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 Tennessee Jed Billy T Lucky Dave

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 • 20 hours ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Question for newbie on a new instrument":
"That's a very nice looking dulcimer and appears to be well constructed which I would expect from a violin maker. A concern I have 's the cracked sound hole..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 20 hours ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "One other question '78 Ascrizzi Duclimer":
"I'm sorry. Your photo is too large to see the dulcimer. I can't even read all of your post. Can you resize the photo and then repost it so we can help you..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • yesterday • comments: 20
Posted a new Comment on Dulcimer ergonomics?:
"Buzzing may be caused by many things besides how we press down the strings. However, you say that it is hard for you to do which may mean that there is too..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • yesterday • comments: 20
Posted a new Comment on Dulcimer ergonomics?:
"There are many good ideas here. Here is a stool that you might find helpful. It is adjustable in height and fairly light. I don't use it for dulcimer..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 2 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Warren May Special dulcimer for sale.":
"I'm not sure where to begin in offering help, but let's start with where your photos of the dulcimer are stored. If on a computer there may be an app that..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 3 days ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @tunbridgefiddler:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Tunbridgefiddler. It's good to have you aboard. You have questions. We have answers. If we don't know the answer, we'll make up something..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 3 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Scallops between the frets":
"Matt Berg: @ken-longfield  Ken, I was considering cutting a string of wood with chamfers on both sides and gluing them to the fret board and then cutting the..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 4 days ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @john:
"Welcome to FOTMD, John. It's good to have you aboard. Glad to hear that you have a Diamond dulcimer. This is a great place to learn about mountain dulcimers...."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 4 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Scallops between the frets":
"For me it would depend upon how deep the scallops are. One method might be to use a variety of thickness of drum sanders. Another method would be to cut..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 5 days ago • comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on O Christmas Tree:
"Thanks for sharing, Marg. Merry Christmas! Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 5 days ago • comments: 2
Liked a youtube item created by @marg: O Christmas Tree
Ken Longfield
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 6 days ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem- Mountain Dulcimer:
"Well played, Ethan. Thanks for sharing it. Merry Christmas. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 1
Liked a youtube item created by @mark-gilston: O Sanctissima
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "dulcimer kit":
"Well, I wish I had paid closer attention to the details back in 1974 when I began my friendship with Lynn McSpadden. I didn't pay much attention to the kits..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @don-patrick:
"Hello again Don. I guess I misread your information and thought you were located in Carlisle, PA, but I see you are in Warrenton, VA. If you want to find..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @orvilina:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Orvilina. It's good to have you aboard. This is a wonderful place to share our love of the mountain dulcimer. I look forward to your..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "dulcimer kit":
"Okay, time to eat my words and apologize to John for doubting him. I went back and looked at McSpadden catalogs for the late 1970s and early 1980s and found..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "dulcimer kit":
"Marg, there really isn't a nut as the zero fret serves that purpose. It is a string guide to keep the strings in the right places. I think Wally may be on to..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "dulcimer kit":
"I'm not as sure as John is about the provenance of this dulcimer. The only thing that speaks McSpadden to me is the zero fret. I'll need to look through my..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on @roger-casey:
"At Just Strings, which Dan recommended you can also buy individual strings of the gauges you want to use. Since you have a five string dulcimer you may want..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Recent acquisitions... ":
"Very nice collection, Peter. At least while the McSpadden's owned the company no dulcimer was made by an individual. According to Lynn McSpadden the person..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @czdolphy:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Czdolphy. It's good to have you aboard. You can either search this site for answers to your questions or just ask us. We are happy to share..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Optimum spacing for the two melody strings":
"I have a video from McSpadden produced in the mid 1970s where Lynn McSpadden says that used aliphatic resin glue in building his dulcimers. This is what I..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Optimum spacing for the two melody strings":
"Back in 1974 I would guess that McSpadden recommended using a wood glue like Original Titebond or Elmer's Wood Glue. As John says, they'd only have a drop or..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on @roger-casey:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Roger. It's good to have you aboard. From your profile I gather that you have a five string dulcimer. A 0.014 is typical for an A string on..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Optimum spacing for the two melody strings":
"I agree with John on the 1/8" spacing. Any closer and you are sure to have problems. Depending upon the glue used your should be able to remove the bridge..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 16
Posted a new Comment on @sandra-hehl:
"I have a Warren May dulcimer which I enjoy playing although I don't play it all that often. It is in the general rotation and not one of my regular players...."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @themusicaldabbler:
"Welcome to FOTMD, The Musical Dabbler. It's good to have you aboard. I hope you know that hammered dulcimers and mountain dulcimers are to very different..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 3 weeks ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @jfox101:
"Welcome to FOTMD, JFox101. It's good to have aboard even if it is only to pass along your uncle's dulcimers. I'm sure you will find good homes for them..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 3 weeks ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on Emma´s Waltz Open Night Folkclub Villingen 2024:
"Thank you, Luigi, for sharing your performance at this wonderful event. It looks like everyone was enjoying themselves. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 3 weeks ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @sabinafell:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Sabina. It's good to have you aboard. You will find a great deal of information here about playing the mountain dulcimer. Look around the..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 3 weeks ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @don-patrick:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Don. It's good to have you aboard. I haven't seen Wayne Henderson for ages. Next time you see him, tell him I said "Hi!". It's good to have..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 3 weeks ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @kayli:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Kayli. It's good to have you aboard. This is a great place to learn about the mountain dulcimer. Have fun exploring this site. If you have..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 3 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Question about my Dulcimer Kit":
"I'll second John's post. The FolkRoots kit will make a very nice dulcimer. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

