Charity Case Pt.2: Side Crack and High Action
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
This was a set of D'Addario dulcimer strings, which are 12,14 and 22. This dulcimer has just two pegs on the tail piece. It looks to be a somewhat action, based on the nickel/dime test. I was told by another member that Dulcimer Factory dulcimers tend to have a somewhat high action. Back n the day, when I was trying to learn guitar, I did have some instuments that were difficult to play because of the action. As a beginner with an inexpensive, unknown instrument, you tend to expect the worst
In thinking about it later, it makes sense that higher string tension would feel like a higher action. And I do suspect it was originally tuned for D-A-A, as it's from the late 90s and that would have been the popular tuning.
I am working on getting a better quality dulcimer and I don't think it will hurt to have a dulcimer for each tuning. Might even make it easier for me to learn each tuning, by associating a tuning with a specific instrument.
I did think it might be useful to mention, when running into problems with an instrument. And I will likely experiment with different strings as well. For now, it's just a relief to be able to play without as much struggle.