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Post by Banjimer on Aug 7, 2023 11:43:39 GMT -5
The following scale is offered as a means of defining the degree to which a particular dulcimer can be considered traditional. A dulcimer can be considered more or less traditional based on the number of traditional features it possesses. I have come up with the following traditional features.
1. Traditional Shape (KY Hourglass, WV/OH/NC Hourglass, VA Oblong, VA Teardrop, TN Music Box /Rectangular)
2. Tuning Pegs (Wooden Friction Pegs, Iron Autoharp Style Pegs)
3. Diatonic Fretboard
4. No Overlay on Fretboard
5. Traditional Soundhole Shapes (Hearts, Circles, Diamonds, F or S)
6. Non-Commercial Frets (Bent Nail, Bent Music Wire, Fencepost Staples, etc.)
7. Partial Frets
8. Fiddle Sides/Overlapping Top and Bottom
9. Constructed of Native Hardwoods and Softwoods Only
10. Scroll-Shaped Peghead
11. Limited to 3 or 4 Strings Only
A dulcimer is awarded 1 point for each traditional feature it possesses.
Based on this scale both the Thomas dulcimer and the Prichard dulcimer score a perfect 11 out of 11 on the scale. A standard Leonard Glenn dulcimer scores an 8 out of 11. It is missing features 6 , 7, and 8. A modern McSpadden scores slightly lower at 7 out of 11. It is missing 2, 6, 7, and 8, and could also be missing 3, 4, and 10 depending on what features were included when purchased.
How do your dulcimers measure up to the traditional scale? Do you own a perfect 11 traditional dulcimer? What traditional features are most often omitted in modern instruments?
It should be noted that each instrument has to be evaluated separately, as builders often change their design over time or make changes on individual instruments to satisfy a customer's request.
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Post by Banjimer on Aug 7, 2023 12:31:22 GMT -5
Kevin and Dan, it should make more sense now. The message was inadvertently sent prior to being finished the first time.
Incidentally, our traditional builders score pretty high on the scale. Bobby, John, and Dan make some mighty fine traditional dulcimers.
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Post by richard on Aug 7, 2023 12:38:36 GMT -5
I like your parameters Greg. I guess I'll have to give all of mine a score based on the Banjimer Traditional Dulcimer Scale.
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Post by Banjimer on Aug 7, 2023 12:46:56 GMT -5
Here are some features that make the dulcimer less traditional.
A. Unique shapes
B. Geared or mechanical tuning pegs
C. Non-traditional soundholes (hummingbirds, cats, dogs, etc.)
D. Commercial frets
E. Full-width frets
F. Top and bottom flush with sides
G. Exotic hardwood construction
H. Overlays
I. Unique peghead designs
J. 6 1/2 frets, etc.
K. Chromatic fretboard
L. More than 3 or 4 strings
M. Added features such as banjo heads, resonators, cigar boxes
N. Longnecks, strum sticks
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Post by Banjimer on Aug 7, 2023 12:56:31 GMT -5
My 1982 Bob Mize dulcimer scores a 9 out of 11. It is missing the non-commercial frets and partial fret width features.
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Post by kenh on Aug 7, 2023 13:03:52 GMT -5
Interesting scale Greg. On your "Less Traditional" scale I would argue against A. Unique shapes
There are many "unique" shapes in The Catalogue of Pre-Revival... which are not on your Traditional list such as diamonds, coffins, and the Buckeye shape. Additionally there are two dated shapes which LAS didn't include -- the independently conceived Holly Leaf patterns from North Carolina and Virginia which Bobby and I build.
Also, IMHO, N --- Wiessenborn, strumsticks etc -- aren't even dulcimers. Dulcimers -- by international musical instrument definition -- do not have any "neck" extending beyond the body.
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Post by dan on Aug 7, 2023 14:11:21 GMT -5
My Dulcimore are 11, my Mawhee knock offs are 10.....
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Post by johnknopf on Aug 7, 2023 16:50:37 GMT -5
Also, IMHO, N --- Wiessenborn, strumsticks etc -- aren't even dulcimers. Dulcimers -- by international musical instrument definition -- do not have any "neck" extending beyond the body. |
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Post by clawhammer7 on Aug 8, 2023 1:46:21 GMT -5
I would have to say that electric dulcimers are NOT traditional.......I would also say that all my Cox, Knopf, and Ratliff dulcimores ARE traditional.....
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Post by richard on Aug 8, 2023 10:20:04 GMT -5
Do we add feet to the traditional parameters?
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Post by Banjimer on Aug 8, 2023 11:49:14 GMT -5
The scale defines the degree to which a particular dulcimer is or is not traditional. Three more features of traditional dulcimers have been suggested.
KenH suggests that traditional dulcimers have "no extended neck".
Clawhammer that traditional dulcimers are not "electric or amplified".
Richard suggests that the "presence of feet" might be considered traditional.
If the original scale is modified as follows, a perfect traditional score would be 14 out of 14. The Prichard and Thomas dulcimers get a perfect traditional of 14. In addition to the original 11 out of 11 score they earn additional points for having:
12. No extended neck
13. No electric amplification features
14. The presence of feet on the bottom of the dulcimer
The question might arise concerning the number of points necessary to be considered traditional. Obviously, traditional dulcimers do not require perfect scores. Some of the features are optional. The absence of feet, for example, does not mean a particular dulcimer is non-traditional. The presence of an electric pick-up or an extended neck might very well disqualify an instrument from being considered traditional.