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 last year - Comments: 10
Ken Longfield

T - 6


This is my sixth teardrop dulcimer. The shape comes from plans by Scott...
@Ken Longfield 3 years ago - Comments: 12
Ken Longfield

Latest project - Prichard


I started to build a C.N. Prichard reproduction, but made a mistake...
@Ken Longfield 4 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 4 years ago - Comments: 3
Ken Longfield

Current build


Here are some photos as I near the completion of this project. The...
@Ken Longfield 4 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 5 years ago - Comments: 23
Ken Longfield

Wood Choice - Food For Thought


I came across this experiment for classical guitars and found it...
@Ken Longfield 8 years ago - Comments: 13
Ken Longfield

The Ugly Dulcimer - A Story


Somewhere and at sometime someone decided to build a mountain dulcimer...
@Ken Longfield 6 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 10 years ago - Comments: 17
Ken Longfield

PA German Zitter


Here are some photos of PA German zitter reproduction I'm making. There...
@Ken Longfield 7 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 11 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 7 years ago - Comments: 2
Ken Longfield

Stanley Hicks article


Although not dulcimer specific, Stanley Hicks played a significant...
@Ken Longfield 8 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 9 years ago - Comments: 14
Ken Longfield

PA German Zitter


As I understand it, Jean Ritchie saw a PA German Zitter in the...
@Ken Longfield 9 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 9 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 10 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 10 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 10 years ago - Comments: 6
Ken Longfield

String tension calculations


Over at the Banjo Hangout I saw a posting for a string tension...
@Ken Longfield 10 years ago - Comments: 5

Latest Audio

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Oh Lord, What A Morning

Oh Lord, What A Morning


@Ken Longfield
last year - Comments: 7

Latest Videos

  All
Landis Valley Zitter

Landis Valley Zitter


@Ken Longfield
6 years ago - Comments: 19

Latest Photos

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Latest Forum Discussions

  All

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

Wayfaring Strangers

Posted: Thursday February 4 2016, 8:56 AM
By: @Ken Longfield

Comments

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


Rich H
11/17/24 07:16:15PM @rich-h:

Thanks Ken


Geneco
11/05/24 11:03:19AM @geneco:

Ken I am new to this world of instruments but am looking forward to making and sharing.

Gene


Jeannie
11/03/24 02:03:49PM @jeannie:

Thank you, Ken. I've enjoyed reading some of your posts. 


Never Bored
10/30/24 10:31:47AM @never-bored:

Thanks for the welcome, Ken! I just took a 10 hr dulcimer class taught by Anne Lough through John C Campbell Folk School, and I'm loving every moment spent practicing. I look forward to learning from and giving back to this community. 

Lisa


ShirinSam
10/10/24 07:25:51PM @shirinsam:

Thank you for the warm welcome Ken. I will be posting pictures of my dulcimer soon. I'm not seeing any cracks, and I'm going to take it slow, so it shouldn't be too huge of a challenge.


MD_Swede
10/02/24 06:28:44PM @md-swede:

Thank you very much for welcoming me. Im very happy to have found FOTMD,  its a goldmine for me to find so much information. Mountain dulcimer is a very rare instrument in Sweden so this is great! 


RevDave
10/02/24 01:14:33PM @revdave:

Thanks!


dulcillini
09/27/24 11:52:00PM @dulcillini:

Ken:  Nice to hear from you.  We met in Indiana a few years ago when I sold you a double dulcimer case.  All the best to you.


todd metcalf
08/20/24 11:12:31AM @todd-metcalf:

Thanks Richard....so the 4th melody string is a duplicate to on of the 3, so as to create more of that same note? Correct? 


Richard Streib
08/19/24 07:25:32PM @richard-streib:

Yes, many of the 4 stringers have a doubled melody set of 2. To play with 3 strings simply remove one of the two. Some people do play 4 equidistant strings.


todd metcalf
08/19/24 06:57:34PM @todd-metcalf:

Ken I really appreciate your thorough response. As a beginner this gives me the detail I need. I was AWOL for a bit but am now following your advice with these makers and shopping on EBay. Im looking for simplicity so learning is easier. There seem to be a lot more 4 stringers for sale than 3 strings. I'm drawn to the 3 for ease and simplicity. Why are there 4 stringers ? Are 2 strings duplicates? Please give me your feelings and opinions as a seasoned player. Again, I appreciate your assistance very, very much.

 Kindly, Todd Metcalf


William
08/07/24 05:09:20PM @william:

Thanks! I have been jamming with groups in Houston and a couple in College Station, but am spending half my time in Waco now. It would be nice to find someone in that vicinity. Or maybe someone would want lessons...

William


todd metcalf
07/26/24 11:49:39PM @todd-metcalf:

Thank you so very much for all of this super helpful info.  I want to keep it simple so will start with 3 strings. This is just the sort of info I've needed. Can't wait to try a few but it's 200 miles to L. A. to a gathering. May have to bit the bullet and go as I want to get one that "feels good" in my lap and tot the touch, and sounds sweet and pretty. Any other input is welcomed !!! Thanks again!, Todd 


todd metcalf
07/26/24 01:06:52PM @todd-metcalf:

Thank you ! what do yourecommeed as a good beginner's Dulcimer ?