Tech: I'm getting a guitulcimer!

Subject: Tech: I'm getting a guitulcimer!
From: Naemanson
Date: 21 Jan 21 - 06:38 AM

I haven't been able to play my guitars for several years. My left hand is almost completely useless. I was going to get a mountain dulcimer because I could use a noter but I really missed my guitars. I contacted Fred Gosbee in Maine. After several back & forth messages we settled on a dulcimer on a guitar body. He's building it now and I should have it around the end of February. I'm excited again.

Subject: RE: Tech: I'm getting a guitulcimer!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 21 Jan 21 - 08:23 AM

YAH!!!!

Subject: RE: Tech: I'm getting a guitulcimer!
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Jan 21 - 08:26 AM

will you be hitting it with a hammer?

Subject: RE: Tech: I'm getting a guitulcimer!
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 21 Jan 21 - 08:28 AM

It should be played by a dull tar!

Subject: RE: Tech: I'm getting a guitulcimer!
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 21 Jan 21 - 08:35 AM

A three string fretted instrument played guitar style is really more of a variant balalaika than anything. (Except that the way balalaikas are generally built they arecomplete buggers to hold.)

Subject: RE: Tech: I'm getting a guitulcimer!
From: Jeri
Date: 21 Jan 21 - 09:13 AM

I figure with a noter, he'll be playing it dulcimer style. It will just have some characteristics of a guitar. Probably easier to find a case for it.

Subject: RE: Tech: I'm getting a guitulcimer!
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 21 Jan 21 - 10:31 AM

Will it have frets and will it be just strummed, or picked? Will it be played across the lap or normal guitar hold? Interesting.

Subject: RE: Tech: I'm getting a guitulcimer!
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 21 Jan 21 - 10:42 AM

errrmmm.. Strumsticks...???

Subject: RE: Tech: I'm getting a guitulcimer!
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 21 Jan 21 - 10:46 AM

Good idea.. A strumstick built with a big guitar body should be loud enough for sessions..

Though, some years ago I bought an electric strumstick.
The builder just added a strat style pickup and vol/tone controls...

Subject: RE: Tech: I'm getting a guitulcimer!
From: JennieG
Date: 21 Jan 21 - 02:44 PM

That sounds like a very interesting instrument!

Subject: RE: Tech: I'm getting a guitulcimer!
From: Naemanson
Date: 21 Jan 21 - 10:40 PM

I plan to play it like a guitar with a piece of PVC pipe as a slide. On my left hand I only have 2 usable fingers plus my thumb so I should be able to make some limited chords. It will have frets. My right hand has some limitations thanks to my stroke but I can strum and I hope to be able to finger pick a little also.

Subject: RE: Tech: I'm getting a guitulcimer!
From: Jeri
Date: 21 Jan 21 - 11:02 PM

I once had a friend who made a dulcimer like a guitar or banjo. Had a diamond-shaped cigar box sort-of body, and a neck. He'd even installed pick-ups. Sounded really good.

It sounds like you'll have some fun with it.

Subject: RE: Tech: I'm getting a guitulcimer!
From: Acorn4
Date: 22 Jan 21 - 05:03 AM

Seagull M4 guitar dulcimer

Subject: RE: Tech: I'm getting a guitulcimer!
From: Naemanson
Date: 22 Jan 21 - 06:59 AM

I wanted something like that Seagull but with a fuller sound. Actually, if I'd found one of those I'd probably have bought one. Still, I like the idea of part of my stimulus check going to stimulate the Maine economy.

Subject: RE: Tech: I'm getting a guitulcimer!
From: leeneia
Date: 22 Jan 21 - 02:10 PM

I play mountain dulcimer. Naemanson, you say your left hand has two usable fingers. You may be able to play chords if you tune it D A A. This tuning has a simple chord pattern. For most chords, you put your index finger on the melody note and another finger, usually the middle finger on the D string, one fret behind the melody. Strum or finger all three strings and you will have a chord.

The right book or site should fill you in on the exceptions.

Subject: RE: Tech: I'm getting a guitulcimer!
From: Chris_S
Date: 22 Jan 21 - 06:03 PM

The appalacain dulcimer is a wonderful instrumentand I really hope this helps you continue to enjoy making music. Of course Joni Mitchell wrote great songs with hers but paul Metsers did the same as did Jez Lowe amongst others. Good plucking/strumming!

Subject: RE: Tech: I'm getting a guitulcimer!
From: Jeri
Date: 22 Jan 21 - 07:07 PM

3 strings here. I oven fret one string with a finger, another string with my thumb, and leave one as a drone.. I started off with traditional songs, but loved playing "A Case of You" on it. Sounds harder than it is.

Subject: RE: Tech: I'm getting a guitulcimer!
From: Naemanson
Date: 22 Jan 21 - 10:54 PM

Thanks for the input. Fred posts construction videos to YouTube. I'll try to give the site.

Part 1: https://youtu.be/o6uAWb9qIO8

Part 2: https://youtu.be/GLrTu6H0AxY

Part 3: https://youtu.be/L0XTwjlEDA4

Subject: RE: Tech: I'm getting a guitulcimer!
From: Mrrzy
Date: 23 Jan 21 - 12:11 PM

Too cool!

Subject: RE: Tech: I'm getting a guitulcimer!
From: keberoxu
Date: 25 Jan 21 - 07:17 PM

This is fascinating.

And with my too-small hands,
even I could probably manage the neck.

Hope you have a glorious time playing your new instrument.

Subject: RE: Tech: I'm getting a guitulcimer!
From: Naemanson
Date: 26 Jan 21 - 05:20 AM

Part 4 of the construction of my guitulcimer... the first mistakes.

Part 4: https://youtu.be/leAHNDD9f8k