Dulcimer pickups

Subject: Dulcimer pickups
From: Gurney
Date: 29 Oct 06 - 09:49 PM

A friend of mine who makes Appalachian Dulcimers was talking about an amplified one he was thinking about. I suggested a fiddle pickup, and he pointed out that on his boxes the first drone string was made to move so that it gave doubled melody stings.
If anyone has been there, I'd like to pass on your experience.

Thanks in advance, Chris.

Subject: RE: Dulcimer pickups
From: DonMeixner
Date: 29 Oct 06 - 11:55 PM

Pick Up The World makes some fine Kynar film based pick ups. I use one in my banjo. I suggest a call to them in Colorado and see what they have to offer either in advice or in existing pick ups. I like their Pick Up best of any I have used. And their customer service is spectacular.

Don

Subject: RE: Dulcimer pickups
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 30 Oct 06 - 01:06 PM

I use a lavalier mic that I got at radio Shack for about $30 Canadian about 12 years ago. I fasten it to the inside of the SE sound hole with velcro. I guess it depends on how loud your band is. I play the dulcimer solo or with one or two acoustic instruments, so volume is not a big problem. I don't think you can get a really good acoustic sound with a pick-up, but lots of folks disagree with me.
I liked the sound of Doc Watson's guitar a lot better when he was playing into a mic. It sounded like an electric to me the last few times I've seen him.

Subject: RE: Dulcimer pickups
From: Gurney
Date: 31 Oct 06 - 12:31 AM

Thanks, Don and Jim, I'll pass your comments on.
This thread is going down like a solid submarine. Perhaps I should add that my pal makes very few dulcimers nowadays, and only a couple have made their way to the US in private hands. As a luthier, he mostly sub-contracts to a guitar maker, and he is mostly interested in the esoteric and unusual. You should see his Hurdy-Gurdy.

I've never bothered to count the strings on an Esoteric, before anyone asks.

Subject: RE: Dulcimer pickups
From: KateG
Date: 31 Oct 06 - 05:39 PM

I don't amplify my dulcimers. However, I know that Dwain Wilder of Bear Meadows dulcimers makes instruments with pickups www.bearmeadow.com and I think that McSpadden and Folkcraft will install them if asked. Their websites and Dwains should give your friend some ideas about how well-known dulcimer builders are amplifying their instruments.