KWL

Enjoy your new McSpadden when you receive it. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I also prefer 3 strings for much of the same reasons Admin gave. I have tried 4 equidistant strings, but don't care for that style of playing. While I play a lot of noter/drone style and finger dancing, I also play some chord/melody style and like 3 strings for both. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I've been away without the internet for three weeks. What a pleasant surprise to return to your completed dulcimer and the sound files. Very nice. You did well. Thanks for sharing your work and music. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Here you go: https://dulcimerdownloads.com/products/neal-walters-and-heidi-cerrigione-30-old-time-tunes https://www.folkcraft.com/products/favorite-american-songs-dulcimer-1302425 Both of these are $30.00. I couldn't find the website for the $25 one today. Sorry. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Marvin, I have not been able to find Drunken Hiccups, but I did fine several versions of Jack of Diamonds or Jack o' Diamonds. Two of them were in books you can purchase. I did find this free tab: http://www.gulfweb.net/rlwalker/jamnfolk/book099/Jack%20Of%20Diamonds(Dulcimer).pdf It says it is in DAd tuning, but since it is played on the middle string (A), I think it would make more sense to play it in DAA. I hope this is helpful. Let me know if you want links to the books. One is $25 and the other is $30. The are Jack o' Diamond tab. As far as I can tell, Drunken Hiccups, Jack

I agree. You did a good job on this dulcimer. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Nice first dulcimer build. I agree with the comments Noterman made. I look forward to hearing the sound of the instrument when it is completed. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Enjoy your new dulcimer.

For about a year now a group of folks have been getting together Tuesday evenings on Zoom to play mountain dulcimer together. We invite you join us. We play noter or finger dancing style mostly in DAA but also in DAC, DAG, and DAd. The format is one person leads a song/tune while everyone else is muted and plays along. While Dave Holeton usually leads, others have led as well. You are welcome to join us. We meet on Tuesday evenings at 8:30 p.m. (EDT), 7:30 p.m. (CDT), 6:30 p.m. (MDT), and 5:30 p.m. PDT. A link for each week's meeting is available on The Traditional Mountain Dulcimore website.

Just a heads up for those attending. Berea College is requiring that all participants be either fully vaccinated for Covid19 or have a negative Covid test 72 hours before checkin. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Very nice work. Those are good looking dulcimers. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.'

When I play it, the thumb is on the first string, ring finger on the middle string, and my index finger on the bass. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Here is a link to a news report on the Hindman Dulcimer Gathering: https://www.wymt.com/2021/04/10/2021-dulcimer-homecoming-held-at-hindman-settlement-school/ I wasn't able to attend the whole festival, but enjoyed the parts I was able to get to. I hope some of you will plan to attend next year; either online or in person. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Yep.

I thought some folks might enjoy reading this article: Article Ken, "The dulcimer sings a sweet song."