Post by Scurvy on Mar 29, 2020 13:58:24 GMT
Greetings my friends,
Here are a few photos of the latest project at hand and one of the reasons my next Harley Benton order has been put on hold.
What you are looking at as I posted in the title is a 1987 Jim Hudson 15/14 Hammered Dulcimer made in the state of Michigan by the man himself.
I have always loved all stringed instruments not just the guitar or bass albeit electric or acoustic as I own mandolins, Appalachian ducimers, banjos, lap steel, dobro, etcetera, but the hammered dulcimer has always enamored me with it's archaic resonant sound. I have just never been able to afford a good one as they are expensive instruments when purchased new.
Unfortunately,
This instrument has some structural issues that have to be addressed before it is playable again. It was purchased on auction from the state of Georgia where summer weather has high humidity and sweltering heat so, the end blocks where the zither and hinge pins rest have come apart as the glue used failed.
As luck would have it the damage can be repaired as none of the bracing or end blocks have cracked. Just the glue seams have come loose. My method will be c-clamping throughout the entire outside of the dulcimer with possibly wooden dowels and/or countersink screws that can be covered for extra support. Plus, I am not sure the type of epoxy/glue I will use yet either. This is after cleaning off all the dirt and residual glue remaining in the joint blocks of course.
Just to give you an idea of what type of pressures this dulcimer exhorts, the common 6 string guitar is from between 100 to 200 pounds depending on gauge,scale length,tuning, etc...This dulcimer if my calculations are correct is in the range of about 1700 to 1800 pounds of force!
This is taking into account this model and type/gauge of strings. Insane.
So I will make damn sure she is secure. Lol
15 courses of 2 treble strings on the top tier and 14 courses of 2 bass strings on the bottom tier for a total of 58 strings hence why it is called a 15/14.
I just thought I would add this instrument into the mix for fun as maybe even some members have never even heard of one.
Once this instrument is up and running it will be fun playing medieval passages, baroque, classical, and possibly even pop music! I might even secure a piezoelectric transducer or mic it up with a couple shure sm57's I have laying on the floor and play metal.
The sky's the limit my friends....
I welcome all comments on this instrument including even different ideas for the repair if you like.
I am going about this cautiously...
Here is a cover of "Everybody wants to rule the world" by Tears for Fears on the hammered dulcimer to give you an idea of what they sound like:
Cheers,
Here are a few photos of the latest project at hand and one of the reasons my next Harley Benton order has been put on hold.
What you are looking at as I posted in the title is a 1987 Jim Hudson 15/14 Hammered Dulcimer made in the state of Michigan by the man himself.
I have always loved all stringed instruments not just the guitar or bass albeit electric or acoustic as I own mandolins, Appalachian ducimers, banjos, lap steel, dobro, etcetera, but the hammered dulcimer has always enamored me with it's archaic resonant sound. I have just never been able to afford a good one as they are expensive instruments when purchased new.
Unfortunately,
This instrument has some structural issues that have to be addressed before it is playable again. It was purchased on auction from the state of Georgia where summer weather has high humidity and sweltering heat so, the end blocks where the zither and hinge pins rest have come apart as the glue used failed.
As luck would have it the damage can be repaired as none of the bracing or end blocks have cracked. Just the glue seams have come loose. My method will be c-clamping throughout the entire outside of the dulcimer with possibly wooden dowels and/or countersink screws that can be covered for extra support. Plus, I am not sure the type of epoxy/glue I will use yet either. This is after cleaning off all the dirt and residual glue remaining in the joint blocks of course.
Just to give you an idea of what type of pressures this dulcimer exhorts, the common 6 string guitar is from between 100 to 200 pounds depending on gauge,scale length,tuning, etc...This dulcimer if my calculations are correct is in the range of about 1700 to 1800 pounds of force!
This is taking into account this model and type/gauge of strings. Insane.
So I will make damn sure she is secure. Lol
15 courses of 2 treble strings on the top tier and 14 courses of 2 bass strings on the bottom tier for a total of 58 strings hence why it is called a 15/14.
I just thought I would add this instrument into the mix for fun as maybe even some members have never even heard of one.
Once this instrument is up and running it will be fun playing medieval passages, baroque, classical, and possibly even pop music! I might even secure a piezoelectric transducer or mic it up with a couple shure sm57's I have laying on the floor and play metal.
The sky's the limit my friends....
I welcome all comments on this instrument including even different ideas for the repair if you like.
I am going about this cautiously...
Here is a cover of "Everybody wants to rule the world" by Tears for Fears on the hammered dulcimer to give you an idea of what they sound like:
Cheers,