Forum Activity for @matt-berg

In terms of where to place the saddle, double the measurement from the seven fret.  I think John was dead on with his estimate of VSL.

Way cool, @nate!  I'll keep my eyes open for your video!  

So far, I've seen music shared from England, Ireland, and TN in the US.  The more places represented, the merrier!  Music does, indeed, make the world a better place.  

While I agree with your sentiment of not overthinking it, Matt, a micro dulcimer does warrant extra consideration.
We don't even know his VSL or what he considers "standard" so surely some complication is required.

If you wish to use regular strings, you will need to tune them one octave higher than a standard dulcimer.  Don't make things too complicated.

Indeed it is Robin! I just got my first three aquavina dulcimers back! At various times I have given them away to people, but today, after offering various people newer and better dulcimers in exchange to get the old ones back, I now have the prototype, the beta test, and the alpha test, and im looking forward making a quick video of the three!

It's IADD!  

https://youtu.be/bWp82g_V59o?si=EvOWqAbxDgE1YAUU

Congratulations, that's awesome. Since I likely wouldn't be able to interpret the paper even if I could access it,(math and I are like nodes and anti nodes ) are there any insights you could share about the ideal place to strum, based on your findings?

Congrats, John.  I was able to locate a summary and your bio, but Taylor & Francis won't let me see the whole text.  My library has a four-year delay for full-text articles of that particular journal. That's OK. I learned a little about you and can see from the summary that I really wouldn't understand the text anyway.  I may request it through Interlibrary Loan just to add to the dulcimer library.

How do you measure tone mathematically?  It seems like such a subjective quality.

1) If you were to use normal strings, you would want to tune them higher than normal. If you were to tune the strings normally on an instrument that is too short, the strings won't have enough tension, resulting in a floppy feel and a weaker sound. A common tuning for short scale dulcimers using normal strings is to tune up from D to G. This would be Gdd or Gdg, rather than Daa or Dad, but you may need to tune it even higher.

2) if you want to play in standard tuning, you will need strings of a heavier gauge than normal.

3) This is a bit more complicated of a topic that may require more nuanced explanation, but this is the process that I personally use:
First, measure the distance between the nut and the 7th fret. The VSL is exactly double that distance, before adjusting for intonation. Make a temporary mark at this distance for your "estimated" bridge placement.
Next you will need to cut your bridge to the correct height. The correct height can be determined using the "nickel and dime" method, which is explained in other threads on this website.
String up the instrument, place the bridge at the 'estimated' correct distance, and tune up the strings. Tune the string up until it is perfectly in tune with the target note, then pluck the string at the 7th fret and note whether the "octave note" is sharp or flat. If the octave note is flat when the root note is perfectly in tune, the bridge needs to be moved slightly closer to the nut. If the octave note is sharp when the root note is perfectly in tune, the bridge needs to be moved slightly farther from the nut.
Detune the strings, adjust the bridge slightly, then tune back up and check again. When all three strings are perfectly in tune at the root note, and perfectly in tune at the octave fret (or as close as you can reasonably get it) the bridge is now in it's correct placement.

Points to ponder.... If your instrument is 17.25 inches over all, I'm supposing some of that length is headstock and tail? So perhaps we're dealing with a VSL of 13-14 ish?  Most mandolins are about 14 inches VSL [They tune G3-D4-A5-E5] So perhaps a set of mando strings could be a starting point? And you get a few spares.... Your tuning can be the same notes as any other dulcimer, but you are going to be in a HIGHER OCTAVE generally.

With your bridge placed where it looks "right", string and tune 1 open string to pitch. Going to the 1st fret and so forth, your notes should progress in step, if not, re position bridge, re tune and try again. Once you are good to the first fret, move on down and fine adjust down the line. Once you're good with one string, go and string up the rest. With a VSL this short, there is not a lot of forgiveness.

If you are able, a picture or two of this "mini" would be appreciated.

I like this bridge design, and the type of sound they seem to produce. A bit less nasally than a bridge sitting on the fingerboard, and less round than a bridge on the soundboard. I've built a couple bridges like this, and I just wish I saw this one beforehand, because it would have saved me some time on the drawing board lol.

The nut and headstock are also very cool.

I just purchased a used four string instrument.  What's interesting is it's about 17 1/4 inches overall length.  It needs strings so my questions are: 

1)  Will a standard set of dulcimer strings suffice or should this smaller instrument be equipped with strings specifically designed for the short VSL?

2)  Will standard tuning work or should I tune this instrument different than a full-size dulcimer?

3)  It's missing its bridge so I'll have to make one.  There is no groove or anything else to indicate the original bridge placement.  How can I determine where to position the bridge?

Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.

There are bowed dulcimers

Very cool, @johnr!

Everyone - this is a thank you, a brag, and announcement of a mountain dulcimer picture in a place you wouldn't expect - Mathematics Magazine.  After reading and watching many of you on this site, I was inspired to investigate an aspect of the vibrating string partial differential equation.  Thanks!  This resulted in a paper "What I Heard from the P.D.E." which has just been published - Mathematics Magazine, Vol. 98, No. 1, February 2025.  In the introduction, there's a picture of my dulcimers.  Most college libraries have subscriptions to Mathematics Magazine.  

