Notches only need to be a string diameter in depth. The best tool is a small triangular jewelers file. I got a whole kit of such files from the local Ace Hardware for under $10. Height will need to be adjusted no matter what -- It's a matter of cutting slightly over-tall then sanding down to Nickel/Dime action height or lower.
Thanks Ken I will measure it and see if I can get it out this weekend....The issue will also be making the notches and the height right.. I agree that It really is a nice looking old girl!
What Rob said - The bridge will need to be made to fit. Not hard to do. You just need a small slice of hard wood like Maple. Let us know how thin the wood is and someone, or several someones, will probably send you useable bits of wood.
Does the piece of bridge in the slot come out readily, or is it glued in? If glued, run your hairdryer on high a couple inches from the broken bit for a few minutes, then use a small slice of wood like a popcicle stick as a 'punch' to try and drive the the broken bit out sideways.
Back in the 60s and early 70s many makers used a single dowel as a string post like that. If the post is small enough you can open up the loop of loop-end strings and they'll slide right on. Or you can use ball-end strings and run the tip of the string through the ball end and make a loop to slip over the post.
Not having a 6+ fret means you'll probably find it easiest to play this dulcimer in Fingerdance or Noter & Drone style, and not try to play everything from the DAd tuning.
Really nice looking dulcimer. You've got a keeper there!
Paula, I'd say the bridge would have to be made to fit. If you have some wood, sandpaper and a knife edge needle file you're good to go. Can't say I've ever heard of that maker. It looks really nice tho'. Good lines, craftsmanship (from what I can see in the pics) and no 6 1/2 fret.
Hi,
The wooden bridge is broken and I need to get a new one... I wondered if I am going to have one
hand made? I am sending a picture or two as well. The bridge is one piece insert. I showed the top nut just for reference.
Also, there are no string fasteners at the bottom, only a big round post... Did they wrap strings around the post?
Secondly anyone know anything about LW Moody, LA California? That is one the label... #10
Thanks for any input you can give! Paula
Just before boxing this dulcimer up to ship I played one last tune... Simple Gifts or some variation thereof... Robert.
Thanks Lexie. I was pondering buying the one that Cynthia bought - guess I pondered too long!
Gail, I don't have a JI from Robert, but bought one made out of Buternut and can highly recommend his workmanship.
They are great to play noter/drone or chord and the sound is that silvery old time sound. Mine is my most lovely and a treasure. Robert models after A.W. Jeffery's and it is a gorgeous design.
Also Robert is a great person to work with, very kind and considerate.
Also Cynthia Wingington bought a JI from Robert recently and she seems to love it, she would be a good person to talk with about it.
Good luck with your "Sweet Strings"
Robert, how much do you charge for one of these? I love the sound and it's a beautiful instrument.
Nice playing and demonstration there Robert! If I may ask, why did you go with a slightly shorter vsl for the just intonated dulcimers you'd made?
Really lovely Robert, I really REALLY love hearing you play them, not to mention that sweet sound.
Congrats on selling this beautiful sweet instrument Robert, I am sure the buyer will be very pleased.
We are getting rain off and on in Central MT, here's hoping for rain for your crops and your Dulci-stuff.
Yeah, I thought she would buy it, she sure liked the sound of mine.
Sounds very much like the first one I bought from you Robert. Now, I hope you do keep the 2nd until you can build a third!
Robert it is not only beautiful, aww that sweet, sweet sound is exceptional, I love it and best save my money.
I really REALLY! like playing on a just intonated scale dulcimer. I seldom play in DAd anymore. This model is made of poplar and is light as a feather. Here are a couple sound clips. first in Daa the second is Daa, Dac and Eaa... Robert.
I would suggest buying several sets of strings at a time from www.juststrings.com , where they are as little as $2 and changer per set. For 28" VSL you'll want 20w or 22w bass strings, 12 ga. plain steel middle drone strings and 10 to 12 ga melody strings.
Banjo Strings work well if you need a loop end. Sometimes they can be found as individual strings. Just cut the string about 3-4" from the peg it will be wrapped around, and carry on. In case you aren't aware of the string sizes you have currently, take your dulcimer with you to the store. They can measure them.
Of course, you can also order strings from dulcimer builders/shops. You'll need to know the gauge, unless you order them from the builder.
Good luck,
Linda
I know re-stringing is not everyone's favorite thing in the world to do, but I decided I would restring a couple of my dulcimers over the weekend. Just finally finished the last one a bit ago At any rate, I had strings from juststrings.com, but I know people have mentioned other sites they order off, so my question is which string sites or sites do folks get there strings from?
Personally, I don't think a possum board adds that much volume to a standard dulcimer. I have McSpadden possum boards on my standard dulcimer and my Ginger, but I don't think adding an extra $100 or more to a dulcimer to have a built in possum board is worth it. I have a couple of amps that I use occasionally, but my favorite is the little Honeytone amp, which sells for about $25 or $30 on the web or Amazon. It connects easily to a flat head dulcimer. Do not use with a scroll head. I use this small amp for small groups. Hope this info helps. BTW, you can also buid yourself a cheap possum board with a wooden fan blade from one of the big box hardware stores and a couple of dowels to hold the dulcimer up.
