Robert Owens

Location:

Location: Louisville, KY
Country: USA

My Latest Followers:

John Pettreemusic Ken Longfield Strumelia

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youtube videos: 1

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Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 2 weeks ago • comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on Restoration Of Vintage Arthur Dixon Mountain Dulcimer:
"Thanks Dusty!"
Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 2 weeks ago
@robert-owens is now following @ken-longfield
Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 2 weeks ago • comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on Restoration Of Vintage Arthur Dixon Mountain Dulcimer:
"Thanks Robin!"
Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 2 weeks ago
@robert-owens is now following @strumelia
Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 2 weeks ago
@robert-owens is now following @john-petry
Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 2 weeks ago • comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on Restoration Of Vintage Arthur Dixon Mountain Dulcimer:
"If you would like to see what a disaster this dulcimer was before I took on restoring it, I'll attach a few photos here. I'm very glad to have found FOTMD..."
Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"Thanks Dan!And thanks Ken for the suggestions on the instruction books, and the tip on the DAA scale. I'll check out those books!"
Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 2 weeks ago • comments: 5
Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"Thanks Richard!And thanks, Strumelia, for your P.S below...just saw it...I will post the video. Thanks for the suggestion and invitation!"
Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"Ha! Thanks Strumelia! While I was composing that last message, you beat me to it! Thanks so much for all the great suggestions for instructional resources. I..."
Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"Thanks, Strumelia...I appreciate all of your advice and ideas that helped me get there. The last few years of developing my post-retirement hobby of building..."
Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"Thanks Ken...your input made all the difference. Now if you can recommend some good instruction books (or other resources) for beginners, I'll learn how to..."
Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"Hello all. I'm pleased to report back to you...finally...success! I basically followed all of your advice about the string height issue, remaking the bridge,..."
Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"Thanks Ken. That's helpful. I'm thinking that before modifying the original wood on the tail end of the dulcimer, I may just try and string it up with all..."
Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"Thanks Strumelia. That's helpful. I'll be considering the lighter strings, especially now that I've identified some bow in the fretboard (see below).Thanks..."
Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"Hello...me again.SO...I've been working on the dime & nickel method of setting the height of the nut & bridge. It went well starting on the nut end,..."
Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"Makes good sense, Nate. Thanks for clarifying that point. Being new to the dulcimer, I'm not sure what feel I like, but from what I've read, it seems that..."
Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"Thanks to all of you for the additional advice...that all makes sense to me.Only remaining question as I thought about it a little more is, using the dime..."
Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"Hey, I like that approach! I've got digital calipers and all that fancy stuff, but I like this more...thanks! (But just to clarify, when you say "before the..."
Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"Hello all. And thanks again for all of your help so far.I'm happy to report that I have restored the dulcimer to pretty good shape, basically taking it apart..."
Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"Thanks Strumelia. I thought I had replied to you the other day, but don't seem to see it here, so will repeat it here. I appreciate your helpful suggestions..."
Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 3 weeks ago • comments: 7
Posted a new Comment on @robert-owens:
"Thanks Ben! I've already found that there are a lot of nice and very helpful people here. My dulcimer restoration is coming along well, and I hope to be..."
Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 3 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"Okay, great, thanks! You're certainly a wealth of info about all of this...glad we have connected. I will follow your advice and try those string gauges, and..."
Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 3 weeks ago • comments: 7
Posted a new Comment on @robert-owens:
"Thanks Ken! You've been a big help already. I wish I could make it to Hindman next week, but it's not looking like I'd be able to on those dates. If that..."
Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 3 weeks ago • comments: 7
Posted a new Comment on @robert-owens:
"Thanks very much! This is a great resource...I've already gotten some very helpful replies from 3-4 different people...already on my way to getting it back..."
Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 3 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"Thanks Ken. Well, I don't know if that's more than I want to know, but it's more than I knew I needed to know! So, I've measured the vibrating string length..."
Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 3 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"Thanks Nate. I have various hardwoods as well as bone blanks for guitar saddles & nuts that I could maybe use. I also have the reamers, which I use for..."
Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 3 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"Hey fellas. End of the day update here... I appreciate all of you who have weighed in to help me solve this puzzle. So, I was able to remove the tuners, by..."
Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 3 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"Thanks again for your all's input. That makes sense about the sound posts. I think I'll just try and put them back the way they were. And I may try to..."
Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 3 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"Thank you John & Ken for your quick responses and great advice! I think I have the tools and wood that I'll need to repair it and reinforce it, etc. I..."
Robert Owens
@robert-owens • 3 weeks ago • comments: 0
Created a new forum topic "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"I have a 1962 Arthur Dixon mountain dulcimer, from Whitesburg, KY, that has been in my family since it was built. It has a fair amount of cracks and other..."

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Comments

Robert Owens
04/18/25 09:46:53AM @robert-owens:

Thanks Ben! I've already found that there are a lot of nice and very helpful people here. My dulcimer restoration is coming along well, and I hope to be posting some photos soon!


Ben Barr Jr
04/18/25 09:00:57AM @benjamin-w-barr-jr:

Hi Robert, and welcome to the wonderful world of the Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer.  It's a good place to come, spend some time, learn about the dulcimer, and to meet some good people.

Ben


Robert Owens
04/14/25 10:46:39PM @robert-owens:

Thanks Ken! You've been a big help already.

I wish I could make it to Hindman next week, but it's not looking like I'd be able to on those dates. If that changes, I'll let you know. Coincidentally, I had reached out to Herby Smith, co-founder of Appalshop, in Whitesburg (and a childhood playmate of mine), about my dulcimer, and he referred me to the folks in Hindman. I may be reaching out to them at some point. Awhile back I saw a story on TV about the lutherie school there that works with people in addiction recovery, etc. Looks like a great program. I would like to visit there sometime, since I've been getting into lutherie in my retirement.


Ken Longfield
04/14/25 10:02:32PM @ken-longfield:

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 anytime during the event I can introduce you to folks making a contemporary James Edward Thomas dulcimer and the Troublesome Creek Instrument Company. You can find information about the event here .

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."


Ken Longfield
04/14/25 09:34:45PM @ken-longfield:

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 talking with you here and I look forward to your continued participation as you restore your dulcimer and learn to play it.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."


Robert Owens
04/14/25 09:01:05PM @robert-owens:

Thanks very much! This is a great resource...I've already gotten some very helpful replies from 3-4 different people...already on my way to getting it back in playing condition!


Richard Streib
04/14/25 08:34:56PM @richard-streib:

Welcome Robert Owens to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. Glad you joined. How special to have and to fix up that old dulcimer that has been a part of your family for so long. I hope you are able to find the information you need.