steel string questions

Subject: steel string questions
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 04 Jun 05 - 11:38 AM

Last week I bought new strings for my mountain (lap) dulcimer. I use three strings, and the package contains strings of three different thicknesses. The gauges, from high to low, are .012, .014, .022. (These are d'Addario strings.)

Many people tune their dulcimer D-A-D, but I use D-A-A. Should I be buying strings in only two gauges, one for the low D and two the same for the A's?

Does the thinnest string wear out faster? Or is it in a better position because, being thin, it doesn't need as much tension to reach pitch?

I like my dulcimer to sound as rich and mellow as possible, not thin and twangy.

Subject: RE: steel string questions
From: Bernard
Date: 04 Jun 05 - 02:39 PM

The gauges are calculated so that the tension and pitch are optimum - too thin, and the tension is low, resulting in a 'twangy' sound, and usually unreliable tuning. Too thick, and the tension is high, so that the instrument itself may be permanently damaged.

So yes, you should buy the correct gauges for the notes you are tuning to. If the As are at the same pitch, the strings should be exactly the same gauge.

Subject: RE: steel string questions
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 05 Jun 05 - 03:15 PM

Okay, thanks. I guess I should have two 14's and a 22 then.

Subject: RE: steel string questions
From: Kaleea
Date: 06 Jun 05 - 01:51 AM

I play in a variety of tunings, but mostly DAD (myxolydian), as it seems more versatile to me. One must use caution in using various tunings with strings which are for a specific tuning. If you play mostly in one tuning, get those. If you vary alot, try to find keys which will cause the least overstretching of strings. When I retune my DAD to DGD (Reverse Ionian), I have great results.    For mixolydian, use these gauges or close to it: .023 wound bass, .014 plain middle, .010 plain melody - D-A-D tuning. There are some who are diehard DAA players, so for DAA (Ionian) use these gauges: .022 wound bass, .012 plain for middle & melody.
I have found that McSpadden Dulcimers have a nice variety of string set. Since I got my Dulcimers from them, and have met them, & liked the strings that came with my new Dulcimer, I just got into the habit of getting them from The McSpadden bros. I'm sure there are plenty of others. You can use individual banjo or guitar strings, just get the gauges you need.
    I now have 2 dulcimers, so I keep one in DAA, & the other I use for DAD & DGD.   There is usually a Mountain Dulcimer group around the country, so you might check one out. For me, it is lots more fun to play Music with others. Good Luck!

Subject: RE: steel string questions
From: mooman
Date: 06 Jun 05 - 04:04 AM

I play AAD and use .022/.012 and 2 times .012/.012 as mentioned by Kaleea above (mine's a six-stringer). Those gauges seem to work well for me. Mine's a Mike Roy dulcimer from the Isle of Man btw.

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: steel string questions
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 06 Jun 05 - 09:14 AM

That's interesting, mooman. I never heard of a six-string dulcimer before.

I like D-A-A because I'm an alto, and the melodies are lower in D-A-A. Sometimes I tune it D-A-G and go off to a minor realm for a while, but then I go back to good old D-A-A.

I don't want to use any more tunings than that, because new tunings mean new chord positions, and that would take away some of the fun.