
@Ken Longfield 9 years ago - Comments: 8
Ken Longfield

The Story of the Dulcimer, Second Edition


This is just a notice that it is available for pre-ordering on Amazon.
@Ken Longfield 10 years ago - Comments: 14
Ken Longfield

PA German Zitter


As I understand it, Jean Ritchie saw a PA German Zitter in the...
@Ken Longfield 10 years ago - Comments: 0
Ken Longfield

Old-time West Virginia bands


County Sales currently has these two CDs on sale for $7.00 each if...
@Ken Longfield 10 years ago - Comments: 1
Ken Longfield

Wartz Tab Book Corrections


In the Wartz tab book for the DAA "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms," the...
@Ken Longfield 11 years ago - Comments: 2
Ken Longfield

My First Prichard


It is not quite finished, but I thought I would share a photo of my...
@Ken Longfield 11 years ago - Comments: 14
Ken Longfield

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 11 years ago - Comments: 6
Ken Longfield

String tension calculations


Over at the Banjo Hangout I saw a posting for a string tension...
@Ken Longfield 11 years ago - Comments: 5

Latest Audio

  All
Oh Lord, What A Morning

Oh Lord, What A Morning


@Ken Longfield
2 years ago - Comments: 7

Latest Videos

  All
Landis Valley Zitter

Landis Valley Zitter


@Ken Longfield
7 years ago - Comments: 19

Latest Photos

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Latest Forum Discussions

  All

North Country Dulcimer

Posted: Saturday March 29 2025, 2:59 AM
By: @Nate

Appalachian Dulcimer Museum

Posted: Saturday November 30 2024, 8:16 AM
By: @Jerry Posner

Pete Seeger

Posted: Monday November 25 2024, 9:37 AM
By: @Robin Thompson

Something Old with a new surprise

Posted: Thursday July 18 2024, 8:42 AM
By: @Ken Longfield

Folklife in Ohio

Posted: Wednesday July 17 2024, 11:07 AM
By: @cairney

Dulcimer Players News demise

Posted: Saturday May 4 2024, 7:52 PM
By: @Ken Longfield

Something to watch

Posted: Wednesday April 24 2024, 9:42 AM
By: @Ken Longfield

Robert N. Lackey, rest in peace

Posted: Wednesday March 6 2024, 11:45 AM
By: @Dusty Turtle

Just For Fun - sayings regarding the...

Posted: Thursday February 22 2024, 3:55 AM
By: @shanonmilan

Everythingdulcimer.com

Posted: Sunday July 16 2023, 1:58 PM
By: @Strumelia

Gary Sager

Posted: Thursday March 23 2023, 9:43 AM
By: @Robin Thompson

John Crocker

Posted: Thursday March 9 2023, 5:02 PM
By: @Ken Longfield

Mike Clemmer

Posted: Friday December 17 2021, 9:41 AM
By: @Skip

Don Pedi honored

Posted: Thursday September 16 2021, 6:11 AM
By: @Susie

Joni Mitchell and Mountain Dulcimers

Posted: Thursday August 26 2021, 8:38 PM
By: @Dusty Turtle

Zoom group invitation

Posted: Sunday May 23 2021, 6:24 PM
By: @Ken Longfield

An Interesting News Story from West Virginia

Posted: Thursday April 15 2021, 8:15 PM
By: @Ken Longfield

Bonnie Carol

Posted: Saturday April 3 2021, 6:54 PM
By: @Ken Longfield

Newspaper Article

Posted: Saturday March 13 2021, 10:38 AM
By: @Robin Thompson

Jon Pickow's last performance

Posted: Saturday January 23 2021, 10:07 PM
By: @Ken Hulme

Sad News -- RIP Ralph Lee Smith

Posted: Thursday December 31 2020, 3:05 PM
By: @Robin Thompson

Dr. George Orthey, Mountain dulcimer and...

Posted: Thursday November 26 2020, 12:07 PM
By: @Robin Thompson

Anyone bidding"

Posted: Thursday September 17 2020, 5:49 AM
By: @Susie

The New ED

Posted: Sunday April 19 2020, 10:50 AM
By: @Ken Longfield

Guitar project

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

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

Comments

Dawn T
03/29/25 09:05:10AM @dawn-t:

Thanks for the welcome message!

Nice to be back!


