Tags:
I love this design Diane-but where are you putting the soundhole...or does this design even need it?
Nice design. What size strings do you use?
Hi Paul.
The string size depends a bit on the scale length (VSL) and a bit on what sound you are going for. I made one of these using a similar Altoids sized tin as a practice "guitar" for my young daughter. It has a short 38 cm scale length, 2 strings, Uke tuners, diatonically fretted with real fret wire and I used strings 1 and 2 from a set of ukulele 4 strings. The resulting instrument was easy to play, but w/o amplification, it was suitable for playing only to yourself in a quiet room. I subsequently replaced the Altoids can with a tuna can and it proved somewhat louder. Maybe when I get back into building piezo-based pickups I'll put one in. As it is now, my girl only occasionally plays with it, and then more as a toy than a real instrument. She seems more interested in the piano, so I'll teach her some songs and some music theory first on the piano and then show her how it works on a stick dulcimer. Here's a photo showing it and another small practice "guitar":
Back to you question, the Strothers' Web Site has a String Gauge Calculator which you can use to more "scientifically" determine the string size to use, rather than "winging it" a I usually do. Don't be "put off" by this being a mountain dulcimer, the same calculations are valid for guitars, banjos, canjos and most other stringed instruments. You need to provide the "scale length" and the "open tuning" you are planning to use for each string. Play around with the calculator, as it is quite simple to use. Since the Altoids sized tins are so small, expect to use thin solid wire strings (maybe banjo strings), and the range of the instrument will be pretty high pitched.
-Rand.
Started by Diane in Chicago. Last reply by Keith Zorn Dec 27, 2022. 37 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Adam Jellison. Last reply by Adam Jellison Jan 8, 2020. 6 Replies 3 Likes
Started by Mike Whisenhunt. Last reply by Glenn Watt Nov 22, 2019. 9 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Diane in Chicago. Last reply by James Conder Nov 5, 2018. 7 Replies 1 Like
Started by JL. Last reply by Wichita Sam Mar 10, 2017. 9 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Greg Thompson. Last reply by TN Twang Aug 19, 2016. 4 Replies 5 Likes
Started by Greg Thompson. Last reply by TN Twang Aug 14, 2016. 8 Replies 1 Like
Started by Graham Alibone. Last reply by Graham Alibone Sep 15, 2015. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by David Harris. Last reply by Greg Thompson Nov 27, 2014. 1 Reply 0 Likes
Started by David Bowes. Last reply by David Bowes Sep 29, 2014. 11 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Dustan Eichler. Last reply by TN Twang Jun 13, 2014. 23 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Philip Daniel. Last reply by Rand Moore Apr 4, 2014. 10 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Hillbilly Hobo. Last reply by Rand Moore Apr 4, 2014. 1 Reply 0 Likes
Started by jabes. Last reply by jabes Mar 25, 2014. 2 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Piht Bull (Delta Dawg Guitars). Last reply by PKB Jan 31, 2014. 7 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Mario Poggio. Last reply by Mario Poggio Nov 28, 2013. 7 Replies 3 Likes
Started by Alan "Poor Boy" Ackerson. Last reply by Alan "Poor Boy" Ackerson Oct 20, 2013. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Battmann. Last reply by Thomas "Duck" Petry Jul 23, 2013. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Jim burt. Last reply by Russ Dugger Dec 13, 2012. 9 Replies 1 Like
Started by Randal. Last reply by Randal Oct 27, 2012. 9 Replies 0 Likes
Posted by Vlad on March 31, 2024 at 11:48pm 0 Comments 1 Like
Posted by Vlad on March 6, 2024 at 2:32am 5 Comments 2 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 28, 2024 at 2:09pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 17, 2024 at 11:00pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Vlad on February 11, 2024 at 1:06am 1 Comment 1 Like
May 11, 2024 from 11am to 8pm – Speakeasy Grill
0 Comments 0 LikesMay 30, 2024 from 6:30pm to 10pm – The Casual Pint of Huntsville
0 Comments 0 Likes© 2024 Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker. Powered by
Cigar Box Nation is presented by C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply, your one-stop-shop for Cigar Box Guitar parts and accessories!