Location:
Location: Oregon
Country: United States
Country: United States
My Latest Followers:
Stats
youtube videos: 18
images: 54
audio tracks: 3
I like playing pretty music and I like making my own stuff whenever I can, so I love the mountain dulcimer! As a hobby I make my own dulcimers using very modest techniques, tools, and materials. I've made some that turned out very unique. I'm a big fan of DIY, recycling materials, and 'redneck ingenuity.'
Latest Activity
All
@nate
• 14 hours ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Extended Range Dulcimer":
Posted a response to "Extended Range Dulcimer":
"Strumelia could you please elaborate on that?
The "stringjoy string tension calculator" says that a 35" VSL tuned to D4 with a 0.007 gauge string (lowest Ive..."
@nate
• 18 hours ago
• comments: 0
Liked a youtube item created by @mark-gilston: All Things Are Quite Silent
Liked a youtube item created by @mark-gilston: All Things Are Quite Silent
@nate
• 18 hours ago
• comments: 5
Liked a youtube item created by @john-w-mckinstry: The Haven of Rest
Liked a youtube item created by @john-w-mckinstry: The Haven of Rest
@nate
• 18 hours ago
• comments: 2
Liked a youtube item created by @barnjam: Click Old Hen (AAC Dulcimer Tuning)
Liked a youtube item created by @barnjam: Click Old Hen (AAC Dulcimer Tuning)
@nate
• 18 hours ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Extended Range Dulcimer":
Posted a response to "Extended Range Dulcimer":
"I think an important question is: do you prefer to only play on the melody string, or would you prefer to be able to fret all three strings?If you're only..."
@nate
• 5 days ago
• comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on Crawdad Song:
Posted a new Comment on Crawdad Song:
"Wow this really brought me a lot of joy. I haven't heard this sung and played on dulcimer since I was about 5 years old in Arkansas.Thank you for sharing..."
@nate
• 5 days ago
• comments: 1
Liked a music item created by @marshall-goers: Planxty Seymour Cleland
Liked a music item created by @marshall-goers: Planxty Seymour Cleland
@nate
• 6 days ago
• comments: 9
Posted a new Comment on Three or Four Strings, that is the question:
Posted a new Comment on Three or Four Strings, that is the question:
"Id say the most common is three courses with a pair of melody strings running in one course, for a total of 4 strings.
Having paired melody strings can give..."
@nate
• one week ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "A question about intonating a dulcimer":
Posted a response to "A question about intonating a dulcimer":
"Wally Venable:
You want to angle the slot so that the high point is on the bridge side to preserve the VSL.
Does this apply to a string spacer and a zero..."
@nate
• one week ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "A question about intonating a dulcimer":
Posted a response to "A question about intonating a dulcimer":
"I'm glad you spotted that Skip,with that in mind, the dime is not needed and only the nickel is necessary, as Ken said. Apologies for the confusion."
@nate
• one week ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "A question about intonating a dulcimer":
Posted a response to "A question about intonating a dulcimer":
"There are three main factors to consider when intonating a dulcimer, the height of the nut, the height of the bridge, and the position of the bridge.
There..."
@nate
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on Help I've never built an instrument not touched a dulcimer:
Posted a new Comment on Help I've never built an instrument not touched a dulcimer:
"Neill, the value of your boards would depend a lot on what wood they are made of and the quality of each board. Some could possibly be worth far more that..."
@nate
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on Help I've never built an instrument not touched a dulcimer:
Posted a new Comment on Help I've never built an instrument not touched a dulcimer:
"Hello, Neill
Generally speaking, the back of a dulcimer does not require any bracing, and extra bracing may limit the tone and volume of the instrument,..."
@nate
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 37
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
"Jack M:
I ordered a few books on dulcimers and one is pictures of pre-revival dulcimers. Looking at these pictures and knowing a bit about old ways of..."
