Forum Activity for @pete-answer

EBow on the dulcimer?

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Very interesting to read your comments and see your video. You have inspired me to have another go at using effects with my dulcimer.

I have used a Myers pickup and fed this through my Line 6 Pod HD500X (which I imagine is similar to your Boss GT-1).

I am getting some nice sounds with a little delay, chorus and smart harmony. Must have a go with the Pitch Glide effect.

There is certainly plenty of inspiration out there. Apart from your own Sam Edleston, who is very prolific as a member of this group, there are some British members - Duncan Gibbs and Dan Evans. Apart from on this site they can be found using effects on the dulcimer if you search YouTube for English Dulcimer (for Dan Evans) and Duncan Gibbs Dulcimer.
I have not put links here as I think it is against the site rules as they are not my videos.

Dan Evans also has a website, which has an article on amplification and effects which might interest you

https://www.english-dulcimer.com/amplification-effects-for-dulcimers-part-2/

Good luck with your experiments. I would be interested to hear how you get on.

PS - I just came across an article which you might also find interesting. I wonder if it would work with the dulcimer?

https://www.guitarworld.com/news/conjure-dark-side-of-the-moon-tones-with-the-vibraslide-glass-slide-and-controller?utm_content=buffer2309b&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer_gfb&fbclid=IwAR3gnRza59aPmMIs_baeoVrlGfwaCBmPIOHeIFTFmXhH9L0T_iTs1zSUMxQ

Best wishes

Pete

EBow on the dulcimer?

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I hadn't thought of trying to use my EBow on the dulcimer so gave it a go.

I'm afraid that I cannot offer any advice on moving the strings to fit the grooves as I would not like to disturb the spacing I currently use, but it is possible to use the EBow holding it slightly above the strings.

The sound is quite different to normal dulcimer playing and even more so if you also use a guitar slide rather than fretting the string. I do not think you can get the range of sounds that are possible with a guitar as on a guitar the EBow is normally moved over the magnetic pickups to alter the sound.

I don't think I would buy one just to play with the dulcimer but some may find the possibilities interesting. One problem with it of course is that the EBow only works on one string at a time so it is not possible to play chords and difficult to move quickly from one string to another. Although I do not have one, something like a Fernandez Sustainer pickup might work.