This was sent by my good friend Gerald Sheppard, and I am sharing it with you. Note the beautiful tone of his guitar, it was made by Gerald. He is a guitar Luthier in Kingsport, and his are absolute works of art. They start at around $8,000. [video=youtube_share;vhLMyXOHdWU]http://youtu.be/vhLMyXOHdWU[/video]
Awesome. Dude has some interesting thumb joints. Also have never seen a partial capo before - very cool.
I don't know this feller but have several of his works. This is in the same vein [video=youtube;Bvua4unz-JI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bvua4unz-JI[/video]
First of all, he is very good doing a well known Chet Atkins arrangement, loved the harmonics at the end. It should be pointed out that there was an accompanying part being played through a Boomerang Loop, so someone doesn't think he was playing all those notes. Somewhat different style as he is using a pick and Gerald was finger picking 100%. Not a criticism, he was playing an electric which pretty much requires a pick, while Gerald's is an acoustic. Your guy is very talented.
I am not aware of him making dulcimers, but I am sure he could. I have two dulcimers, one a cherry made by Bob Mize of Blountville, and a custom made one of walnut and Sitka spruce with a 1-1/2 fret, four equidistant string capability and a built-in pick-up. It was made by High Country Dulcimers in Boone, NC, cost $1200.
I checked out his website and there is no way he made the dulcimer I own. I got mine as a gift and I know it was made in the Tri-Cities. Not sure who made it, but it didn't cost anywhere near what he sells his wares for. I have a couple of guitars though: an Alvarez acoustic, a Yamaha acoustic and a Samick electric. Don't play them as much as I would like.
Could it be a Mize? It would have his name in the top of the neck. If so, it is becoming a collectible since his passing. I know of two other dulcimer makers in the Tri-cities, but damned if I can remember their names.