Jim,
Could you be more specific on the location of the loose bracing? Also approximation dimensions of the heart sound holes.
A while back I purchased a Mikael Carstanjen Courting Dulcimer. It's what you'd call a "project dulcimer". It had some intonation issues that I have successfully addressed. But there is apparently some loose bracing and I'm somewhat at odds as to how to proceed. The attached photo file should explain the past, present, and proposed future better than I can here. I'm hoping for some feedback on what my best options are. Thanks in advance!
I do not believe shape has any impact on sound. Interior volume, definitely. But shape, no. Not in any meaningful way that doesn't involve a lot of scientific sound analysis equipment.
I have a standing offer of $200 cash for anyone who can pass my blind listening test -- a selection of 3 or more dulcimers of different shapes, playing the same tunes in the same way. You will never see the instruments, only hear them, until the test is over. All you have to do is correctly identify which shape is playing which tune at which time. I've had people who swear they can tell one from another who somehow never seem to be willing to put this to the test, when push comes to shove.
Do you think the shape has a big impact on the sound? My first dulcimer was a teardrop style (kit). The current dulcimer is an hourglass. From what I've listened to on You Tube, the teardrops tend to have more volume. But it could be that I am hearing more amplified teardrops than hourglasses. I do find the hourglass easier to carry.
I did get a V-Pick Bing ultra lite today. it's stiffer and I like it so far. I'm not convinced it's THE pick just yet, so will try a few more styles. I don't think I'd like a pick stiffer than this one.
@adrian-e, I have a different approach to this.
I strongly advise against spending a lot of money on an instrument until you've been playing long enough to discover your own preferences. Some variables are more obvious than others. The VSL, or vibrating string length, makes a difference mainly in how big the spaces are between frets and the sustain the instrument has. Do you want an overlay such as ebony on the fretboard? How wide should the fretboard be? What kind of fret wire do you prefer? How far apart should the strings be? Do you want a wrist rest? a bevel or place to rest your arm while you play? Do you want a warm, mellow tone, or a brighter sound? Do you want a false bottom for more volume, or would you rather have less volume but be able to control it by muting the bottom on your legs?
You would be surprised how many small variables can make a big difference in how you (yes you, not me, because we are all different) play an instrument. It took me a few years of playing to develop most of my preferences, but I am still refining certain issues like how far apart I want the strings. Some of that can be adjusted on any instrument, but some of it can't. And you don't want to spend a lot of money on an instrument only to find after playing it a while that it's not to your liking. You would be better off playing for a while, trying out a variety of different instruments, and slowly developing a sense of what your dream dulcimer is. In a few years, if you are still playing and still enjoying the dulcimer, you'll know exactly what you want to spend your money on.
I also don't know how to quantify the differences in tone between dulcimers. I have dulcimers that cost $300 and dulcimers that cost over $1000. The more expensive dulcimers sound a lot richer and play a lot easier. But 3 times as much? I have no idea. If we are judging dulcimers by a ratio of their sound quality relative to their price, I would suggest the David Lynch beginner dulcimer to be the best dulcimer out there. It does not have the rich, warm tone of dulcimers that cost ten times the price, but the intonation is excellent, the action is good, the instrument has a nice punch to it, and the price is about a third of a Ron Gibson.
Having said all that, both Ron Gibson and Bonnie Carol dulcimers have good reputations and good resale value.
There's a huge factor in the sound of a dulcimer that often gets overlooked: the PLAYER! I'm not talking about skill level here (although we all know somebody who can take a $50 toy guitar and make it sound better than most people playing a Martin). I'm talking about the wonderful variety of playing styles that make each of us unique.
I completely agree. I would add that an instrument can sound very different when passed around to players even with similar styles as their attack can vary significantly.
There's a huge factor in the sound of a dulcimer that often gets overlooked: the PLAYER! I'm not talking about skill level here (although we all know somebody who can take a $50 toy guitar and make it sound better than most people playing a Martin). I'm talking about the wonderful variety of playing styles that make each of us unique.
Do you fret with a noter or your fingers? Strum with a quill or a pick? Flatpicking? Fingerpicking? Fingernails or pads? At what angle does your pick/quill/finger strike the strings? Do you have a light touch or are you digging in? Do you play at a consistent volume or do you want a wide dynamic range?
