@O'Ryan Entertainment Ok, so what is the difference between a strumstick and a 3-string cigar-box guitar, other than the frets? (and the obvious difference of the cigar box, although this one has a CB too). Is it tuned an octave lower or something? Thicker strings? Both?
Question from a complete newbie. Just got a dulcimer. I like it. I've got a 3 string cbg. 25" scale, fretted like a guitar, without fret bars for easy slide. I want to play it like a dulcimer. I've tried different tuning, all suck. Is there anything I can do or just sell it?
depending on how tight those strings are you could tune it to make it closer to a dulcimer. DAA is another common dulcimer tuning (a I-V-V tuning) or CGG (drop your B string by 2 whole steps). Or you could aim for I-V-I tuning related to DAD but transposed like EBE, but that might need lighter strings installed. You'd want to play it with a short slide or thimble on a single string to have that I-V chord + melody that dulcimer songs are usually arranged around. probably the best thing is to leave that CBG instrument as it is, learn to play it for what it is best at. And get a traditional (lap) applician dulcimer or Strum Stick or Seagull M4. Some of the nicer sounding dulcimers will have the strings doubled up on the high-D, so four strings instead of three. (but still considered a three course instrument)
tune it DAD, remove sharp and flat frets, leaving only the diatonic frets. use the lightest 3 strings from a guitar set I think, have it an octave higher?
@@boriscat1999 The thimble you mention, is that to re-create 'noter-drone' style that is used on regular lap mountain dulcimers? And if so, wouldn't it have to be made of wood to not make it sound too slidy? And you would have to press fully down onto the frets to give it that 'clacking' sound that is distinctive of noter-drone
@@boriscat1999 I have seen people convert guitars and tenor guitars and baritone ukuleles into 'dulcitars' (walking dulcimers) and strumsticks. (and yes there IS a difference between a walking dulcimer (merlin) and strumstick (mcnally), because they are technically 2 separate different instruments with different playing styles)
Orion I am in the process of building the same instrument that you were showing off their I don't know what the Fret spacing supposed to be can you help me thank you sir
Hey, Yes, use your standard fret scale, but only put in these frets: 2,4,5,7,9,10,11,12,14,16,17,19,21 Then you’ll have Dulcimer fretting. Hope that helps. Cheers!
nice one
I love the sun and moon behind you too.
could tell me more about the large droning base
Hey how can I get you to build me a cigar box dulcimer?
@O'Ryan Entertainment
Ok, so what is the difference between a strumstick and a 3-string cigar-box guitar, other than the frets? (and the obvious difference of the cigar box, although this one has a CB too).
Is it tuned an octave lower or something? Thicker strings? Both?
Wow!!
Could you build a license plate version?
If so I would like to talk to you!
Question from a complete newbie. Just got a dulcimer. I like it. I've got a 3 string cbg. 25" scale, fretted like a guitar, without fret bars for easy slide.
I want to play it like a dulcimer. I've tried different tuning, all suck.
Is there anything I can do or just sell it?
depending on how tight those strings are you could tune it to make it closer to a dulcimer. DAA is another common dulcimer tuning (a I-V-V tuning) or CGG (drop your B string by 2 whole steps). Or you could aim for I-V-I tuning related to DAD but transposed like EBE, but that might need lighter strings installed.
You'd want to play it with a short slide or thimble on a single string to have that I-V chord + melody that dulcimer songs are usually arranged around.
probably the best thing is to leave that CBG instrument as it is, learn to play it for what it is best at. And get a traditional (lap) applician dulcimer or Strum Stick or Seagull M4. Some of the nicer sounding dulcimers will have the strings doubled up on the high-D, so four strings instead of three. (but still considered a three course instrument)
tune it DAD, remove sharp and flat frets, leaving only the diatonic frets. use the lightest 3 strings from a guitar set I think, have it an octave higher?
@@boriscat1999 The thimble you mention, is that to re-create 'noter-drone' style that is used on regular lap mountain dulcimers? And if so, wouldn't it have to be made of wood to not make it sound too slidy? And you would have to press fully down onto the frets to give it that 'clacking' sound that is distinctive of noter-drone
@@boriscat1999 I have seen people convert guitars and tenor guitars and baritone ukuleles into 'dulcitars' (walking dulcimers) and strumsticks.
(and yes there IS a difference between a walking dulcimer (merlin) and strumstick (mcnally), because they are technically 2 separate different instruments with different playing styles)
Orion I am in the process of building the same instrument that you were showing off their I don't know what the Fret spacing supposed to be can you help me thank you sir
Hey,
Yes, use your standard fret scale, but only put in these frets:
2,4,5,7,9,10,11,12,14,16,17,19,21
Then you’ll have Dulcimer fretting. Hope that helps. Cheers!