Here are a couple of tunes in Bb. Finger dancing on a 30" scale takes practice, but the sound is something else. The drones are very strong and easily drown out the melody, don't like double melody. I compensate with a slightly stiffer pick. Melody is definitely brighter with a noter stick. I tried it with a psaltery bow which works better than a fiddle bow. I think a large instrument like this is best played on a table top. I prefer bagpipe with its low string over pure Galax... 

Made a new just intonated 30" fret ruler so I hope to build an hourglass version by the end of the year. I prefer the sound of the hourglass shape and look forward to how it will sound... Thanks for all your interest and nice complements... Robert.

Nice story, Robert. I'm sure it's gratifying to finally "free" your dulcimer and let her sing.

Your comment inspired me to learn Pretty Saro - people often mention it, but now I know why! Such a haunting tune! Sounds lovely on the just intonated butternut you made me, Robert. Or, as lovely as I can make it ;-) 

Lovin' it!!!

Very beautiful instrument, I am inspired along with you.

Very pretty dulcimer Robert. I can see why you were inspired...

Spent the evening playing Pretty Saro on this dulcimer. Often its the instrument that inspires the tune. Here's a picture... Robert...

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Is that the dulcimer in your avatar picture Robert?

That's not a drone it's a DRONE!

 Thanks and welcome Paula to the world of dulcimers. I like turning a living room decoration into a fully functional instrument... Robert...

That sounds fantastic Robert.

It's beautiful Robert, thanks for sharing. 

Three years ago I built a Galax inspired dulcimer and set it up as a baritone. Spruce top and white oak back, 30" vsl. never liked the sound, the Champion tuners would not allow me to tune higher. Recently I modified the Champions and now they work great. So this was the first time I could try the dulcimer in different keys. I added the forth string and lowered the gauge. Wow I was really impressed, the dulcimer came to life. The long scale means the drones vibrate... like forever... I tried different strings but settled on .011 melody .014 and .026 bronze wound bass. Plays best in A bagpipe... Here is a sound clip... Robert