Have you ever found any picks that were as nice as a finger? After working on this 50 yr. old dulcimer & tuning it as a Baritone, I find my finger strumming down sounds the nicest - any pick ideas?
After spending time working on this 50 year old 'Sears' Christmas Dulcimer. Not knowing what I was doing, I learned a lot as I worked on the gears, knobs (I ended up getting longer screws & a nut for the gears & new black banjo knobs), nut & bridge (glued in & split), strings & a floating bridge up by the bridge to help the tuning up the fretboard - After much experimenting I have it tuned as a Baritone and it sounds lovely. After many tries, a $20. old broken red dulcimer with it's repairs & decorations has a new life and I think it's priceless
Thanks for everyone's help
Good suggestion Strumelia, will think about it but don't want to sand a bit more then I should, no redo on the holes. I know about sanding a little at a time, I just did that with the nut and bridge. It's through this site I even knew to use the hair dryer to loosen 50 yr. old glue holding them both.
Thanks Richard but I don't want to ship the dulcimer, it's not worth the expense but makes a good dulcimer for learning how to repair problems.
You are right Don, learning on my own as I try things out would come with risk of creating a hole to large - planning on going slow and not trying anything I am not ready for. As far as hammering - was not talking about the buttons, they are not a problem but tapping the new gear in - which I decided against.
Thanks all for the suggestions
In 2015 I purchase just the buttons (Banjo tuner buttons), they worked fine.
I tried replacing the whole tuner set since I can't keep the tuning from slipping & wanted black buttons.
The new tuners (Uke pegs) do not fit in the wooden hole, they are just a hair too large. I can't find a shop near me that carries banjo or Uke peg sets, so I thought the Uke ones would work. they don't & not sure if the Banjo ones would or not, so after mixing the the new shaft & black button with the old gear, I'm back to the way it was & the new Uke set is off on the side.
I thought about using violin peg compound on the gears - would that help in holding the tuning or just gum up the hole?
Running in circles & getting no where other then learning about repair work. I also took the old bridge & nut out (50 years of glue & dirt) and replaced it with new ones, I sanded to fit - good job on that but it took time using hair dryer, mat knife, pliers. & & &
(rectangular shaft has 2 flat and 2 rounded sides)
The banjo button fit these shafts, does that mean the older tuners are banjo geared tuners or just geared tuners? the Uke tuners are round all around, not 2 flat sides
Thanks Strumelia for your help
(amber buttons are very good quality banjo planetary tuners)
The amber buttons (amber, vintage oval shape) were old and brittle and I replaced the buttons years ago (2015) with banjo buttons. Now I need to replace the tuners - can't hold the string tension - slips
The rectangular shaft has 2 flat and 2 rounded sides, does this mean it's banjo pegs & not Uke pegs?
Are all banjo pegs the same size or how do I order ones to fit the holes in the dulcimer?
Seems I had replace the buttons before with maybe banjo buttons someone on here had suggested years & years ago, not a Uke peg set but wanted to try a new peg set to hold the string tuning better. I thought the Uke peg set would work & almost did. I found my old photos of the old buttons and the pegs that came with the dulcimer.
6B BlackButton Ukulele Pegs -
Demo of Hammered dulcimer with Jimbow
How long should the rosin work before you need to reapply. I am trying one out on a MT. dulcimer and the rosin wears off the bow & it wont sound after about 8 measures.
Any ideas?
Do they work better with H. dulcimers (the bow are a bit bigger)
Dusty, thanks for all the info. I like trying out new possibilities, hearing all the new discoveries that are possible with the dulcimer. With an extra dulcimer & extra time, it's fun to explore
Venni,
Take care & hugs from all of us
(However, if you only fret on the melody string,)
I don't just use the melody, I was using that as an example - I know I can play in DAA using a DGD tab & the other way around, the melody string tab is the same with both - I just need to change my cords. So, I was wondering if the 157 or 154 could be played in tabs I had a lot of, like the DAd or DAA or DGd on the melody string - I could than put the cords with it or if they needed their own tabs?
yes, capos changes the tunings quickly and either there is a tab or if you know the pattern of the tab can just do a DAd or DAA - like put a capo on say the 3rd fret and if there isn't a tab written out for capo 3 just play the DAd tab pattern, the 2,3,&1 Dad tab would be played on the 5th, 6th, & 4th frets
Interesting and confusing, the more we learn the more there is.
I knew about some of the tunings but when I hear about the GGd - it made me wonder just how many there are. I am sure each instrument has a tuning it sounds the best with. Now, I'm thinking to try which one of the G tunings sounds best on one of my dulcimers, GGD, DGd, GDd or GDg can they all be played in DGD tabs ... - ... what about GDc or GDf# is it also a G turning or something else in 154 & 157
Thank you for taking time to post all of this, I hope it helps many others
ok, getting it
the bass and middle strings are 1 and 5 and the only string that changes is the melody string.
