Uh-oh. I feel like I've touched off a religious debate. "Is it sacrilegious to add a fret to an old dulcimer?"
I can't see why you would buy a dulcimer just to admire it (and not play it the way you wish), but opinions differ.
Oh dear, now my head hurts. 
But....I do get what you are saying. It's just a lot to take in for someone who has never been taught this.
I printed off some of what we have talked about....and i intend to study it. But just a little at a time, as to not overwhelm.
I'll go back and reread what you are saying. I guess my initial question in the midst of my confusion (not utter, but mildly)...would be, so the reason I would want to know this is to somewhat play a song, with just the music and chords?
You're close, Dana. Before we get to capos, let me explain something that didn't occur to me until I had been playing a year or two.
First, we call the open DAd (or DAA, but when we get to chords I'll be referring to DAd) as a D chord. Technically, it is missing the 3rd, so it can be D major or D minor. But if 0-0-0 is a D, then 1-1-1 is an E, 2-2-2 is an F#, 3-3-3 is a G, 4-4-4 is an A, 5-5-5 is a B, and so forth. And again, those "chords" can be major or minor, so a 1-1-1 will be an E in one harmonic context and an Em in another. The listeners' ears will fill in either the major or minor 3rd. But that principle alone will allow you to play all kinds of chords that you might not have thought possible.
Second, once we see that pattern, we can say that yes, when you put your capo at the first fret your open strings are in an E chord. And if we were playing a guitar or banjo, that would be enough. We could move the capo to any position and play as though the capo weren't there, making wonderful music in any key. But the dulcimer's diatonic fretboard means that even if our open strum is a given chord, we may nor may not be able to play a song we want because the frets are in different places.
However, there are two places the capo (mostly) works: the third fret for the key of G and the fourth fret for the key of A. Play a simple song you know toward the nut. Now put a capo on the third fret and play it again, using exactly the fingerings you are used to. You will see that you are now playing the same song, but in a higher register and in a different key (G instead of D). This will also work if you put the capo at the 4th fret, but you will have to be aware of the 6+ fret, which is now playing the role of the 1+ fret. It is also fun to put the capo at other frets and see the sounds you get. For example, many songs that are played in a DAC tuning can be played instead with a capo at the first fret (I am not suggesting a capo is preferable here, just pointing out the similarity).
For another discussion here recently I made the following video to demonstrate how I use the capo: .
Again, what makes this complicated, Dana, is that on a dulcimer with a diatonic fretboard, a capo not only changes the key but also the mode, so when the capo moves to different frets you cannot necessarily play the same song in a different key. You have to find a different song that fits the mode created by the new fret spacing.
As for chords, please refer to that transposition chart I posted in the other discussion. IN the key of D, we use mainly the D, G, and A chords. When you put the capo at the third fret to play in G, you will be using the G, C, and D chords. However--and this is the beauty of the capo--you don't have to change fingerings. Just pretend you are playing in D, and your chords will magically be transformed (or transposed) to G, C, and D. That is what my video linked to above tries to demonstrate.
In light of the recent fantastic conversation we just had about the chords, I wanted to speak about capos.
(Preface: I am 2 years in, play like a crazy woman time-wise, but have zero music theory knowledge so grace grace if this question makes you laugh.)
I was lying in bed early this morn, when suddenly I had an epiphany. If the 1 0 1 is an A chord, then if you place a capo on the 1st fret, are you now tuned to A? And if 0 1 3 is a G chord, when you place a capo on the third fret, are you now tuned to G?
Again, please don't laugh...I'm just now getting into this. If this is correct, then it would explain all the choices of chord for each A, G, D etc because you might be tuned into something where you need a higher fret. (Am I embarrassed at this point? Yes, yes as a matter of fact I am. But I feel safe here so yall go easy on me if this is not right. ) 
And...does anyone have a capo tuning chart that showed what key each capo creates?
The comments here regarding a historical dulcimer make sense, however, what if you owned one of these and you truly wanted to use the dulcimer to its fullest and there's nary a song now that doesn't have the 6 1/2 fret? Personally, I wouldn't be able to play any of my favorites without that fret and I've bought two dulcimers without it. I added it to both and now enjoy them fully but truly do wonder, would anyone really be buying one to just hang on the wall...or, can you fully enjoy a dulcimer without the 6 1/2?