@nate
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 37
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
"Glad to hear it Jack. @dwain-wilder has tons of incredibly useful information for builders, and has helped me a lot over time. Truly an indispensable..."
@nate
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 37
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
"Jack I was just remarking that if one were to use a yardstick that only has 16ths and a calculator that gives readings in 128ths, as Wally mentioned, decimal..."
@nate
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 37
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
"Of course, now youll be needing to convert 128ths into 16ths, which seems just as annoying"
@nate
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 37
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
"Cool to see a calculator that includes JI. Thanks for sharing."
@nate
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 37
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
"Wally Venable:
The Strothers calculator, and probably some others, allow you to get fret spacing in millimeters, 1/16 ths, and decimal inches if you input..."
@nate
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 37
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
"Wally Venable:
"for a 29" VSL dulcimer, the 1# or 1.5 fret should be 4.614" from the nut ....."
Life could be simpler if we specified these in..."
@nate
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 37
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
"Wally, I think an important factor is that lower pitched strings are quieter at the same tension, and so to get an equal volume from lower pitches, not only..."
@nate
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Liked a youtube item created by @mark-gilston: When I Good Friends Was Called to the Bar
Liked a youtube item created by @mark-gilston: When I Good Friends Was Called to the Bar
@nate
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 37
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
"Jack, for a 29" VSL dulcimer, the 1# or 1.5 fret should be 4.614" from the nut and the 6.5 fret should be 13.638" from the nut. The same notes in the second..."
@nate
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "jubilee":
Posted a response to "jubilee":
"Very interesting. I have seen them a handful to times at Hindu weddings, where the playstyle is QUITE different, and is much more energetic and rhythmic, but..."
@nate
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 37
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
"For the sake of brevity, if it would help, you could tell me your string length (VSL) and I can tell you exactly where to put the 1# fret"
@nate
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 37
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
"Jack M:
So, what we are doing is going from chromatic fret positions to pentatonic positions? Your first post made sense to me and this one does also but..."
@nate
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Created a new forum topic "More or less overtones":
Created a new forum topic "More or less overtones":
"Straight forward, yet ambiguous. Does a presence of many overtones make an instrument sound
More "clear" or "full"
More "nasal" or "broad"
More "refined"..."
@nate
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 37
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
"To clarify, because i think i phrased that poorly, if you use a fret calculator for any chromatic instrument other than a dulcimer, such as a mandolin or..."
@nate
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on Carol Hatfield:
Posted a new Comment on Carol Hatfield:
"Carol H:
Thank you, Nate! It is a Dulci-Wrest, made by Tom Irving.
Im surprised I havent seen anything similar before. Very cool thanks for the info"
@nate
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 37
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
"No, that is not the case, but the 1.5 and 6.5 are easy to get from a calculator
On a fret calculator, the only difference from one instrument to the next is..."
@nate
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on Carol Hatfield:
Posted a new Comment on Carol Hatfield:
"Nicely played. What is the name of the accessory that you are resting your strumming wrist on? It seems like a very clever device for extra comfort.
Nate"
@nate
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on Carol Hatfield:
Posted a new Comment on Carol Hatfield:
"Nicely played and pretty sounding. Does the dulcimer have a pickup? Thanks for sharing
Nate"
Latest Group Discussions
All
To What Extent Do You Plan Your Builds
Hello builders! Just wondering about y'all's mindset toward planning....
@Nate last year - Comments: 18
History of Cigar Box Dulcimers
Hello folks I was wondering if anyone knows more about when cigar box...
@Nate last year - Comments: 21
What are the tedious parts of dulcimer building?
Hello skilled craftsmen, I've heard some people say that it takes them...
@Nate 2 years ago - Comments: 8
String physics question
Hey folks. Some of my dulcimers have a lot of string length that is...
@Nate 2 years ago - Comments: 3
Gluing resonant objects inside soundbox?
Hey folks I was hoping someone might have some insight on a thought I...
@Nate 2 years ago - Comments: 9
Choice of Wood for Fingerboard?
