Cheryl, The folks at McSpadden know their products - So you can trust what they tell you. I'm actually going there tomorrow and will meet them on Thursday because they won't be open at the time we arrive. Jim is a master at repairing dulcimers and I have had nothing but pleasant experiences with everyone I've come in contact with from the Dulcimer Shoppe. I highly recommend the squeakless strings if you are going to get a new dulcimer, or even if you put them on your current one, you will be pleasantly surprised how nice it is not to hear so much squeaking when sliding across the strings.
Hope this information helps...
Keep a strummin' & pickin',
Glynda
P.S. did the picture come through on my previous email?
Cheryl Johnson said:
Glynda, Thank you very much for posting. I have an all cherry mcspadden and an MMD in Redwood/Walnut. I like the shorter scale length of the MMD, and I also want to keep the Cherry for its sound, but would sure like a little shorter scale length. Sue at McSpadden said there is no discernible difference in sound or tone since the body size is the same on both the 26 VSL and the 28.6. So why not go shorter, is what I'm thinking. Plus after going through a couple sets of strings I'm not loving the scroll head on my McSpadden....thinking that nice flat head looks awfully good! :)
Sarah....would love to hear your David Lynch...have you recorded it yet?
Thanks again,
Cheryl