Folkcraft makes a cardboard dulcimer kit for around $75 US. The advantage to this is that (unlike apple creek and some of the other cheap, foreign-built models) the fretboard is going to be spot on. Plus it shouldn't be too hard to remake the cardboard part in that cherry you mentioned sometime down the road.
@marg I hadn't thought of weighting the chopstick some way when I've given using a striker tries. Thanks for the idea!
Such sweet looking fur friends, all! 
RobinT... you got another doggie? Do post a pic here soon if you can!
Our three kitties are doing fine lately- they all happen to be in their prime and healthy (knock on wood). The only downside of that is that they'll all get old at the same time... might wind up being difficult for us!
Anne, I'm glad Bran is doing well! We wound up with a stray dog about a month ago. . . One never knows what will present.
Robin NC, Ollie sure is a handsome boy!
If your dulcimer is a standard size with a scale length of 25-29", it's unlikely you could tune a thin string way up to the "a" above the usual high d. Once you use a .007 or thinner string, and tune it up to such a high note on the standard size scale, that very thin string will almost certainly break under the tension. There's only so far you can go with the method of using a thinner string to tune higher and a thicker string to tune lower... going too far will mean a string so fat it will be unplayable and thuddy, or a string so thin it will simply break before it reaches the extreme high note. When you've reached those string gauge extreme limits either way (too low or too high), the next step is to switch to an instrument with a longer scale or a shorter scale, so that you CAN tune to those notes without having to use impossibly heavy or thin strings.
Dusty brings up some good thoughts in his post. And I too am curious about your goal in tuning this way. :)
Hi @Marg,
First, you should know about the Strothers String Gauge Calculator , which will calculate an appropriate string gauge once you enter the vibrating string length (VSL, or the distance between the bridge and nut) and the note you want to play. The calculator errs on the light side, so feel free to go one or two gauges heaver.
Second, can I ask how you play and why you want to tune this way?
If you play in a drone style, ADa is considered a "reverse ionian" tuning, meaning you would still be playing in the key of D, but the drones are reversed, with the root being on the middle string and the fifth on the bass string.
If you play chords and fret all strings, ADa is a common tuning for baritone dulcimers when the player wants to play in the key of D to play with standard dulcimers tuned DAd or DAA. In the case of baritone dulcimers, the middle string would be tuned to the same D as the bass string of a standard dulcimer, with the bass string a fourth below that and the melody string a fifth above.
The 3/4-size instruments such as the McSpadden Ginger or Ron Ewing's baritone dulcimette are sometimes tuned to A as well. They would be an octave above the baritone, with the bass string being the same as the middle string on a standard dulcimer.
Unless you are using the "reverse ionian" tuning to play in D, however, a normal tuning in A for either the baritone dulcimers or the octave versions of the baritone dulcimers would be AEE or AEa.
It sounds like you are trying to get the Ginger tonal range on a standard dulcimer. You can possibly do it, but you will need to identify the correct string gauges sing the calculator linked to above. But note that most people who tune that way use a smaller dulcimer, not a standard-sized dulcimer.
And I'm still curious why you want to tune this way.
This is from a few years ago, I was just trying to hammer a tune. I wanted something other then strum strum with a pick. I am using a chopstick with a brass sleeve over the end I strike with.
I'm not sure how to tune to A-d-a, I checked the string gage and it had 13-10--07 but every time I try with a 07 string it breaks. Am I going to high and it should be all lower?
I have the bass string A like an A middle string, I have middle d like a d melody string, what tuning should the a now melody string be, very high a or i'm all wrong?
One of my two cats. This is Ollie. He was named Dolly when we adopted him at the shelter, but he was so fluffy we couldn't tell immediately that the paperwork was wrong. He was indeed a male! So Dolly became Ollie. He's 16 pounds, and appears to be either Ragdoll, Ragdoll mix, or a Ragamuffin. And he's got all the behavioral traits to go along with the looks and size.
Thanks Robin for such a lovely video. I use a hammer from my hammered dulcimer. HD hammers have just the right balance, making it easier to pick out individual notes, and create that distinctive bouncy sound... Robert
Bran is doing very well, thank you! I will have to give him a manicure and rub some cream into his paws tomorrow - the trouble with putting anything on cats paws is that they will insist on licking it off - I use paw paw ointment, so at least it tastes nice!
He had another little breakthrough moment last week, when he voluntarily hopped up on to my lap and snuggled up for a cuddle, with purrs! Although he will hop into bed and cuddle up, this is the first time he has stayed on my lap for more than a
passing-through minute. It is all small steps for him, but he is getting better every day. Another little 'test' will happen tomorrow when the cleaning lady comes, as he really hates the noise - if he doesn't bolt for cover straight away we will count that as a win!
This Christmas will be his third with me, and he has more than repaid the investment of time and energy - he is such a sweetie! The senior cat, Pug, is also much better with him now, although the kitchen rough and tumble gets a bit willing!
I have out a request to the universe for a dog - I really miss my Jack the Ripper! This time, however, I want an inside-outside dog, about miniature poodle size (don't want a poodle though - been there, done that!) who will be inside with me, or out and about with me, and who won't murder the cats! If the universe is feeling generous that's what will turn up on my doorstep. I'm not going looking, but will wait for the 'right' one to come along!
@anne-maguire How is Bran doing?
@david-bennett With a name like Sally Ann, she has to like old-timey music. :)
@bryan-fridlund I've imagined Doug Thomson's hammer is used that way. It may feel more balanced in the hand than a found object of some kind used as a striker.
