John Ellis

A few months ago I saw a video (maybe on You Tube...) of a MD builder making a back for one of his instruments.  Foolishly I didn't save it and now can't find it again.

He started with two (or more) contrasting color boards each maybe 4-6 inches wide.  He stacked them together and using his bandsaw he cut a curvy line the length of the boards. He then re-glued the right side of a light colored board with the left side of a dark one.  Once dry the repeated this a few times and ended up with a most interesting pattern of light and dark geometric shapes.

Does this make sense to anyone or can anyone suggest a website with a better explanation or video of how to do this?  

Thanks, John

What a great welcome!  Thank you all.  Hope to perhaps someday meet many of you face to face.

I am having a ball building my instruments and hope to get some time in on learning to play them this winter also.

I am sure this topic has come up before and to those of you that have heard and commented dozens of times in the past my apologies but I am not very good at navigating computer sites yet. (Learning that also!!!)  What I am looking for is a simple primer of some type on string tension when tuning MDs.     I am using a chromatic tuner and after tuning the bass string to say D, second string to A, I often end up breaking one or both high strings.

Am I trying to go two octaves instead of one?  Do I need thicker strings?   (am using the D'Addario J64 Mountain Dulcimer Set.)

I know I'm missing something but not sure where to look...

Thanks for any help, John 

"Ahn Tagann Ceol Ghrian" - From Music comes Sunshine 

Howdy and welcome to FOTMD!

Hi John, 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

Welcome to FOTMD John. It's good to have you aboard. I trust you will enjoy this site.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Hey John, welcome aboard. Glad ya found us.

Welcome, John, to this little corner of dulcimer heaven. Hope you enjoy it here.

Rob

Welcome John, so good to have you here.