Notastrumstick Tuning Tutorial

[ChasingOrbs]

I am going to order a strum stick from the smokey mountain company. Thank you for this great video on tuning.

[good4u88us]

Yo I love that thing. I own a mcnally strum stick and yours sounds like its way louder and resonates better.

[eelesonwheels]

I'm really confused about the tuning.

It's true that Blaine from smokeymountaindulcimer recommends tuning this strumstick DAA but also lists EAE as an alternative jumbo tuning??? This doesn't make sense, I mailed him about this and he replyed but didn't answer the question!?

I had an older strumstick where the pin did bend and the wood split, although perhaps I went higher than the D tuning whilst jamming without a tuner one day??

Would be happy if someone can solve this mystery!

[kitd56]

I've got a Smokey Mtn dulcitar from Blaine as well - he told me they are not capable of being tuned to DAD. Actually, though, the higher tunings would put greater stress on the neck, not less. I did tune mine to DAD. I also had fret buzz and had to shimmy the bridge up a little. The pins seemed very unstable to me, and I have replaced the bass string's pin with small brass screw on the side, and placed a piece of suede to protect the edge.

[murdelabop]

Do you think going to a lighter string on the high D would lessen the stress on the string pin? Horlocker says he uses a .012 string on the high D. Do you think going to a .008 string would work?

[zenfitfit]

Horlocker advises against this DAD tuning. That it is too high and can cause damage to string or pins. Any problems yet?

[KevinCNeece]

You're the second person to mention that to me. I got an e-mail from a guy who snapped a string, but when I bought this, D-A-D was the recommended tuning. I've been playing on the same strings for a year and 8 months with no problems whatsoever. Maybe he's building them differently or using different strings now. I have no idea, but I'd trust his recommendation for any new instruments.

[zenfitfit]

OK, thanks...if I break a string, I'll change the tuning.

[lutherb33]

Did the string break when tuned to D? What size strings are you using?

[jacksnapper1]

kevin this is a great video very useful could you tell me what size strings you use keep MAKING VIDEOS thanks

[KevinCNeece]

Sorry I never replied to this. Honestly, I don't know. I'm still using the strings it came with.

[lutherb33]

What size strings are on your Horlocker? I bought one and he says string to DAA. I am going to try different strings.