Good VSL for chording? (DAD, DGD, CGC, DAA mainly)
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
@ConnorC, a dulcimer with a 27" VSL should be fine for chording. In DAd tuning the 1-2-4 and 4-2-1 A chords are indeed the toughest to reach, but they can be done, and keep in mind that the muscles in your fingers will get stronger and will stretch a bit, so just keep at it. And yes, you will want to you use your pinky. Some dulcimer players don't use their thumbs and others don't use their pinkies, but I figure I need all the help I can get.
I still have and play dulcimers with 27" and 28" VSLs, but I have to admit that my main playing dulcimer has only a 25" VSL. The shorter scale length not only makes certain chords easier to finger, but makes it easier to play fast since my hand can stay in a relaxed position as I cover several frets.