As fascinating as the world of music is, let us take a deeper look into the instruments that not only add more flavor to it but also grasp your attention; hence, awakening a certain part of your soul.
Particularly, Dulcimers play a vital role in the musical world, especially where it has a rich American folk music history. With its beautiful melodies, it can awaken anyone's heart. Dulcimers come under the category of musical string instruments.
Similar to how guitars are operated, dulcimer are also played by plucking the strings. The most widely known variant of mountain dulcimer consists of just 4 strings. However, a couple of decades earlier, dulcimers had just 3 strings.
Dulcimer strings are commonly made up of steel, bronze, or nickel, while the wood is used to construct the soundboard, specifically, Tonewoods, which include a variety such as Cedar, Redwood, Spruce, Mohagany and many more- Spruce is the most commonly, used.
What are the Best Dulcimer Strings to Buy?
2) EJ64 Dulcimer By D’Addario
- Contains 3 plain steel strings and one nickel-plated steel wound on steel string
- Distinctive bright tone and excellent intonation
- Corrosion resistant packaging
1) J64 Dulcimer String Set By D’Addario
- Contains 3 plain steel strings and one nickelplated steel wound on steel string
- Distinctive bright tone and excellent intonation
- Made in the U.S.A.
3) John Pearse Appalachian String Set
- Bright and brilliant tone
- Loop ended doubles
- Made in the U.S.A
- Made by john pearse strings
- Produce a distinctive but mellow sound
Along with its rich history, Dulcimer is the essence of any live performances and well recognized in acoustic instruments. You can find dulcimer at every musical instrument store along with the choices of strings because musicians today knows its worth.
The choice of strings places very significant value in the quality of sounds dulcimer produces. The right choice will not only make the sounds more soul-touching, but it will also motivate the beginner dulcimer players. Therefore, to hear a piece of good quality music, all you need is a dulcimer with a perfect set of strings and your hands.
14 Best Dulcimer String Reviews
1) J64 Dulcimer String Set By D’Addario
The D’Addario J64 Dulcimer 4-String set is one of the classic and simple Dulcimer string. The strings are made using 3 plain, steel strings, and one nickel-plated steel cord on steel-string.
The strings manufactured by D’Addario are known for their high standard quality and sound throughout the world. The brand is a personal favorite of many famous guitarists. Despite the style you play in, the brand offers a set of strings that may fit best for your dulcimer. The strings are made of exceptionally high quality, to make sure that they don’t rust.
So the packaging is done in such a way that the string’s corrosion could be avoided and that they remain fresh. The dulcimer 4 string set is available at an affordable price. The tone and intonation produced by the strings are distinctive and resonant. Therefore, the J64 Dulcimer 4-String set is durable and produces a distinctive sound.
2) EJ64 Dulcimer By D’Addario
The D’Addario EJ64 Dulcimer 4 String set comes with high standard quality and sound. The strings manufactured by the company D’Addario are renowned for their usage of best materials and craftsmanship. All this means to achieve the purpose of the instrument; to generate quality sound.
EJ64 contains 1 nickel-plated steel wound string set, and 3 plain, steel strings. The high quality of the strings ensures that a fine tone is produced, no matter what style you play in. The length of the strings is about 27” scale size, which means that they can easily reach tuning pegs or connect to the tail.
These EJ64 Dulcimer 4 loop end strings set are easy to fit. Along with that, the packaging of the strings is done in such a way to avoid corrosion of the strings. Because of the packaging, the durability and sound of the strings remain intact and fresh.
3) John Pearse Appalachian String Set
The John Pearse Appalachian Dulcimer Strings are the classic and simple Appalachian Dulcimer Strings set. They are usually playing by strumming or plucking to produce a warm tone. In order to achieve that warm, bright tone, the John Pearse80/20 bronze wound strings help to produce that warm, distinctive tone by strumming.
The strings set range are inspired by bluegrass by the famous guitarist, John Pearse. The strings are loop ended so they can connect easily to the bridge or tail. The length of the string varies up to 37 inches long they can be cut accordingly to fit.
If you are interested in checking out strings that produce a Distinctive but mellow sound from other strings, then John Pearse Appalachian Dulcimer 4 String set is for you. They are rich in color and the sound they make by strumming. Made in the USA, they are known for 80/20 bronze wound string, which produces a mellow tone.
4) Folkcraft Mountain Dulcimer String Set
The Folkcraft Mountain Dulcimer String Set by Folkcraft is a high-quality string set which comes with ball ends. The ball ends string comes with these set of four types of gauges: .011, .011, .013, .024BW. The dulcimer string set manufactured by Folkcraft Luthiers makes sure that they select high standard material and listen to different windings, string materials to provide the best one.
