Forum Activity for @dockildare

Dulcimer String Anchor Pins

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

Yeah, I did actually find those cheers.  I was on Folkcraft looking for a combined bridge/pickup system ( had actually tried loads of sites to be honest ) and found the L R Baggs one.  I checked to see what else they did and came across the anchor pins.  But, they're metal and like someone else on here, I wasn't sure I liked the idea or sound possibilities.

Dulcimer String Anchor Pins

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

That looks a very nifty way around the problem.  Wish I'd thought of it before drilling the holes for the bridge pins. But I'm happy with the way I've gone and I think it looks ok.

Dulcimer String Anchor Pins

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

Thanks for that, but having checked out some escutcheon pins, they don't look wonderful - in fact they look terrible.  So, I reckon I'll leave this solution unless I really have to go with it.  I want something a little more attractive looking.  I'm not that bothered about keeping true to a McSpadden.

Dulcimer String Anchor Pins

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

Thanks for that John.  Something to bare in mind, but I'm looking at something a bit more aesthetic looking.

updated by @dockildare: 03/25/20 08:55:49AM

Dulcimer String Anchor Pins

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

I have an 80s 4 string McSpadden dulcimer that was finished off by a previous owner, who converted it to a 3 string instrument.  I'm in the process of converting it back to 4 strings.  My problem is, there is only one string anchor pin made of wood.  To my mind this really doesn't seem sufficient nor mechanically sound enough to accommodate 4 strings.  I just need to know how many anchor pins I can realistically replace this one with.  I think there's enough room for 3, 2 for bass side strings and one for the 2 that are tuned at the same pitch.  Also, I have loads of guitar bridge pins, and was wondering if I could use these in place of wooden or metal ones.

So, I'm throwing this out there for advice/suggestions etc 

Thanks in advance  - DoC 

updated by @dockildare: 03/25/20 01:05:48PM

Introduce Yourself!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Hello to y'all from a gloomy United Kingdom.  I tend to go by the name DoC, reside in Derbyshire.  I recently acquired a '84 or '86 McSpadden that was originally intended as a 4 string dulcimer but was finished off as 3 string.  Whilst I love it as it is, I find it lacks something that 4 strings add - so I've ordered a few extra bits and am going to revert it back to being a 4 string.  Fingers crossed I don't mess it up in the meantime, but I have worked on and built guitars before so am hoping for the best.

Just want to say thanks to all those who have already welcomed me to the forum, even though this is my first post here.