If you plan on living with your current action set up as is for a while, consider tuning to C-G-cc (everything one note below where it is now). See how your instrument reacts - its an easy change and not an uncommon tuning. A given dulcimer may actually sound better there and it may be more accommodating to your voice if you sing to some of the tunes you play. The lowered tuning will of course reduce the tension of the strings and may provide the perception of a lower action. Its a simple experiment with potential for a pleasing pay off. My only warning is that if your strings are old you risk breaking one or more of them if you tune back up to D-A-dd.
The equivalent of a D-A-AA tuning in C is C-G-GG which may be too slack for your 12 gauge melody strings, leading to lower volume and possible intonation distortion.
I'll often tune one of my dulcimers down to C tuning when I feel D is just getting too much burned into my head. Some of my boxes like it, and the change is nice when that mood hits me.
I think the problems are more with me as a beginner and less with the instrument. After I've spent some time with it, I'll try tuning the high strings back up. It may feel normal by then. I'm happy with the sound and I think it's a decent starter instrument.
One of the members wrote this to me several years ago:
"I've know several folks that have or had owned a Naylor, they are very good dulcimers, along the lines of Cedar Creek. As John and Shirley Naylor no longer build, it's a keeper, and they are hard to find. And are considered a collectible."
As long as your dulcimer is one from them & not after they sold their shop, it should be good but maybe needs a bit of getting adjusting for your taste.
The dulcimer in my photo is my Naylor/dulcimer factory
marg:Looks like a Dulcimer Factory, John & Shirley Naylor learn to make dulcimers from Bud & Donna Ford, authors of the Cripple creek. Some of their dulcimers were nice dulcimers, nice tone & good action. They eventually sold out. See if you can look in the sound holes, you should be able to see a label.
There is a label that says Dulcimer Factory. It's hard to read though. I think this was made in 97.
Looks like a Dulcimer Factory, John & Shirley Naylor learn to make dulcimers from Bud & Donna Ford, authors of the Cripple creek. Some of their dulcimers were nice dulcimers, nice tone & good action. They eventually sold out. See if you can look in the sound holes, you should be able to see a label.
If you plan on living with your current action set up as is for a while, consider tuning to C-G-cc (everything one note below where it is now). See how your instrument reacts - its an easy change and not an uncommon tuning. A given dulcimer may actually sound better there and it may be more accommodating to your voice if you sing to some of the tunes you play. The lowered tuning will of course reduce the tension of the strings and may provide the perception of a lower action. Its a simple experiment with potential for a pleasing pay off. My only warning is that if your strings are old you risk breaking one or more of them if you tune back up to D-A-dd.
The equivalent of a D-A-AA tuning in C is C-G-GG which may be too slack for your 12 gauge melody strings, leading to lower volume and possible intonation distortion.
I'll often tune one of my dulcimers down to C tuning when I feel D is just getting too much burned into my head. Some of my boxes like it, and the change is nice when that mood hits me.
I think the problems are more with me as a beginner and less with the instrument. After I've spent some time with it, I'll try tuning the high strings back up. It may feel normal by then. I'm happy with the sound and I think it's a decent starter instrument.
One of the members wrote this to me several years ago:
"I've know several folks that have or had owned a Naylor, they are very good dulcimers, along the lines of Cedar Creek. As John and Shirley Naylor no longer build, it's a keeper, and they are hard to find. And are considered a collectible."
As long as your dulcimer is one from them & not after they sold their shop, it should be good but maybe needs a bit of getting adjusting for your taste.
The dulcimer in my photo is my Naylor/dulcimer factory
There is a label that says Dulcimer Factory. It's hard to read though. I think this was made in 97.
Looks like a Dulcimer Factory, John & Shirley Naylor learn to make dulcimers from Bud & Donna Ford, authors of the Cripple creek. Some of their dulcimers were nice dulcimers, nice tone & good action. They eventually sold out. See if you can look in the sound holes, you should be able to see a label.