(DGd is a little different, but you could just count the same way we did before to find other tunings in that pattern. It is a little different because DGd is considered a "reverse" tuning where the root (or the 1, that is the note that tells us the key) is on the middle string.)
OK, I wrote out lots of #'s & letters to match up to the 155, 158, 154 &157 - that I understand now but what tabs would 154 &157 play?
but is the GGd like 115 & DDa, EEb, AAe, CCg - what tabs would they play? GGd I play DGd tab, what tabs could CCg play
How many of these can someone make up? Ha, my page now looks like some kind of code, I feel like you could shuffle many of these around to make more & more tunings.
Dusty, thanks the numbers make sense this way.
So, if DAd is 158, any combination of 158 I could play a DAd tab - like your EBe, CGc, Bfb it would just be in a different key but I could play a DAd tab
or DAA 155, again any combination of 155 I could play a DAA tab like FCC, EBB, CGG
what would DGd be 148 but all your numbers are 15 something or GGd ( or is it 115) - i think this doesn't make any sense to me once I get away from the 155 or 158
154 & 157 have their own tabs? Can they be played on just the melody line with any of the other tabs?
How many different tunings can go with the standard tabs of DAdd or DAA or DGD
Is there a list somewhere?
I would like to try a number of different tunings but not sure what they would be or what tab I could play with them. I know theirs #'s 155,158 but I don't understand that, so looking for a list of tunings.
I know ones like CGc, EBe & so on & play the DAd tabs
GGd I just hear the other day, so many I don't know - how would I find out the different tunings?
thanks
Dusty,
Thanks for checking. The thing about a music software is you can put your music into folders so you don't need to go through thousands to find the ones you want. But that is something to consider, I dropbox the tabs to my table anyway - I'll see if I can find another way to open them.
Help:
It seems GigBook has not updated or managed their site in some time. I have a page turn pedal - AirTurn which will not work now with GigBook. I checked & the pedal seems good, I tried another pedal and it also will not turn any music pages in GigBook but will will scroll other programs.
Yikes - now what do I need to transfer all my music files to another app & if so which ones do you fine work well? How hard is it to transfer all the files?
thanks
marg
Below is a short part of Skin & Bones - I did with our dulcimer group Friday -
it's on the Double Dulcimer tuned DAcc & Bass.
The sound from the GT-1 I tried to create something for Halloween
Thanks Skip,
I was able to figure out how to balance the dulcimer & overhang on my lap, that took care of the height and distance problem I was having with it on it's stand.
( Maybe a bass, arpeggio & strum across all of the bass strings to finish.) Now that it's on my lap, I was having fun playing around, picking out notes across the fret boards & harp strings
Fun new adventure,
thanks
Double Dulcimer Harp:
Thought I would let you hear how I have set up the double dulcimer with the harp strings. there is no pickup, it's all just the dulcimer!
Demo: DAd with 3 drone strings as a Bass - the 3 extra strings - A' below c, D & melody d
Demo (Amazing Grace) : DAA with Baritone - but D instead of E
Reaching over to the far fretboard is throwing me off (seems like I'm digging into the strings as I strum) but gives you an idea of the DAA & baritone tone. Distance is a problem, or just me - At the moment the dulcimer is on a stand and I am standing or with a high stool, I find it difficult to play with height & reach. I have not tried on my lap yet but will and hope that will help.
skip: ( overkill) you maybe right. Seems I need to learn how to play it now, I'm like a beginner - strum the drones - always - sometimes - ?? any suggestions will be helpful
(The Cherub violin mic ) Is a mic the same as a pick up, I have seen several listed as I am also looking to some kind of a way hook a pick up on a dulcimer.
Has anyone hear of a passive piezo pickup for nylon strings - Kremona NG-1. It sits on the tie bar utilizing the tension of the strings, so its seems it could sit behind a dulcimer bridge and under the strings for tension also. They are incase in wood and thin, seems we could just loosen the strings than slip them under.
Any thoughts?
Beautiful dulcimer and I like that the fretboard is cut away. I have one like that and it allows me to put a Seymour Duncan pickup under the strings; so pedals, processors or amp can read the strings - not the vibration.
skip: Interesting (so the string breaks over the slot further back.) I did not know this
( accent to your dulcimer playing) I think that is the purpose of the design but since I don't play the guitar I set it up hopefully for dulcimer playing. With both fret boards set to D and the strings in the middle set as a drone & divided, I can dragged over the heavy middle strings adding a deep full tone for the dulcimer.
Question: How easy or difficult is it to reach over and play the fret board that is away from me - hand position or fingerings change? Or is it fine on my lap and only changes if on a stand & I am standing over it?
Thanks all,
OK: With the string gages I had on hand, I restrung the 2 dulcimers.