Drones? Chords? Up the fretboard in the 2nd octave? Scale boxes across all the strings? Old time? Jazz?
If we took one dulcimer and passed it around, each of us would make that dulcimer sound different. Plus we all have different taste (and different ears). Sometimes at a festival I'll play two dulcimers and hear a whole world of difference between them, while my poor husband (who does not play dulcimer) does not discern any difference at all (and hence does not understand the objective fact that I need to buy just one more).
I am sure there are people who think a Carol sounds 4X better than a Gibson... maybe 100X better... and people who think the Gibson sounds better. Depending on how you play and what you're listening for, there might not be any significant difference between them.
The often-inconvenient truth is that nobody else can tell you what a dulcimer sounds like. You have to play it and hear it for yourself.
I've played both instruments. And I know Bonnie Carrol personally, from "the old days". No, Bonnie's dulcimers do not sound 4x as good as a Ron Gibson, or anyone else's. Price in dulcimers is not necessarily about quality of sound. It's about materials and workmanship and perceived value (name among other things). For example, a $100 set of tuning machines (compared to a $10 set), and $200 worth of exotic wood (compared to $20 worth of poplar) make a dulcimer more expensive but do not particularly contribute to making one sound better than the other. There are a huge number of variables (well over a dozen) which contribute to the sound of a dulcimer.
Sometimes the fiber washers are the culprit on that type of tuner. There should be 2 to each tuner, and they tighten against the wood of the pegbox to hold the string in tune. Try Ken's idea first -- it's easy and might do the trick.
https://dulcimer-noter-drone.blogspot.com/2009/03/take-your-pick.html
Thought I should like this nice article from Strumelia's blog, for reference.
No need to remove/clean/oil those tuners; just tighten them up say a quarter or half turn to start. Then try things to see if they hold the tuning better. If you crank down on them too hard you may break the "plastic" knobs (but replacements are cheap and easy to find).
here are some pics of what i am dealing with... looks pretty simple but sometimes its the simple that gets ya.... i just want them to work smoothly and hold tune
jp, if you are able to post photos, it may help folks offer the most helpful advice.
I did try a credit card pick, which seems to work better than the light ones I have. The trip to the music store will have to wait until the broke down pickup runs again :( Our mechanic's wife had surgery yesterday and it doesn't look like he will make it out today.
Thanks for the response! Every little bit of information helps.
i have an old ... old... MD. i am restoring it only really needs a new bridge which i have from Folkcraft... will have to do some sanding to get it to fit.... it has what i believe are banjo friction mechanical tuning mechanisms they seem to semi hold the tone... i believe the screw holding the tuner head on is how to tighten the tuner.... should i remove them clean and oil them... any other suggestions? thanks kindly.
1. Regular flat picks; with the exception of the Herdim "Thumb-Flat Pick" -- basically an ordinary sized flat pick with a thumb-sized loop. IMHO the best of both worlds -- the loop keeps the pick from flipping away.
2. Heavier than light. Beginners tend to use too light of pick; but with experience shift to a heavier pick and more control for less "pick-click".
3. See #1
4. Credit cards, thin wooden 'strummer' type plectra.
5. Don't buy packages of picks online -- buy dozens of singles from your local music store. Different weights, sizes, shapes, etc. eventually you'll settle on a half dozen that you use all the time.
I've seen a few discussions about picks, but they seem scattered about on the forum. I thought it might be useful to have a discussion just about picks (or even why you don't use one.)
Regular picks versus finger picks?
Heavy picks versus light?
Any brands that you especially like?
Any non-commercial picks that you prefer?
What's your suggestions for choosing the right pick?
I grabbed a pack of Ernie Ball thin picks to start out with, but I am finding them much too light. I've got another brand ordered but will probably get a few more kinds to try.
Hi Dean,
Really glad you and your wife could come, it was great to meet you! We had a blast ... yes, we could have played longer. :-) It was really special having both Aaron O'Rourke and Joellen Lapidus there.
Look forward to seeing you again ... let us know when you're in Portland.
Patricia
Hi Patricia!
