Hi all.
Just joined this group having started playing mountain dulcimer this weekend. I'm using a piece of oak as a noter and I'm getting weird phaser type sounds as I slide up and down the fretboard. Anyone know why that would be? I will add that I think the strings are quite old and I'm using an old oak handle from a pin hammer having sanded it clean and cut the hammer head off. Could it be one of these tgings causing it? It's not a horrible sound but I'd rather sort it if possible so I don't HAVE to have it all the time. I tried to upload a sound sample but was unsuccessful. It's almost exactly like a phaser type effect. Any help or ideas? I'd definitely appreciate it.
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Fitted the new strings today and I'd say problem solved. Thanks for all of the help folks. Really appreciate it. New "problems" coming soon no doubt! Thanks again.
It seems Erasmo Coco has solved the problem. I just heard the same sound in an instructional video kindly shared in the comment section of my upload. Seems it's a natural sound from using a noter but perhaps more exaggerated due to old strings or poor playing skills even. Not knowing what a dulcimer should sound like I think I've assumed it to be an anomoly since it didn't sound like CBGs that I'm used to hearing. Still need new strings but it seems problem solved or even no problem in the first place lol!
Thanks Erasmo and thanks everyone for giving help so freely. You're all awesome. Much appreciated. I'll still report back once the strings are changed and let you know if I notice any change. Thanks again :)
Not sure if I can post the video in here but I just uploaded it. It's here:
http://www.cigarboxnation.com/video/the-mountain-dulcimer-puzzle?xg...
Just want to thank you all for all the help so far. I tried to answer questions asked here in the video. Thanks again.
As for the frets, it is not uncommon to not have a 6 1/2 fret, pure traditional instruments did not have them. The 6 1/2 or 1 1/2 or other extra frets are a modern addition to dulcimers to open up the number of songs that can be played without retuning, The Cloverleaf sound holes are purely an option from the builder. Many different shapes are used from F holes to hearts I very much like the trapezoid shape of your dulcimer it is similar to a dulcimer called a Tennessee Music Box which is an Appalachia derivative of mountain dulcimer here in the US. I was not able to really see the makers mark clearly in the video, you might post a photo of just the makers Mark.
That's really helpful info QGolden. I'm planning on changing the strings next week when I can get some replacements and hopefully that will solve the problem. When I saw the dulcimer for sale on ebay uk I too thought it was a nice looking instrument. I couldn't afford the cost of even the cheapest new dulcimer listed on there so when I saw the bargain that it was I pretty much didn't think twice. Now I just need to learn to play it. Not so sure that I'm going to add the modern fret additions but may consider it when it needs refretting from wear. I'll check the state of the frets when I take the strings off to restring it as advised and go from there. Less frets probably means less wrong notes so that's great for me. I need all the playing help I can get! Thanks again for helping.
Making a video now. Will post in about twenty minutes. Thanks all for the help.
Hi,
Sounds like the problem you get when you use a slide on a conventional guitar. I cure it by trailing my 1st finger behind the slide and thus eliminating that "other" note. Maybe you could hold the noter between your thumb and 1st finger and tow your little finger up behind? Just a thought.
Hope you're both well btw!!
Cheers
Les
I set my Dulcimer strings as low as I can get them and avoid the buzz. But it's a fine line.
Not string buzz QGolden. I bought this dulcimer so I have a reference for building future ones. I was naughty and didn't build one yet. It's quite an old one and without the 6 1/2 fret, probably around mud 80s? Triangle in shape and under 36" total including headstock. The frets are really dirty, probably quite worn down though I don't know how to check for that. Dirty strings that are quite corroded and dark. The wood and the neck have a strong dark colour with lots of patina. Smells of a touch of mold too. Not sure what is causing the anomaly but it's definitely just like a phaser effect from an effects pedal. Going to try other materials as a noter and less pressure and see if it helps. I'll report back later this afternoon. Thanks for the help and suggestions. I really appreciate it when folk take time out of their day to reply.
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