Hello craftsmen of FOTMD! I was hoping for some opinions on if the...
@Nate 2 years ago - Comments: 8
What is a Galax Dulcimer
Hey folks Im just wondering what traits are associated with galax...
@Nate 2 years ago - Comments: 26
How Much is my Weird Dulcimer Worth?
Hello craftsmen of FOTMD! I built a dulcimer from "upcycled" materials...
@Nate 2 years ago - Comments: 5
An Upside Downcimer
I have built a very strange dulcimer. I would appreciate some input and...
@Nate 2 years ago - Comments: 21
Your favorite noter
I would love some input on what your preferred noters are. Noters come...
@Nate 2 years ago - Comments: 21
Saddle on Soundboard
Hello folks, I am getting ready to make a dulcimer for myself and would...
@Nate 2 years ago - Comments: 5
Vertical vs Horizontal Quill?
I have heard it said a few times that holding a quill vertically, like a...
@Nate 2 years ago - Comments: 4
false bottoms = added mass?
Hey folks I've been thinking lately about false bottoms. Mainly about...
@Nate 2 years ago - Comments: 26
String Gauge and Intonation
Hello all. Am I correct in assuming that the reason for compensating...
@Nate 4 years ago - Comments: 5
Building Dulcimers Cheap
Hey all, when I first started building dulcimers it was a very...
@Nate 4 years ago - Comments: 5
Bridge Placement for Proper Intonation
Hello, this is always something I've had to relearn on every single...
@Nate 4 years ago - Comments: 2
Added some half frets....now what?
Hello all I have been playing dulcimer for about a year on diatonic...
@Nate 5 years ago - Comments: 16
Copyright law and dulcimer music
Hey all this has been something I've been struggling to understand and...
@Nate 5 years ago - Comments: 35
Protecting the interior of a dulcimer
Hello all I was just wondering if it is common for builders to apply any...
@Nate 5 years ago - Comments: 6
How I learned to build dulcimers
I thought y'all might find this silly. This is the page from a...
@Nate 5 years ago - Comments: 9
Latest Photos
All
.jpg "1 (2).jpg")
Latest Forum Discussions
AllMore or less overtones
Posted: Thursday September 18 2025, 8:55 PM
By: @John Pettreemusic
By: @John Pettreemusic
Are string breaks dangerous?
Posted: Monday June 16 2025, 10:12 AM
By: @Strumelia
By: @Strumelia
Silicone Free Furniture Polish
Posted: Thursday March 20 2025, 11:11 PM
By: @Nate
By: @Nate
Angry internet people, so hateful that...
Posted: Wednesday September 4 2024, 9:49 PM
By: @Dusty Turtle
By: @Dusty Turtle
A fun story with a satisfying ending
Posted: Sunday August 4 2024, 8:24 AM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
Does soundbox tension affect volume and tone
Posted: Monday April 15 2024, 12:18 AM
By: @Dwain Wilder
By: @Dwain Wilder
Are two melody strings louder than one?
Posted: Tuesday March 19 2024, 10:13 AM
By: @Robin Thompson
By: @Robin Thompson
Connection Between Hammered and Mountain...
Posted: Tuesday March 19 2024, 4:25 AM
By: @shanonmilan
By: @shanonmilan
String gauge and intonation
Posted: Tuesday March 5 2024, 5:37 PM
By: @Dwain Wilder
By: @Dwain Wilder
Ergonomics and Wrist Strain
Posted: Friday February 16 2024, 12:08 AM
By: @Nate
By: @Nate
How precisely do you tune up?
Posted: Thursday February 8 2024, 1:22 PM
By: @Strumelia
By: @Strumelia
Kora
Posted: Sunday December 24 2023, 9:33 AM
By: @georgia k
By: @georgia k
Strings turned iridescent?
Posted: Monday November 27 2023, 3:30 AM
By: @shanonmilan
By: @shanonmilan
VSL Breakpoint Angles, Radiuses, and...
