Missing part to attach string - folkcraft dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Ken Hulme:
As mentioned, hitch-or-string pins are readily available. If you're breaking a bass string there may be a couple problems. First, you need the correct gauge -- as KenL mentioned a .024 wound string would work for your dulcimer.
You called the bass string the "d (bass) string. In normal dulcimer parlance, a d is D4 an octave higher than the usual bass string D (which is D3). Check out the MusicMakers on-line tuner: http://www.harpkit.com/category/onlinetuner.html
You may be trying to tune the string too high. Which note are you trying to tune to? A .024 wound bass will easily tune to D3 (the usual D) and up to E and maybe F, but it will not tune up to G without breaking. It will never make it to d (D4) without breaking. If you're trying to tune to GDD or GDg you will surely break the bass string unless you use a .016 or .018 bass string.
For the right names for dulcimer parts, you might want to read I Just Got A Dulcimer, Now What? that I wrote several years ago. It's an illustrated glossary of dulcimer terms, plus answers to many beginner questions about tuning, playin, care and feeding of your new friend. Here's the version I recently revised:
Thank you for this Ken! :) That will be really helpful