Forum Activity for @nate

Does a longer instrument simply have more tension because the players choose to use higher tension strings?
When I string up longer dulcimers, I use smaller gauge strings or lower pitch tunings to compensate. Similarly, when I string up shorter dulcimer, I use thicker strings or higher tunings to compensate. I prefer the tactile experience of having thinner strings, and I also notice a difference in sustain with longer strings, even when they are not at a higher tension. 

I am selling my dulcimer that I have had for more than 30 years as I have never given it my full attention. The instrument is in excellent condition. 

Here are the details: 

Rugg and Jackel Fok Roots Dulcimer

D-50 S 726881 (dated July 26, 1988)

Spruce top

Black walnut back, sides and headstock 

Approximate measurements are:

Length: 37”

Height: 3”

Width at widest point: 7¾”

Cost: £125 plus any shipping costs. Or collection in person from London UK

 20250103_145319.jpg - 122KB

Perhaps over simplification, but if the only variable is the strings, Longer and thicker gauges [and therefore higher tensions] will vibrate longer on any given length for the same tuning. As an example a .024 tuned to D3 on a 22 inch VSL [about 12.5 pounds of tension] will not vibrate as long as the same string used on a 36 inch VSL with the same tuning [39.2 pounds].

In the proverbial nutshell, longer dulcimer strings [VSL] usually mean a longer "sustain" of each note played. You can coax a bit more out of a shorter scale by going thicker on the strings , but only to a point. Finger comfort and tension on the instrument can get excessive.

Yeah, to actually measure the difference, we would need to hold all the other variables constant.  We would need the same builder to make identical instruments with the exception of the VSL.  Same box, same bracing, same wood types, same wood thickness, same amount of glue, etc.  And even then we would have to decide what string gauges to use.  Would you choose the gauges most appropriate for the longer VSL or the shorter?  Would you cut the difference in half to measure? Either way, you are not really hearing the way at least one of the dulcimers would normally sound.

I guess what I'm saying is that we could never measure this accurately.  But the good news is we'll be able to discuss it forever! 

Adding to what Dusty said, tone can also be greatly effected by the wood thickness... not simply by the size of the sound box and its scale length.

@Dan ...what note and what string gauge do you use for a 36" scale? Surely not the usual high d note... you must be tuning to lower keys/notes?

Perhaps simply comparing the sound/tone of a shorter 23 5/16" scale McSpadden Ginger to a regular 29" scale McSpadden would answer TonyG's question. However, the Ginger is described as being tuned to the key of G, several steps higher than the standard DAA or DAd.
So, Tony asks if a different scale will effect the tone or sound... I guess part of the answer would also depend on whether you specify tuning both scales to the same notes or keys.

Sustain.  I think longer VSLs have more sustain than shorter ones.

Remember that modern instruments often have much larger boxes than do traditional instruments, so some of the generalizations here may not accurately describe the difference between a traditional instrument with a long VSL and a modern instrument with a shorter one.

Dulcimore Dan is an I.D. Stamper fan!   I.D. used those long, jangly, low-pitched strings on his dulcimers.

If you tune a 26 inch and 29 inch Dulcimore the same, the longer scale will have more tension and usually have a little better "punch" to it. I also prefer the longer scales, 36 inch is my favorite!

One thing to note is that a longer scale length/VSL usually means a physically larger instrument, which can affect tone and volume.

This is just an observation and I might be wrong about this, but to me, when tuned to the same note with the same tension, thinner longer strings seem to have a fuller tone than thicker, shorter strings.

I know the trend has been toward shorter scale lengths, which I suppose makes sense for chord melody style, but being a drone player, I prefer a longer scale length which for some reason sounds better to my ear.  But I was wondering what the reason is, and basically,  how does scale length affect the sound of a dulcimer?

Sometimes faults and scars make some beautiful sweet sounds.....

 Willie.png - 1MB

There are numerous tunings

I see

I prefer Folkcraft because those have more options

I find the folkcrafts more versatile because they come in more varieties like resonator (I hope the Resonator dulcimers have the option of 4 strings with both double melody & 4 equidistant strings in the future)

Chromatic Dulcimers started out as Diatonics but they added extra frets (0.5, 1.5, 3.5, 4.5, 6.5). The original Chromatic Dulcimer was a Diatonic Dulcimer that was converted historically speaking.

For anyone interested the the Scrivner dulcimer that David Schnaufer played here is a video about it.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Even though you posted the wrong profile, I enjoyed reading it. Thanks for sharing.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I enjoyed the profile.  Though David Schnaufer is gone, Vince Farsetta is still making music.  

Looks like I pasted the wrong link SORRY but still some interesting info. about Vince Farsetta & David Schnaufer.

Well kids I hope everybody's doing well just thought I'd pass along this link For those who are interested  https://dulcinews.com/profile-vincent-farsetta/

I saw a longer part of Amanda's interview and she took up mountain dulcimer during the pandemic.  The dulcimer she's playing wasn't hers but was pulled out by Jimmy Fallon and it surprised her.  She said she was nervous yet dove right into California.  

Incredibly talented!

Just what we need to get the kids interested!

I have to admit I didn't expect such a strong voice from Amanda.

Sweet!

I've been listening to Steve Reich for over 20 years.  Recently I did a piece with lyre and psaltery inspired by his earlier work, particularly Violin/Electric Guitar Phase and Drumming:

https://trebizond.bandcamp.com/track/lake-evendim

I used just regular Folkcraft Roller Wound Strings, .011, .011, .013, .024RW & I had no problems at all. They're very gentle underneath the fingers.

The shortest scale dulcimer I make is 24". I use 12 12 14 22 strings without any problems. The nice thing about short scale dulcimers is tuning to pitches much higher then Dad...Robert 

Gett'n ready for the revival..........

If you want to go to lighter strings on a 23 inch VSL, I suggest 0.011 for the melody strings, a 0.015 for the middle, and 0.023 for the bass. You could always try going down once size on each string to see if it is too floppy. For the most part, experimentation is what you need to find the right strings for you and your dulcimer.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

With a 23" scale, you'd have to use somewhat heavy strings to keep the DAd tuning from being too floppy (especially for the middle A string). What gauge strings did you put on it for that tuning?

I have a 4 string Chromatic Mountain Dulcimer in DAD Tuning with the Doubled Melody String (the bridge & nut are cut to also allow for 4 equidistant strings) & what I did rather cleverly here was to use a 23 inch scale length (the shortest scale length) which keeps the tension of the strings down. A really short scale length makes the strings more flexible and easier to play.

You have a piece of Dulcimer history for sure.

Ken, that’s wonderful. What a great article! I’ll be sure to contact Ron and see if he can give me any more information. I’m starting to feel I have a real treasure with this dulcimer. 

Here is a link to the Ron Ewing article in DPN. https://archive.org/details/dpn-1990-016-03/page/20/mode/1up

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

So Steve, I see a picture of that on The Mountain Dulcimer Lore FB page. Very nice!

Wow, thanks Steve! I’m really excited to actually lay hands on the dulcimer. From the looks of the photos I’ve got, I think it had been strung equidistantly.

cheers,

paula

I would guess your instrument is from the 1960's the lack of an area code on the card might indicate that.

Paula, I am a member of the Mountain Dulcimer Society of Dayton so don't be surprised if they refer you to me.  I own Chet's Hogfiddle pictured in Jean Ritchies Dulcimer People book.  Ron will be the best resource for you though, as he worked on many instruments with Chet.  There is an article in an old Dulcimer Player News about Ron and he recounts those years with Chet.  

Chet also appeared on the Grand Ole Opry and gifted a dulcimer to Roy Acuff.