Strings are "twangy"

[rkilbridge]

My hammered dulcimer strings have a ringing, "twangy"  sound that persists after I strike the string; this is preventing me from playing.

I thought this had something to do with a humidity level in the atmosphere that is too high. I had trouble last summer with an 80% humidity

level in the house. I dropped it down to the 50's with the help of air conditioning and it solved the problem. This winter I have tried to keep the humidity level at between 35-40% and 

my strings are "twanging" again. Humidity too low? Someone suggested I raise the humidity level to 45% which I am trying to do. Level is at 42% today and still twanging. Any advice here 

Thanks.

[KWL]

A few questions to help diagnose the problem: Are all the strings "twanging"? Is the sound board/top of the dulcimer flat or have a depression in the middle? What is the brand of the dulcimer? Do the strings sit down tightly to the side bridges before going over/under the main bridges? Is the dulcimer tuned to standard pitch (A=440)? If you tap on the back of the dulcimer, is there a rattling sound?

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

[Nathina]

When you say 

On 3/3/2020 at 11:54 AM, rkilbridge said:

My hammered dulcimer strings have a ringing, "twangy"  sound that persists after I strike the string; this is preventing me from playing.

I thought this had something to do with a humidity level in the atmosphere that is too high. I had trouble last summer with an 80% humidity

level in the house. I dropped it down to the 50's with the help of air conditioning and it solved the problem. This winter I have tried to keep the humidity level at between 35-40% and 

my strings are "twanging" again. Humidity too low? Someone suggested I raise the humidity level to 45% which I am trying to do. Level is at 42% today and still twanging. Any advice here 

Thanks.

When you say "too twangy" do you mean buzzing, or the sustain?