Posted: Friday November 10 2023, 7:55 AM
By: @Ken Hulme
By: @Ken Hulme
The Joy of Sharing Dulcimer
Posted: Saturday September 2 2023, 9:58 AM
By: @Wally Venable
By: @Wally Venable
A Test for Tone-Deafness!
Posted: Wednesday August 16 2023, 6:27 PM
By: @Nate
By: @Nate
Benefits of longer VSL?
Posted: Saturday April 29 2023, 12:04 AM
By: @Bob Stephens
By: @Bob Stephens
How Old is This Dulcimer Kit/Stuff?
Posted: Wednesday March 22 2023, 10:35 AM
By: @John C. Knopf
By: @John C. Knopf
How do I know what key I'm in?
Posted: Sunday March 12 2023, 10:49 PM
By: @Strumelia
By: @Strumelia
An Aquavina Update
Posted: Sunday February 26 2023, 6:55 PM
By: @Nate
By: @Nate
What's the deal with Aquavinas?
Posted: Saturday February 25 2023, 3:32 PM
By: @Nate
By: @Nate
Magnetic pickup vs Piezo vs Mic pointed at...
Posted: Saturday December 3 2022, 7:22 AM
By: @Bill Robison
By: @Bill Robison
Why is it called a possum board?
Posted: Tuesday January 18 2022, 8:04 PM
By: @Jon W Harris
By: @Jon W Harris
Making a dulcimer humidity resistant?
Posted: Monday May 31 2021, 2:36 PM
By: @Nathina
By: @Nathina
Choosing Strings
Posted: Sunday May 2 2021, 9:47 AM
By: @Ken Hulme
By: @Ken Hulme
Nylon strings on a steel string dulcimer
Posted: Friday March 26 2021, 9:01 AM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
Non-Metal Fret Material
Posted: Thursday February 11 2021, 4:09 PM
By: @Ken Hulme
By: @Ken Hulme
Choice of Wood: Pertinent or Purism?
Posted: Friday September 4 2020, 8:25 PM
By: @Lisa Golladay
By: @Lisa Golladay
Are there fretless dulcimers?
Posted: Wednesday September 2 2020, 5:05 AM
By: @Nate
By: @Nate
Glass Bottle Resonator Dulcimer
Posted: Tuesday September 1 2020, 11:14 PM
By: @Nate
By: @Nate
Comments
04/17/24 11:34:56AM @macaodha:
The air The Pride of Petravore was used by Percy French (1854-1920) for the song he wrote Eileen Og. It was recorded by many, the Dubliner's included.
10/06/23 10:12:09AM @irene:
I've not posted photos for a while here and I'll have to read up on it again. Yes, that teardrop dulcimer turned out very lovely, all out of woods mentioned in the Bible. I'm getting ready to make another hourglass dulcimer mostly out of Bible woods again. aloha, irene
09/25/23 07:01:20AM @dan:
"grow closer to the sharp iron and wood philosophy every day" is my way of describing my passion for tradition.
08/30/23 04:29:56PM @sea-strings:
After you left a comment on my discussion, I had to come over here and check out your profile, and hey! We have the same favorite song picked out! We're favorite-song siblings. 
03/06/20 06:24:47AM @strumelia:
Hi Nate. I hope you will post some photos soon of some of your instruments. The ones you describe and the one in your profile pic look amazing! 
02/29/20 09:12:01AM @benjamin-w-barr-jr:
Hi Nate, and welcome to the wonderful world of the Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. It's a good place to come, spend some time, learn about the dulcimer, and to meet some good people.
Ben
02/26/20 08:16:55PM @richard-streib:
Welcome NateBuildToys to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. Glad you joined. You may want to consider joining the Dulcimer Making group. Best wishes on your dulcimer journey.
02/22/20 08:45:08PM @ken-longfield:
Welcome to FOTMD NateBuildsToys. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation in these discussions.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
