This discussion was so delightful that I went ahead and bought the JT by Robert Schuler. Even in the audio over the web I could hear the difference. Bach owned different harpsichords - tuned to JT and ET - never thought I would be in a position to own a bespoke JT instrument so I'm really excited to be adding 155 tuning to my skill set. I'll let you know how it goes.
Scott
Well if you like traditional dulcimers (which it seems you do since you don't want a 6+ or other 'extra' frets) IMHO the steal of the day is the Robert Schuler just intonated dulcimer that Lynn is selling here:
I forgot to mention that if you still have trouble dropping the pick you might try some "gorilla snot" sold at some music stores. Also, your local bowling alley might have some resin like stuff they use to keep from dropping a bowling ball and comes in a small bottle. You rub it on the fingers you use to hold your pick. I have used both over the years when I had slippery fingers.
Herdim makes the 3 numbered pick that several dulcimer builders furnish with their dulcimer. I use a herdim too, but a longer one that they make. Some vendors have this longer version available in different thicknesses, but you might have to order it from an online vendor. I like Herdim, because they are made out of nylon and last for years. The one I use has been with me for over 6 or 7 years and I carry it in my small change purse all the time, along with a couple of extra picks, just in case.
Marg -- there is dulcimer tab all over the internet. The only tab you can change from Mode to Mode is Mixolydian (DAd) to Ionian (DAA) and back. Fingerings for chords in each Mode are different and are given in the tab.
Here are a handful of tunes in Aeolian and Dorian Modes.
DAC Aeolian Mode
DAG Dorian Mode
You may want to read the essay I wrote called Uncontrite Modal Folker , which is a sort of beginner's guide to Modes and Modal tunings. You can find it here: http://fotmd.com/forums/forum/dulcimer-resourcestabs-books-websites-dvds/15050/the-uncontrite-modal-folker
Thanks lexie, I do have that site but most of the tabs are in either DAd or DAA. If I could as you say - (change a tab from DAD to Daa just add 3 frets) what would I need to do for any of the other tunings listed in this discussion.
I have my old John Naylor dulcimer tune to DAdd, this one I take to practice, jams and preformances (as in senior homes and children's schools) since we almost always play in DAd
My old Hondo red stain dulcimer (everyone helped me set up) I have tune to DAA and working on songs with that tunning. So glad to hear I can also use DGD tabs with the DAA ones. I like the sound of this tuning on this dulcimer and will keep it so for now.
A student dulcimer, today I went and tune it to DGD and played a few songs. This is the one I am thinking of trying all the tunings mention in the post on. Can't say I liked the DGD tone but will give it and me sometime but do want to try all the others mention.
My dulciborn, I have tune DAdd. (Again with the help of many members I was able to set this one up with a better action.) The tones of the dulciborn are great, nice highs and good bass lows. Having it DAdd I am always ready to play something since that is the tunings from practice. I play it outside, over the pond sometimes for neighbors but mostly for the ducks, birds and Heaven.
http://www.everythingdulcimer.com/ Marge, have you seen this site, there are many tabs and information.
To change a tab from DAD to Daa just add 3 frets.
There are lots of tab sites out there, I have filled two binders by printing them off.
There is also much information on modes and tunings by Ken hulm, Robin Clark and others on our site, they are all accomplished musicians who can help you better than I, I have very little music experience.
Have Fun with your Dulci Journey!
Can you play DGD or DAA tabs as same if you chord or only if you play on the melody string. I noticed on the few tabs I have in DAG & DAA the middle or base string tab could be different.
I would like to try the different tunes but where do we find tabs for them all or which ones can we play DAA or DAd tabs with since they are the ones that are mostly out? Reading everyone's above post makes me want to try each and every tuning but stuck without a tab to go with it. Does anyone have a listing of which tunings can go with which tabs? Or how could we change a tab to a different tuning? Like in James post (you can play DGd tab, just use an Ionian mode tab for DAA. Same tab numbers, just will sound in G other then D)
This would be a big learning adventure for me, so thank you in advance if as you give your favorite tunings you could also give members like me an idea on how to try it ourselves. Sorry, I don't play by ear, I need the tab.
Robert, you are chock-a-block full of creative homemade, money saving ideas. Made any instruments out of reclaimed wood yet? 
Gotta love the bones playing hamster! We should name him. Izzy Bones? Bubba Bones? Hamsta Bones? Bones being his surname, of course. 
