Comparing my Master Works DulciForte to my Dusty Strings D650

[@dannylgriffin]

Thank you for the comparison! The Dusty Strings sounds more mellow and sounds better on slow to moderate tunes. The Master Works is much more percussive and so I think performs better on fast tunes. But to the average person in the audience they won't know the difference. Buy both! :)

[@seppoinnanen5577]

Wow, fantastic sounds from both. I guess it feels extraordinary to hear all the vibrations while playing

[@bettertomorrow2625]

Thank you for taking the time to provide such a detailed and very well explained and very well demonstrated comparison! This video is excellent!

[@TimGautier]

I'd love to see more comparison of the dampers on the two instruments. I have a D670 and the Masterworks dampers seem much nicer. Seems I could put the pedal wherever it's comfortable instead of needing to put it in exactly the right spot or the dulcimer shakes a bunch.

[@christopherpederson1021]

They both sound really good. I would put the Dusty as more open, which you said is the case. Give the masterworks some time. The Masterworks seems to have more volume,.

[@steveelam2310]

Have the 650,mines a late 2008,still mahogany then not sapeele like now,this is great to find video cause I want a dulciforte with rt.side bridge,my opinion it sounds better too.as years go on they find ways to make them better sounding, only paid 3000 with dampers from dan Landrum back in the day,well cared for just need a change and twice $ though but worth it,I believe it's better inst. Personally ,thanks for helping, take care

[@omarkassem4410]

Thank you for the comparison. I think I like the Dusty Strings sound a little better. I am interested in learning to play the hammered dulcimer. Can you suggest a good video about how to play it?

[@antigen4]

you can also tune it to provide the notes you want ... with either dulcimer

[@tlc6756]

Excellent video. You explain things really well, and you're a great player too. Both instruments sound beautiful, but I really love the "magical" sound the Dulci Forte gives off. It has a type of exciting edge I prefer. Can I ask, are you playing with felt on your hammers, or the wood side? Also, with the Dulci Forte, is it possible to play well while sitting, or do you need to stand?

[@katiemoritz]

I tend to mostly play with the leather side of hammers. I also have my Dulciforte arranged to sit while playing.

[@tlc6756]

@@katiemoritz I do too. My cat loves the hammered dulcimer when I play with the leather (not felt) sides, but she leaves the room when I play with the wood sides.

[@esbb4u]

Thx Katie, great info... nice playing too.. do you find either inst. hard to pack for festivals or moving from place to place? Do they stay in tune on a humid day better or worse than a 15/14 standard? Does it take alot longer to tune up compared to a 15/14? Thx again..

[@katiemoritz]

The Dusty Strings is difficult to pack and move because it’s very heavy. I have really struggled with it. I got to the point where I wouldn’t bring it to some festivals because it just wasn’t worth the hassle of packing it up and moving it. For me, the DulciForte solved my Problem without me having to sacrifice any range. (In fact, I gained range!) the size is fairly similar so I’m used to that. Neither is as easy to move around as a smaller instrument, but the DulciForte is very easy to get in and out of my car, and on and off my stand. As far as intonation, the Dulciforte is brand new and stays in tune amazingly well, even with huge shifts in the weather at outdoor festivals. I am really impressed with it. The D650 has a good track record with intonation also. It does go out of tune with great weather shifts outdoors, but when I keep it at my house, I can go months between tuning. I’m not sure they would stay in tune better or worse than a 16/15 as that isn’t really a huge contributor to whether an instrument stays in tune. Both of these instruments have carbon fiber bracing, which helps with keeping them in tune.

[@esbb4u]

@@katiemoritz thx again Katie and thx for all u do with ur channel, this newbie greatly appreciates it!!!!

[@indigochild4746]

Dear Katie, grateful for your video it cleared many doubts. Also your hands were flowing so beautifully on the Dulce. Please what colour is this Dulce Forte that you have? Grateful Karma

[@christopherpederson1021]

medium red brown

[@sigilemarra3030]

The percusive amount of the DULCI FORTE is too loud in relation to the sound of the strings, although the formants sound impressing. I would merely prefer the DUSTY STRINGS instrument. Sounds more natural in a way (personal preference).

[@938quilt]

I'm enjoying listening ot both but probably the dusty strings one a little more esp the slow playing

[@938quilt]

and now a month later I'm liking the dulciforte LOL!

[@A182932]

Katie were ;you able to down load and use dusty strings directly on your ipad mine had no sound had to download sweet midi player to get it to work very good video and educational as well

[@katiemoritz]

Dewey G I had no trouble with the audio on the Dusty app, but I did download it immediately after it was released. It’s been years and I’m not sure if he’s kept the app up to date or not.

[@brucewales5965]

Wow!

[@DavidMorris-pq4jq]

how does the string spacing compare?

[@katiemoritz]

When I measured it, they were very close. Master Works was a tiny bit smaller but not anything that would cause issues if switching from one instrument to the other.

[@sukhabudhathoki219]

Hiiii mam .how much Price of this can u tell me

[@chas5131]

Which has the brighter tone?

[@katiemoritz]

chas5131 I think the Master Works is brighter.

[@chas5131]

@@katiemoritz Thank you. Ordered a Master Works in mahogany. Hope it is not too bright for me.

[@katiemoritz]

chas5131 ok. You’ll love it, I’m sure.

[@markalanwade]

You rock! Loved the video. Very objective and helpful. On a funny note, in the comparison videos it looks like you don’t have a right hand because of your sweater. There’s just a hammer coming out of the end of your arm. 😆

[@katiemoritz]

Mark Alan Wade - Hammered Dulcimer didn’t you know? I’m “Katie Hammer-Hands”.