Will do thanks

"Uncle" Ed Thomas. Nathina if you are really interested in this subject you'll need to do some reading and learning from books and articles on dulcimer history and traditions. There's a lot to learn but it's all well worth the effort to those with a serious interest. Stumbling onto a real Thomas is arguably the Holy Grail of antique dulcimers. Also some fun related content here on fotmd by doing a main search for "Ed Thomas". Also, maybe you'll enjoy some of the threads in this Group . And you'll definitely want to read Ralph Lee Smith's Dulcimer Traditions, and his The Story of the Dulcimer.

And what does a "Thomas" design mean exactly?

That's a beautiful dulcimer, John.  I remember the Galax you showed me in Berea a couple years ago.  Beautiful work.  Nina

The first two strings are #4 gauge or .013", and the bass string is #8 gauge or .020".

Ok I get it- cutting the wire and twisting the loops ends. I wondered whether you were making strings from some other material. Like weedwacker line maybe, or maybe like when I twist one to two dozen horse tail hairs into a rope to make strings for my jouhikko . Thanks!

Just curious- what gauge strings did you put on this walnut beauty, John?  And is it tuned to the key of D?

I make my own strings when necessary.

Lisa, homemade strings are made by taking a small spool of piano wire, and twisting a loop in the free end.  Then you cut the wire off to the length you want.   It's a little tricky to get a good twist of the wire.

Lovely, John! 

Please tell us what you mean by homemade strings. ? 

An all-walnut J. E. Thomas replica dulcimore with just intonation and homemade strings.

Sing Walnut Thomas 002.JPG  •  240KB