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Location: NY
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@jack-m
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 13
Posted a new Comment on @david-beede:
Posted a new Comment on @david-beede:
"Dusty mentioned you regarding dulcimer building in the building group."
@jack-m
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on Plagiarism first dulcimer:
Posted a new Comment on Plagiarism first dulcimer:
"Dusty,
Thanks for your encouragement!
When I do the next step in designing the structure holding the fingerboard it will be explained. I am thinking about..."
@jack-m
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 3
Liked a group discussions item created by @jack-m: Plagiarism first dulcimer
Liked a group discussions item created by @jack-m: Plagiarism first dulcimer
@jack-m
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 3
Created a new Group discussion "Plagiarism first dulcimer":
Created a new Group discussion "Plagiarism first dulcimer":
"I've spent a lot of time online lately learning about dulcimers and was most impressed by Bob Stephen's website and dulcimers. A short exchange with Bob was..."
Dulcimer Making
Dulcimer Making
@jack-m
• 2 months ago
• comments: 11
Posted a new Comment on What's your favorite finish ?:
Posted a new Comment on What's your favorite finish ?:
"Ken Longfield:
I've made dulcimers and used lots of different finishes. I started out over 50 years ago using violin varnish. I used that on three or four..."
@jack-m
• 2 months ago
• comments: 11
Posted a new Comment on What's your favorite finish ?:
Posted a new Comment on What's your favorite finish ?:
"Dusty Turtle:
Ken (and everyone else), when you express your preferences, are you basing that on how it is to work with the product, how it looks on the..."
@jack-m
• 2 months ago
• comments: 11
Created a new Group discussion "What's your favorite finish ?":
Created a new Group discussion "What's your favorite finish ?":
"Finishes are my latest concern and don't want to get into spray finishes if I can avoid it. The back and sides will be walnut with a Port Orford cedar top..."
Dulcimer Making
Dulcimer Making
@jack-m
• 2 months 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:
"Your first paragraph is pretty much the conclusion I arrived at.
Your player's point of view is what I was noticing while listening many you tube videos..."
@jack-m
• 2 months 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:
"Strumelia:
I've personally noticed that over the course of the past 25 years (no pun intended, lol) the doubled melody string has changed from been the..."
@jack-m
• 2 months 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:
"Ken Longfield:
I think over the last few years I've built more 3 string dulcimers than 4 stringers. My Prichard reproductions and "modern" Prichards have all..."
@jack-m
• 2 months 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:
"Nate:
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..."
@jack-m
• 2 months ago
• comments: 9
Created a new Group discussion "Three or Four Strings, that is the question":
Created a new Group discussion "Three or Four Strings, that is the question":
"Just wondering if you build more three string dulcimers or more four string dulcimers. I notice many experienced players with three strings. Your thoughts?"
Dulcimer Making
Dulcimer Making
@jack-m
• 2 months 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 months 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
• 2 months 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
• 2 months 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
• 2 months 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
• 2 months 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
• 2 months 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
• 2 months 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
• 2 months 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
• 2 months 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
• 2 months 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
• 2 months 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
• 2 months 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
• 2 months 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 months 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 months 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 months 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 months 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
• 3 months 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..."
Latest Group Discussions
All
Plagiarism first dulcimer
I've spent a lot of time online lately learning about dulcimers and was...
@Jack M 3 weeks ago - Comments: 3
What's your favorite finish ?
Finishes are my latest concern and don't want to get into spray finishes...
@Jack M 2 months ago - Comments: 11
Three or Four Strings, that is the question
Just wondering if you build more three string dulcimers or more four...
@Jack M 2 months ago - Comments: 9
Fret Position
Using Stewmac's fret position calculator for dulcimer I don't see 1.5...
@Jack M 2 months ago - Comments: 37
Short fretboard dulcimer?
I'm new to dulcimers and am planning to build one. I have the Kimbell...
@Jack M 3 months 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.
