|
|
Post by folkstrum on Sept 26, 2009 11:41:26 GMT -5
Here's a fellow who lives only about an hour away. He came to Jamestown over the summer for the "Scandanavian Festival" (Jamestown USED to be a major-league Swede-ville!). Anyway, Sue can get a nice, hand-built, solid wood Dulcimer with Grover tuners, and modest abalone inlay for about $275.00. We're thinking spruce/over walnut. We don't need to go "top shelf" on this, as it is really a "flyer" as they say. We're contacting him this coming week; meanwhile, my friendly local luthier, Jim Holler, will be getting Dulcimers in once he moves to his new store/workshop, which is a mere 4 houses down the block from my church! Whoo hoo. Check it out Dulcimer fans: orleansdulcimers.com/ |
|
|
|
Post by donalgdon on Sept 26, 2009 12:03:23 GMT -5
4 houses away? That could be dangerous.
|
|
|
|
Post by folkstrum on Sept 26, 2009 12:14:47 GMT -5
4 houses away? That could be dangerous.  Nah---I'm pretty much GAS-free. Got my HD (from him, July), my Taylor 855, and a "utility" Recording King 'burst dread (solid top/lam mahogany B&S). Jim never tries to "sell me" on something. Mainly, I will buy all accessories from him from strings to picks. He's just the quintessential "nice guy," easy-going, but absolutely skilled beyond belief in guitar building. I love it when he starts showing me some of the exotic wood billets he has for guitars, drying on racks: some amazing quarter-sawn Braz that alone is worth a small fortune; and Mad-Rose (also getting to be pricey like Braz). I know whenever I have him work on a guitar, it will be accomplished with care, expertise, and a very fair price. Great guy to have in town, for sure! |
|
|
|
Post by daveg on Sept 26, 2009 15:55:22 GMT -5
I had the pleasure of meeting Jim when he came out to Vancouver BC for the Larrivee Forum III factory tour. He's a great guy, and I wouldn't hesitate to do business with him. Wish he lived 4 houses away from me ;D.
|
|
|
|
Post by jtc111 on Sept 26, 2009 16:15:12 GMT -5
Looks like some top-notch woodworking from the photos. I look forward to your critique of the instrument when you get it. |
|
BMQ
New Member
Posts: 45
|
Post by BMQ on Sept 27, 2009 21:28:45 GMT -5
I've seen his stuff at a number of festivals (Orleans Dulcimers that is). Just two weeks ago I was playing instruments at his booth at the Niagara Celtic festival. He does really nice work. I plan to have him build me a bouzouki one of these days.
|
|
|
|
Post by folkstrum on Sept 27, 2009 22:29:52 GMT -5
Thanks for the feedback, guys. They look pretty good to me as well. I see he also has a banjo for sale on his site, but I don't see any links to banjos, so I don't know if it's a "one-off," or something he came by. Brian: did he have a banjo in his tent? I'd like to see what it is.  Here he was in Jamestown in July for the big Scandanavian Festival, and we didn't bother to go, as we figured there wouldn't be all that much to attract us non-Swedes. Wish I wouldda known. Oh well...I'll see what Jim might be getting in here, but IIRC, the ones he sold were not built by him (duh!), and weren't as reasonably priced. We'll keep you posted. ;D |
|
BMQ
New Member
Posts: 45
|
Post by BMQ on Sept 28, 2009 16:42:51 GMT -5
He did have a banjo at the booth that day, I think a frailing banjo, but I didn't play it. Russ did, I seem to recall he thought it was pretty nice.
|
|
|
|
Post by chicagosandy on Oct 2, 2009 1:29:24 GMT -5
Those Orleans dulcimers look comparable in quality to Blue Lion, which is to say VERY high quality. Their prices start much lower than Blue Lion; the upper end concert models are about the same as BL (maybe even a tad less) and MUCH lower than Bear Meadow (whose concert dulcimers start around five grand and run into five figures; and all of whose dulcimers have a wait time of one to three years). But for you, there's an even greater advantage than Blue Lion: proximity. Fast turnaround, no shipping cost, etc.
Go with the planetary gears and scroll peghead--they look more traditional. And do consider getting a pickup built-in, since it's cheaper to do it that way than aftermarket.
|
|
|
|
Post by folkstrum on Oct 2, 2009 10:23:46 GMT -5
Appreciate all the input, Sandy (Brian and James, etc.). This fellow is on-top of things, emailing Sue back and forth this a.m., and will be BACK in Jamestown near Christmas for the usual Scandanavian/Swedish traditional things (like "Lucia fest"). He feels confident he can complete the build w/ sitka over walnut, some nice, tasteful abalone inlays, Grover tuners, and even a "custom" sound-hole array, as long as it's not too complex or labor-intensive. With the modest upgrades, I still think it is a bargain at about $365.00, including gig-bag, and likely PERSONAL delivery!  (besides, Sue's set aside the funds long-ago). I'd say (as we oft-say on AGF) Sue is ready to "pull the trigger." The fact this guy is pretty much local (or near by) and gets into our little city some is added incentive. His workmanship is guaranteed for the life of the instrument, and I know that Jim Holler will get dulcimers in once he's moved into his new digs, but he will essentially be a middle-man, so the pricing will reflect that. We'll keep you posted. If Nils does any "build threads" we'll post progress pix. If not, Rhapsy here will have a fine photo-show just ahead of the Christmas holidays. |
|
|
|
Post by jtc111 on Oct 2, 2009 10:57:09 GMT -5
Appreciate all the input, Sandy (Brian and James, etc.). This fellow is on-top of things, emailing Sue back and forth this a.m., and will be BACK in Jamestown near Christmas for the usual Scandanavian/Swedish traditional things (like "Lucia fest"). He feels confident he can complete the build w/ sitka over walnut, some nice, tasteful abalone inlays, Grover tuners, and even a "custom" sound-hole array, as long as it's not too complex or labor-intensive. With the modest upgrades, I still think it is a bargain at about $365.00.... It sounds like a very good price on what appears to be some very fine craftsmanship. That HD-28 of yours needs some accompianment. Need I remind Sue of the old expression that ends, "...or get off the pot"? |
|
|
|
Post by folkstrum on Oct 2, 2009 11:47:11 GMT -5
Well, Nils starts on the build today. How's that for hitting the "pot?" I've dropped him a note in case he ever does pix/build threads. I figger I could post it here. We'll see. |
|
|
|
Post by jtc111 on Oct 2, 2009 11:55:13 GMT -5
Well, Nils starts on the build today. How's that for hitting the "pot?" I've dropped him a note in case he ever does pix/build threads. I figger I could post it here. We'll see. Well done! Congrats to you and Sue on your expectant new arrival. Now, may we have all the relevant and specific details? |
|
|
|
Post by Rhapsody on Oct 2, 2009 14:00:09 GMT -5
He talked me into heart sound holes and heart inlays---because of the long tradition. He attached this photo of the Swedish precursor to the folk dulcimer. It's a moraharpa from 1526.  (I asked why the hearts were upside down..... Oddly, enough, he didn't answer. ) |
|
