Location:
Location: NY
Country: USA
Country: USA
My Latest Followers:
Stats
Latest Activity
All
@jack-m
• 2 days ago
• comments: 37
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
"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 working..."
@jack-m
• 2 days ago
• comments: 37
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
"Nate:
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..."
@jack-m
• 3 days ago
• comments: 37
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
"Nate:
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,..."
@jack-m
• 4 days ago
• comments: 37
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
"Wally Venable:
Ooops. Wrong citation. Not Strothers.
You know there is YAFCalc?
Yet Another Fret Calculator..."
@jack-m
• 4 days ago
• comments: 37
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
"Nate:
Of course, now youll be needing to convert 128ths into 16ths, which seems just as annoying
Yes, I'm amazed there isn't software that works for all..."
@jack-m
• 5 days ago
• comments: 13
Posted a new Comment on Luthiers Mercantile:
Posted a new Comment on Luthiers Mercantile:
"Homer Ross:
Ken Longfield:
Well, it looks like we successfully hijacked this discussion to learn all about and praise Stew-Mac. The sad thing about the..."
@jack-m
• 5 days ago
• comments: 37
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
"Skip:
@Jack=M
Here is one of the more detailed fret calculators. It's the one I use the most. You will need two layouts, one for each VSL...."
@jack-m
• 6 days ago
• comments: 37
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
"Wally Venable:
"Have you built baritone dulcimers? If so did you change anything to strengthen it for the higher string load? "
The Strothers String..."
@jack-m
• one week ago
• comments: 37
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
"Nate:
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..."
@jack-m
• one week ago
• comments: 37
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
"Ken Longfield:
I seldom use the Stewmac fret calculator. I prefer the old WFret program which prints out a template. It is a Windows program and since I use..."
@jack-m
• one week ago
• comments: 37
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
"Nate,
Using the Stewmac calculator got some numbers that don't seem right to me. 29" VSL 1# 3.164" and 6# 13.638" from nut. When I compared it to..."
@jack-m
• one week ago
• comments: 37
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
"Nate:
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
Thanks..."
@jack-m
• one week ago
• comments: 37
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
"Nate:
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..."
@jack-m
• one week ago
• comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on Tuner help please:
Posted a new Comment on Tuner help please:
"These are expensive but really nice for ukulele.
Gotoh UPT Ukulele Planetary Tuners Black Finish with Black Oval Buttons | eBay"
@jack-m
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 37
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
"Wally Venable:
Use a calculator for any chromatic instrument, guitar or uke for instance, with the desired VSL. Then you will have to figure out the count..."
@jack-m
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 37
Liked a group discussions item created by @jack-m: Fret Position
Liked a group discussions item created by @jack-m: Fret Position
@jack-m
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 37
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
Posted a new Comment on Fret Position:
"Thanks Nate,
I thought they would show those in a calculator but nooooo. I'll play with it tomorrow. I have the 6.5 position but after listening to some..."
@jack-m
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 37
Created a new Group discussion "Fret Position":
Created a new Group discussion "Fret Position":
"Using Stewmac's fret position calculator for dulcimer I don't see 1.5 and 6.5 frets listed. Are 1.5 and 6.5 frets literally halfway between their neighbors?..."
Dulcimer Making
Dulcimer Making
@jack-m
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 47
Posted a new Comment on Short fretboard dulcimer?:
Posted a new Comment on Short fretboard dulcimer?:
"Ken Longfield:
Here a couple photos of the dulcimer I mentioned below. It is based on the dulcimers made by Charles N. Prichard in Huntington, WV. All the..."
@jack-m
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 47
Posted a new Comment on Short fretboard dulcimer?:
Posted a new Comment on Short fretboard dulcimer?:
"I was wondering about flat sawn maple or butternut for the top. I can' find either of those in quartersawn
Today I drove a couple hours east to Amish..."
@jack-m
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 47
Posted a new Comment on Short fretboard dulcimer?:
Posted a new Comment on Short fretboard dulcimer?:
"found this video which shows braces in a Kurt Simerman dulcimer being built Kurt Simerman: Dulcimer Maker
It doesn't show enough to determine exact..."
