Official Luthiers Forum!

Can anyone tell me why they call it a Hammered Dulcimer vs. just a plain old Dulcimer? I know I could look it up somewhere but with all the knowledgable people around here I figured some one could tell me without much effort. TIA

yes...I guess I'm lazzzzzy

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Dave,

You should search Google for some pictures of a hammered dulcimer. The difference from a regular lap dulcimer is dramatic. A hammered dulcimer is usually trapezoidal in shape & has multiple strings - one for each note - running horizontally across the top. It is played by striking the strings with small, hand-held sticks (thus the hammer terminology). The pictures should really help you see this.

Skip

I'll Do That!

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

WOW...completely different animal...

Have someone who really want's one...how do I get myself into these predicaments?

_________________
Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Dave



Try Folkcaft.com

They have information and supplies for hammere dulcimer construction.

cecil

Easy: the hammered dulcimer came first. It was very popular in England around the time of King James I, and when they translated the Bible they ran into a name for an instrument that they had no translation for, so they called it a 'dulcimer'. Later, when the descendants and relatives of the Scheitholt became popular in the American South the folks went looking for another name to use, and grabbed that one from the Bible. The irony is that the original thing they couldn't tanslate turned out to be a wind instrument....

Most of the world calls them 'dulcimer' and 'lap dulcimer', but here in the 'States we go the other way, since the little zither is the more common instrument arounf here these days.

As far as I know, the GAL is still selling copies of the plans I sent them, as well as Deb Suran's. The Dusty Strings instrument I saw recently was quite nice, too. It's a fun instrument, and not so hard to make, especially if you have a table saw!

"How long does it take to tune a hamered dulcimer?"

"Nobody knows!"Alan Carruth38746.9113657407

Try this, Dave

http://larkinthemorning.com/category.asp?c=35

and

http://musikit.com/


I believe they have instruments, parts and kits.

Ronold man38746.961724537

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Hi Dave,
I've built may hammered dulcimers in the past, give me a shout and I'll help you if I can.
Dave

I started the day the dulcimer guy got hammered...

[QUOTE=DaveF] Hi Dave,
I've built may hammered dulcimers in the past, give me a shout and I'll help you if I can.
Dave[/QUOTE]

THANKS DAVE DEFINITELY WILL DO!

_________________
Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Thank You Everyone for your Responses!

_________________
Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Anyone know where I can get the parts for something like this?

_________________
Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Dave, check the two links that Ron posted. They both sell plans too. I think Stew Mac has the tuning pins you'd need. Other than that the hardware is mostly some felt and a brass rod.

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Joe Breault
Merrimack, NH
Perpetual novice