This is a form of oxidation since your silver plate is not sterling silver. Silver plate that is not sterling will show a rainbow effect in varying degree as it ages. Ken is correct when he speaks of a chemical reaction. Are the strings that were plated made of nickel?
Will do.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Black Mountain may be known for "making large quantities of the one design for wholesale purchase".
But you can't tell that from yesterdays Ebay purchase:
Please keep the Luthier family at Cedar Creek in your thoughts and prayers.
I think what you are seeing is the result of a chemical reaction either from the proximity of other metals as already noted or from the envelopes in which the strings were packaged. Did the envelopes have printing on them? Even if they didn't, there are chemicals used in creating the paper that could have leached on to the strings.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Hey folks, a few years ago I learned about an experimental dulcimer called an 'Aquavina' which uses a metal bowl filled partially with water as a resonator.
Without actually hearing any, I devised a dulcimer that I hoped would achieve a similar effect by using a bundt pan built into a wooden body dulcimer. Over time I've built 5 similar dulcimers. This video is a demonstration of how water changes the tone of three different dulcimers
The first is plywood with a moderately thin pan Tuned DAd with a 26.5" VSL
The second is particle board covered in acrylic paint with a thicker pan tuned EBe 23" VSL
The third is birch plywood with a very thin pan tuned Fcf 23.5" VSL
My guess---and it is that---is some sort of change due to being in the presence of other metals for the multitude of strings in your bucket. They should be fine to clean them and use them if they are not rusted or corroded to the point of risking breakage.
what an interesting idea. They were both still in their envelopes but the tub they were in has 75+ random strings of random compositions. I can spot red blue and yellow spots on these strings and as much as I want to try tuning them up, they are spiraled like a slinky when I hold them up and I think they would probably break.
It sounds like what happens to new chrome car exhaust parts when first subjected to very high temperatures.
My guess---and it is that---is some sort of change due to being in the presence of other metals for the multitude of strings in your bucket. They should be fine to clean them and use them if they are not rusted or corroded to the point of risking breakage.
I've had these silver plated classical guitar strings sitting in their paper envelopes in a bucket of spare strings for probably 3 years now. Finally decided to sort through it a bit and I found two separate strings which had each turned rainbow colored! The variety of colors is crazy and I was wondering if anyone knows more about this. Ive heard of strings getting a duller color over time, but these look like a full on art project. Thanks in advance,
Nate
Dusty, blame it on spell check. When I typed in "Cotten," spell check immediately changed it to "Cotton."
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
In the early 1940s, Cotten had moved to Washington, D.C., where (as a domestic) she began working for the legendary Charles Seeger family and caring for children Pete, Peggy, and Mike.
(also we should note that her name is spelled Cotten)
I'm obviously better with tab than with spelling. D'oh! 
Mike Seeger most likely learned Georgia Buck from Elizabeth Cotten:
In the early 1940s, Cotten had moved to Washington, D.C., where (as a domestic) she began working for the legendary Charles Seeger family and caring for children Pete, Peggy, and Mike.
(also we should note that her name is spelled Cotten)
The first time I heard Georgia Buck was Neal Walters' recording of it on his CD My Pathway Leads to Pennsylvania. His version had more verses than Ms. Cotton's, and was more like Doc Watson's rendition, which I just found a few days ago. Thanks again, Dusty!
Wow, Dusty! Thanks so much for the link and the tab! Really appreciate it!
Thanks for the tab Dusty. And the link to Libba playing it. I'm trying to think of the first person I ever heard playing that song. It might have been Mike Seeger. I just can't remember.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Dusty, how nice that you whipped that together so beautifully!
Are you thinking of the trad banjo tune that goes
Georgia Buck is dead.
Last word he said:
"Don't want no shortnin' in my bread."
Here's Elizabeth Cotton playing it: https://youtu.be/IobSpMzmjQY?t=30
Is that the tune you want to learn?
There's not a whole lot to tab. It's only 8 measures long, and the last note is two whole notes tied together for measures 7 and 8.
In DAA it ranges from the 5th fret to the open string. In DAd, with the melody moving from the melody to the middle string, it's even easier since you never have to go above the 2nd fret.
I have looked on the new Everything Dulcimer, my download of the tab from the old ED, and various and sundry other places, but I can't find tab for Georgia Buck. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Michael Willey
Total agreement that David has recognized this is what he needs. I commend him on his decision and wish him nothing but a bright future.
I agree with both of you. Black Mountain Dulcimers has provided quality instruments and will continue to do so, just not on as a large a scale as in the past. Building custom instruments for individuals in different from making large quantities of the one design for wholesale purchase. I wish David the best as he transitions to building one dulcimer at a time.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Forty years is long enough to do anything. Instead of lamenting that it's ending, we should congratulate David for such a fine run. I think we can all understand the desire to switch things up.
After providing a service for many years, sometimes you just need a break.
Gosh -- I'd forgotten about Sweet Music listserv!! Those were the days!
Thanks for honoring Tom and Missy here, Ken. From way back in the Sweet Music listserv days....
Thanks for posting this Ben. Probably should be a separate discussion. I enjoyed visiting with Jeremy at a few festivals.
I couldn't find an obituary for Jeremy. Ben, do you have access to one?
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
The archive of DPN past publications is shared online here: https://issuu.com/dulcimerplayersnewsinc
I found it while searching for:
This may not be the post to put this on, but got notice that dulcimer maker Jeremy Seeger passed away on February 11. May he rest in peace.
….Should be ready in about 4 or 4 and a half months.
I am at such a loss for words... So much love and support has been shared through so many years from Tom and Missy... This is such sad news, and I am so sorry. His memory will be eternal.
I was shocked and saddened to see this news. My heart is with all of Tom's dear ones.
Very sad news indeed. Today is Missy's birthday. My sympathy goes out to Missy and the rest of the family.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Oh this is indeed sad news. Thanks for letting us know, Ken.
Tom Strothers, creator of the String Choice Calculator and Diatonic and Chromatic Chord Wizard apps passed away suddenly Monday morning 13 February, from a brain hemorrhage. 
RIP old internet friend...
Georgia Buck DAA.pdf - 247KB