@jack-m
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 47
Posted a new Comment on Short fretboard dulcimer?:
Posted a new Comment on Short fretboard dulcimer?:
"Sorry, I find this particular venue hard to follow at times. Titebond would be a lot easier!
John C. Knopf:
Jack, this is John, not Nate. I've built..."
@jack-m
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 47
Posted a new Comment on Short fretboard dulcimer?:
Posted a new Comment on Short fretboard dulcimer?:
"Returned from my wood hunting trip. Managed to find about 12' of 8/4 X 6 quarter sawn walnut that is quite beautiful albeit pricey. The search for a..."
@jack-m
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 47
Posted a new Comment on Short fretboard dulcimer?:
Posted a new Comment on Short fretboard dulcimer?:
"definition - "The mountain dulcimer is a fretted, zither-family folk instrument native to the Appalachian region of the United States, typically featuring a..."
@jack-m
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 47
Posted a new Comment on Short fretboard dulcimer?:
Posted a new Comment on Short fretboard dulcimer?:
"Nate, What glue do you use? I was going to use hide glue but if there is an easier to use glue that is reversable with heat I'd us it.
In ukuleles the..."
@jack-m
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 47
Posted a new Comment on Short fretboard dulcimer?:
Posted a new Comment on Short fretboard dulcimer?:
"The drawings in the Kimball book show linings, which is why I am considering them. I'm also considering one brace to provide support for fretboard, mostly..."
@jack-m
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 47
Posted a new Comment on Short fretboard dulcimer?:
Posted a new Comment on Short fretboard dulcimer?:
"I have limited experience. I have designed (CAD) and built (variety of skils) many things that are 100X more complex in metal, wood, and plastic. A bit of..."
@jack-m
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 47
Posted a new Comment on Short fretboard dulcimer?:
Posted a new Comment on Short fretboard dulcimer?:
"Thanks,
I was thinking of a bridge not being glued and you confirmed that. Ukuleles with plastic strings don't really have a lot of tension and I have seen..."
@jack-m
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 43
Posted a new Comment on How do Possum Boards REALLY work?:
Posted a new Comment on How do Possum Boards REALLY work?:
"I found this video interesting because I was wondering how a possum board worked. In a YouTube video about the history of dulcimers, early dulcimers were..."
@jack-m
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 47
Posted a new Comment on Short fretboard dulcimer?:
Posted a new Comment on Short fretboard dulcimer?:
"Thanks Nate ! Very useful info. I think in terms of ukulele with spruce top so what you say makes sense for a hardwood top. You taught me a new term..."
@jack-m
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 47
Posted a new Comment on Short fretboard dulcimer?:
Posted a new Comment on Short fretboard dulcimer?:
"Ken, thanks ! Small closely knit community At least now I know the original. I have time tonight to look at my books. I am thinking of very light..."
@jack-m
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 47
Posted a new Comment on Short fretboard dulcimer?:
Posted a new Comment on Short fretboard dulcimer?:
"I'm assuming it may need top bracing similar to a guitar or ukulele but not sure. The book shows bracing and I have other books showing bracing for..."
@jack-m
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Introduce Yourself!":
Posted a response to "Introduce Yourself!":
"Thanks Ken ! I'm about 3 hours north of Williamsport but wouldn't know where to look. Could be an interesting trip. I'm going to try locally first but..."
Latest Group Discussions
All
Fret Position
Using Stewmac's fret position calculator for dulcimer I don't see 1.5...
@Jack M 2 weeks ago - Comments: 37
Short fretboard dulcimer?
I'm new to dulcimers and am planning to build one. I have the Kimbell...
@Jack M 3 weeks ago - Comments: 47
Comments
09/07/25 01:42:50PM @benjamin-w-barr-jr:
Hi Jack, 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
09/06/25 05:12:47PM @richard-streib:
Welcome Jack M. Glad you joined. There are a number of builders on this site. Post your question in the making dulcimers group for the best place to connect with builders. Best wishes on your dulcimer journey.