My sister told me about a book called Dispatches From Pluto, by Richard Grant. The story of a Brit and a New Yorker who buy a Mississippi plantation and encounter southern culture for the first time. She said it was laugh out loud one of the best books she has read in ages.
I am going to be re-reading Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie. I saw the movie for the first time in a while a couple weeks ago and decided I would re-read the book.
Where's the best forum for that?
I have posted a top view in my user profile and am looking for a way to link to that.
Post a couple photos in a new discussion and maybe we can help identify the maker(s)
There's no indication on or in the instrument to tell me who made it. My mother gave it to me as a birthday gift two years ago, and I don't remember her telling me where she bought it. She died six months ago, and I have yet to find any records of it in her stuff. So the maker of the dulcimer is a mystery.
I agree with looking for the maker name and contacting them. I sent one back to McSpadden to add 1 1/2, 61/2, etc. they dressed the frets, replaced the strings for $100.00
The other was easier, but I took my Bonnie Carol over to them, (they live close by), but because of no shipping, they did the same for less.
And for me, it's not about how often you play using the 1 1/2 fret etc., but it's about when you want to!!
"Dulcimer is the Voice of Angels"
Ken, thanks for the reply. Yes, "dressing" is the word I was looking for. And yes, I think the fee would include dressing all the frets. The guy said it would probably be closer to $100 but he wanted to leave some room.
The string shop works mostly on guitars, though it builds mandolins and has repaired sitars and some other stuff.
At this point, I will wait until I find someone who does a lot of work on dulcimers. I would like to get that 1.5 fret.
Hi userno4; the price for adding a fret can vary widely as you've discovered. The number of strings your dulcimer has doesn't matter, but who made them could.
Do you really play that much using the 1+ fret???
Th "tinny" sound you were hearing was probably caused by that raised 1+ fret. If he re-set the 1+ fret that probably fixed the problem. A fret that floats can sometimes be re-set with a drop of superglue to hold it. If it doesn't stay down, he's right that it would require removing and completely replacing the 1+ fret and at least dressing it down to the height of the other frets.
Your local "stringed instrument shop" likely didn't want to 'mess around' with a dulcimer; they aren't very common, the sh.op makes a lot more money working on guitars. The $200 he's quoting you is for a complete fret job including dressing all the frets to the correct height, and is actually pretty reasonable, as that is not a simple job.
Measuring to the nearest 001 inch is overkill, as you can't cut wood that accurately! $100 for a single fret installation is outrageous. My advice is find a real dulcimer maker/luthier. If you know the maker(s) -- look inside the rear soundholes to find the maker's label -- that is the person/company most likely to "treat you right" when it comes to repairs.
I have a four-string dulcimer to which I'd like to add (or more accurately, have added) a 1.5 fret.
I recall that some vendors at the only dulcimer festival I've been to (in Evart, Michigan) were adding frets for $15. So I thought, oh, great, this will be cheap.
Then I paid a visit to a local stringed instrument shop. First, I showed the guy my three-string dulcimer and asked him to fix a tinny noise I hear on the low notes. He pointed out that the 1.5 fret appeared to be an after-market job. The cut into the wood was not as smooth as it should be, and the fret had started to float up. He put the fret back down but said if it caused a problem again, he would have to ... oh great. Now I forget the verb. Bake it? Sand it? Whatever, I think it involves sanding down each of the frets. Total cost is about $200.
I show him the four-string dulcimer and asked about putting a 1.5 on there. He said it would be about $100 but could go to $200.
So .. .what's the price range for installing a fret? On the one hand, it looks like the after-market fret job (performed when and where I don't know) was substandard, and the guy talked about how hard it is to do things correctly. He said he should measure the place to 0.001 of an inch. Maybe it's gilding the lily?
I know that musical instruments can be expensive, but my (late) mother paid $300 for this four-string unit last year, and I didn't feel like paying $150 or so for a single fret, so I left.
Congratulations John Henry!
JH, like riding a bike, or...you were on that bike on the cover right? Making hay here in Vermont while the sunshines.
Ahh! Just found it Lisa..........upper corner...............bit like saying New England's near the border ?
I'm ducking !!!