Aditi
03/25/25 09:47:59PM @aditi:

Many thanks to you for the warm welcome, Ken! Port Washington is indeed on LI and I love it there—I didn't know Jean Ritchie lived there for quite some time, very cool. 


Rosalie
03/18/25 11:32:13AM @rosalie:

Thank you for the welcome Ken.  Surprised you visited El Cajon, glad you enjoyed it.


Joe
03/04/25 12:16:03AM @joe:

Thank you for the welcome Ken!


sfy
03/01/25 10:28:04PM @sfy:

Thanks for the kind welcome. Just starting to navigate my way around.

Cheers...Shane


msok
02/26/25 03:36:26AM @msok:

Thank you Ken, I'm excited to be here and to explore the great information about the mountain dulcimer. I'm sure I'll have a lot of questions along the way, and I appreciate the friendly atmosphere. I look forward to learning from everyone. 


Jan
02/23/25 04:34:49PM @jan:

Thanks Ken,all worked out well and I have spent the afternoon getting acquainted with my first ever dulcimer. Judging from my experience with guitars, suspect this will not be the last as I already have another in the works at another shop with chromatic frets.  This one is my intro so started with the diatonic with the 6 1/5 fret and have been having a great time with it. Hoping my shipping experience goes better with the next one. I did indeed wait overnight, mostly because it arrived late in the evening.  I am used to that with acclimation on acoustics though, especially as it is very dry and cold here right now. I have humidifiers in my guitar room so he spent the night with them.  I am calling it a "he" as it has howling wolves staring up at two moons for sound holes. One of my favorite books from the Seventies (aging myself here) was "Women who run with the Wolves". I am currently painting a wolf scene as it is my spirit animal, so the design sold me on this one.  Thanks for your response. Jan


ktdx
02/13/25 10:11:31AM @ktdx:

Good morning @Ken-Longfield and thank you for the welcome. I'd be happy to connect with all the Indiana dulcimer players but it would be a reach. I am in Garden City, Idaho. Looking forward to learning enough to play for myself and with others. 


Brudar
02/09/25 07:02:44PM @brudar:

Glad to find this group!


Matthew_T
02/09/25 03:53:43PM @matthew-t:

Thanks for the welcome (and for mentioning the WV specific group)! 


Hayland
01/22/25 11:29:18AM @hayland:

Thank you for your gracious welcome, Ken! 
It is much appreciated. nod


Damon
01/21/25 12:33:05PM @damon:

Yeah, thanks for the welcome.


Ricco
01/07/25 09:01:22AM @ricco:

Thank you for welcoming me in.  I have started building from scratch.  My time is very limited and I have a bunch of projects on my bench.  I am also trying to learn to play.  I have little musical experience but I also like the challenge.  At some point I think having an in person teacher will be very helpful.


michele
12/31/24 03:15:35PM @michele:

Thanks for the welcome, Ken.  I am a beginner to the mountain dulcimer, although I play guitar, banjo and a little mandolin.  I am trying to be intentional about learning, rather than reading tabs and trying to mimic arrangements I hear.  I’d prefer not to rely on tabs, in fact,  but rather learn the notes so I can play from regular music.  Right now I am working my way through some Brett Ridgeway you tube videos, but if you have other advice, I’d be happy to hear it.  I have been playing in DAD so far. 


Roger Casey
12/18/24 06:58:37PM @roger-casey:

Thanks, guess I'll call Just Strings for a little help since the Dulcimer is new to me.


Wally Venable
12/14/24 08:49:37AM @wally-venable:

Virtually any lap dulcimer can be strung with the common package sets for either DAA or DAD. Typically plain Steel .012, .012, .014, Nickel Wound .022.

I'm planning to try .014 melody strings one of these days since I ONLY tune to DAA. I don't expect to hear much difference. The .014 strings often break if tuned much above A# or so.


Roger Casey
12/13/24 07:47:04PM @roger-casey:

Thanks, Ken. I think you solved the middle string as being a 0.014 gauge, the "A" string. So, if I wanted to buy strings to restring the instrument for D A D tuning in the pattern that the nut and bridge are cut for, can you suggest the correct gauges?


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sabinafell
12/09/24 05:45:45PM @sabinafell:

Thank you so much!


Kayli
12/08/24 02:52:01PM @kayli:

Thank you for the warm welcome.


Rich H
11/20/24 07:22:49PM @rich-h:

Thanks Ken. It's that sound that got me interested in Dulcimer playing.

Rich H