Cheng, bukharian hammered dulcimer

[keinherr freikopf <verdehead...>]

Hello,
  I recently acquired a cheng --Bukharian hammered dulcimer-- and I have 
only a vague notion as to how to tune it. I've never played cimbalom or 
dulcimer before. I've tried 4ths and 5ths and I understand the intervals but 
I don't know what the appropriate pitch should be for optimal tension. There 
are 25 sets of strings that ascend chromatically. There are two long bridges 
and one small one at the top center that serves for the highest 5 or 6 
strings from the left bridge. (I'm not looking at it right now and it's hard 
to visualize) While the strings played to the right of the left bridge 
ascend chromatically, there is a jump of one octave to these last strings 
(on the left side of the left bridge, they still ascend by semi-tones).  I 
have been tuning the lowest right string to F or G and taking it from there, 
but I'm wondering if anyone has any familiarity with this instrument and 
could offer advice. Also, does anyone know cimbalom makers or dealers in 
Montreal or in the Mid-North Atlantic
area?                            thanks, Asher K.


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