sympatheic strings?

On the thread about microtuning there was a link to this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crSi9IxPfYA with about a zillion sympathetic strings. Sort of like a string bass/sitar blend.

I have also been studying this instrument, a bowed dulcimer with sympathetic strings running UNDER the fingerboard:

http://www.boweddulcimer.com/product-Hardanger.htm

Has anyone here tried sympathetic strings and can share design ideas and potential roadblocks?

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Permalink Reply by HENRY LOWMAN on September 13, 2009 at 3:13am

Yes I have, with only slight success. Again, a work in progress...

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Permalink Reply by Mortimer Snerd on September 13, 2009 at 7:36am

SSshhheeeooooot! Your over our heads Diane, this is a junk build site. We are barely house broke here, and your throwing around words like micro tunning and sympathetic strings,, That is some advanced music technology you playing with there, we might get hurt venturing into that world from here.

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Permalink Reply by Diane in Chicago on September 13, 2009 at 7:49am

Yes, but if I try it on a cigar box, can't I stay?

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Permalink Reply by Paul Doug on September 13, 2009 at 10:11am

People feel sympathy for my strings everytime I try to play something. Does that count?

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Permalink Reply by Old Lowe on September 13, 2009 at 10:49am

Whew Doggies !

That first guy is an interesting feller.

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Permalink Reply by steve (Roots) on September 13, 2009 at 11:02am

My strings usually end up in the pathetic tuning.

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Permalink Reply by StarGeezers on September 13, 2009 at 11:03am

Sympathetic strings are strings that sense when you don't play so well , and just join in to make you sound better... hahahaha

Actually , we played the Sitar back in the 60's, the sympathetic strings sounded sorta' nice especially when you gave em a swipe like a harp, added a little something , but were a "mother" to tune ... I'm sorta leaning to a double neck CBG with those I-V bass strings sorta' like this guy ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7KbpdmgVIg

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Permalink Reply by Tres Seaver on September 13, 2009 at 3:45pm

I haven't done it, but just finished Dennis Havlena's notes on converting a fiddle to a hardanger. Might be of some help.

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Permalink Reply by Diane in Chicago on September 13, 2009 at 3:52pm

Wow! I have a crappy fiddle in the basement -- it might have to walk the plank. Thanks, Tres!

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Permalink Reply by HENRY LOWMAN on September 13, 2009 at 4:54pm

Old Lowe said:

Whew Doggies !

That first guy is an interesting feller.

I guess I kinda started somethin here. You could call it thinkin outside the box! HA!!!

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Permalink Reply by HENRY LOWMAN on September 13, 2009 at 4:56pm

Mortimer Snerd said:

SSshhheeeooooot! Your over our heads Diane, this is a junk build site. We are barely house broke here, and your throwing around words like micro tunning and sympathetic strings,, That is some advanced music technology you playing with there, we might get hurt venturing into that world from here.

You just gotta face yer fear! HA!!!