In the 1980s and 90s Robert Hutchinson and his wife, Yvonne, made mountain dulcimers under the North Country Dulcimer name. These dulcimers were a rather unique design with a floating bridge which straddles the fret board and sits on the top of the dulcimer. The dulcimers are long, 29 inches, but the VSL is 23 1/2 inches. I bought one this past weekend for $15.00. The nut was broken and I had to make a new one. Other than that I cleaned it up and put on new strings. Now it sings sweetly again. Here are some photos I took before working on it.

https://imgur.com/R1ocqa6

https://imgur.com/LBCWNYF

https://imgur.com/a52vstR

https://imgur.com/ZTxBrY8

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Thanks for sharing your good fortune with us Badger. I'm not sure what wood the body of dulcimer is made from, but it does have a walnut overlay on the fret board. I want to say the dulcimer is poplar, but I'm just not certain. Anyway, that dulcimer is something special. Enjoy playing it.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

You've got a real treasure in that Bonnie Carol!  I can't offer insight into the types of woods used yet know Bonnie's reputation as a luthier is stellar.  Enjoy that lovely dulcimer! 

Hi all,

Long time guitar player here thinking about getting into the dulcimer. I just had a nice dulcimer land in my lap here as my wife found it in a thrift store (actually got it from the guy in line to donate it before it was donated!) Looking into this instrument, it seems that Bonnie was a very well-respected player and luthier. I'd like to learn to play dulcimer now that I have one, and I was just wondering what you could tell me about it. For instance, what kind of wood is it made of? I've heard Bonnie used "exotic hardwoods"...maybe this is Koa or something like that? How would you suggest I clean it without damaging or altering the finish? Is this rare/collectible? Any idea how much a low production number Bonnie Carol like this would go for to a collector? Where should I get strings for it? 

Really appreciate any insights you guys have! Thanks! 

My images were too large to upload, so I put them here: https://imgur.com/a/332WTID

Hi, Michael. I’m sorry it has taken me a bit to get back to you. Trying to figure out how to respond. My number is 256-702-2244 if you would like to call or text about the dulcimer. I’m out of pocket but available after 10 this morning. Thanks!

Margie S

Hello, Michael G here. I’m in your neighborhood—I’m in Tennessee just north of Killen. I’m not familiar with the luthier, but I am a serious player and collector, and yours is a beautiful dulcimer! I’m interested.

John, that's nice of you to recommend this site to new players. Thanks!  

Perhaps "coincidence"...But the last 2 out of three dulcimers I've sold have gone to folks looking to start learning to play., in part because of that little segment on late night TV...

 I always recommend FOTMD to my new customers, it is truly a gem of a resource for anyone with an interest!

If you judge by the number of new members joining FOTMD, the MD community is strong.

Mr Ray custom made this dulcimer for me in March of 2009. It is a twin to his own personal dulcimer he played for many years. My hands are too small for a full sized model, and I would like this dulcimer to go to a serious player. It is solidly built with a rich sound.

Specs:  Signed. Interior label reads “Ray Hunley, 4820 Sierra Drive, Old Hickory, TN 37138”. Original strings. Extra frets. DAD tuning.

$350
Local pickup at or within reasonable distance to Florence, AL. We are in the NW corner of the state. I’m afraid I do not know enough to safely ship. Cash only please. Thank you. 🤗

 B69F7ACE-B9C7-4501-B440-1B3C28043E9C.jpeg - 299KB

This Saturday, 29 March, 2025-- the more countries which participate, the merrier!  Love of the Appalachian dulcimer has spread around the world.    

4 equidistant strings is an interesting configuration

That is a very nice gift that Glen gave you Jim. Enjoy it. 

Dusty, that limberjill is delightful. I'm sure you've had fun playing it.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

That's such a nice gesture on Glen's part, Jim. I love the vest!

Several years ago I lent a stranger a dulcimer at a dulcimer festival. The next year at that same festival he showed up with a limberjack for me. Or should I say limberjill .

I was admiring my friend Glen's limberjack at a festival and a few months later, he showed up with one he'd made for me.

 Limberjack from Glen.jpg - 97KB

https://youtu.be/xwGMhADMxoA?si=FvP8tD3bYFeVdReO

A little reminder of the day.  :)

That's funny how the AI bot referenced you to tell you about you, @nate .

I've been hashtagging International Appalachian Dulcimer Day on fb for a few years now and think somebodies got "it" in the hashtag game.  

I fully agree @dusty . I couldn't help but laugh at the idea of an AI bot reading MY post and then giving me misleading information about my own instrument

That's hilarious, @nate.  It certainly demonstrates the limitations of information from AI.  On the one hand, it found your information here. On the other hand, it fails to recognize how unique your builds are, implying lots of "enthusiasts" are experimenting the way you do.

Dusty, I've heard a lot of good feedback about Feed-N-Wax. I asked because I happened to already have this can of furniture polish, and was hoping to find a use for it. I have used it a few times on my dulcimers, and the orange oil does a good job at keeping the wood vitalized, for lack of a better word.

Neither of the two products I use occasionally--Howard Feed-N-Wax and Old English Lemon Oil--contain silicone.  I have to admit, though, that I didn't know that until I looked it up. Those products were recommended to me years ago and they both seem to work well.

Thank you very much Ken for this comprehensive answer. The Horstobel Sachs system has always been hard for me to wrap my head around, but what you typed is super easy to grasp. Would any discontinuous fretboard then be considered a lute?