50 pound test nylon fishing line makes a very good high D string. I use this size on my banjos. The high E B G D off a nylon guitar set will work. You will need loop end string posts to tie them onto. I think when all is done, you will be disappointed with the sound. I found nylon to be dull and un impressive on a dulcimer... Robert...
I'm glad you got that private bones lesson from Dom, Lisa! I'd like to get to play in a duo of Appalachian dulcimer with a bones player someday. (Hint, hint) And also with fotmd member Abby Spoon Lady who is a master of the spoons. :)
not sure what "standard dulcimer sizes" would be. you will have to experiment i suppose if you are determined to try nylon or "gut" strings
For me it was "Muddy "Mississippi" Waters Live" 1979 ,I wore that record out! Now when I do play my harmonica I'll play along with anything- Abba to Zappa !
Sheryl that's so cool- be sure to keep us posted here as you progress. Brian still has a set of four walnut bones he carved when he was in college, several decades ago! He can play a little, but chooses not to (a true gentleman? lol). That set is bigger than average, and is too big for my hands, so I can't really play his nice vintage set. I now keep a round can, like a 'vase' of bones, on my desk.
I like to think this hamster is playing tiny bones:
Lisa, you got me going. I ordered a classic style set made of walnut; I was looking for a mellow sound. I'll keep y'all posted on my progress.
Dom Flemons is one of our own, Durham, NC based member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops. I was hoping they were going to be at this year's Wide Open Bluegrass Festival in Raleigh, but no. I'll have to settle for Alison Krauss & Union Station! 
The use of gut strings comes up at least a couple times a year. As John Knopf says, I wouldn't use them on a modern built dulcimer. Gut strings are ony marginally useful on a dulcimer. They are generally too quiet, as most modern made dulcimers are built too heavy to poduce good sound. You pretty much need a new nut and bridge as the gut strings are much larger in diameter.
I doubt if nylon or gut strings are readily available for dulcimers, but tenor or baritone ukulele strings might work. This would be a trial and error excersize, because mass is so much different than with steel. As mass of string goes up, the note at the same tension goes lower. Given the limited top movement on a dulcimer, I'm not sure they would produce much volume. Volume with steel strings can often be limited on a dulcimer. That's the nature of a fretboard glued tightly to the full length of the instruments top. Nylon & gut strings do have a softer, more mellow sound. They also have less tension, making it easier to play with tender fingers. I may experiment with a set of ukulele strings and see how it works out. Limited sizes may be a problem, though, making it hard to get the tunings we want.. Violin & guitar family instruments used gut for a long time before steel became available, and friction tuners were fine with them. Because of the gear ratio of geared pegs, they work particularly well with steel strings. Violins with steel strings almost always have some type of fine tuner to allow the small adjustments needed for steel strings. It isn't really the slippage that causes issues, it's the fact that nylon/ gut stretch so much when tuning. The tuner has to move more length of string to adjust the note up or down. Geared tuners for nylon string guitars usually have very large diameter shafts or fast gear ratios to deal with the stretch factor of non metalic strings. Smaller diameter friction pegs would work better than larger ones when used with steel strings. But then you are back to dealing with the hole sizes the instrument was built with.
I wouldn't use nylon or gut strings on a modern dulcimer. They were made to use steel strings.
If a friction peg slips, the screw on the end needs to be tightened, that's all.
Paul,
(friction pegs work best with nylon or gut strings)
Are these strings easy to find at any guitar music store in standard dulcimer sizes? Would the nylon or gut strings have a more mellow sound?
Thank you for all you info on the fiction pegs. I too am minimizing the tunings and keeping it tuned to DAA less tension than DAdd. The pegs seem to be holding the tune so far, good since the only work I want to be doing now on this dulcimer is to play it.
Met David Pedersen on my trip hope to Oklahoma. Played for 2 or 3 hours together. Then, as has been said several times, Ken Backer and his wife, Lin, at Jim Fawcett's last night. Great time on Jim and Bev's porch.
It sure was great to meet Ken and Lin Backer and my old friend Rob at Cracker Barrel last night and the good time jammin on "The Porch"
That pie wasn't too bad at all.
Yinz guys can come back anytime.
Wonderful Ken, it is great you all met and got to play music on Jim's porch.
Hey, Ken, you met some of my FOTMD/in-person friends! And I can attest to Bev's skill in the kitchen.
Last night Lin and I had the best time with Rob Lackey, and Jim and Bev Fawcett. After supper we sat on the porch at the Fawcett's lovely home in the country and played music. And I have to mention Bev's delicious zuccini pie!