The main purpose of the string set with ball ends is to help create the sound from the strings that produce the right tone. This Folkcraft’s mountain dulcimer string set with balls ends been the top favorite among musicians, as the brand is the main dulcimer manufacturer throughout the world.
The string set contains one bronze wound brass string, one middle string, and two melody strings. Together with the packaging of the strings, it can prevent the corrosion of the strings so as to get the strings in the best condition.
5) GHS Dulcimer String Set
The GHS Dulcimer Loop end Stainless Steel String 12-20 D20 by GHS is specifically designed to create a distinctive, mellow sound. The strings are loop ended so they can connect easily to the bridge or tail.
The stainless steel string set with loop ends comes with four types of gauges: .012, .012, .012, and .020. 0.20 is used as a bass string, which is popular for a guitarist to use in bass guitar, and it fits perfectly in the dulcimer. The length of each string is up to 3.5 inches.
The high quality of the string set with loop ends creates a beautiful and pleasant sound when the strings are strummed on a dulcimer. The strings are made of exceptionally high-quality stainless steel to make sure that they don’t rust. So the packaging is done in such a way that the string’s corrosion could be avoided and that they remain fresh.
6) The Persian Santur Dulcimer String Set
The Persian Santur Dulcimer set of strings is one of its kind, with two sets of nine bridges. The right-hand string set is made of brass, whereas the left-hand string set is made using steel. Out of the 9 bridge string set, one string can be replaced.
The quality of the two sets of nine bridges affects the sound of the Santur, which why high-quality strings are used. The Persian Dulcimer Santur is tuned to a range of different heptatonic scales, specified in 12 modes of classical Persian Music, using ¼ tones.
The Santur produces a very soulful sound that is both pleasing to play and hear. The simple yet, intricate design of the Santur ensures that the sound produced by the strings is in harmony. If you are looking for a touch of eastern music that can be mixed with modern music, then you should check this out.
7) Persian Santoor String Sets
Indulge yourself into an absolute heart touching mystical delight that is not just soothing to your ears but also your soul. Persian santoor has its links from Persia known as Iran today.
It was a very popular instrument back then and still is considered very popular in traditional musical instruments. Persian Santoor is also known has hammered dulcimer. Persian santoor's music greatly depends on the quality of strings used for it.
Since Persian santoor has different sizes, so strings will be required accordingly. The method to use the strings is quite simple, and people who love to play Persian santoor know the technique very well. The Bass of the Santoor has strings made of brass, and the trebles are made up of steel.
High-quality brass and steel strings make the sounds more melodic. This traditional piece of music instrument greatly depends upon the quality of its string. It also gives a very smooth experience to the Persian santoor musician, whether beginner or professional.
8) Roosebeck Hammered Dulcimer String Set
The Roosebeck 12/11 Hammered Dulcimer with Hammer by Roosebeck is made of high-quality stainless steel 4 string set. It has a diameter of 0.46cm, and the gauges are 0.018 for each string with loop ends.
The string set with loop ends comes with 50 strings. The strings are made of exceptionally high-quality stainless steel to make sure that they don’t rust. So the packaging is done in such a way that the string’s corrosion could be avoided. The materials used in producing this Hammered dulcimer string set are of great quality, which ensures that the player’s experience by strumming the strings is excellent.
The better the materials used in the strings, the better sound it will make when used. The players use a small mallet to strum the strings, which is also called the Hammers. Those hammers are typically made from wood, but they are also made from any plastic or metal.
9) Folkcraft Mountain Baritone Dulcimer String Set
The Folkcraft Mountain Baritone Dulcimer String Set comes with loop ends. They are typically crafted for Baritone Dulcimer. It comes with a set of 4 string sets: two melody strings, a middle string, and a bass string. The types of gauges used are: .034, .022, .014BW.
Due to the high quality, they are made of, they ensure that the player’s experience by striking the strings is excellent, and they get to feel and hear the warmth of the tone. The baritone dulcimer is different than a typical dulcimer which uses gauges ranging from 12-24BW, whereas, the string gauges used in baritones range from 14 to 34BW.
The lower the tone is, by tuning in the key of A, or by adding lower than the bass string. The baritone dulcimer strings set gives this string set its unique features and sets it apart from the other dulcimer string set, as it produces a distinctive low sound.
10) Mountain Dulcimer String Set by Folkcraft
The Mountain Dulcimer String Set by Folkcraft is a classic string set featuring the loop ends. The gauges used in the Dulcimer string set are: .011, .011, .013, .013, .024BW, .011. Two are melody strings, two are middle strings, and one each is bass strings.
One bass string is tuned higher than the other bass string is tuned lower than the melody string, the melody and middle strings are played in sync. The depth in the lower tone of the bass string helps in creating a more pleasing sound. It is also equipped with a loop end, which means that the strings can be easily attached to the dulcimer.