The scale is not meant to determine if a particular dulcimer is traditional, but rather how many traditional features it possesses. More features (higher score) = More traditional,
Less features (lower score) = Less traditional.
The Thomas and Prichard dulcimers set the standard to which other dulcimers can be compared.
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Post by johnknopf on Aug 8, 2023 12:09:18 GMT -5
The Thomas and Prichard dulcimers set the standard to which other dulcimers can be compared. So that would be "The Poplar Standard", would it not? The Very Bestest of the Best! |
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Post by clawhammer7 on Aug 8, 2023 19:34:38 GMT -5
Possibly another traditional feature (non-feature?) would be the lack of a strum hollow....
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Post by Banjimer on Aug 9, 2023 8:19:38 GMT -5
Some traditional features appear to be optional.
Strum hollows are absent on many vintage dulcimers, but the presence of a strum hollow does not disqualify a dulcimer from being considered traditional.
Likewise, feet are found on many vintage dulcimers and not found on others.
It would appear strum hollows and feet are optional features of traditional dulcimers. Their presence is neither defining nor disqualifying. Which leads us to the question, "Which features are absolutely required and which features are optional?
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Post by dan on Aug 9, 2023 9:35:00 GMT -5
I believe we have missed the most important qualification, age.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2023 10:45:53 GMT -5
I believe we have missed the most important qualification, age. That would disqualify your dulcimore as well as any other present day builder. Wouldn’t age be better applied to what we call “vintage” instruments rather than “traditional “? I think the word traditional is defined as something done in the ways of an established pattern. Of course I guess that leaves the possibility that as what we are now calling traditional instruments becomes replaced with dulcimers with what would be considered “modern” traits, then eventually what was considered traditional is technically no longer traditional because the new traits have become the new traditional way. And now I’ve done it…I think I’ve confused myself. Haha |
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Post by dan on Aug 9, 2023 11:03:49 GMT -5
Kevin, I'd only loose one point!
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Post by Bobby on Aug 9, 2023 11:09:19 GMT -5
I think most of my future models (if and when I get back to building) will be disqualified.
I've decided to only make two models of my own design in the future: Dewdrop Concert Model and the Double Dewdrop.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2023 12:52:55 GMT -5
On looking at this further we are discussing a scale, so what dan says is true. If age is assigned a point in rating how traditional a piece is, then his piece would still be traditional but with a point less assuming all other qualities are present. And Bobby your pieces would be traditional as well with maybe a loss of a point or 2. So both would be traditional, but not a “perfect” score traditional. I think I got it now. Now let’s move onto something easier like “what key is a dulcimer in”? Or understanding modes and why. Haha |
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Post by Banjimer on Aug 9, 2023 13:23:11 GMT -5
Obviously, the descriptor "traditional" refers to the features of the instrument, not the builder. Dan, Bobby, and John's standard dulcimers would all rate pretty highly on the traditional scale. But all three builders could easily build more modern dulcimers by changing specific features.
John has built electric dulcimers and he has used geared pegs on his Galax model, but his Thomas reproductions would rate very high on the scale, lacking only age. Dan`s dulcimers rate nearly perfect scores on the scale, but at my request he has used flush edges, full-width frets, and other less traditional features to accurately represent Frank Proffitt, Leonard Glenn, and Edd Presnell dulcimers. Those reproductions would be slightly less traditional than Dan's standard dulcimores, but they accurately duplicate what Proffitt, Glenn, and Presnell were building.
Bobby's early builds would rate perfect or near perfect scores on the scale. And if we expand the definition of traditional shapes to include a wider variety as pictured in L. Allen Smith's book, his newer builds would still get relatively high scores on the scale.
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Post by dan on Aug 9, 2023 14:12:00 GMT -5
Great discussion!!!
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Post by johnknopf on Aug 9, 2023 15:27:02 GMT -5
Now let’s move onto something easier like “what key is a dulcimer in”? Or understanding modes and why. Haha All you gotta do is tune one string to a good note, then adjust the other 2 strings accordingly. What's so tricky 'bout THAT? |
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Post by clawhammer7 on Aug 9, 2023 18:30:14 GMT -5
I believe we have missed the most important qualification, age. SPOILER ALERT....Some of Clawhammer's insane humor ahead.....Y'know, if age were applied to human beings, I could be considered "traditionally vintage" or "vintagely traditional"....... |
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Post by Banjimer on Aug 9, 2023 19:09:36 GMT -5
Claw, I think you would fall into the antique category. Maybe even obsolete. lol
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Post by johnknopf on Aug 9, 2023 20:15:19 GMT -5
My dulcimores may not be old, but I certainly am getting to be an antique myself. With some curmudgeon and some sorehead thrown in.
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Post by clawhammer7 on Aug 9, 2023 23:01:01 GMT -5
Claw, I think you would fall into the antique category. Maybe even obsolete. lol Hey! I resemble that remark! |
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