Post by jack on Apr 22, 2009 21:19:59 GMT 1
Just thought I’d let you know about my new dulcimer. I’ve been looking for something a bit lighter and more portable than my Oakwood. I use “octave bass” tuning and I’m quite happy with a 12/12. Octave bass uses the same treble bridge tuning as a standard 12 string but the bass starts from D below the normal G, giving 3 full octaves in D.
I came across Rick Thum’s lightweight (9lbs) dulcimers on his website. After comparing the tuning charts for his Wren and Traveler, I realised I could get a Wren and re-string the bass the same as a Traveler. Rick doesn’t sell direct but I bought it from
www.indianaguitarman.com/
They were really good to deal with and the instrument arrived in under 3 weeks.
Rick advertises these smaller instruments as low sustain and that certainly is the case.
I’ve used it twice in sessions and have been really pleased with it. The tone is not as good as an Oakwood but considering the price difference that’s not surprising. In a session with fiddles, guitar etc. much of the tone quality is lost anyway. I probably wouldn’t use the Rick Thum in a concert situation but for sessions it is ideal. It’s quite a bit shorter than the Oakwood as well which helps but consequently it’s strung at a lower tension, although it still has good volume.
Jack
I came across Rick Thum’s lightweight (9lbs) dulcimers on his website. After comparing the tuning charts for his Wren and Traveler, I realised I could get a Wren and re-string the bass the same as a Traveler. Rick doesn’t sell direct but I bought it from
www.indianaguitarman.com/
They were really good to deal with and the instrument arrived in under 3 weeks.
Rick advertises these smaller instruments as low sustain and that certainly is the case.
I’ve used it twice in sessions and have been really pleased with it. The tone is not as good as an Oakwood but considering the price difference that’s not surprising. In a session with fiddles, guitar etc. much of the tone quality is lost anyway. I probably wouldn’t use the Rick Thum in a concert situation but for sessions it is ideal. It’s quite a bit shorter than the Oakwood as well which helps but consequently it’s strung at a lower tension, although it still has good volume.
Jack
