Can you specify when placing the dimes or nickels- the coins should be placed on top of the fret, right? (not on the wood of the fretboard surface between or next to the frets).
ok so it's the fret pattern, not technically the 'pegbox' or tuning mechanisms that are opposite mirrored for duet playing. I was just assuming the peghead was usually at the 'fret 1' end of the fretboard, but there's nothing saying you can't put the tuning pins at what we consider to be the tail end of the box.
KenL- but... are those also having the frets going in the same direction? I suspect the fret pattern will be 'mirrored' if intended for couple playing on facing knees... even if the tuning mechanisms (pins, pegs) are both on the same end. Hmm, I probably should have clarified that.
As a professional patent illustrator for a living over the past 25 years and counting, i can maybe shed some light on that. 
There are utility patents and design patents. Utility patents cover the creation of a new or improved product, process, or machine- patenting its function -how it's used and how it works. (example: a new type of braking system for a bicycle or train) Design patents protect how an article looks - its shape, configuration or surface ornamentation. (example, a new designer backpack or lamp)
If a new invention contains both unique function/use AND unique shape, appearance, or decoration, one can apply for both utility and design patents for that article.
We'd have to see the 'prospectus' or description accompanying that 1880s patent in order to see what aspects were being applied for. Perhaps it was the first US patent for a double fretboard box zither to be played by two people (utility patent). OR, perhaps it was for having those shape-note like indicators for each note right on the fretboard, as a music reading aid system (design patent). Could be any combination of a number of things both functional and design-wise being applied for. The official Patent Office description accompanying the drawings would explain what exactly was being patented.
I think that in general, older dulcimers with double fretboards were meant to be played by a couple sitting facing each other knee to knee, playing it on their laps in duet. That means the two fretboards are mirrored (one peghead being on one end of the box and the other peghead at the other end of the box). These were called 'courting dulcimers'.
Double fretboard dulcimers that are meant to be tuned and played in different keys, tunings, or octaves by one musician tend to be more modern and can be played by switching quickly between the fretboards. Those instruments will have the two fretboards facing in the same direction so the instrument does not have to be physically turned around to switch fretboards on the fly. Bing Futch's custom double dulcimer is this way.
Hi, thanks for this question.
The software used for running FOTMD does not allow individual members to re-order forum or group discussions. My choice for which order to use was based on the fact that about 50% of users now browse FOTMD from their phones or tablets, and having to scroll down through multiple pages (to check the latest post in a long discussion they are participating in) on a phone would be such an immense turnoff to many users that they might not want to remain here at all. So I'm afraid the 'newest posts on top' is the way to go these days... the same order as one finds on mobile device 'feeds' such as facebook, twitter, etc.
Sorry to disappoint you! 
It should be easy enough to test on just one string to find out which of the two 'bridges' is the true bridge that allows the current frets to play in tune for scale (the distance between nut and bridge. I suspect the black one is the true bridge since it matches the nut, and the crude stick with the notches was simply put there to keep the strings at certain distances from each other (since the bridge has no notches and string spacing was likely originally just provided by the string holes at the tail). But I see that the nut provided an extra slot for making a double-course melody string pair spacing instead of 4 equidistant.
Looks like a nice dulcimer, with that fiddle edge overhang, and such nice wood!
@motormike, it looks like the black bridge is actually cut into the body.
I guess I don't have any mountain dulcimers. waaaaaahhh! 😭
Cool to see the patent drawing from 1880. 
I started as an 'in' strummer mostly because i saw that Jean Ritchie was mainly an in strummer when playing in noter style. (though of course Jean was talented in other styles as well, and also a good guitar player)
My 'in' strum is much more strong and assertive sounding than my out strum. Part of this is because I angle my force downwards as i strum in, and upwards as i strum out. This enables me to choose whether or not to hit the middle and bass strings as I'm playing melody notes on the melody string. I often would play a run of melody notes in an 'in/out/in/out' motion, but while playing only the melody string. Of course one can do this same technique of angling to avoid bass string whether one is an 'inny' or an 'outy'.
Dusty makes a good point that the sound of broadly strumming back and forth on all strings all the time creates a rather overwhelming sound that can not only quickly become tedious but can drown out the melody. Only time and practice can get one better at making your pick 'dance'.