Doug Thomson at www.banjomer.com makes a fretted dulcimer hammer. I wonder if it could be used as a “striker”?
When we first got Sally Ann she didn't seem to have any interest in the dulcimer when I played it. Then she got to where she seemed to like it in small doses but after a couple songs I was expected to stop and play with her instead. Then last week she's taken to sitting between my feet while I play and actually seems to enjoy it.
Thank you for the name correction, @pierre-yves-donnio and @john-shaw! I've edited the posting.
From my experience of trying to use a striker, John Shaw's pointing-out the important factor of having a loose well-balanced hold is true.
I've tried this with knitting needles.....to me, playing this way is about as easy as touching your nose with your elbow!
Don, I don't use iTunes or Spotify, so I can't help you with those streaming services. But I would say that the most relaxing dulcimer music I've ever heard is Mark Kailana Nelson's CD Ke Kukima Polinahe: Hawaiian and Polynesian Music for Appalachian Dulcimer . That link takes you to YouTube, where you can hear the whole album. He also released a book of tab for the music on the CD, but I've never learned any of the tunes. I strongly recommend the album, though. Whenever I feel really stressed I put on that music, close my eyes, and relax on a breezy island in the Pacific.
John Molineux uses a chopstick or a ball point pen. The "secret" of his technique is that he holds the stick very loosely, well balanced so that it bounces a little and does a few further light hits on the string. (This is something I've never been able to manage, as I can't stop myself holding it far too stiffly.)
Be sure to look at these two other fun discussions on the use of strikers (also called "fiddlesticks" technique)... they include a video showing use on an epinette, which is like a small mtn dulcimer:
https://fotmd.com/forums/forum/general-mountain-dulcimer-or-music-discussions/4572/fiddlesticks#r4575
https://fotmd.com/forums/forum/general-mountain-dulcimer-or-music-discussions/22623/oh-fiddlesticks
I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. Instead of crawling the mall or online shopping, I spent my Black Friday cleaning up the new-to-me dulcimer. The top had separated from the sides a little, and there was a small crack in the headstock, so repairs were in order. With that done, I went on to the clean up process. It was really gunky but cleaned up great. I ended up making a new nut from one that came from a mandolin and adjusting the bridge. It put me right where I need to be.
The only problem I see now is that the frets are quite skinny (sorry no measurement here, but I'm familiar with fret size on mandolins and guitars and can tell relative size). I am wondering if I should try to replace the frets with something a bit larger. The frets also seem to be well worn and probably need to be replaced anyway.
The tuners were stiff and super gunky. I cleaned the buttons, cleaned the gears and posts, and oiled the gears. The tuners now turn smoothly and hold the tuning well. I'm pleased that they did work out okay since I figured I'd have to replace them.
After cleaning it all up, I researched wood and think it is made of honduran mahogany with a walnut fingerboard, and after further inspection think it may be solid wood. The strings that were installed on the dulcimer were apparently guitar strings that were way too hefty for this 31 -inch instrument. I put on some d'Addario dulcimer strings tuned DAA, and now it has a resonant and mellow tone.
For a free dulcimer I can't be more pleased. Now to learn how to play it. I ordered a couple of Mel Bay books and will start on the learning process in the next few days.
Thanks for your insight and assistance with this. You got me on the right track.
First thing in the morning I put on a hymn or relaxing piano playlist on my IPhone.
Do you know of a relaxing CD or playlist on ITunes or Spotify that is strictly the mountain dulcimer?
That use of a striker is fun and intriguing. I will try this but anyone seen any videos of mountain dulcimer instructors using this technique?
The player is not John Renbourn (who is the one with the guitar, on right at the beginning of the video) but the great John Molineux
I do not know what was being used as a striker in the video yet I've used a chopstick when I've tried the technique.
Irene showed us how to do this @ the Berea Gathering!
I was fascinated with the striker, too. Wonder what he was using as the striker?
Chopstick?
I was fascinated with the striker, too. Wonder what he was using as the striker?
His playing and singing are good enough (you gotta love the little smile as he sings the slightly bawdy lines) but the rhythms he gets with that striker are just amazing. I'm in awe.
That was a really neat video. Loved the song and the music. Thanks for sharing.
Though it doesn't come until near the end of the video, I was fascinated with seeing how Mr Molineux used the striker.
Hello from northern VT! Even though I really am not much of a traveler at all, I am considering a road (or air) trip to the Smokey Mountains - there, I have said it and maybe that will help me to follow through with it. Any suggestions or advice from anyone out there in MD land?
The Crescent PA Turkeys have just dropped by (first time this year!) to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! Best wishes to you all.
Barb, Blackdogbess
Its amazing how things have changed. I wrote the original post that starts this thread when I was just starting out on the dulcimer and knew no one who plays. Now I have students who work with me weekly, a monthly gathering, and a couple of annual festivals. And through that entire evolution, I've relied on all the friends here at FOTMD to share our musical passion. Without all of you to share my interest in things dulcimer, my life would be genuinely impoverished. Thank you all.
I wish you all a peaceful Thanksgiving.
Thank you, Strumelia!
Wishing everyone here a meaningful Thanksgiving!
Nice to once again look over this thread of giving thanks. I feel blessed to be here and privileged to have so many online friends through our shared love of music. I feel a positive connection to you good folk who participate here on FOTMD currently, and to our friends who have been here in the past. 
May you all have a wonderful day tomorrow, hopefully experiencing (or even creating) something meaningful to you.
