An artists paint brush makes a fun pick. Hold it down near the bristles like a pencil and play up high on the fretboard away from the strum hollow. It's fun to experiment with if your looking for a softer sound.
Thanks Rob, that's interesting....what size strings would you guess they are proportionally?....are the 2 wound the same size, the middle different than the 2 melodies?.....
Thanks all for your comments and ideas...I will experiment with different size strings. I put a set on and it is really sweet but think I'll put heavier gauged strings on for a bit more volume. So far I'm finding its best tuning is most comfortable in Ionian as it doesn't have a 6-1/2 fret. I've got it up to Ebbbb but will try Eebbb
That is one gorgeous dulcimer Joe/ George!....wow!!!!!
Thanks Rob and George.... good advise all around. The pictures of the Davis help because I can see that mine was strung all wrong which does not help the sound. I'll take the strings off tomorrow and polish the frets and play around with different string gauges. I thought that J11 also meant just intonated but it definitely says J11 not J1 so I don't know. And his fret pattern is unusual to begin with....and yes George, you did buy one of my dulcimers, the George Orthey with the flower sound holes...
Thanks Rob,
I'd be curious to know how your Maxwell is set up. Right now it just sounds " interesting" ...I think that it was made really deep for a reason but I dont know what that was. I had a Robert Mize 4 string that sounded sweet as honey in DAAA but this one I can't figure out. I don't wasn't to take the strings off until I know what's what, but it's really not playable yet.
Hi All,
I just recieved a 5 String Robert Mize dulcimer with a very deep body (2"). It is set up with 2 wound base strings and 3 size 10 or 12 strings spaced equidistantly except for a double melody. I've never seen a dulcimer with 2 wound strings before and am confused as to how to tune it and what size strings to use to replace the old ones.
It was built in 1977 and # J11.....I don't know what the J stands for or if the 2nd wound string was a mistake. If anyone has any info or wisdom on this I'd really appreciate it!
Thanks...
Lynn
You are right Barbara. George Haggerty of Jacksonville, VT. ( Sweet-water Dulcimers) is my friend, neighbor and dulcimer building mentor and has been handcrafting some of the sweetest sounding dulcimers I have ever heard for 30+ years. His trademark design are his offset hearts and vines. As you mentioned he makes hourglass as well as teardrop dulcimers. The quality of his dulcimers are top notch!
John Henry, I am so very sorry for the loss of your beloved Mary...my deepest condolences to you and your family....
What a nice deep tone your new guitar has Cynthia....Anither nice addition to your collection...ENJOY!!!!!