JohnH
Cynthia, its not just you who is going senile! Hamburgers, cell windows, I reckon I'm gonna have to wait until Jim Fawcett gets here in May and pay for a one to one tutorial !
There's your answer Kevin..............I'm sure Jim won't object to toting a few dozen copies in his carry-on bag ? (usual fee of course)
JohnH
Well how 'bout that! I'll be trying that out!
Since I had never heard of those gizmo's and checked them out they appear to be fancy silver wire wrapped around a joint to keep the little stinker from moving. And, since I am as cheap as they come decided to see if you could fashion a home made one. Went to the garage, stripped a piece of heavy Romex wire that seemed to be the correct thickness, cut it, fashioned a ring like the ones I found pictured....works like a charm, nice shinny copper for a total cost of about .75 cents. You can also use those aluminum wires you tie chain link fencing to the galvanized posts. Or if all else fails, come over to the dark side, which is actually the inaccessible brilliance of Noter play hidden from the world. 
Hi Dana. Basically, I've never taken a video down, not even the first ones I posted which I could play a lot better now. You can follow my progress as a player by watching the videos in order. I also have a some instructional videos that aren't public, meaning you have to have the specific URL to find them. Here and there in my postings at FOTMD or at my local group's website , you can find demos of tunes or instructional stuff on one technique or another. Anyway, I'm glad you enjoy my videos. If you ever have a question about how to play one of the tunes, let me know.
There are so many great luthiers out there. Too many dulcimers. Too little time and money.
ROFL!! I'll keep that in mind! Dusty, you entertained my husband and myself last night with your playing. I like to pull up different videos with all of your massive collection (seriously, how many are you up to??) Every time I think I've found some wonderful luthier, I see you beat me to the punch. I basically want all of the ones you own.
Do you have a will? Children? :) :)
Those ring splints do look kind of cool, Dana, but they also cost. The tape is cheap. I would stick with it, especially since it has worked for you in the past.
By the way, anytime I am tempted to post about pain in my fretting hand that prevents me (temporarily) from playing, I anticipate a message from Ken extolling the virtues of the noter.
Sorry so late w these pics of my capo.
Hahaha, you're funny, Ken. Not coming to the dark side. I have noters but taping has made the world of difference. I can play for hours and hours and have no pain the next day. Immobilizing is what needs to happen and the tape works, just didn't know if anyone had used the finger ring splint things.
D -- you just need to come over to the Dark Side! I'll send you a noter so you can get started; it's free (and pain free), not a spendy silver wire magic ring . . .
Lisa that was the face I saw, have I gone senile?
I have a bit of arthritis in the first joint of my middle finger/left hand. The more I chord, the more irritated it gets, so I tape it to immobilize it. I just saw on a few sites these sterling silver wired finger splints. They almost look like cool rings that can be worn down on that dip joint.
Has anyone ever used one? How well does it work to immobilize the joint? I'm not giving up playing for sure, but I need to get creative on holding that one joint in place!
After clicking on the 'hamburger' mobile menu icon, when you see the dropdown links appear...if you then click on the dropdown link of your NAME, it will take you to your profile page. Remember, you'll click on your profile page TABS- the Video Tab, to see your videos. To add a new vid, when on that same video profile page (of YOUR videos), click on the Plus "+" button to add a new video.
JH- This is only for when you are on your iPad Tablet: when on FOTMD look for this icon in upper corner and click on it to show the links menu:
See !.......it starts, upper left where ?
never gonna get another vid up at this rate !!!
JohnH
Cynthia, don't you agree that they might have also included this photo of John Henry?... 
heh heh
My oh my John you handsome handsome marvelous man you! Isn't this just the way it should be seeing you on that cover!
I know I've written this elsewhere on the internet already, but I wanted to write it here also - congrats John Henry! Great achievement.
A new iPad?? My oh my, you are more up to date than I now, JH! 
Be aware that I've set the site so that tablets use the typical smartphone 'hamburger' style dropdown menu to save screen space. Look for the funny square button in upper left and when you click on it, all the site links will show in a dropdown column on the left.
I'm hoping that somehow it's made sure JohnHenry receives two physical copies of that DPN issue?- one for himself and one for his son...maybe his grandson too? A wonderful family heirloom to be passed down to future generations!
