GinaB -- the short answer is no, a short VSL will not  "bring both hands to the front of my body" -- unless your body is 24" wide!   The reason is, we strum the dulcimer mostly at one end, and fret mostly at the other end.  I have a couple hundred tunes in my repertoire and from experience, most tunes occur between frets 1-10, with occasional forays up to frets 12 and even 14. 

If you have trouble with the instrument bobbing up and down, moving around and such, the solution is probably to be found in how you're setting the dulcimer on your lap.     The first thing to do is get your knees far apart -- 16" or more apart.  T

The second thing is to angle the dulcimer across your body -- not square across, but angled, with the first fret (more or less) over your left knee (assuming you're right handed) and tucking the bridge (more or less) into your right hip.

Hard to take a picture of your own lap, but here you go.  The first photo shows my Bobby Ratliff Cumberland Model with a 20" VSL and you can see the first fret out over my left knee and the right end tucked into my hip.  I sit up. and don't hunch over, but I do look down at the fretboard often while I play.  

The second photo shows another Ratliff dulcemore, with a 26" VSL (the bridge is just out of picture on the right side.  Same wide stance.  Same 1st fret over the right knee.  Same right end tucked into my right hip.

However, in both cases I'm playing with my left hand moving from my left knee to the middle of my lap -- not from leg to leg.  

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@ken-hulme, thanks ! After just a brief glance at it I see it will answer a lot of questions I have.

Charlie:

Here's a link to an essay I wrote a few years back called I Just Got A Dulcimer, Now What? .  It's an illustrated glossary of dulcimer terms (so we all speak the same jargon) plus answers to many beginner questions about the tuning, playing, care and feeding of your new dulcimer.  Enjoy your dulcimer journey,,,

Ken Hulme's "I Just Got A Dulcimer, Now What?" Article - Strumelia | fotmd.com

@dusty-turtle, thanks for your thoughts on the strings and the fretboard. I assumed it was sound related but was guessing tone or sustain. Now I know, volume and response it is !

I'll go ahead and try a 26w and some heavier plains since I'll be building sets from a shop's singles bin.

Initially I'll tune them down a half step and see how it goes.

If I wind up experimenting with tunings with strings tuned above standard I'll just get a second instrument for that. Probably won't but either way I'll not risk damaging this May.

@susie, thanks ! I did get a great deal on it. 

A .024 wound bass string for a dulcimer of that scale length will not be a problem. You could probably even go to .026, but most people (other than myself) wouldn't do that.

As a general rule, I think hollow fretboards are preferred.  Since there is less wood against the soundboard, the sounboard is able to vibrate more freely, creating more volume.  And although it may not be of interest to noter players, hollow fretboards are also more responsive to your fingers, so left-hand techniques such as hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides are easier to perform, or rather are easier to perform without a significant loss of volume.

That looks like a beautiful instrument.  Congratulations!

That's a real beauty!  A deal too good to pass up. Enjoy!

Thanks theresasc, I'm sure it will keep me content !

Wow!  That is a beautiful instrument!  I think it should give you a lot of pleasure to play - congratulations!

John and jost, thanks for the strings help and info. Also appreciate the book recommendations !

A couple more..

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Thanks marg, it sure is a beautiful instrument.

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Concerning the string gauge: Like John pointed out you should be fine. One caveat though: Depending on the strings gauge not every tuning will work because the strings will be too sloppy or break. In my opinion this is not a problem per se: New strings are cheap and you can only learn by experimenting. Just keep always some fresh strings and a string bender ready for quick replacement ;)

Jean Ritchies Dulcimer book is a good start for noter/drone play. Her book "Dulcimer people" (available used) is also a good one, it even includes instructions for chord play. 
Neal Hellmans Dulcimer Chord book is also a great start for beginners since it also has a lot of explainations for odd tunings/modes even If (like me) you never play chords at all.
I like Mark Nelsons "Favorite Old-Time American Songs for Dulcimer" too, it's a mix of chord and noter/drone style.

Have fun with your dulcimer!

Beautiful

Usually going up or down a string gauge doesn't cause big problems on a dulcimer.  An .024" will give a little more bass sound than a .022".  It should be fine.

These loop end strings I can't use are .012, .012, .014, .022w 

Is it ok to go with a .024w instead of the .022w ?

Also, would 80/20 or phosphor bronze be a good choice ? The shop has any type I'd want. Most any gauge singles.

I use heavy gauge strings on my acoustic guitars but I tune down a half step on those. (Easier on my voice and limited range)

Not sure about using heavier strings on a dulcimer tuned down 1/2 or a whole step. Anyone do it ?

Tia

Thanks jost, the seller had it priced right imo. Low enough I didn't try to haggle with him. 

I just noticed the set of strings that came with it are loop in and I need ball end. None to be found in town but a local shop sells single strings so I'll go out there tomorrow and make my own set.

Tonight I'll peruse my copy of Jean Ritchie's The Dulcimer Book. I bought it probably 30 years ago and just remembered I had it.

Congratulations to your new dulcimer. Look like you found a real treasure and bargain

I just met the seller and bought it. I don't like to describe pre owned instruments as mint but this one is certainly flawless.

All the "case candy" is there. COA, picks, one with Mr May's name on it, all of it. Original sales receipt. Even saved a trip to a music shop. New set of strings are in the case. In tune too.

And it looks better than the ad photos ! 

Hi John, thanks for your thoughts on Mr May's work. Seems I can't go wrong with the one I'm considering. 

You can't go wrong with a Warren May dulcimer unless it has been damaged.  He makes a world-class product.

Good morning Ken, thanks for the info. The hollow fretboard isn't a concern. I just saw it mentioned on a UK seller's site. 

The VSL (on dulcimers call it Vibrating String Length, not "scale") is easily measured from the inside edge of the nut to the inside edge of the bridge.  The VSL is only an issue if you have really small hands  -- 26-1/2" to 27" is fairly normal for VSL these days.  Whether or not the fretboard is hollowed is a very minor factor.   Neither thing you mention should be a deal-breakers in the purchase of one of Warren's dulcimers.

Ok thanks Ken, I'll give him a call in the morning. I have the dulcimer # so he can easily check.

I'd say those are good specs.  You can always just try to call Warren and ask.  His shop downtown is closed but he still makes a few at home.  He's listed in the Berea phonebook I believe.

Hi, I'm new to dulcimers but have done a little research and it appears that the wide Hummingbird Hourdrop models may all have hollow fretboards and 26 1/2" scale. But no specs are listed on Mr May's site. Is it safe to assume it will have those specs ?

The one I'm considering is a 2006 in like new condition with a case. It's cherry as well.

Tia

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