You are absolutely right, Wally. I am actually converting two of my dulcimers to 3 strings. The one I'm working on today, I will remove the inner melody string to make the strings roughly equidistant. On the one I've ordered strings for, I will remove the outer string. Go figure. Thanks!
I ordered the GHS strings yesterday from juststrings.com, but the product description didn't mention whether the bass string was wound. If it is, I'll try your plain steel suggestion on a future re-stringing. Thanks, John!
Beautiful, John! And I agree with Strumelia - I love the contrast between the tuning pegs and the body of the dulcimer.
By eyeballing it, it looks like removing the outside string gets me there. Just wanted to make sure. Thanks, Dusty!
Thanks, Jost! I appreciate it!
OK, here's a follow up question. The string information that came with my dulcimer states that the strings are standard music wire, with the bass string being an LW-20 light wound .020 diameter and the other strings are all L-12 light plain .012 diameter. D'Addario offers .012 strings, but I don't think I've seen a bass string that is .020. Any help on where I could find this bass string would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Michael
Hey, all,
This may sound like a "well, duh" question, but here goes. I've been talking to a fellow dulcimer player who sings the praises of using only 3 strings. I am about to re-string one of my dulcimers and thought I would give it a try. So, if I want 3 equi-distant strings, I would remove and not replace the first (outside) melody string, right? Thanks in advance.
Michael Willey
Well, it took me two months or so, but I finally reached out to Terry Pattison just a few minutes ago. I told him how much I have appreciated my Darcyhorse dulcimer over the years. He was very nice and really appreciated my call. We discussed strings (I STILL haven't restrung it yet) and he told me where he buys his strings (Stewart-MacDonald - stewmac.com). Really cool website if you build/repair instruments. Mr. Pattison said that he is currently building a dulcimer for a friend, but hasn't really been building dulcimers for a while. I think and hope that my call was a nice shot in the arm on a Monday morning.
I wonder if Ashley tried selling DPN to someone who would continue its publication?
Hey, @salt-springs ! I have not yet reached out to Terry Pattison. I will probably do that this week. I appreciate the tip on the CGC. This weekend has been a blur, so I won't get it re-strung until later in the week. I'll definitely keep you posted. Thanks!
Thank you, Strumelia! I will keep that in mind. Gonna try to re-string it this weekend.
That's what I'll go with, then. You've been a great help and I really appreciate it. BTW, based on your recollections, I found a phone number and address for Terry Pattison. I just want to let him know how much I have appreciated the Darcyhorse over the years. Thanks so much and have a great weekend!
I'm going to tune it to DAA. Thanks.
As a follow up, I want to put new strings on my Darcyhorse, and I'm not sure what type and gauge to use. The string length from nut to bridge is 27.75 inches. Any thoughts on strings would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Thanks so much, @salt-springs! That gives me a starting point. I really appreciate it!
Good morning and Happy Saturday! Years ago, I bought a Darcyhorse Dulcimer from the builder off ebay. I'm well aware of the issues and objections many had with Darcyhorse, but truthfully, mine is one of my most favorite dulcimers. I lost the contact info on the builder and was wondering if anyone here would still have that information. I'd like to reach out to him if I can. Thanks in advance.
Michael
The first time I heard Georgia Buck was Neal Walters' recording of it on his CD My Pathway Leads to Pennsylvania. His version had more verses than Ms. Cotton's, and was more like Doc Watson's rendition, which I just found a few days ago. Thanks again, Dusty!
Wow, Dusty! Thanks so much for the link and the tab! Really appreciate it!
I have looked on the new Everything Dulcimer, my download of the tab from the old ED, and various and sundry other places, but I can't find tab for Georgia Buck. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Michael Willey
I realize this is an old post, but I wanted to share some news on Jim Good. I'm a WV native, looking to purchase a new dulcimer next year, and googled for WV luthiers. I found Jim's Mastertone website for the first time and marveled at his beautiful instruments. I emailed and asked for a price range and told him I would like to visit his workshop when I go back home next year. Mrs. Good replied and told me that Jim had a stroke and is in a nursing home as a result and hasn't built anything since 2018. Please keep the Good family in your thoughts and prayers.
Thanks, Ken. I.D. Stamper was a KY dulcimer legend and he only recorded one album - Redwing on June Appal Records. The first time I ever heard Darlin' Corey was on that album. I just love it, too!
Well, I have been really impressed with everything I have seen on the website. My goal for 2023 is to perform at the Smithville Jamboree in July. Like I said, I haven't made up my mind yet, but I can definitely see myself singing "Darlin' Corey" at the Jamboree while accompanying myself on the TMB.
John, the Schnaufer/Conaster article on TMBs says that some builders put little feet on the TMB; to lift it off the table and allow it to resonate more. I couldn't tell from the pictures on your site if you put feet on your TMB. What are your thoughts on that?
John, I can't do anything until after the first of the year, and I haven't really made up my mind yet, but would you please send me a PM with the price of a TMB? Thanks very much.
Ken, Thanks for your comments. I agree, I like the traditional look of John's TMBs. Ron Gibson has an article on his website about why he builds a modernized TMB and I get that. But I'm pretty traditional about dulcimers in general. There's a great article on TMBs co-written by David Schnaufer and Sandy Conaster at: https://dulcimerarchive.omeka.net/histtnmusicbox
John, I checked out your FB page. You do beautiful work! I'm following you now on FB. That sounds so sinister, doesn't it? I'm following you, John! 
I clicked "follow" because I couldn't figure out how to send a friend request. I'm not on FB very much. The Galax is beautiful. I noticed the frets are just under the first string. Did Galaxes traditionally have just one melody string?
Hi, Michelle,
That is a beautiful dulcimer! I hope you are enjoying it! Your post made me want to post a picture of my Rugg & Jackel dulcimer. I bought it YEARS ago on ebay for $50! Only 27 inches long, but it has a beautiful tone! A long time ago, on the old EverythingDulcimer site, Howard told me the year it was made. But I've long since forgotten. I'm going to PM Howard and ask him to remind me. Thanks so much for sharing!
Hey, all! I have a Bill Berg 5-string and I'm looking at upgrading/adding to my dulcimer collection next year (which will be so soon upon us!!). I've been looking at Ron Mooney out of Salem, VA ( https://appflutesanddulcimers.com/) or Don Gardner ( https://www.gardnersdulcimer.com/) and Ron Gibson in KY ( https://gibsondulcimers.com/). I especially like Ron Gibson's Tennessee Music Box. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with these three or maybe you could recommend someone I haven't thought of. Thanks so much.
Well, he still has an ebay account so I sent him a message there. So we'll see. Thanks so much, Robin.
Would anyone happen to have the contact information for Darcyhorse Dulcimers? I purchased a Darcyhorse Dulcimer a few years ago. I would like to contact the builder, but I no longer have his contact info. Thanks!
