How to Install a Dulcimer Pickup

Install a piezo pickup on the bridge of a dulcimer.

If you install an acoustic pickup without the proper tools, you can damage the pickup and the body of the dulcimer. Large pickups are hard to install and require an extensive working knowledge of the instrument. For your first do-it-yourself pickup installation, use a smaller, more commonly used piezo pickup. The piezo pickup captures a beautiful sound and is easy to install from the dulcimer bridge.

Things You'll Need

• Piezo pickup
• Power drill
• Washer and bolt

Instructions

1. Drill a half-inch diameter hole through the tail end block. The end block is the bottom of the dulcimer body. The hole should be in the center of the end block, equidistant from the edge on both sides.

2. Fish the electric patch cord through the hole you made in Step 1 and out one of the sound holes. Pull the pickup jack into the instrument through the end block. Place the washer provided with the pickup against the inside of the end block around the pickup jack. Tighten the bolt on the jack.

3. Remove the strings if they are attached. Slide the bridge off the dulcimer and replace it with the piezo pickup. The piezo pickup will now be used as the bridge of the dulcimer.

4. Plug in the electric patch cord to the pickup.

Tips & Warnings

• Perform a sound check to make sure the connections are solid between the pickup jack and the bridge pickup. Check for loose wire connections if there is a drop in sound quality or distortion.

References

• Harp Kit: Mountain Dulcimer Kit

Resources

• Blue Lion Dulcimers & Guitars: Dulcimer Pickups