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Folkcraft® Mountain Dulcimer String Set, MaxDAD (Standard/Bass Hybrid), Ball Ends (.012" .015" .024"RW .032"RW .054"RW)

Item Number 9111681

Regular price $22.00

This is the string set we use for building Folkcraft and FolkRoots 5-string MaxDAD® (standard/bass hybrid) dulcimers.

The first three strings (from the player side) are set up as a standard dulcimer. DAD tuning, in the normal range/octave. The far three strings (starting with the middle string of the 5-string set) are set up as a bass dulcimer. DAD tuning, but an octave lower than a standard dulcimer.

Strings in this set:
Melody string (high D): .012
Middle string (middle A): .015
Center string (low D): .024RW
Middle string (low A): .032RW
Bass string (really low D): .054RW

We've assembled the perfect string set for this setup. With the right balance of volume (choosing the gauges very carefully) and warmth/clarity - we use the brass wound (flattened with rollers) bass strings instead of the more-common (and slightly cheaper) bronze wound strings.

As an added benefit, the roller-wound brass strings (abbreviated RW) squeak less than regular strings, of course (since they're flattened a bit with rollers), but more importantly for this string set, they're made of a brass alloy (instead of the more commonly-found bronze alloy). 

Bronze tends to give a warmer tone quality, but brass, especially with baritone and bass strings, tends to provide the player with a LOT more clarity. The instrument isn't as "muddy", which is a common problem for baritone and bass dulcimers.

 

Customer Reviews

Based on 71 reviews
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B
Butch Hilsabeck
String'em up

Love to review the string set ... But not to that stage of the build yet... Bought the Folkcraft teardrop Dulcimer plan and have been building it over the past few weeks... Adding ideas and things to make it the vision I had... So it's wait and see...

G
George K Milam
Church Dulcimer

I chose to make my 6 string at a college nearby in the early 1980's. And with their excellent guidance it was very good build. And then I progressed to desiring to make 5 string banjos. So I have amassed many sets of strings without a clear knowledge of the science of acoustics. Particularly when all sales for dulcimers centered on 4 strings and not 6. But I had my share of the pain of broken strings(both meanings, hence lots of sets ordered. It was decades before I tried to put that instruments back in service. Because, I found the Folkcraft website. Lo and behold, they had a set a set of 6 strings. I call it the no brain method. But they have brought my church dulcimer back to its beautifully rich sound. For that, I am grateful. I would recommend that listing a sample of the notes(including octave notation) of say the Key of G or C. That way, it helps the beginner not give up and not wait decades to rekindle a love of the harmonics generated.But obviously they are well pick to provide clear sounds and balances for appropriate tensions or your soundboard may decide to get closer to you face.

L
Laura Bell
Consistent quality

I know I can trust these strings for consistent quality and great tone. Playing my dulcimer after changing to these new strings feels like Christmas morning!

C
Charles Taylor
Quality and service

Love the service and the strings. I was concerned with two wound strings that they would be very squeaky. Sounds great, very little squeaking and no sanding. Great quality.

S
Steve Parker

Folkcraft® Mountain Dulcimer String Set, Six String, Loop Ends (.011" .011" .013" .013" .024BW" .011")