Forum Activity for @neil-w-millard

Where are all the dulcimers by Gary Gallier, Bonnie Carol, Jerry Rockwell, David Beede, Dwain Wilder, . . .?

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

Ken,

Just about every dulcimer purchased today gives the gauge of the string that is on the dulcimer.  The d'addario  calculator is much closer to what comes on the dulcimer today.  I tested it on McSpadden, Blue Lion, Folkcraft and Modern Mountain.  So if a player gets a dulcimer used and isn't privy to what came on the instrument from the manufacturer, they can measure bridge to nut and input that into the calculator and get the gauge that will be very close to what the builder intended.

Where are all the dulcimers by Gary Gallier, Bonnie Carol, Jerry Rockwell, David Beede, Dwain Wilder, . . .?

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

I found this string calculator at d'addario strings

http://stringtensionpro.com/SelectInstruments

on the select instrument page select Other, scroll to dulcimer and select the size of the fretboard.  A medium comes up with 27" vsl but you can adjust the length as you wish.

You can select by means of gauge or tension.

I find the Strothers site to have too low a tension as a means of calculation.  I think tensions on strings should be in the 20.5 pounds/force realm for a 27"

The gauges the Strothers site kicks out are too low in my opinion.

My Modern Mountain Dulcimers come 12, 14, 26.  I have thought since getting them that the A string was a bit lower tension than the others. by going to a 16 gauge string it would bring all tensions into the 20.5 lbs/force range.

 

Just my two cents.

 

 

Where are all the dulcimers by Gary Gallier, Bonnie Carol, Jerry Rockwell, David Beede, Dwain Wilder, . . .?

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

Dusty, interesting that you say that about the action on the MMDs.  My first was the cherry and it has what you would say a very low action and a wider fretboard than my poplar one.  It also has a floating bridge.  The poplar one has a higher action and a fixed bridge with a little bit narrower fret board.  I think David wanted to use a piece of Osage Orange wood for the fret and that was the width he had.  That being said the Cherry's strings are farther apart than the Poplar's.  So with out even knowing it, I may have one that is good for flatpicking and one for fingerpicking.  My wife will be very happy if I can cover all playing styles with two dulcimer!

Where are all the dulcimers by Gary Gallier, Bonnie Carol, Jerry Rockwell, David Beede, Dwain Wilder, . . .?

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

I have two Modern Mountain Dulcimers,  probably not high end as far as price but I like their sound better than the two Blue Lions that friends have.  One is cherry top and sides with a western red cedar bottom with a resonator board. The other is a poplar  bottom and sides with a paulownia sound board no resonator it has a very well rounded sound and unbelievable sustain.  Sill too new a player to do either justice.  Just my two cents.