Joellen introduced you and Wayne to my wife and me at the Hollywood Monday night. I had returned home Saturday from the Menucha Dulcimer Festival where I learned from Joellen that you were presenting your Wonderful(!) film plus a concert from Joellen and Aaron.
My wife was delighted to make the drive to see and hear the magic.
We were not disappointed - well maybe a little: the concert could have been another three or four hours! :D 
Thanks for making a lasting tribute to this magical instrument and community.
Dean
Hi Patricia!
Joellen introduced you and Wayne to my wife and me at the Hollywood Monday night. I had returned home Saturday from the Menucha Dulcimer Festival where I learned from Joellen that you were presenting your Wonderful(!) film plus a concert from Joellen and Aaron.
My wife was delighted to make the drive to see and hear the magic.
We were not disappointed - well maybe a little: the concert could have been another three or four hours! :D
Thanks for making a lasting tribute to this magical instrument and community.
Dean
Sweet! :-)
Before Heidi & Bob moved out west, I was fortunate to get to hear them in Lancaster OH!
Yes, Neal has a good version of this in his "Hits of the Beatles" book - I really like it. Some of the tunes are tabbed for the more advanced player.
https://www.elderly.com/hits-of-the-beatles-dulcimer-solo.htm
I believe it's in the "Hits of the Beatles" book by Neal Hellman.
Hey @jp. Welcome to FOTMD. Since "Here Comes the Sun" is under copyright, you won't find free copies of tab around. But there have been a few people to record it, and it's possible there's a version in a book somewhere.
hi i am new today. i play h Dulcimer and hurdy gurdy been playing at Renaissance Faires since '94.
always had a passing intrest in MD... since the 70's was just down in NC and found a dulcimer in Black Mountain.... could not resist great price and walked off with it. now i have an old one on the wall of my music room that i am finally going to rebuild.... been building cigar box guitars for a bit.... hoping all this gets some of my passion back....
anyway does any body have the TAB to Here comes the sun.... can not find it any where? thanks
Before Heidi & Bob moved west, I was fortunate to get to hear them in Lancaster OH!
I downloaded the articles on a thumb drive, just in case . It did not take long.
Joe
What Dusty said but also on the Everything Dulcimer Facebook page
You might consider posting a "Wanted" listing in the For Sale Forum .
Thanks. I am searching the dulcimer community first.
You can contact David and order a dulcimer (or at least get on a waiting list) through his website: ww.davidbeede.com . I've never seen one of his dulcimers available in a store and used copies rarely come available.
Hello,
Does anyone have or know where a David Beede dulcimer can be found for sale? Thanks!
Lois, I'm not privy to any inside info, but I really believe that Bruce will make sure that *IF* the ED forums shut down, that at least the static content such as articles and Tab will be relocated and available online somewhere "in perpetuity" as he put it. Bruce has indicated that this is his intention, and we have no reason to doubt it.
Additionally, there seems to be a bunch of people making offers to take over running the ED forums. We don't know if/how that might work out, but it's another possible outcome. And it seems yet others are downloading the entire site onto home drives.
I feel we need to patiently wait and see what develops.
One of the things I love about FOTMD & the dulcimer is the frequent reminder that there's no ONE way to play. I find that also means I keep learning new things. Discussions here & articles at ED can be great resources that I might not currently need but want a while down the road in my dulcimer "journey". Yes, tab is a great resource, but what is the likelihood of anyone republishing articles.
I mentioned earlier a way to find the site once it is offline, but, if not re-posted on an online site, those articles won't be found in a search engine like Google. You will only know about those articles by searching the old ED site on the "Wayback Machine."
DRAT! Sure would love to see those articles move here or somewhere else in an active site.
Thanks to everyone who responded, I really appreciate the clarity of your instructions. I went to the 'jam' today with my two dulcimers, one tuned to D and the other to C. Since I don't have a capo yet, I managed to play along to about 90% of the music, using the fingering you provided. Many, many thanks! It was a lot of fun. I look forward to extending my versatility with a capo, but I now have a great start!
Susie, I'm sure the location of the tabs from ED will be well posted by many, no matter how the scenario plays out. 
Carstanjen Courting Dulcimer Repair (compress).pdf - 242KB
