old Folk Roots dulcimerI

[GailR]

I just picked up a Folk Roots dulcimer at a rummage sale for $105. According to the tag in the case & the label inside the dulcimer it's a model D-50 #56863 made by Rugg & Jackel Music Co. Fenton CA. It looks like new & sounds great with the old strings. BTW what strings should it have? Any other info that you know of? We still have the warranty card!
It also has no 6 1/2 fret. Thanks!

[cactus]

I am not the expert on dulcimer but if there is a good guitar shop anywhere near you the strings can be replaced easily. Guitar strings are what are generally used on dulcimers and may be loop ended or have a small circle "thingie" at the end - which is what I prefer. Same strings but differing attachment.
It might be best to change strings one at a time rather than just removing all so that pressure isn't thrown out of whack. I believe that Blue Lion dulcimers have an article on their web site about string replacement.
Good luck and enjoy your instrument.

[KenH]

Au contraire Cactus - there is not such thing as "guitar" strings. There are just musical instrument strings packaged for various instruments. And you can find Dulcimer string sets at any reasonably stocked acoustic music shop, or on-line at www.juststrings.com.

GailR - the string which you need depend on what tuning you want to use and the VSL of the instrument -- the distance between the Nut and the Bridge. However, knowing you have a FolkRoots dulcimer, and on the standard Dulcimer string sets will work just fine for all the standard tunings. Cactus was correct to suggest that you not remove all the strings at once. Change one string at a time. Removing all the strings at once can cause mis-placement of the Bridge, which can impact the trueness of the scales.

Not having a 6+ fret means that you may want to tune to DAA and use that tuning for many of the songs which are tabbed in DAd do not use the 6+ fret. These songs are in fact are Ionian/major scale songs not Mixolydian Mode tunes. You'll play the same notes as people tuned in DAd, but not on the same frets.

[cactus]

Gail, Ken is right on in his explanation of strings. I was hoping to suggest that strings for use on dulcimers are easy to find. Just Strings, Elderly Instruments, Folk Craft, Prussia Valley Dulcimers are among the sites I think of off the top of my head. This site and Friends of Mountain Dulcimer have lots of knowledgeable folk who are super helpful.

[kwl]

Gail, while you probably do not know if the string are original, a music store should be able to measure their thickness so that you can purchase the same gauge strings. One of the Rugg brothers is a member here at ED. He may chime in on the information you need. You purchased a great dulcimer at a great price. Enjoy.

Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

[Acmespaceship]

Folkcraft Instruments bought the Folk Roots brand years ago and still builds dulcimers under the Folk Roots name. You might want to email them about your instrument. They have some knowledge of its history and should be able to supply you with strings.

You have mighty rummage sale mojo and I bow to you in tribute!