Gut Strings on Early Mountain Dulcimers

[Robin the Busker]

This is a question for those who have researched and played old dulcimers.

I have noticed a few references stating that some early (pre-1900) mountain dulcimers were gut strung. Has anyone seen or better still played an early gut strung mountain dulcimer? I wonder if the builders made any design compensations for gut strings like a larger sound box and higher action. And what sort of gut string gauges were used? Are we talking bowed dulcimers here or were some strummed and fretted mountain dulcimers gut strung?

Does anyone have any info on these mountain dulcimers?

Robin

[strumelia]

I have noticed a few references stating that some early (pre-1900) mountain dulcimers were gut strung. Has anyone seen or better still played an early gut strung mountain dulcimer?

I would think the first logical step is to identify those references you've noticed that state some pre-1900 dulcimers were gut strung. Who states that and where did their information come from?

[kwl]

I have seen many old mountain dulcimers and PA German zithers. Some have had no stings on them, but those that did have strings had metal strings. I would be interested in seeing references to "gut" string dulcimers.

Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

[KenH]

I've not seen references to gut strung dulcimers or zithers either, at least that I remember, in "Pre-Revival..." or Ralph's books. Elucidate us Robin.

[Frimp]

I have never heard of a fretted dulcimer having gut strings. It would be interesting to find out if there are any examples out there. Seems like a logical assumption, since gut strings were probably available back then, for other instruments.

[Randy Adams]

I put Savarez red card nylon strings on my Prussia Valley box dulcimer. I'm not very good at describing sound with words.....but about the same difference as a guitar with steel vs nylon. I liked the sound and the feel but they didn't last long. They couldn't take the 90 degree angle between the nut and the zither pins and the wounds strings would bind and break after a few tunings. I've been meaning to try them again on a different dulcimer but haven't gotten around to it. Thinking about trying a set Robin?

[Acmespaceship]

Over in the history sub-forum, Banjimer is posting some wonderful links to old sources, including an article published in 1917 and linked here: http://www.bluegrassmessengers.com/the- ... -1917.aspx

I quote from the article, emphasis added:

In shape it is most like a "pochette," the little instrument carried by dancing-masters in the olden days, although very much larger of course. It is strung with three strings, either gut or wire. Two of these are tuned in unison while the third is tuned a fifth below. The outer one of the two in unison is the only frettled string, the other two supplying a drone bass, giving somewhat the effect of the bagpipe. The dulcimore (accent on the last syllable) is held on the knees and the strings are plucked with a piece of leather or a quill. The melody is played upon the fretted string, for which purpose a quill or small stick is employed.

[Robin the Busker]

It was that link to the article written by by Howard Brockway in 1917 and posted by Banjimer that got me thinking about gut strings on mountain dulcimers.

I have seen a few other quotes just like that one - where an observer had mentioned "gut or wire" when talking about mountain dulcimer strings. I really didn't pay them that much attention at the time.

I have never seen a photo of an old mountain dulcimer with gut strings? I just wondered if anyone here had ever come across one at all? It could be that this was just an error by the observers. In Howard Brockway's article he talks about the nature of physical isolation in South Eastern Kentucky created by the landscape - so there is just a possibility that in some communities they used gut strings on the home made dulcimers they built?

I though that this was quite an interesting line of enquiry to post here, as using gut strings would change the nature of the instrument considerably. And make it very different from the schietholt etc which seem to have been all wire strung.

I was hoping that someone here had physically seen an old dulcimer with gut strings at some point so there was some concrete evidence rather than just literary evidence of gut strung mountain dulcimers ever being built as a local folk instrument.

Robin

[KenH]

Time for an email to Ralph Lee Smith. If anyone alive would know, he would... So I sent him a note this morning, asking if he knew of any such instruments. We'll see what he has to say.

[KenH]

So here's what Ralph had to say about gut strung dulcimers...

"Nice to hear from you, and thanks for your interesting query. I have not seen an old gut-strung dulcimer, or any old dulcimer with a piece of gut string attached to one of its tuners. I have seen at least one old scheitholt with a short piece of gut string attached to one of its tuners. I will ask the question in my next DPN column. Let's see what we get!"...Ralph

So the quest for info continues...

[Robin the Busker]

Thanks Ken!

I wonder if a gut strung mountain dulcimer will turn up? If a few scheitholts were gut strung then there is a possibility that Howard Brockway's observation was correct.

I may have to order some Nylgut banjo strings and give it a go

Robin

[KenH]

Start with cheap Uke strings, Robin. I think the result will be a very, very quiet instrument. Ken Bloom and I talked about this in a thread some time back. An acoustically efficient gut strung dulcimer would need to have a much lighter construction - say 1/16" thick body planks over ribs and stringers like a boat hull.