Forum Activity for @greatlakes73

Wedge shaped floating bridge

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

Mr May said the wedge-shaped bridge was not original and kindly sent me two normal ones in the mail!

One other question: I went to swap out the original machine heads on one of my May dulcimers with the same mini-rotomatics in a different color. The shop I took it to noted that the new tuners didn't quite fit correctly and had to use extra washers. I'll ask Mr May, but the shop wondered if he'd shortened the tuners somehow.

This dulcimer is green poplar and came with gold tuners, which I don't love. Black or chrome don't quite look right either. I wish there was some kind of ivory-looking option that would fit, but the space is tight and I'd rather not drill a bunch of new holes...

Want to buy Warren A. May dulcimer

FOR SALE:instruments/music items/CDs/Wanted to Buy...

Hi, if you're still looking for a well-loved Warren May dulcimer, I have a 2006 all cherry hourdrop with no "extra" frets (so no 6.5). It's in lovely shape. There's a hard case which is not in lovely shape but serviceable. I can send pics if interested, thanks. I'm in Madison, WI.

Wedge shaped floating bridge

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

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Wedge shaped floating bridge

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

Hello everyone!

I have a 2006 cherry Warren May hourdrop, haven't spent too much time with it yet but noticed it has a floating bridge that is wedge shaped. I restrung a few days ago and I'm assuming the "lower" end of the bridge goes under the heavier bass string- is this correct? What's the advantage to this wedge shape vs a flat-top bridge? A have a recent May that has a floating bridge that's even on the top. 

if it matters, it's tuned to DAA and has no extra frets 😉

updated by @greatlakes73: 09/06/25 09:03:36PM

"Extra" frets and JI vs ET

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

Hi folks, I'm a relative beginner to the dulcimer. I am drawn to noter/drone playing and have a lovely Dan Cox dulcimore I generally keep in DAA and play solo. I also have a recent Warren May in poplar with (I think) a 6.5 fret but no other additional; I use this when playing with my group. I usually keep this in DAD and without a noter (although occasionally will use one). 

First question: I don't really know what the "temperament" of the May is, and if that makes a difference if I tune it to DAA or other configurations. I don't really understand temperament I guess.

Second question: Ron Ewing is building me a dulcimer right now, and I'd like it to be as versatile as possible- good with various tunings, good for noter-drone, finger style and maybe simple chording. Besides a 6.5 fret, should I get a 13.5? A 1.5? I'm somewhat a traditionalist but would like to not limit my options too much early on. I  am certain however that I'm never going to want to be playing tons of chords (having failed at guitar, banjo and ukulele!) but also it's prob easier to add frets in the future than take them away.

could be there's no "Goldilocks" but just wanting input from folks who know more than me! Ron, if you're reading this post, please be patient with my questions 😉

2 dulcimer dilemma

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

Thanks all for the comments. I'm only about 45 min north of the Janesville group, and they're quite active and welcoming online. There's a smaller group here in Madison, who are mostly all in the Janesville group as well. During my online chatter with the Janesville group I've identified several other folks near me who want to join up. I've already got an invite to a member's house this weekend to go over a few tunes. The community seems welcoming, relaxed, and just what I'm looking for 👍

2 dulcimer dilemma

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

Hello all,

I have a very "spoiled" problem! Just starting out on the dulcimer with an hourdrop all-walnut model by Warren May that I bought from him last year: 6.5 fret present (as I think all his models have now), currently tuned to DAD. I then fell in love last week with an hourglass poplar model with a lot of green color, absolutely beautiful. It's currently being finished up in his workshop; admittedly an impulsive purchase which now leads to my questions ;)

Obviously I'm a novice and barely know what I'll end up needing/liking. That being said, how do I best take advantage of having two dulcimers by same luthier, each with a 6.5 fret, 4 strings, same length/size, different woods and different shapes? I know the woods will have different warmth/brightness, etc. Maybe keep the poplar in DAA? I'm interested in noter/drone playing although also joining a club nearby. Any thoughts appreciated! I'm quite probably over-thinking this as I don't have the second dulcimer in my hands yet!

PS: every time I need to restring, I wistfully think about some day having a flat-headed one 😉

String suggestions

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Hi everyone, looking to buy some strings for my Warren May dulcimer, takes ball end. In his papers that came with the dulcimer he notes .012, .012, .014 and .022 for the string sizes. Most of the “sets” I’m seeing are different gauges or are loop end. I went to d’addario web site to look at just getting individual strings but the options were a bit overwhelming. Any suggestions?

Beginner questions about dulcimer care

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

Thank you all for your guidance! Yes, I figured out you don’t remove all the strings at once once I realized the bridge has fallen off and was somewhere on the living room rug 😉. I need to take it in to a luthier here to get something addressed and he’s going to help me with replacing the bridge in the right spot. I think I saw a video on how to figure out where the bridge should be, but now I can’t locate it.

Beginner questions about dulcimer care

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

Beginner questions about dulcimer care

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

Hello! I have a 2006 Warren May all cherry dulcimer I bought used a few weeks ago and am just learning about. I’m in the process of restringing and just wondering, while I have it “naked,” if I should do anything more than wipe it down with a very slightly damp cloth. It looks to be in very good condition. 

one other question: this dulcimer has no extra frets. I’m thinking of leaving it tuned to DAA. I do have another instrument coming next week that has a 6.5 fret, also from Warren May. Should I leave that tuned to DAD or do his dulcimers in general do better with DAA? Please forgive my ignorance. I do have a background in piano but know nothing really about different modes, etc, etc what I’ve tried to pick up from this site so far. Thanks!