Your Answers: Your Questions For Folkcraft, Answered

Last week I asked for your questions - here they are, along with my answers!

Name: Lisa W.
Location: CA
"Here's one that I've talked to you about via email and phone, and also to Richard in person at KMW. Will there be a capo devised for the Folkroots travel dulcimer reissue model, and, if not, what do people use that actually works with this instrument (not pencil and rubberband)."
We actually have a prototype that we are satisfied with (Lisa, email me your address and I'll send you one). I would expect us to have capos that fit shallow fretboards in production within a couple of months!

Name: Elaine B
Location: Georgetown, TX
"Why don't you offer 3-string dulcimers? Most of the folks I know play with 3 strings and they are not evenly spaced on the standard 4-string dulcimers unless you cut new slots on the bridge and nut."
We do offer 3 string dulcimers. The options we have listed on our website are just a subset of the variations we build. We rarely stock 3 string dulcimers though, because we feel it is not a good choice for someone just getting started. Often, when a player wants to play a 3 string, they want the option of switching back and forth, so it is fairly common for us to make 2 sets of nut and bridge pieces to go with a dulcimer, so that they can be switched back and forth. For the players that know they want a 3 string and are not going to switch back and forth, I do already have all of the jigs to make 3 string versions of each of our head designs.

Name: Jan P.
Location: Lexington, KY
"Do you all work on instruments with issues, and, if so, just Folkcraft or Folk Roots ones or others (especially important if the luthier is no longer living)? Or is this something for which we'd need to contact someone like Gary Sager or Joe Shelton who do work at festivals?"
We do offer repairs on other makes of instruments. If it is something simple like adding a fret, you can't beat the convenience of having Gary add it while you wait at a festival, but for more serious issues like cracks or bowed fretboards, just ask and we'll give you a quote.

Name: Clair E
Location: Beaver Springs, PA
"What grade of steel wool do you use for your final polish?"
We finish with 0000 steel wool - plus it is fun to say quad ought!

Name: Fern W.
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
"Will I ever be a good dulcimer player if I can't keep my strumming arm moving continuously (even if it is not hitting the strings)? I still find that my arm will stop (briefly) rather than keeping the count? [I hope that question makes sense. Please feel free to reword it if the thought can be expressed in a better way!]"
I know who you are Fern! I've heard you play and you are already a good dulcimer player. All of the mere mortal dulcimer players like us will play occasionally without perfect technique. It is something to strive for and practice, but it in no way makes you a bad player. When you get those good techniques down on the basic songs, it will make it easier to play the harder and faster songs.