Forum Activity for @barnjam

Extended Range Dulcimer

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

@nate Thanks! Yes, that is correct on the string configuration. I'm hooked on that drop D for droning...really reminds me of a bagpipe.

I'm not familiar with Willi, but he has some serious skills for sure. Dom Flemons is the first one I saw who played both harmonica and bones simultaneously. I find it difficult to play harmonica using a neck brace, because there is a lot of fine articulation that's involved with playing harp. Sometimes it needs to be tilted up and sometimes a little off axis. At least that's what I find for melody playing. Chords may be more forgiving on the harp's position.

updated by @barnjam: 10/09/25 08:45:27AM

Extended Range Dulcimer

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I'd like to thank each of you for your great ideas, tips and advice. Rather than purchase another dulcimer, I decided to experiment with my 8-String Milford Blevins model. It has the longest VSL and widest fretboard among my dulcimers. I built a new nut and bridge to accommodate a 4-String DAD tuning setup, with 1 Drop D string included. Attached is an audio sample of what I've been wanting to do on Sal's Got Mud. I play each part once. Part A & B are played on the 'D' melody string, then part C is played on the middle 'A' string. Surprisingly, I don't miss the extra drop D and A strings. The wider fretboard allows me to comfortably pick the middle A without contacting the other strings.

The tonality and sustain is great. I did cut another sound port in the side of the body, which is matched to the opposite side. I originally determined that the top sound holes were not allowing enough of the sound to escape. These two sound ports really make a difference. Do you like the drop D drone? Does anyone else use a drop D string?

Extended Range Dulcimer

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

@nate Thank you. It’s a wonderful group of folks and we have a great time playing together. The famous Dom Flemons, The American Songster, is from Phoenix and used to play with the PHX OTMS. As you noticed there is a variety of instruments, These folks got me playing the dulcimer. I have about (7) dulcimers and each one is tuned differently.

I’m actually playing rhythm bones, which are a close relative of spoons. Many of the members of Rhythm Bones Society knew Percy Danforth, the “granddaddy of bones”. There are gentlemen like Steve Brown who shared the stage with The Chieftains and Barry “Bones” Patton, who performs internationally. Like the Appalachian Dulcimer, there is a rich history of bones players.

Extended Range Dulcimer

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I learned Sal’s from the Phoenix Old Time Music Society. Here are three recordings we’ve done with various instruments and tempos, if you’re interested in hearing our versions.

Four of us (banjo, fiddle, guitar, harmonica)

The Phoenix Old Time Music Society

Black River Barn Band

Extended Range Dulcimer

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Yes, that is exactly right. That makes sense that the open D string would sound “better” than the fretted D on the A string. I like low action on the melody string, but I notice that the drone strings sound amazing with high action. I hear a noticeable difference in the resonance of the elevated strings. The drawback is that they can’t be fretted without going extremely sharp.

I wonder if the intonation is better in DAD tuning. I read that the dulcimer relies on averages, to give it its simplicity. Someday, I will buy a guitar with an adjustable nut and saddle, so I can perfectly intonate each string. Are there any dulcimers that have that feature?

updated by @barnjam: 10/07/25 10:33:19PM

Extended Range Dulcimer

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

@strumelia Thanks for that tip. I can see how the noter would fit more easily between close frets. I like the speed and tactile feel I get from my bare fingers.

So I tried playing Sal’s Got Mud on the A string, and it works well on the Milford Blevins 8-String because it has a VSL of 28.25”. There is plenty of room from left to right.

Here’s my next dilemma. I don’t like the tonal quality of the A string, played in the key of D, as much as I like the D played in D. My new question is about intonation. Have you found that mountain dulcimers sound better in DAD than DAA?

I’ve tried many string configurations and gauges. I even had custom small gauge wound strings custom made (.11 and .13). They work best on an electric guitar or dulcimer. Bassist Garry Goodman hand winds these specialty strings.

Extended Range Dulcimer

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I refreshed my memory on playing melody jn DAA, and the results are as follows. I truly enjoy the rich tonal quality of playing on the lower octave. The upper octave however is limited (as mentioned by someone).

