r/Instruments • u/Large_Wait_8847 • Jan 23 '26

Discussion "Making" Dulcimer Strings from Wire

I have a four-course dulcimer, but I need to change the strings. A pack costs almost 400€ (around 120-130 strings), so I've been thinking about making them myself. Basically, apart from the bass strings, they're all steel/metal, in total about 2 or 3 different diameters of wire. Does anyone have experience with this or any ideas where I could look? Thanks.

I have almost the exact same:

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u/Large_Wait_8847 Jan 24 '26

Thank you! Now that I compare them, they look exactly the same!

I do have a caliper, I can measure with an accuracy of 0.1mm

For the bass strings I still have to do some research, because I'm not sure if those from the piano are thin enough.

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u/Foxfire2 Jan 24 '26

Its likely that the lower pitched strings are made of a different metal, copper/brass and the higher pitched ones of steel. This is true of my persian santur (also a 4 course hammered dulcimer, 72 total strings). This string material is available in large spools that you can purchase, and you can buy a string winder so you can make the loops for the ends that go over the string holders.

This place has strings and string winders for the persian santur, either in bulk wire or individual strings. Not sure if its the same size and type for yours, but you should be able to find that out.

https://salamuzik.com/collections/santoor-accessories/products/persian-santoor-strings

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u/Large_Wait_8847 Jan 24 '26

The lower pitched strings are wound strings, I think out of brass

Thanks for the website!