| Why
is the Left Side of my Treble Bridge out of tune? |
| In order to understand how to Intonate
your dulcimer, you must first understand it's geometry. Each string produces two separate notes
because the string is divided by the
Treble Bridge. Placement of this bridge is critical to proper
tuning. In addition to bridge placement, the Relative String
Length is also crucial to proper intonation. |
| If you are having problems tuning the Left Side of
the Treble Bridge, please try this process first before resorting to
moving the bridge. |
 |
| On J&K Dulcimers, the Treble Bridge tuning
pins are located on the Left Pin Block |
| Always tune the Right side of the Treble Bridge first and always tune UP to the
note. If you go sharp, lower the pitch of the note, then bring
it back up to
pitch. |
| 1. Check the tuning of the note on the Right
side of the Treble Bridge. |
| SHARP |
| If the note on the Left side is SHARP,
the left side string is too SHORT in relation to
the length of the string on the Right side of the bridge. |
 |
| You can either move the string DOWN on
the Left Side to lengthen it in relation to the Right Side, or move it
UP on the Right Side to shorten it in relation to the
Left Side.. To move the string, loosen it sufficiently to be
able to slide it on the Delrin. (Delrin is the rod directly
beneath the strings) Once you have positioned the
string, hold it in place while tightening the Tuning Pin. Please
remember to move the string in small increments. |
| 2. Go Back to Step 1 and repeat the process
until both sides are perfectly in tune, remembering to always tune UP
to the note on the right side. |
|
| FLAT |
| If the note on the Left side is FLAT,
the left side string is too LONG in relation to
the string length on the Right side of the bridge. |
 |
| You can either move the string UP on
the Left Side to shorten it in relation to the Right Side, or move it DOWN
on the Right Side to lengthen it in relation to the Left
Side.. To move the string, loosen it sufficiently to be able to
slide it on the Delrin. Once you have positioned the string,
hold it in place while tightening the Tuning Pin. Please
remember to move the string in small increments. |
| 2. Go Back to Step 1 and repeat the process
until both sides are perfectly in tune, remembering to always tune UP
to the note on the right side. |
| NOTE: These instructions are written
specifically for our J&K Dulcimers. If the tuning pins for
your treble bridge are located on the right Pin Block, you must tune
the note on the Left side of the bridge, check the right side and
follow the directions above. |