Example: Sal’s Got Mud Between Her Toes

DAD tuning is ideal for parts A & B. I start on the low octave and play into the higher octave. Part C is where I prefer DAA tuning, because I quickly run out of frets/notes on the lower octave. I can play it on the middle A string, but that’s not as seamless as walking down the fretboard to finish the Part C.

If the dulcimer was a bit larger, diatonic, and had some extra frets on the upper register….would I be able to play all three parts on the melody string? I’m going to do some test recordings and share the results.

Extended Range Dulcimer

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Thanks for moving this to the proper category. Interestingly, Richard Ash at Folkcraft has a great write up on the subject of hands, fingers, and VSLs.

https://folkcraft.com/pages/how-to-choose-the-right-scale-length-for-your-new-dulcimer

Extended Range Dulcimer

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I never expected my question to make the rounds, but a lot of great information and ideas are being shared. John Knopf to had some great ideas as well. One thought is to make the fretboard longer, but tune the melody string to something other than D. I’m thinking A (like in DAA tuning). From that point you play it like it’s tuned in D, leaving the lower frets available. Hopefully I got that all right.

Extended Range Dulcimer

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I've found the experts! I'm impressed with all the good ideas and knowledge amongst you. I find this musical journey to be quite fascinating. There are so many factors that can affect the music we play.

Extended Range Dulcimer

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

More good information to consider. I think some combination of DAA tuning with a wider fretboard would be the best solution, without getting into expensive custom builds. I appreciate your time and knowledge on this.

Extended Range Dulcimer

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Yes, I do prefer to only play on the melody string although I have fun playing melody on the bass string sometimes. I have a chromatic Weissenborn, and I enjoy it, but it forces me to think more. My diatonic dulcimers are fun to play because my precision can be lower, with less frets. Thanks Nate. All great ideas.

Extended Range Dulcimer

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That makes perfect sense. The open string note is the lowest a string can be. I'm overthinking it for sure. The solution then is to tune in DAA and add more frets to the upper neck. A larger dulcimer body with a longer neck and wider fretboard would help make the spaces. THANK YOU!

Extended Range Dulcimer

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Thanks for the responses, all. John, that "Uncle Eddie" is insanely cool. That's a great suggestion on the long neck banjo. I've reached out to John Knopf with these questions. Dusty, agreed and that is exactly what my Milford Blevins model has (in order to accommodate 8 strings). Strumelia, your suggestion of arching the fingers is excellent, and I will try to improve on that. Regarding your questions: 1) Yes, on both a longer and wider fretboard for finger space and tonal range 2) Yes, I'd like to play notes that dip below the "home" note of D on the melody string. I did try DAA tuning and I enjoyed the ability to hit those lower notes, but I was then limited on the higher octave. I'm looking for both sides of the spectrum.

My primary concert dulcimers are modified to be loud. Both my converted guitar/dulcimer, Milford B. model, and J. McAnulty Weissenborn are very resonant even without an amp. I've added drop A & D strings for deep bass and extra resonance. I use Fender heavy triangle picks and higher gauge strings as I tend to strum and pick aggressively. I've attached a few pics to help illustrate the set-ups.

updated by @barnjam: 10/06/25 10:02:45AM

Extended Range Dulcimer

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

This is a question regarding dulcimer build limitations. Is it possible to make an extended range dulcimer? I am envisioning a longer fretboard that would allow for several more frets on the lower end. This would allow the player to stay on the melody string for the low and high octave, without crossing over to the middle string, in DAD tuning.

I am a player with large hands, which makes it difficult to play the middle string without hitting other strings. So far, the Milford Blevins Dulcimer has the largest fretboard I’ve used. It is both wider and longer than a standard dulcimer. For me, that means my fat fingers have plenty of space to slide. I wish it were a tad longer so that I could get the best of DAA and DAD tuning, allowing me to walk down the fretboard on the melody string alone. I play melody exclusively on the first D string, with an occasional pluck of the open A middle string. The middle and lower strings I use for droning rhythms, or to play bass melody.

Thank you for any responses.

Mike

updated by @barnjam: 10/09/25 10:00:06AM