Maria,

I replaced my tuners on the Walnut Valley with 5 star geared tuners. Now no problem keeping it in tune. It is an amazing instrument. I have several dulcimers, but doubt I would ever consider selling it.

Blessings to you.

Richard

You can do a Google search for discussions on this topic.  Everybody has an opinion!  From Elderly Music Co. website (not where I got mine, but I thought the blurb was helpful):

Dr.Ducks Ax Wax - Elderly Instruments

I use Dr. Ducks Ax Wax.  This is for cleaning...I'm not sure about conditioning.  I bought an 8 oz bottle online and it may last me a lifetime!  There are a variety of opinions on this issue.  Some people treat it like furniture and use Pledge furniture polish. 

I think you have to know about the finish on your dulcimer to decide what sorts of stuff to use on it.  Whatever you use, test it on an inconspicuous spot and put it on a soft cloth, not directly on the instrument.  

Sorry I can't be of more help.

hey that's pretty cool...and yes I think they were made pretty well to last so long!! I still play mine when I have the time to "tune it" that's the only part I don't like...they slip!

Maria

cool Thanks!!

Maria

I'll have to look into that..thanks!! 
Maria

On my dulcimers that don't have a laquered finish, I use Howard's Feed n Wax .  I learned of the product from a video by Bing Futch .  It works on the body and fretboard.  It won't hurt a laquered finish, but it won't be too effective either.  It's easy to find at most hardware or home improvement stores.

I've heard good things about Old Master violin polish (not to be confused with Old Masters, a brand of polish for furniture and woodwork.) I have yet to find it locally, but will order online and give it a try.

Late in this discussion. I have a dulcimer made by the Walnut Valley Dulcimer Company, the 3rd one made in 1993 by L D Sacks. Mine looks like yours and is noted to be a Wildwood Mountain model. It still sounds good and has held up well all these years. It was my first mountain dulcimer. I saw the company represented at Epcot in 1991 picked up the brochure and ordered in late 1992 with delivery in 1993.

Thanks Ken,

Yeah I figured I would stick with a product made for a wooden instrument!! 

I just remember as a child doing my "chores" and we always had to use pledge on the bedroom set furniture and it has like this waxy build up now ( I recently was given my mom and dad's bedroom set after my mom passed and noticed that and remembered what we used!!)

take care and thanks

Maria

Maria, you shouldn't have any problem with the Lemon Oil. I disagree with Bob on the use of Pledge or any polish that contains silicone. It can cause problems with trying to match the finish if a repair is needed. Just speaking from experience. Stick with polishes made for instruments.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Okay so this is good information. Thank you.

I ordered this: from musician's friend ebay store: Dunlop Fretboard 65 Ultimate Lemon Oil

it was free shipping and less then 4.00 and it gets good reviews

I will try that on the fretboard and see what happens etc...and then perhaps the other advice on the wood or maybe even try a spot that's not conspicious and use it for the wood. I will know more when I receive it and read the label.

Thanks again

Maria

Although it is hard to tell from the photos, the fret board and body may have been finished differently from the body.  If the fret board looks a lot less shiny than the rest of the instrument, then this is probably the case.  For everything but the fret board you are probably OK with a guitar polish, or believe it or not, Pledge furniture polish.  I would try a small spot first to make sure.  Not knowing what is on the fret board, I would probably apply a light coat of lemon oil to it.  I use Old English lemon oil.

so basically no matter what finish it is the lemon wood WON'T HURT it right??

If that's the case then I will get that. 

Thanks

Maria

As the others say , we really need to know what the original finish was -- oil, urethane, shellac, etc.   FWIW, Lemon oil can be used on ANY wood, not just lemon wood <grin>  Brand doesn't matter, contents do -- you want a lemon oil where the lemon oil itself is the predominant ingredient.

I use Martin Guitar polish on my dulcimers.  Seems to work well.

it won't let me delete the duplicate picture sorry

oh wow...I don't know. I do know it was made by Jack Bruner who owned the Walnut Valley Dulcimer Company. It's all solid black walnut and it was the 86th dulcimer made in 1989. I believe the owner of mine actually bought it new in Epcot from the owner.

Thanks so much

Maria

here are some pictures

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Is it a painted finish? Or stain, or oxidation?  Who was the builder?

Maria, different finishes require different conditioning. Do you know what your dulcimer is finished with?

DAN

www.dulcimore.com

Hi,

I noticed today when I was playing in the sun (hard to believe it's Dec 15th in NY) that the wood has some areas where it looks dry.

This is the all black walnut dulcimer I bought used. The owner's son had it in a box (original box btw) for the last 20 years.

Thanks so much. 

I've heard lemon oil ( I think it was Marc Matthieu) but I don't know what kind to get brand etc...and can that be used on walnut

Thanks so much

Maria