Here's mine. The saddle is slotted for the strings, so the pins for the unison strings don't have to be close together.
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| Author: | windsurfer [ Tue May 31, 2011 1:52 pm ] |
| Post subject: | help with a dulcimer |
The need for a quick project combined with the desire to diversify my luthierism by building building something other than a guitar led me down the path to building an hourglass-shaped mountain dulcimer. I carved a scroll, bend the sides, cut the fretboard and hollowed it's backside (not sure why). Then I assembled the box and figured out I had no idea how the strings were attached to the tail. From what I can see in photos, it looks like the traditional way is to wack in a couple of nails, clip off the heads and slide the ball end of the string over it. I also see lots off variety in the spacing between the saddle and the ball end with some wrapping the string around the end of the instrument to achieve different lengths for each string. Can anyone share some explanation or pictures of the string attachment on mountain dulcimers ? Also, what criteria is used to choose the spacing between the saddle and attachment for each string ? Is there a ODF or other good resource for details ? thanks, -jd |
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| Author: | Phillip Patton [ Tue May 31, 2011 5:29 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: help with a dulcimer |
windsurfer wrote: The need for a quick project combined with the desire to diversify my luthierism by building building something other than a guitar led me down the path to building an hourglass-shaped mountain dulcimer. I carved a scroll, bend the sides, cut the fretboard and hollowed it's backside (not sure why). Then I assembled the box and figured out I had no idea how the strings were attached to the tail. From what I can see in photos, it looks like the traditional way is to wack in a couple of nails, clip off the heads and slide the ball end of the string over it. I also see lots off variety in the spacing between the saddle and the ball end with some wrapping the string around the end of the instrument to achieve different lengths for each string. Can anyone share some explanation or pictures of the string attachment on mountain dulcimers ? Also, what criteria is used to choose the spacing between the saddle and attachment for each string ? Is there a ODF or other good resource for details ? thanks, -jd I've made a few MDs (mountain dulcimer). I used stainless pins to hold the ball ends. I'll take a picture of the one I still have, but just about anything goes. It doesn't matter how far from the saddle the ends are. There's a lot of good info and knowledgeable people here: http://everythingdulcimer.com/discuss/viewforum.php?f=5 |
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| Author: | windsurfer [ Tue May 31, 2011 6:04 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: help with a dulcimer |
Thanks for the info, sounds like it is just what it appears to be, the ball end stuck on a pin. Are the pins normal to the pull of the string, or is there some additional tilt ? -jd |
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| Author: | windsurfer [ Tue May 31, 2011 6:13 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: help with a dulcimer |
this type of bridge configuration is why I asked about spacing between the saddle and the pins... |
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| Author: | Bryan Bear [ Tue May 31, 2011 7:59 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: help with a dulcimer |
That configuration is because the distance between the two unison string doesn't leave enough space for the two ball ends to be next to each other. Pretty much do whatever works and looks good to you. That is the wonderful thing about MDs! |
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| Author: | SteveSmith [ Wed Jun 01, 2011 12:28 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: help with a dulcimer |
Here's mine. Brass pins go into the tail block. Attachment: DSC02226.JPG
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| Author: | Phillip Patton [ Wed Jun 01, 2011 12:50 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: help with a dulcimer |
Here's mine. The saddle is slotted for the strings, so the pins for the unison strings don't have to be close together.
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| Author: | windsurfer [ Thu Jun 02, 2011 9:15 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: help with a dulcimer |
Thanks for the pictures, they really help. -jd |
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| Author: | kdguitars [ Sat Jun 11, 2011 10:41 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: help with a dulcimer |
Sorry I don't have any pics, but I have made a "tail" that sits behind the bridge that allows me to drill small holes thru and then pass the strings with the ball end up against the "tail". I must admit though that playing it I made my tail too sharp and when I rest my strumming hand on it the tail presses in a bit. After a while kinda uncomfortable. Think about how your hand will rest down at the bridge and make whatever your system easy to rest on. You will enjoy playing it much better. Karl Dahlman |
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| Author: | york [ Mon Jun 13, 2011 8:16 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: help with a dulcimer |
I use a bone endcap and attach strings on the tailblock. |
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| Author: | Phillip Patton [ Mon Jun 13, 2011 8:54 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: help with a dulcimer |
york wrote: I use a bone endcap and attach strings on the tailblock. I think that's the best way to do it. Some people (myself included) like to anchor their hand in the space between the butt and the saddle, and having the pins on top makes that uncomfortable. |
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| Author: | Goodin [ Tue Jun 14, 2011 10:02 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: help with a dulcimer |
I use these 'anchor pins' from Folkcraft: http://www.folkcraft.com/p_1482_cat_700 ... _pg_1.html I don;t have a picture of the pins attached to the dulcimer, but in the pic below they would go in the maple area between the bridge and tail block. This is similar to how they do it at Folkcraft. |
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| Author: | Goodin [ Tue Jun 14, 2011 6:02 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: help with a dulcimer |
Found another pic.... |
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