Just bought a Dulcimer

I just succumbed to GAS, but this time it’s a real, not a virtual instrument. A beautiful T K O’Brian “Walnut Creek” mountain dulcimer in cherry and walnut with humming bird sound holes. It was hanging in a music shop. I had to try it out. I was smitten, I handed over the cash and brought her home.
 
I may try an post a picture later, but in the mean time http://www.tkobriens.com/mountaindulcimer.html  - Its the right hand model in the top row, but darker wood.

Old55


I guess you got so you can form a deth metal band.

lol

You guys are making me jealous.

I don't have a dalmatian dulcimer.

bitflipper


Gee, that looks a lot like mine. 

Got that one as well

Looks nice

I know Bob, and I'm STILL waiting...

Starise


Do you plan to play it seriously? .

I hope so. The mountain dulcimer is the only instrument I have played in front of a audience, but that was years ago in folk clubs. My old, home made, one got broken quite some time ago and I have been hankering after a replacement for some time.  Its nice to play something different to keyboards occasionally. Mic'ing it up for recording could prove the biggest challenge.

Sample we all wont to hear a sample do we not?


Just asking pretty please with furry brassy spheres.

can't play any wrong notes...

pdlstl


can't play any wrong notes...

But you can play the wrong order

Also have a really nice mountain dulcimer... one of my favorite instruments, and also the easiest instrument I know of to play.

One serious suggestion... in looking at the picture of it, it lacks the common additional 6 1/2 fret.  That might be worth considering adding.

In general, one of the differences in playing technique is that on the east coast tuning is most often DAA (which alievates the need for the 6 1/2 fret) while on the west coast, tuning is most often DAD.  Adding the 6 1/2 fret, and using the DAD tuning does give the instrument a bit more flexibility in terms of available chord progressions.

If one is on the west coast take a look at the Blue Lion instruments (assuming they are still around).

noldar12


Also have a really nice mountain dulcimer... one of my favorite instruments, and also the easiest instrument I know of to play.

One serious suggestion... in looking at the picture of it, it lacks the common additional 6 1/2 fret.  That might be worth considering adding.

In general, one of the differences in playing technique is that on the east coast tuning is most often DAA (which alievates the need for the 6 1/2 fret) while on the west coast, tuning is most often DAD.  Adding the 6 1/2 fret, and using the DAD tuning does give the instrument a bit more flexibility in terms of available chord progressions. 

Mine has the 6 1/2 fret, It's RobertB's that does not. It certainly adds flexability in the DAA stringing arrangment. Just re-tuning to DAG gives you access to both Dorian and Mixolydian modes without restringing (or risking snapping strings).

noldar12


Also have a really nice mountain dulcimer... one of my favorite instruments, and also the easiest instrument I know of to play.

One serious suggestion... in looking at the picture of it, it lacks the common additional 6 1/2 fret.  That might be worth considering adding.

In general, one of the differences in playing technique is that on the east coast tuning is most often DAA (which alievates the need for the 6 1/2 fret) while on the west coast, tuning is most often DAD.  Adding the 6 1/2 fret, and using the DAD tuning does give the instrument a bit more flexibility in terms of available chord progressions.

If one is on the west coast take a look at the Blue Lion instruments (assuming they are still around).

Neither DAA or DAD tuning tells me what the fourth string should be tuned to...

craigb

Neither DAA or DAD tuning tells me what the fourth string should be tuned to...

Traditionaly the melody string are placed close together and tuned and fretted together.  A modern adaption is to have 4 equally spaced strings. Tuning will depend on the mode but for ionian (major) try DGBd