On my noter drone blog, I have quite a few instructional posts with videos geared towards helping beginners improve their strumming skills; https://dulcimer-noter-drone.blogspot.com/search/label/strumming
Sounds like you did a wonderful job on those pegs! 🙌🏼
Thank you for letting us know of this sad news Robin. Betty Smith gave so much of herself to others, through her long life in music.
I just updated this useful thread by removing some older links to defunct web pages.
BTW it's very easy to buy Jean's original Dulcimer Book (as Wildcat pictured below) on Amaz*on. Don't overlook buying USED copies of it for sale there as well, to save yourself a few bucks.
Welcome to FOTMD @wildcat. That's a really pretty dulcimer you bought! Warren May is a respected maker, I'm sure you will be pleased. 
David Schnaufer " brought the Tennessee music box into the classical arena with Blackberry Winter, a concerto for the Tennessee music box, mountain dulcimer and orchestra which he wrote with Conni Elisor, Nashville composer and arranger. Delcimore, Schnaufer's 1998 CD, features this beautiful piece of music played by the Columbus, Georgia symphony."
I believe one of the event organizers is @Dennis-Waldrop , who is a member here.
He would have to add the event to FOTMD's Festivals section. It's not difficult to do, but I do ask that it be done by someone who is involved in running the event.
Meanwhile, here is the facebook page for this event, if that helps: https://www.facebook.com/groups/448674886231259
The original pegs were rosewood viola pegs, by the way. If you prefer them, the pegs need to be hand-fitted to the peghead. A violin string shop could supply the pegs and fit them properly. If you do not have the fine tuners I can supply them.
That's great to know that the original pegs were rosewood viola pegs, Dwain. And you would have that first-hand knowledge, for sure!
My own experience with Grover Stay-tite tuners is that they cannot hold a high tension very well, especially on a longer scale length dulcimer. My vote is for either wooden viola pegs (well fit by a violin repairperson), or the Wittner or Perfection pegs which are terrific though a bit expensive. Those two also have the benefit of 'looking' just like trad wood pegs, yet you can turn them smooth as butter and they fine-tune too..
Then again, you got that Sunhearth for a bargain price, so maybe you can justify investing in worthy pegs for it!
My cats don't care about torrential rain. They just sit all cozy by the window and watch the drops running down the panes. What a life. 
This is such sad news. Rob was a great friend to all members of FOTMD, and he liked to greet new members personally when they joined, with a welcoming comment on their page. He did this as a labor of love for many years.
Rob was a great teacher and encourager in music and song. He loved history and tradition and was a treasure trove of knowledge. We are indeed blessed that Rob posted 57 videos here in our videos section. I encourage everyone to listen to some of his songs and tunes .
I know he will be deeply missed by so many of us. Rest in peace Rob.
My deepest thanks to the folks who have again stepped up to help support this site. You know who you are. 
It's often the same ten or so members each year who show their generosity. If you regularly enjoy the resources here and have never donated before, if you are comfortably able to make a donation I would greatly appreciate it.
It costs about $75/month in server and software fees to keep FOTMD running. Making a donation is easy- just use the site's Home page Paypal Donation button and use a credit card to complete it (you don't need a paypal account to do this). Members who donate $35 or more will see a "Patron" label on their profile page.
Many Thanks to those who help out!
Hi Mike, I moved this discussion to the forum about specific instrument makers and questions, so people could find it better.
Sorry though i have not heard of Danmont Dulcimers. Perhaps someone else here will have and can respond.
I want to thank the several members of FOTMD who have made donations this holiday season. It is so kind and generous of you to support our site during these trying times. Your thoughtfulness is so much appreciated and keeps this dulcimer network running (for 14 years now!). Hugs to you and may you have a warm and safe holiday season in the company of good friends and loved ones. 🥰 
What a wonderful new video to watch and enjoy, Robin! 🥰
@montycraig , I bet you are getting excited about your McSpadden coming soon. I got an hourglass all-walnut McSpadden as my first dulcimer, and it had a voice like an angel! My daughter has it now. You will be pleased.
@matthewlyon , that dulcimer in your profile photo looks like a lovely instrument- is that the one your wife gave you as a surprise present?
With tall action and a traditional diatonic fret layout, it was smart of you to decide to play it in noter style! I hope you are enjoying it, both when playing with others and playing alone.