I was at a Renaissance faire years ago and saw people parading playing the bones along with bodhran players It was cool but I didn't think I would ever play either. It looked way too complicated. Several years to the future, I have both now and play ok. I saw Dom's videos on the bones and bought two pairs of rosewood bones. I carry them with me everywhere, kind of like a talisman. When I walk my kids (canine versions) I play. They hate it and howl at me. I think because I am scaring the jack rabbits away they like to chase. I too, like Jan, have castanets. I bought a small pair from the locate nation brand name music store. I also carry them everywhere. I don't play them like traditional Mariachi. I play them slower. They make a great companion to bllue grass traditional music. I tried the spoons but because I need two hands where I don't with the bones and castanets I don't use them as much. Anyone wanting to learn to play the bones should watch Dom's videos. They are very helpful.
Glad to hear you just needed to tighten the screws on the tuner knobs. My knobs came in and I was able to get my tuner problems all fixed also.
Marg, tightening the screws on the end of the tuner knobs increased the friction and fixed " the problem."
Charles, back in June of 1967 I got my first radio with FM. No kid back then listened to FM. It was the domain of dull old people's music. So I hit the FM button and out came the Paul Butterfield Blue's band. They played the entire East West album. I was totally blow away. By 1969 I learned every harmonica solo on that record. Today I rarely play harmonica much. I'm totally immersed in Appalachian fiddle tunes... Robert.
If you use a capo, it may not fit on an extra wide fretboard. A wide fretboard, and a long scale length, may mean some long stretches if you play chords. Some things to think about before having a custom fret board made.
Are you replacing tuners? The holes that were drilled for the original pegs may not fit all replacement tuners, as shaft size may vary. If possible, measure the original so you can buy some of the same size. If you are changing from tapered violin pegs to another style of tuner or friction pegs, you may have to plug and redrill the holes. Banjo and ukulele friction pegs require straight holes, while violin pegs, Pegheds, and Perfection pegs require tapered holes. Geared tuners use straight holes, but not all shafts are the same size, so you may need to widen, or plug and re drill the holes. You will also need pilot holes for the screws that hold geared pegs in place. Filling tapered holes, or tapering straight holes would be the trickiest jobs of these. Particularly if the holes have worn over time and are no longer round. Some players like the esthetic of traditional violin pegs, some don't care what is there as long as it works. All friction pegs work best with nylon or gut strings, the high tension of steel strings tries to loosen the strings, and makes them tricky to tune. I got very tired of the constant messing with the friction 5th string peg on my first banjo and had it replaced with a geared peg. I have one ukulele with friction pegs, but the nylon strings work a lot better than the steel did on the banjo. I do have to keep a small screwdriver in the case to tighten the pegs, over time banjo & ukulele friction pegs work loose and won't hold tune. At least every 2-4 weeks one or more need to be tightened. My prefference is geared tuners, I only want to play it, not do surgery. Particularly at a gig. I don't use multiple tunings on my ukulele, so I minimize the tuning there. My other instruments are all subject to multiple tunings, but they all have steel strings.
As long as it fits in an overhead bin or under your seat they can't make you check it. If you are among the last to board, and bins are full, you have to put it under your seat. If it won't fit there, it gets gate checked in the cargo hold. I have one very large bass dulcimer that won't go under the seats. I don't take it on airplanes because I only have a fabric case and had to make that myself. No way will I chance them throwing a set of golf clubs on top of it in the cargo hold. But if there is no space in the cabin, they do have the legal right to make you check your instrument. You can read the rule on the TSA web site. That is why I mentioned the smaller size dulcimers in my earlier post. Most normal Mt. Dulcimers will fit under the seat. A pair in a double case probably will not fit under the seat. A jumbo monster like my bass dulcy will not fit under the seat. Heck, it doesn't really fit in my lap! I have to angle it so the top faces kinda forward. But it may be because my stomach leaves too little room!
Well, I pulled the trigger and purchased a Seydel Blues Session Steel. What sold me was the stainless steel reeds, they claim to last 5 times longer than brass. I have blown out quite a few reeds over the years - I do love to WAIL on my harps!!
There are many USB microphones available for under $100, many for $50 and under. I use a Blue "Snowball", It's priced in the mid 50's, They also make one called the "Snowflake" that's in the mid 40's ( Amazon prices).
Ken, so happy you are down to meet Patty, Jim and Rob, hope you have a good time jamming n eating guys!
