|
Pedal Dampers add complication, a couple of pounds of weight, make changing strings a bit more of a chore, and of course add to the cost. They also are an excellent tool for emphasizing phrasing, widening the dynamic range of the instrument, or adding a different tone color. For traditional music, they may be irrelevant. For music with complex chord progressions they can be a necessity. Recommended for the Compact Extended Range and the Piano Dulcimer, useful for any.
TriStander legs and mounts, by Dusty Strings, can be an efficient way to hold up a hammered dulcimer. The legs can be adjusted to either a sitting or standing height, and the playing angle of the instrument can be changed as well. The legs can be stowed in a case pocket, making the instrument and stand into one piece of luggage. A TriStander weighs about 3 lbs.
Spare Strings are most commonly needed for copper-alloy courses. As noted above, copper-alloy strings will often fatigue and break within a couple of years, and some of these are supplied with the instrument. Smaller size wound strings will lose brightness in a year of playing, or a few months by the seashore. Large diameter wound strings last much longer, which is fortunate; as some of these have to be custom made and are rather expensive. Even tinned piano wire steel strings will eventually begin to corrode and rust, and typically after seven years or so the instrument will be greatly improved by replacing them; but they don't often break. Pure Sound steel strings are stainless, and don't rust, and if they aren't accidentally broken perhaps they might last forever. Unfortunately, their use is limited.
*To save me from being burdened with thousands of small envelopes and countless trips to the post office, there is a $10 minimum on string orders. I recommend buying strings in pairs, and replacing whole stringcourses.
Restringing is recommended for instruments when strings become corroded and rusty, usually after about 7-12 years and improves the tone. Usually it costs about $150 to do the job, depending on what else has to be done (tuning pins replaced, refinishing sound board…).
|
|
