Dulcimers and Strummers

Comment

Comment by Richard Sanabia on August 22, 2009 at 11:20pm

I have two strum stick style instruments, with standard headstocks, and steel rod in the neck, and I think they sound great, but I don't play them. Anybody want to buy a pair? I have two. I think they are better sounding than a Grand strumstick. I have a real love for mandolins, and dulcimers, I will continue to try to make as many of my weird dulcimers as I can. I also am completing a bowl back three string (double courses) bowl back.

Comment by Richard Sanabia on August 22, 2009 at 10:48pm

Dave, Send me a picture of the strumstick...

Comment by Richard Sanabia on August 22, 2009 at 10:42pm

Comment by Richard Sanabia on August 22, 2009 at 10:41pm

Diane, Here are some more pictures. I also made some steel templates of mandolin head stocks. Just clamp them on your headstock, drill away, and the holes are in the right place. I love the sound of the thriple course sets. None are octave, but I do use octave strings. I am going to make an Irish bazouki CB.

Comment by Renee Code on August 22, 2009 at 9:50pm

Hello All, I'm getting ready to build my first Cigar Box Dulcimer, does anyone recommend a certain kind of Tuner Machine to use?

Comment by Diane in Chicago on August 22, 2009 at 7:15pm

Richard, we just must have more pictures of that mandolin, especially closeups of the strings at the head and bridge. As a fellow double courser (but not yet triple -- that's outrageous!!) I am really interested to see your "string management" technique! It must sound amazing? Are any of the pairings/triplings octaves?

Next thing you know you'll be adding sympathetic strings, like on a bowed dulcimer!

Comment by Diane in Chicago on August 22, 2009 at 7:11pm

If there is an extra high string, it is usually tuned the same, so yes, D-A-dd.

Watch out, though! Once you start pairing strings, the madness never ends. I like dD-AA-dd, with 3 pairs of strings. I find the bass sometimes doesn't sing out much with these little guitars, so the extra d on the bottom is really nice.

Now I've got one on the bench that I think will come out gG-Dd-gg, with two octave pairings. I think these strings: .014/.032 - .022/.010 - .016/.016

But my answer to your question would be to build yourself a new instrument, putting the pairings wherever you want. Don't think it is worth the trouble to add another string to the Strumstick, and can't even begin to wonder how you'd rig that on their headstock design.

Comment by steve (Roots) on August 22, 2009 at 6:27pm

Not sure you have enough room on grand strumstick headstock to add a tuner. I 've made a bunch of 3 and 4 string CB dulci's. I've found that the 4 strings makes them sound louder and more harpish (sweet sound). A 3 stringer is easier to pick melodies. Therefore I usually make 4 stringers and have the option of taking a string off. Yess they are tuned Dadd the 2 dd melody strings are closer together. I have a friend that is a mean grand strumstick picker and he doesn't like playing with four strings. Hope this helps, Steve

Comment by Dave Alexander on August 22, 2009 at 4:26pm

Question for Strumstick and dulci - box players:

Richard is giving me "string envy." I'd love to have someone add an extra high D string to my Grand Strumstick. It would fit in a course next to the existing high D. Are mountain dulcimers which are tuned DAd actually tuned DAdd -- with a course of two strings tuned an octave higher?
Would modifying the Strumstick be something that makes sense.
Thanks in advance.

Comment by Dave Alexander on August 22, 2009 at 4:18pm

Wow! That must sing! Excellent work Richard.

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