Forum Activity for @mikekoz

A question about intonating a dulcimer

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I got home yesterday and had a burst of energy and filed down the string slots on my dulcimer "nut!". It was a complete success! I started with the middle A string since that was the one that was the most off and then did the others. My dulcimer sounds great now!  The only thing I forgot to do was to put a little bit of graphite in each slot, but I can do that anytime. I want to thank all of you for the help you gave me with this. If I have any other questions or issues with my dulcimers I know where to come!

Anybody familiar with dulcimers made by James Goodall?

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I am looking into getting another vintage dulcimer and having just dived into this instrument, I am overwhelmed by the number of custom-made models that are out there. I am looking at this model made in the 1970's by somebody in San Diego named James Goodall. From what I could gather online, he also made guitars and maybe banjos! Any of you out there familiar with him or own a dulcimer made by him??

A question about intonating a dulcimer

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

We had a family emergency so I will not be able to do anything with this thing until next week, but all of this is good information! I also remembered that I have a Dremel tool that may come in handy although the manual hand files may be a little gentler on the wood and plastic. I will agree with some of you that somebody has worked or modded this dulcimer. Could they have purposely installed an actual nut to bypass the zero fret? I also did not notice that the saddle also looks like it has been altered. Right now, I have the one that came with it removed and have a bone one made for a guitar in its place. I have sanded it down to lower the string action and I have a few of them in case I mess it up! I was going to sand the original one but of course, do not have a spare. One way or another I will get this instrument fixed up. Thanks again for all the help!

A question about intonating a dulcimer

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I will get a set of those needle files. We are going to Walmart today and I will see if they have them. I bet I have some somewhere but have no idea where they are! I have a few sets of those welders tip cleaners and tried them last night on the A string slot and they just did not work.

A question about intonating a dulcimer

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I am actually looking at some diamond file sets made specifically for doing this, but most seem to be real expensive. I see a set on Amazon that I would love to get but would run me 120 dollars. If I was a professional, I would not hesitate to get these, but they will not be used often. I do not want the get the cheapest thing out there either. Do any of you know a good set of diamond files that will be good for filing the slots that is a bit cheaper?? 

A question about intonating a dulcimer

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I think I will try cutting the slots deeper in the "nut". I really do not want to ruin the dulcimer as I do not have very good woodworking skills! I probably should have invested in a new better brand instrument, but I am just a beginner at this and did not want to spend a whole lot of money. Knowing me though if I saw a good deal on a better one, I would probably buy it! The one I got from Amazon is really nice though, but I know it is nothing high end.  I did a little research on the shop that is named on the sticker inside the sound hole. Apparently, the phone number is still good, and the shop may still be in business, but the instruments designer, Jerry Meador passed away in 2018 at the age of 68. I am going to guess this dulcimer was probably made in the 1980's. I was able to find a few other photos online of the same model, and one had a black "nut" and the other was like mine, but I could not tell where the strings were in relation to it. I will keep you all posted of any progress I make! 

A question about intonating a dulcimer

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

OK, all of this is great information, and I have already learned quite a bit! I did not know what the zero fret was before you all just told me and was wondering why that fret was doing there! I have not tried the trick with the nickel yet but just took a look at the zero fret and strings and posted more pics. The strings do not come close to touching that zero fret even when fingering the strings on fret 1. I am just guessing, but looking at the nut on this instrument it looks like the previous owner may have added it to bypass the zero fret for one reason or another. It was unfortunately glued on, and I do not have the skills to remove it without damaging my dulcimer. Later on today I am going to do as you all suggested and check the string height on the 7th fret and see if I can lower the action by sanding down the saddle some more. I do have some files to deepen the nut slots but have never used them. 

One other tip is to split the error between # and b

Sorry Skip but I do not know what you mean by this!

More to come and again and I thank all of you for the information you have given me so far!

A question about intonating a dulcimer

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

First time poster and first time dulcimer owner! I recently purchased two dulcimers. One was an Applecreek AD200 cherry model from Amazon and I have been very happy with it. Its finish and sound quality exceeded my expectations. I also wanted a US made vintage model so I started looking on Ebay and there was a lot to choose from! The first one I purchased I returned because the seller put down the wrong dimensions for it, and it was too small for my taste, but sounded OK, I finally found one that was the size I was looking for, and it arrived a few days ago and that is where my question starts! It does not have a brand name on it, but a sticker inside the sound hole that states " The Beaten path, Home Of American Dulcimers"  in Pigeon Forge, TN. It also shows two names, Jerry and Marsha Meador. I see no date or model number so I am assuming they made this instrument. If any of you know anything else about them or this dulcimer I would appreciate it also! Anyhow, the dulcimer was in pristine shape except for a crack in the headstock, but it does not appear to run very deep. I cleaned it up and put new strings on it and tuned it. It sounds great when just strumming an open cord, but hitting notes up on the frets sound off, especially with the center A string. I know how to intonate most electric guitars but am not sure how to do it on this. The saddle is not movable, so I am stuck with it as far as that goes. I removed it and replaced with a bone one made for an acoustic guitar, sanded it down a bit to lower the string action, and this has helped a little bit, but it is still off. What else can I do? Any and all help is welcome! I have attached some photos for reference.

updated by @mikekoz: 09/29/25 10:10:12PM