The strings are sizeable, so when it is stretched to lift the pitch, it does so without snapping. They are manufactured by skilled Luthiers who know the knowledge of what materials to use to produce high-quality strings that make a warm, even tone sound.
11) Mountain Dulcimer String Set with Loop Ends
The Mountain Dulcimer String Set with loop ends by Folkcraft is made for your dulcimer to sound great. The 4 string set has four types of gauges: .011, .011, .013, and .024RW. The strings used in the set are two melody strings, one middle string, and roller wound bass string.
The winding or the roller wound of the bass string considerably reduces any chances of noise made by finger drag. It is made by highly skilled Luthiers to ensure its high quality, and that it doesn’t squeak when the dulcimer is played. The high-quality materials mean that the experience of the player playing this mountain dulcimer will be pleasant.
The string set comes with loop ends and does not snap easily, that is why they are long-lasting. If you are looking to buy a string set for your dulcimer, then consider the Folkcraft mountain dulcimer set.
12) Dulcimer String Set By Folkcraft
This set of Dulcimer strings by Folkcraft is not only of the finest quality, but it also provides you with the perfect musical experience. Folkcraft is an American brand with remarkable craftsmanship.
Folkcraft designs the dulcimer strings in such a way that not only is it easy on the fingers but also is very durable. The set consists of 3 types of unique strings, 2 melody strings, 1 middle string, and 1 bass string. Overall, the set contains 4 strings with different gauges, specifically, .011, .011, .013, .024BW.
The bronze material is the type used in the construction of these strings as it creates a better quality of the sound rather than stainless steel winding. These strings produce a rich, warm sound that penetrates through you, making you feel ecstatic.
The rule is, thicker the gauge, better and stronger the quality of the sound generated. Finger squeak is pretty much eliminated, providing you with a fulfilling experience.
13) Persian Santoor-Strings
Santoor as soon as one says this, immediately very ancient and traditional vibes surround the environment. Well, this is indeed related to traditional instruments. Persian santoor has its rich history that origins from Persia, also known as Iran today.
Although there are different variants of santoor today, the Persian santoor has a very special place in the traditional genre of the musical world. Persian santoor is considered as the strings instruments. It has its value even today because of its sweet and relaxing sounds it produces.
Persian Santoor is also considered as a variation of Dulcimer, and it is called as Hammered Dulcimer. Strings in this Persian santoor are the breath of this instrument, without it, the instrument itself is nothing.
Strings such as brass and steel will greatly affect the sound quality of the instrument. Along with different materials, strings also come in different sizes. These strings are packed with care so that it is not damaged.
14) Dulcimer Bronze Squeakless Strings
With origins way back from 1700, the dulcimer is still considered as a very popular musical instrument that fits in every category of the music world. Dulcimer is similar to a guitar, but it has more traditional American folk music sentiments attached to it.
Dulcimer has a sound that is very pleasant and soothing to the ears. High-quality strings play an immensely important role in the sound quality of Dulcimer. Mostly today, the dulcimer has 4 strings.
For perfectly warm tuning, bronze strings are mostly recommended because it produces such immensely rich melodies. These bronze squeakless dulcimer strings have ball ends. This bronze squeakless string comes with a plastic wrap that is not only corrosion-free, but it protects the strings from dents or twists.
These phosphor bronze strings are famous for that sensitively golden sound that makes it impossible for anyone to resist listening to it until the end. This Bronze string set is perfect for both beginners and professionals.
Choosing the Best Dulcimer Strings
You cannot make music without the strings. The strings are as important to the instrument as oxygen is to human beings. Without the strings, the instrument will not function properly.
Different types of strings let you create different types of music. So it is very important to choose the right instrument for the type of music you plan on producing. You can find different types of dulcimer strings at your local music store.
For some reason, if you are unable to find them at your local music store, then you can always make your way to the online marketplaces. Online marketplaces like Amazon offer a wide range of Dulcimer strings that can be used to create some amazing music. So don’t worry about leaving the house to buy these strings when you can clearly order them online.
2) EJ64 Dulcimer By D’Addario
- Contains 3 plain steel strings and one nickel-plated steel wound on steel string
- Distinctive bright tone and excellent intonation
- Corrosion resistant packaging
1) J64 Dulcimer String Set By D’Addario
- Contains 3 plain steel strings and one nickelplated steel wound on steel string
- Distinctive bright tone and excellent intonation
- Made in the U.S.A.
3) John Pearse Appalachian String Set
- Bright and brilliant tone
- Loop ended doubles
- Made in the U.S.A
- Made by john pearse strings
- Produce a distinctive but mellow sound