Hello, I'm new here. I am looking for some help with a Lost Valley
hammered dulcimer I purchased. It is 24 years old, and I contacted
Linda Foley, the maker, to get some details about it, but no one has
returned my call. The dulcimer needs restringing. The treble courses
have 4 strings and the bass courses have 3. All the strings are of a
lighter gage than on my other hammered dulcimer. Does anyone here know
what effect the lighter but more strings produces, versus having fewer,
but heavier strings? Do lighter gage strings tend to go out of tune
faster?

I am wondering if it is possible to restring it with slightly heavier
strings, but fewer of them--say 3 strings for treble and 2 for each
bass, or would this put too much pressure on the frame?

Lastly, does anyone have an opinion about lost valley dulcimers...the
sound they produce, their pros and cons, over other models. I have
shopped around a bit, I know nick blankton and mastercraft are
considered to be very good. but I have not been willing to put that
much money into a dulcimer yet, as I am still learning what I want.

Thanks a lot--I appreciate any info anyone can provide!
Joanne