Search found 689 matches

by Jim McConkey
Mon Jun 16, 2025 2:38 pm
Forum: Other Stringed Instruments
Topic: Identifying an unusual lyre
Replies: 2
Views: 70

Re: Identifying an unusual lyre

Never seen one like that before, but a reverse image search on Yandex turned up this: https://marinimadeharps.com/kinnor.htm
It has an essentially similar harp, made by a company in Pennsylvania. Apparently a type called in Kinnor harp.
by Jim McConkey
Tue Jun 03, 2025 1:39 pm
Forum: Wind, Percussion, and Miscellaneous and Experimental Instruments
Topic: fipple flute intonation
Replies: 5
Views: 177

Re: fipple flute intonation

The flutes I have built are all side blown, not fipples, so I cannot be much help there. Your window looks nice and clean. Is the ramp sharp? But one thing I have noticed experimenting with flutes is that the hole placement and size can affect both the cross tunings and upper octave. Theoretically y...
by Jim McConkey
Tue Jun 03, 2025 1:30 pm
Forum: Other Stringed Instruments
Topic: Appalachian dulcimer mould
Replies: 5
Views: 168

Re: Appalachian dulcimer mould

For what it's worth, I have never used one on any of the many dulcimers I have built (different sizes and shapes). Might take a little more time and care in bending, but I have never regretted it. If you do go that way, I would suggest going a little smaller over larger, simply because you can glue ...
by Jim McConkey
Wed May 28, 2025 2:18 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Guitar #5
Replies: 6
Views: 242

Re: Guitar #5

That turned out fantastic, Eric! Love the look of the koa. Congratulations!
by Jim McConkey
Wed Apr 09, 2025 1:58 pm
Forum: Other Stringed Instruments
Topic: Experimental (hammered) dulcimer/zither build
Replies: 4
Views: 18926

Re: Experimental (hammered) dulcimer/zither build

Congratulations, Javier. Nice job! If there is any chance you can get a short audio clip of it being played, you can upload it here. I'm sure it will be "different."

Our Library contains a wealth of information, and it is unfortunately underused. I encourage everyone to have a look!
by Jim McConkey
Thu Mar 20, 2025 1:35 pm
Forum: Wind, Percussion, and Miscellaneous and Experimental Instruments
Topic: Trombone Restoration
Replies: 15
Views: 12031

Re: Trombone Restoration

So cool, Barry! Beautiful job. Congratualations! Too bad our old staff member Julian Barton is not still around. He makes his living doing brass repairs for the Army bands and was a wealth of knowledge (and I'm sure some of it is in our Library). It would be very neat if you have any pictures or des...
by Jim McConkey
Fri Feb 28, 2025 2:23 pm
Forum: Solid-Body and Chambered or Semi-Solid Electric Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Indiana shaped guitar
Replies: 2
Views: 5122

Re: Indiana shaped guitar

Very cool! But if my memory is not failing, this is not the first state-shaped instrument we have seen on this Forum. I believe there is another or two floating around in the dusty corners of our Library somewhere.
by Jim McConkey
Sun Jan 19, 2025 5:17 pm
Forum: Introduce yourself here!
Topic: Hello from France !
Replies: 2
Views: 18875

Re: Hello from France !

Bienvenue, Jean Dag! Welcome to the MIMF! And, as a fellow dulcimer builder/player, I am especially interested in your instruments. I have only build one electric so far. I converted a normal dulcimer to chromatic once for a friend, but chromatic dulcimers are very unusual. Kanteles are rare here, s...
by Jim McConkey
Thu Dec 19, 2024 3:01 pm
Forum: Other Stringed Instruments
Topic: Thoughts on expanding the Bouzouki family
Replies: 11
Views: 15816

Re: Thoughts on expanding the Bouzouki family

Thomas, you can find both guitar-style through the top string mounts, and tail mounts as well. Most mandolins use tail mounts. The octave mandolin I built does just as your propose - tail mounted string and a loose bridge. Works fine, and the tops do not have to be braced quite so stiffly to compens...
by Jim McConkey
Tue Dec 17, 2024 2:32 pm
Forum: Other Stringed Instruments
Topic: Thoughts on expanding the Bouzouki family
Replies: 11
Views: 15816

