Nickel allergy--nylon strings on an octave dulcimer?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
No, it's pretty well integrated.
Forum Activity for @grysbok
Nickel allergy--nylon strings on an octave dulcimer?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
They feel like plastic, but with a matte texture. If you run your finger along a string there's a slight sound, like with a wound string except much softer.
Nickel allergy--nylon strings on an octave dulcimer?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
I'm now on the "Aquila 11B Classic Banjo Normal Tension Red Series" and I'm really liking them. They sound and feel about right to me. The only downside so far is they take a few days to settle into their tuning.
Nickel allergy--nylon strings on an octave dulcimer?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Funny thing about cobalt and gold strings: I'm also allergic to gold and cobalt. Apparently when you combine gold with titanium dioxide (found in sunscreen) you can be allergic to it. The patch test on my back was a non-itchy red postage stamp for a year, I kid you not.
I don't have to be wicked careful about any of these allergies--it took a week of consistent practice to remember I have the metal allergy, and then it was just a bit of irritation on the fingers (like mild poison ivy).
Silver-plated should be good, though. I'll likely end up with them, once I finish a tour of non-metal options.
updated by @grysbok: 09/28/23 11:58:25AM
Nickel allergy--nylon strings on an octave dulcimer?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Update: I've put baritone ukulele strings on my dulcimer. It's playable. Much less sustain. I'm not thrilled with how long it takes nylon strings to settle in--it feels like I have to retune every time I pick it up.
I'll have to double-check the package, but I think the strings were D'Addario Clear Nylon (EJ65B).
I'll live with these strings for a few more days, then try out another set I got.
Nickel allergy--nylon strings on an octave dulcimer?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Good call, I forgot about the frets. I'll test them with that nickel-detecting liquid that turns pink when it touches nickel.
My full-size dulcimer uses the black coated strings from folkcraft and they're pretty nice.
Nickel allergy--nylon strings on an octave dulcimer?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
I'm thinking about swapping my octave dulcimer over to nylon strings. Now that I've started practicing regularly, I've remembered I have a nickel allergy. I figure nylon strings will let me just sidestep the whole messiness of finding nickel-free strings.
My instrument's vibrating string length is 19 inches. I aim to tune in DAD, an octave above standard.
Any words of warning? I know it'll likely be quieter, I'm cool with this. I also know the strings will be a different diameter, so my bridge and nut may need to be replace. Happily, they aren't glued in and I have
- spare walnut board
- a fine-tooth saw
- a dremel, and
- some gumption
- no restraint with regard to starting new projects
On order:
- baritone ukulele strings,
- treble set of nylon guitar strings
- set of silver-plated steel strings (as backup)
I'm not too worried about achieving a certain sound, I just want to have fun plucking around. The dulcimer feels like an anarchy instrument--there's no wrong way to be a dulcimer (and now I want a peanut butter cup.)