My Dulcimer Building Story
In 1996 & 1997, my wife Geri and I attended the central Mississippi dulcimer festival in Jackson Ms. as visitors. We expressed to our family how we enjoyed listening to the dulcimer music.
In 1998 my son DeWayne & daughter-in-law Debbie were on vacation in Branson Mo. and bought me a dulcimer. Later they presented it to me with these words: "Play it or hang it on the wall; Your choice!''
November 1998 we visited the festival again and inquired about dulcimer players from Baton Rouge, La. We connected and were invited to join the club in Baton Rouge, La. Thus began my affiliation with the Baton Rouge dulcimer club; later to become the “Lagniappe dulcimer society”
Things turned out well, after some lessons I was playing well enough to get by. Year 2000 I purchased a top of the line dulcimer from David McKinney; a Master dulcimer builder in Batesville, Arkansas who also gives dulcimer building lessons to qualified applicants.
In the summer 2001 I played a special at the first Methodist church in Baker, La. Jack Milton, a friend said he would like to build THOSE THINGS. I suggested David McKinney would be the person to give him dulcimer building lelessons.
After an appointment was setup with David, Jack, wife Marjorie, myself and wife Geraldine headed to Batesville Arkansas;’ Mission accomplished’. Jack would build the dulcimer and I would install the tuners, strings, build and adjust the nut, also build and adjust the compensated bridge for Dad tuning, In general, make the dulcimer playable.
Some 18 months later, Jack found a 1951 ford Victoria in a pasture up north. His goal was to restore the same Model Ford that was like his first car. When the car became his interest, I became the principle dulcimer builder.
I build quality dulcimers for the long haul as well as the beauty of the fit and finish, and my Instruments have a sound that is second to none, from entry level thru high end custom dulcimers.
I look forward to serving you. Questions or comments are welcome.
Email:
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Subject line must read:”Mountain dulcimer”
Phone (225) 775-0950
