Mountain Dulcimer String Gauge Guide — Recommended Gauges by Tuning and Scale Length

Last Updated on July 11, 2026 by folkstrings

How String Gauge Affects Your Dulcimer

String gauge is a trade-off: heavier strings give more volume and better tone but require more fretting pressure, while lighter strings are easier to play but can sound thin. Most players start with the standard set for their tuning and scale length, then adjust based on experience. The bass string must always be wound — a plain steel string at bass pitch would be too stiff to play.

For more on getting started: our dulcimer tuning reference covers all common tunings with fretboard maps.

Author Profile

Daniel Johnstone

Daniel Johnstone is an English writer and folk musician who has been playing stringed instruments for over twenty years. He started on guitar as a teenager before working his way through cavaco, tenor guitar, autoharp, mountain dulcimer, and harp. He founded Folkstrings.com to provide practical, experience-based buying advice for folk instrument players at every level — the kind of guidance he always wished had existed when he was finding his feet.

Latest entries

See more

• Useful ToolsJuly 11, 2026Tin Whistle Fingering Chart — All Notes in Both Octaves (D and C Whistle)
• Useful ToolsJuly 11, 2026Banjo String Gauges — Complete Guide for 5-String, Tenor and Irish Tenor
• Useful ToolsJuly 11, 2026Harp String Chart — How to Identify and Replace Any Harp String
• Useful ToolsJuly 11, 2026Mountain Dulcimer Chord Chart — Key of D in DAD Tuning