Dulcimer: Set-Up Questions

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From: "Donee Wyke" <dwyke@greenkeefe.com>
To: <info@folkofthewood.com>
Subject: Trading Up

Date: Thu, 9 May 2002 08:53:14 -0500

Mickey, received your reply on the dulcimer strings question, to clean or replace. And I appreciate the answer.
But I still do not know what size strings to put where. I am assuming that the largest size string will go on the bottom row and smaller ones to the top, is this correct? Thank you so much. Vickie.

Greetings Vickie,

The larger string (the largest gauge), the bass side, will be at the bottom...this would be the furthest string away from you as you're playing the dulcimer. The other 3 strings would be the same gauge and be the closest to you (the same would be true of a 3-string dulcimer minus one string). The melody strings (the paired two) of course would be the closest to you. Traditionally, the melody strings were the only ones fretted with a noter. To play chords, of course, you'll be fretting the bass string along with the melody strings.

I use the following tuning: "D" for the Bass String and "A" for the Melody Strings..."A" for the center string...

Hope this helps...Mickey