The one away from me DAA and the first 3 strings in the middle to (a baritone like) tuning but AdA - the first A to a very low A the other two to regular d & A. I had hear Joseph Ruback do a demo of 'fourth string equidistant tuning' with a low A below D and I thought it sounded so full and rich.
The second dulcimer fret board closest to me DAdd and the 3 other strings in the middle to Bass DAD. The very low D - I'm not sure I like yet but it's a start.
I tried it out and it sounds so full. I didn't play any songs yet, just played around. It's like equidistant spacing with 3 drones. I will need to wait to try other keys, because I may need different size strings but I wanted to thank you for your thoughts and ideas.
Always an adventure,
Thanks
Not sure who the builder was, someone in the Houston area (K. May, maybe)
The furniture stand, the dulcimer sits on has a trap door to allow more sound to amp out besides the cane openings in the front. Attaching 2 photos so you can see the door
In the idea of the middle 6 strings, lets say for now I keep things in the key of D - what could I tune the 6 to or 3 & 3 and what size strings?
thanks
Spacing between the middle strings is 1/2" each all the way across and sightly bowed.
I changed the strings on the 2 dulcimers fret boards and tuned different - the middle strings (playing around with them) make a great deep open drone.
Question: lets forget about setting up as guitar strings and think of dulcimer - Bass or Baritone or both - 3 each - OR - What could make an open tone to go with the dulcimer parts? I would need string size and tuning (maybe think about zithers and open strings that go with fretted dulcimer) And again thinking 3 for top fret board & 3 for bottom fret board but could go together, if all are strummed.
Again thoughts and Thanks
The 6 guitar strings are different thickness - the lightness is thicker then my dulcimer bass string and the lowest string is very thick - thinking it must be like bass guitar gauge strings.
The two fret boards are tuned differently, they both can be set with 3 or 4 strings. I have only lower the action & changed the strings closest to me so far and I have it set to DAdd. I was thinking setting the other to either DAA or DGdd or maybe 4 equal strings would be an interesting idea. The VSL is very long 29+"
The question I have is setting up the middle 6 guitar strings:
Could I maybe set them like a Baritone or Bass dulcimer?
Or, if keeping with the idea of a guitar harp - seems Bass guitar string gauges are too low and also harder to pluck while trying to strum the dulcimer frets. If I would go with guitar setting would a much light set of strings and a regular guitar tuning be better?
Someone who won this dulcimer gave it to me and I am trying to set it up to work for a dulcimer player - no matter why it was designed the way it was, just trying to go from here.
Again thoughts on best way to set up to work along with the dulcimer fret boards
thanks
I am trying to set up this double fretboard with 6 guitar strings in the middle (it was made with the idea of a guitar harp in mind) - not by me
The 6 guitar strings on it now are heavy & not sure what to tune them to - or should I replace with a standard guitar Size strings and tune to a standard guitar tuning and what would that be?
OR: split the strings half & half, 3 very heaver & low to the other 3 strings lighter & higher
Any thoughts
Pete,
Thought you might be interested in something like this, since it will be on line maybe it's something you could do. With Jerry having a workshop it might be something like what you are trying out now - sounds & delays https://www.nutmegdulcimer.com/
Nutmeg Festival will be ONLINE this year. Lots of instructors - One mention , Jerry Rockwell ( Jerry Rockwell Dulcimer TEDX Talk )
I like them & use them a lot but - yes ( too pointy) so I round them off just a bit with a nail file. I found the point could scratch my fretboard.
Dusty
I have a GT-1 Boss sound processor, it's design for guitars but works well with a dulcimer. Dan Evans did a Demo of 'The Water is Wide' several years ago & I just loved the idea of creating a certain sound for a song. He was kind to give me some pointers on getting started.
I have one dulcimer set up to use with the GT-1. My other dulcimers, I don't use anything with them. The group I am with, has been sending out a song 'challenge' during the quarantine - twice a week with new songs to practice - There was one in a Minor key & no matter how I tried to play it, I just didn't like the tone. So, I created a musical tone on the GT-1 - "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent" I think you could have fun with a GT-1 and come up with some interesting sounds.
Strumelia,
Thank you, besides playing out on the back patio in the evening's for the neighbors - I did try to give the boxes a new look for anyone who happen to walk around the pond. With so many of us staying @ home, many more neighbors had time to come out.
Music isn't on lockdown and it has brighten many people's spirit, I am so glad I have the dulcimer to bring me peace & joy.
I was posting dulcimer music to FB & sending out to family & friends, 1 song a week as a hug. The first one 'Abide with me' with an organ sound I created for the first Sunday churches were closed.
I am also painting some of the the rusty utility electric boxes around the pond behind my home. this is the first one I did & I just finished my 8th
Heron 1.pdf - 496KB