Some months ago, I was just messing around with string configurations. Doubled melody vs. doubled drone vs. 4 equidistant. It was cool to hear the differences.
Welcome,@robmachin ! Enjoy your McSpadden when it's made its way to you!
Could it be some sympathetic vibration is in play with the doubled strings-- especially since, as Randy indicated, one string is struck a tiny fraction of a second before the other?
In a related yet unrelated matter, I play a doubled high drone and a single melody string. (String array: wound bass tuned an octave below doubled high drones then a melody string tuned either a 4th or 5th above the bass.) If I just un-double that high drone and play the same style (noter) with 4-equidistant strings, the sound is just not the same. It is fuller with the doubled high drone.
It's a beauty, John, and Ohio is a nice place for that Galax. 
Thank you for sharing this cool video from '73, @ken-longfield ! I really like Mr. Nicholas's dulcimers and it was really something to see the other folks making creations of some type or another.
Thanks for the tag, @dusty -- except for brief times away at grad school, I've spent all my life in O-H-I-O.
Today, it's the first Saturday in March. The last Saturday in March will be International Appalachian Dulcimer Day. 
Indeed, the last Saturday is 30 March and Easter is the following day. Perhaps some may wish to celebrate the Appalachian dulcimer on IADD with a hymn or two.
Tuning from the tuner is one thing. Sharpening a note when I use a noter is another-- noter pressure can do that. 
(me with my noter)
I think repertoire and whether or not one plays alone make big differences in what is "good enough".
For me, I use a Peterson tuner and Mark and I both try to be very much in tune with one another or we'll make our tunes even worse. 
When I'm playing by myself, I like to be in tune with myself or it can drive me a little crazy. 
@lilley-pad My experience is I play the mountain dulcimer with the sound I want to fit the repertoire(s) I want to play. Also, my experience is there is no Holy Grail. Depending on style of play and repertoire, one instrument may suit over another.
Bob Stephens is a member here at FOTMD and you can find his page by searching members. Here is a video of Aaron O'Rourke playing a prototype (so, an early model) of one of Bob's wonderful-sounding dulcimers:
https://youtu.be/EPClQt6v0Z0?si=0D_xkDv1OR9fTkH7
@nate Your perspective was one I hadn't considered-- I'm glad you wrote of it!
Colloquially, although my newer Jean Ritchie model Blue Lion has "extra" frets, I'll still call it a mountain dulcimer.
Happy strumming, y'all!
Beautiful! The sound hits my ears like it's a lute being played.
You're welcome, @wildcat ! Hope you'll enjoy the day strumming your Warren May mountain dulcimer!
@ken-longfield , Yes, it falls late in the month this year. Happy strumming!
Hey, friends-- our special holiday is approaching! Always the last Saturday in March.
If you'd like to hear Jean talking a bit about her life and her approach to playing, I recommend these:
https://www.homespun.com/profile/Jean%20Ritchie
Also, search Jean on YouTube and you'll discover many wonderful recordings.
Warren May builds lovely instruments, lovely both in looks and in sound. Happy strumming, @wildcat !
A couple cool links:
https://youtu.be/uQaLuklN73Q?si=zt632ssDhTAiSg8d
https://www.conniellisor.com/orchestra/blackberry-winter
It is to be noted the traditional tune Blackberry Blossom is foundational to the piece.
You've got a beauty! Regardless of what you do about the tuners, I hope you enjoy it.
I offer my sympathies to Rob's family and friends.
I'm glad you enjoyed seeing it, friends.
I send my warmest wishes for peace and lots of music-making in the coming year!
@john-c-knopf I'm grateful for the music she left behind-- it continues to enrich my life!
Jean Ruth Ritchie was born 101 years ago today in Viper KY.
How I see it is the mountain dulcimer has several traditions depending on where you are on the planet. 
Here in the U.S., Jean Ritchie is one person whose family story and travels spread awareness there was such a thing as a mountain dulcimer in the central/southern Appalachians. On Jean's album The Most Dulcimer , several different styles of music are represented and it is, perhaps, my favorite record of all the music we have in the house. To me, this album offers a great point of departure for exploring various traditions related to the Appalachian dulcimer.
P.S.- As I understand it, Jean Ritchie is the person who introduced the mountain dulcimer to Ireland. We have an excellent player and singer from there right here on FOTMD, @macaodha .
Thank you for sharing your interviews, Steve!
Many thanks for sharing the interview, Steve!
Where are the bagpipes then? 
@shanonmilan I had a music friend who was a very good mountain dulcimer player yet her mother didn't like hearing her play it. There's just no accounting for taste, it seems.
A lovely dulcimer and a lovely development! Enjoy that beautiful instrument, Randal!
Have fun fiddling! One nice thing about fiddling is you can be going along quite nicely and then you're not. 
@ken-longfield , consider yourself enrolled! And wait-- there's more: you're the outstanding member for the year of 2023! 
Hey, since you've made me a minister, maybe I can perform weddings and you can play music at them-- how would that be!?!
I have a bad hip and poor balance. So, perhaps I'll just fall into the undesirables before any actual shin kicking takes place.
@ken-longfield How neat you put together a video with you and your Zoom friends for PMOTPD-- it's wonderful!
If that's the case (meaning there's no money involved), I want to run for President of FANS OF NATE. I've gotten to be an old lady and will keep everybody in line.
Count me as a fan and, please, may I have consideration as treasurer of the fan club? 
@strumelia I double dog dare you to change everything about this site into a massive fansite dedicated to how cool @nate is!
Though we didn't get to record outdoors, we did make a little recording for worldwide Play Music On The Porch Day
https://soundcloud.com/robin-thompson-5/down-the-hill-and-back-for-worldwide-pmotpd?si=e47a6cd55e0c48a493915d5561db6b13&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