Just ran into this fine thread and I thought it was worth bumping up again - so much good advice and info in it!
I do vaguely remember reading in the past year or two that he announced he was retiring from making dulcimers.. sorry but I cannot recall eactly where I read that.
Merry Christmas, Happy Solstice, Festivus, and Happy New Year to all! (and i hope you had a happy Hanukkah, though it's now over)
Great to hear what you've been up to @Robin-clark . 👍🏼
@richard-streib , that is a whole lot of cookies!! 🍪
I've been learning to do a little watercolor painting lately, it's a challenge!
I've also been enjoying brushing up on my cursive handwriting while tinkering with fountain pens and bottled ink, and writing in my journal.
Another decades-long hobby of mine is knitting. I really enjoy the social camaraderie in attending various regular gatherings of knitters in my area.
@beth-t , I knew as soon as you mentioned that the schoolchildren could identify a melodeon and a concertina, that you could not be located in America... and I was right, you're in Wales! How wonderful that you are playing in that new group you found, and going around to schools to play traditional music for the students.
@jan-potts , 20 minute play sessions four times a day?- that's what you are starting with? In my book that's a whole LOT of playing! Kudos to you.. 🙌🏻
Oops, Dusty and i were posting at the same time... thank you Dusty for your excellent post which covered all the basics! 
Hi Rachel.
What you 'see' and icons/buttons etc... will depend on whether you are using a desktop/laptop, a tablet, or a phone. On mobile devices, site action options are typically found in your phone drop-down menus for the site, rather than as visible buttons on the pages. Personally I find it easier to navigate the web version of FOTMD, on a laptop or desktop.
Groups have both a Comment Wall and their own group discussions. The Groups section of this site has groups that address particular focused subjects that might not be of interest to most members- such as Galax Dulcimers, Fingerpicking, Dulcimer Builders Group, Chromatic dulcimers, California players... you get the idea. Remember that a member will not see all the Group discussion replies until they JOIN that group. Groups are independent and completely separate from the site's main Forums area. Groups are meant to be 'focus groups' for those who share special interests. There is a little overlap since nothing is perfect.
The "Forums" section of this site has general subject areas, and in each of those areas you can create discussions/threads. It is always fully visible and you don't need to 'join' it. It functions similarly to typical traditional online forums.
You can 'follow' both Groups and Forum Discussions to be notified of new posts in that discussion.
It's a good idea to search a subject to see if you can find answers that have already been given. If not, then feel free to create a new discussion thread for your specific post.
I do realize a tutorial on how to use this site might be quite useful to some folks. However, it would take me weeks to create a tutorial. Aside from my not having the time to devote to that, I know from many years of experience that most people wouldn't read through it anyway- they'd see a big tutorial and then they'd just go ahead and skip that and post their question directly, as they do now. 
The closest we have to a tutorial is this "How Do I..?" forum discussion... which does seem to help answer some of the more common questions, and it gets revised from time to time. It seems to work 'well enough' from a practical sense. 
I hope this helps! 😍
I read something funny today online:
"Tradition is peer pressure from dead people." 😂
A thread for drifting from subject to subject, just for fun!
Glad to hear it's working for you Macy Jayne.
And again... welcome back! 
OK I just now posted a test video, a YT video called Clyde the Limberjack.
It worked fine for me. As I wrote in the thread I linked to below, I pasted in the full browser URL link when adding the video. I did NOT use the "share" link that Youtube provides when you click on 'share' on your youtube video's page. Are you guys doing this?
Macy's link that she posted in the first post of this thread looks like the Youtube-provided "share" link (it has a question mark in the middle of the link, but no "watch?" in the middle of the link... as my full browser link has.)
To add a youtube video, you have to copy and paste in the full URL address of the video that's in the window at the top of your web browser.
Please do that and tell me if it works. It just worked fine for me. Do NOT use the youtube "Share" button link.
Thanks for any further details.
Yes but are you following both the suggestions in the thread that I just linked to?
It's hard for me to 'guess' what exactly you are doing. Instead of posting a general link to your YT video here in this discussion, can you please copy/paste here the exact thing that you are putting in the site field that is resulting in your getting the error message?
Hi Macy Jayne, good to see you here again!
Can you please look through this thread and tell us if it solves your issue?:
