New Rhap Dulcimer

[Rhapsody]

I've finally made good on my New Year's resolution from 2 years ago......learning to play a new instrument.

This dulcimer was made by Nils Caspersson of Orleans Dulcimers in Upstate New York.

Pictures:









The sides and back are walnut, the soundboard is curly walnut, and the top is Adirondack spruce.

So far, I can tune it, and pluck a melody line, if it stays withing the first 5 frets or so. I'm having trouble strumming(who knew?).

I can also state, with confidence, that playing the dulcimer is not at all similar to playing the clarinet. Both instruments require using fingers---that's about it.

The dulcimer came with an instructional booklet (which is mostly useless) and an instructional CD (which is definitely useless).

I watched a guy on youtube play O Holy Night. I hate him.

[Glen DeRusha]

That is very nice! ;D

We want sound files.

Glen

[folkstrum]

Dec 8, 2009 0:45:47 GMT -5 Glen DeRusha said:

That is very nice! ;D

We want sound files.

Glen

(Not yet, you don't! )
Actually, I believe the action on this is a tad high, and since the only "relief" will be had by filing the bridge grooves, or sanding the bridge bottom, I'm gonna take this over to Jim Holler and see what he thinks. So, the slow progress isn't all Sue's doing. It is a definite adjustment from a guitar (like, the frets don't do chromatic scales--usually a whole note at a time) and the string closest to you (which is a double string tuned the same) is HIGHER pitched than the SECOND single string in.

The instrument has that "drone" effect, and would likely (IMO) be a better choice for accompaniment, or in an ensemble. I think listening to a concert of nothing but instrumentals on a dulcimer could be...um...painful! (No offense, Sandy!).

I think the Adi top was a nice "bonus," and the walnut it fastidiously bookmatched on the back. It has a decently "round" sound, but I really wanna see about lowering those strings!!

[Rhapsody]

Yeah---Norm makes me play at least two rooms away from him.

Hopefully, I'll learn. ;D

[daveg]

Congratulations! That is really nice looking. I bet soon you will be making it sound as good as it looks!

[sordello]

Wow! Congrats Rhapsody! How come Santa made a preferential stop well before the 25th??

Last year, we got a hammered dulcimer to see if my wife could play it. (Severe arthritis in the fingers makes it impossible for fretting/strumming or even plucking, so we though the hammers might do it!)

Sent it back. Couldn't manage it, but man oh man was I grateful inside: after 20 minutes of hammered dulcimer music I was homicidal!
I mean, it's a lovely instrument and sound - in a combo - but solo.... not my cup of tea.

I hope the strummed dulcimer is so much better!?

[Rhapsody]

It's ever so much better---kind of like a hammered dulcimer....on steroids. ;D

[sordello]

Careful Rhaps - we all know what steroids did for Tiger Woods!!!!

[Rhapsody]

Seems to have made his putter a bit crazy, huh?

[BMQ]

Cool! I've been thinking of having the guy from Orleans Dulcimers make me an Irish Bouzouki.

[Admin]

Dulcimer is now with Jim Holler at Trinity Guitars for a possible adjustment and maybe a hand-made "bone" bridge. We'll see what he thinks.

[sordello]

Repairs already?

That instrument wasn't really made for your Metallica and Iron Maiden song practice.

.

[folkstrum]

Feb 1, 2010 23:06:40 GMT -5 sordello said:

Repairs already?

That instrument wasn't really made for your Metallica and Iron Maiden song practice. .

Not really a "repair." I don't know much about string height on dulcimers; it seemed Sue's was quite high once you get past the 3rd or 4th frets. So, I'm having Jim Holler take a look. He wasn't in, but the gal that works part-time at his new store was, and she is the one who mentioned that he might "bone" the bridge saddle (assuming it isn't too strongly glued in--I don't think we need surgery!). So, Sue's not been messing with it until I finally got my butt into Trinity Guitars--shouldda done it weeks ago.

[Egnurlaup]

Would anyone help me out please ? I am beginning to re-visit my youth by getting an acoustic guitar (Norm will hopefully be my professional shopper!). It's a daunting task as there are so many Japanese and composite instruments out there. I came from an era where you had Martin, Guild, Gibson, and maybe Fender in the 70's?

today's point. I have a beautiful dulcimer that I never really concentrated on and will now. What size and type of new strings would be best (They look like maybe G+B+B?)?

Norm, I played a D-18 at Guitar Center yesterday, but at $2,000, I didn't jump...I want something like that I think. (Saw a used Guild 12 just like the one I had back in the olden days, but it was beat up pretty badly.)

[folkstrum]

On a dulcimer, many tunings (you can Google them); Sue's is "A-DD-A (lower octave)" IIRC. Banjo strings are the way to go. You might want to "PM" Sandy Andina ("Chicago Sandy" here) she plays these professionally, and is very gracious and we've back-channeled consulting her on this many a time. She would welcome giving you some good advice!

Now as to guitars: frankly, Paul-it these Pac-Rim imports had existed back in our day, we wouldda gone crazy. Martin, Guild (I DON'T care for Gibsons-Q/C or sound) are still hanging in; top choices. Guilds are an exceptional bargain, but be aware Fender bought them a coupla years ago. This ain't the "New Joisy" ones we loved, but they DID move the factory east again, and while Guilds tend to be on the heavier side ("overbuilt" as we like to say), they are still great. Check out the "Guild GAD lines." These are built in China, and a lot less money, but very nice quality! You can get a nice 6 or 12 for a very decent price, and as I said, the quality is quite good.

Martin? 'Nuf said. I bought (after I sold a HANDbuilt!) HD-28. OMG! What a cannon! But you're looking at a much higher price strata unless you get the "DX" line, which is composite or laminate. I'd avoid them personally, but many find them just fine.

Here are some really QUALITY Pacific-Rim (aka "China") imports with some serious chops to look at; you can spend as little as $250.00 and get laminate back and sides, but solid tops on: Blueridge (Saga Music Corp), Recording King (I own a "beater" RK sunburst dread-solid top, laminate Mahogany B/S for under $250.00), or Takamine, or Yamaha. The Epiphone "Master Built" imports are very nice too!!

If I had my 'druthers, I'd also have you look at some well-build Canadian guitars from the "La-Si-Do" conglomerate: Seagull, Norman, Art and Luthery, Simon and Patrick, etc. These are well-built, North American guitars. Seagull makes some very nice, reasonable 12's too! They have solid tops (a MUST) solid backs and laminate sides. For the money, maybe your best buy next to the Guild GAD lines.

Finally, go join the "Acoustic Guitar Forum" (AGF). It's free. Post ONE question under "General Acoustic" section saying: "I have xxx.xx to spend on a guitar--what do you recommend?" Then sit back and wait for 20 responses in an hour or two. AGF has about 48k members.

Lastly, PLAY (if you can) before you PAY!!!!! Try out the guitar(s). Hear what you're looking for. Don't waste your money on a POS. AVOID "Guitar Center," or the "big box" stores. They usually SUCK, and they keep their instruments improperly humidified, and let every thrasher in the neighborhood come in and beat them to death. Find a good on-line dealer, or local Mom 'n Pop store

Who? Well, let me give you one place you can go where I could personally PLAY your anticipated purchase and review it: trinityguitars.com. I know Jim Holler; he is a BUILDER, and I bought my HD-28 from him. He's as honest as the day is long, and has an extensive stock of "less expensive guitars." He also personally sets them all up, and has an approval period (shipping is up to you); or, "My Favorite Guitars.com" in Naples FL, Jon Garon (whom I've met) proprietor; "Buffalo Brothers" in CA--100% trade in, trade up; 3 I can think of off the top of my head. ALL very good; top quality, trustworthy as the day is long.

FWIW---Norm