Re: Thoughts on expanding the Bouzouki family

The transition from bowl back to flat back was led by Irish musicians, who fell in love with the sound of Greek Bouzoukis, but found them difficult to play in concert. The flat-backed versions they helped develop are much more ergonomic to play. There already is a full family. Here in Baltimore ther...
by Jim McConkey
Thu Aug 22, 2024 2:07 pm
Forum: Other Stringed Instruments
Topic: Tsimbl/hammered dulcimer newbie questions, part 1
Replies: 2
Views: 9571

Re: Tsimbl/hammered dulcimer newbie questions, part 1

Welcome to the Forum, Matt! I unfortunately build the other kind of dulcimers (Appalachian) and have no personal experience with hammered dulcimers, but I have heard of builders using both floating and non-floating tops, so you should be fine either way. Sam Rizetta is a very well respected builder ...
by Jim McConkey
Wed Aug 07, 2024 2:21 am
Forum: Other Stringed Instruments
Topic: Gourd Instruments
Replies: 1
Views: 5400

Re: Gourd Instruments

I am about to make a shekere from a dried gourd, but I have not built any banjo-type instruments. The gourds take a good couple months to dry. If you can dry them in a sunny place, they will be lighter and less mottled. Also dry several. They can develop soft spots that break through, although you m...
by Jim McConkey
Fri Jul 05, 2024 3:52 pm
Forum: Jam Session
Topic: Happy 27th Anniversary, MIMF!
Replies: 4
Views: 11463

Happy 27th Anniversary, MIMF!

For those not keeping track, today (July 5) is the MIMF's 27th anniversary. In our more active days, and long before COVID, we used to have live, virtual birthday parties including all manner of virtual chocolate (founder Deb's favorite food) treats, from chocolate cakes to chocolate beer to just pl...
by Jim McConkey
Mon Jul 01, 2024 2:44 pm
Forum: The Soundhole
Topic: Forum certificate has expired?
Replies: 3
Views: 14309

Re: Forum certificate has expired?

We just did a server swap, and it did not go as smoothly as we had hoped. The new server was online, but the DNS took forever to propagate. Not sure what is up with the certificate, other than it is a brand new server. Charlie will have to address that.
by Jim McConkey
Mon Jul 01, 2024 2:43 pm
Forum: The Soundhole
Topic: Gibson A mandolin neck break post removed?
Replies: 1
Views: 6296

Re: Gibson A mandolin neck break post removed?

We just did a server swap. Depending on the timing, it is possible your message may have gotten lost in the transition. Sorry! I would just go ahead and post it again. BTW, if you break some rule, we generally will tell you.
by Jim McConkey
Thu May 30, 2024 1:47 pm
Forum: Wood and Materials Q&A
Topic: 43cm long soundboard
Replies: 7
Views: 27177

Re: 43cm long soundboard

Please do not quote every message. The messages are all in the threads already for anyone to see. We ask that you only quote a line or two, and only what is directly relevant to your response.
by Jim McConkey
Thu Apr 11, 2024 2:20 pm
Forum: Solid-Body and Chambered or Semi-Solid Electric Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Bear guitars
Replies: 2
Views: 7788

Re: Bear guitsr

See: http://www.mimf.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=1656
Basically, use an external took like Irfanview or similar to resize. There are also plenty of on-line tools as well.
by Jim McConkey
Thu Apr 11, 2024 2:17 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Guitar Number 3
Replies: 17
Views: 21464

Re: Guitar Number 3

Lovely! Congratulations!
by Jim McConkey
Wed Apr 03, 2024 2:55 pm
Forum: Tools and Jigs
Topic: Lasercut fret slot sawing jig
Replies: 8
Views: 32514

Re: Lasercut fret slot sawing jig

LMII closed its doors this year, but it looks like Stew Mac may be taking over some parts and distribution.
by Jim McConkey
Thu Feb 22, 2024 2:35 pm
Forum: Electronics
Topic: Upgrading a cheap archtop kit with P-90s
Replies: 6
Views: 27207

Re: Upgrading a cheap archtop kit with P-90s

Love the translucent blue!

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