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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 • 7 hours ago • comments: 11
Posted a new Comment on T-5:

"Thanks, Jim. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 8 hours ago • comments: 11
Posted a new Comment on T-5:

"Yes, Irene, I made the PA German zitter that I am holding in my avatar. A friend of mine made a reproduction of an instrument in the Mercer Museum in..."

@ken-longfield • 18 hours ago • comments: 11
Posted a new Comment on T-5:

"Thank you, Bob. Ken"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • yesterday • comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on @dwagman99:

"Welcome to FOTMD Dwagman99. 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: 2
Posted a new Comment on @art-jesse:

"Welcome to FOTMD Art Jesse. 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: 11
Posted a new Comment on T-5:

"Hi, Irene. I'm not a big fan of floating bridges. At our last practice when I was taking the Blue Lion bass out of the case someone distracted me and I..."

@ken-longfield • 2 days ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on T-5:

"Thank you, John. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 2 days ago • comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on T-5:

"Thank you, Brian. Ken"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 2 days ago • comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on T-5:

"Thanks, Dusty. I am told that the Paduk will turn brown with age and not maintain that vibrant orange color. I'll try to keep it out of sunlight and only..."

@ken-longfield • 2 days ago • comments: 11
Posted a new Comment on T-5:

"Thanks, Robin. It took me some time to figure out what woods I wanted to pair with the Paduk. Also, since I had enough Paduk, I made the sides a little over..."

@ken-longfield • 2 days ago • comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on T-5:

"The sides and back are Paduk which is an African wood. My luthier friend had a little left over after making two guitars. He was going to throw this wood..."

@ken-longfield • 2 days ago • comments: 11
Posted a new Comment on T-5:

"The top is western red cedar. The board this came from has been in my garage for 38 years. Finally found a use for it. The fret board is hard maple. The peg..."

@ken-longfield • 2 days ago • comments: 4
T-5

@ken-longfield • 2 days ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @ralph-y:

"Welcome to FOTMD Ralph. 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 • 3 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Changing tuners on a Warren May dulcimer.":

"Thanks, Greg. I knew that at least one of those fellows did that. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 3 days ago • comments: 1
Posted a new Comment on Tuners :

"How much do you like turning the tuning knob? On the Steinbergers you will turn completely around 40 times to get one turn of the shaft. On the Planet Waves..."

@ken-longfield • 3 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Changing tuners on a Warren May dulcimer.":

"I remember a builder who made fine tuners out of small trapezoidal shaped blocks of ebony. I'm not sure if it was Walt Martin, Keith Young, George Orthey, or..."

@ken-longfield • 5 days ago • comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on Collection:

"Nice collection. I am sure enjoy it. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

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

"Welcome to FOTMD Colin. It is good to have you on board. I look forward to your participation in these discussions. Ken"

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

"Welcome to FOTMD BanjoGalCO. It is good to have you on board. I look forward to your participation in these discussions. Ken"

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

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

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

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

@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 11
Posted a new Comment on New Dulcimer :

"Yes, David, you are correct. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 11
Posted a new Comment on New Dulcimer :

"Looks good. With the rounded tops you will need to measure from the end of the slot on the fret board side of the nut to the end of the slot on the fret..."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Welcome to FOTMD Edward. It is good to have you on board. 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 @geezer:

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

@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on @rain-dog:

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

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

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

@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 9
Posted a new Comment on January 7, 2020 sunrise on Hardy's Hill:

"[/quote] Hey Ken, I appreciate you checking in. We're having what the old timers call a real old fashioned winter this year! [/quote] We are no where..."

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

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

@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on Warren May Dulcimer:

"David, that's wonderful news about your girl friend's dulcimer. You two will have a great time playing tunes together. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet..."

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

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

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 weeks ago - Comments: 8

Tuning peg knobs

I have a customer who is having the tuning pegs replaced on two of his...
@Ken Longfield 5 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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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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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.

08/28/19 07:19:58AM @daman2610:

Thanks Ken.

08/23/19 12:33:54PM @john-r-hensley-sr:

Thanks for the welcome! Am really looking forward to this group. Am a beginner dulcimer player and have a lor to learn.

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!

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