Nate

Location:

Location: Oregon
Country: United States

My Latest Followers:

Sarah-Miner RobMachin Sea Strings ceilidhdog Beth T DavisJames flossy rojo Cheryl W Hunterdude glowhazel granto Ariane IRENE Jim Phillips Dan Leo Kretzner Cynthia Wigington Steven Berger Stanley Adams Skip Ben Barr Jr Susie Bob Stephens Randy Adams Robin Thompson Strumelia

Stats

youtube videos: 18
images: 54
audio tracks: 3

I like playing pretty music and I like making my own stuff whenever I can, so I love the mountain dulcimer! As a hobby I make my own dulcimers using very modest techniques, tools, and materials. I've made some that turned out very unique. I'm a big fan of DIY, recycling materials, and 'redneck ingenuity.' 

Latest Activity

  All
Nate
@nate • 3 hours ago • comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on Not normally a rock song, but...:
"Unfortunately, there is a pretty huge loophole that is still used. We send the garbage to other countries with less regulatory oversight and have them dump..."
Nate
@nate • 20 hours ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Any information about this dulcimer?":
"That is such a neat dulcimer. The craftsmanship and detail is insane, and the woods are so beautiful. "
Nate
@nate • 21 hours ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Any information about this dulcimer?":
"Wow that is so cool"
Nate
@nate • 2 days ago • comments: 5
Liked a group discussions item created by @sam-edelston: Not normally a rock song, but...
Nate
@nate • 2 days ago • comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on Not normally a rock song, but...:
"Really terrific and also terrifying. I often see people who are gathering trash from the ocean and putting it into their dumpster as if the problem is..."
Nate
@nate • 4 days ago • comments: 8
Liked a youtube item created by @dulcidom: The Armed Man/It will be fought for you (anon. 15th c.)
Nate
@nate • 4 days ago • comments: 5
Liked a youtube item created by @phil-myers: Be Thou My Vision
Nate
@nate • 4 days ago • comments: 2
Liked a photos item created by @jergen: img 20250413 143541 8
Nate
@nate • 4 days ago • comments: 6
Liked a music item created by @davisjames: Louie's Schottische.
Nate
@nate • 5 days ago • comments: 9
Posted a new Comment on Dulcimer for Travelling:
"Sounds like a good plan. Are you planning to install frets? On really short scale instruments I like using nice tall fretwire. So much more comfortable when..."
Nate
@nate • 5 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "six string Dulcimer":
"Sorry i Wally i mistyped that"
Nate
@nate • 5 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "six string Dulcimer":
"Thats similar to my favorite setup for 6 string Wally. dd-Aa- Dd"
Nate
@nate • 6 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "six string Dulcimer":
"I have made them a couple different ways. I made one with six courses tuned DADf#ad and it sounded awesome but the melody was at times getting drowned out by..."
Nate
@nate • one week ago • comments: 5
Liked a youtube item created by @robert-owens: Restoration Of Vintage Arthur Dixon Mountain Dulcimer
Nate
@nate • one week ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"Robert Owens:Thanks Nate, for your note that I saw by email, but for some reason isn't showing up here in the forum.   Apologies Robert, I accidentally..."
Nate
@nate • one week ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"With that said though, I think it's best to simply start with the nut and bridge too tall, and then slowly bring them lower until you get the feel you like,..."
Nate
@nate • one week ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"Robert Owens: Thanks to all of you for the additional advice...that all makes sense to me.Only remaining question as I thought about it a little more is,..."
Nate
@nate • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Good dulcimer for busking?":
"Since apparently amplification isn't allowed, you may want to consider a particularly loud dulcimer. Some dulcimers are quite a bit louder than others. There..."
Nate
@nate • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"On one hand, if you particularly wanted to install a "zero fret" made of metal that is an option. Common materials for dulcimer nut and bridge are very hard..."
Nate
@nate • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"Ken Longfield: Thanks, Nate. I see that I didn't pay attention to that in the original post. It seems like an awful lot of work compared to installing them..."
Nate
@nate • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"John Pettreemusic: Bizarre is using bunt pans.....Love yer stuff Nate!   Thank you, I appreciate it John! With that said, I have to admit Ive seen a ton of..."
Nate
@nate • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"Ken Longfield: Were the mounting plates of the tuners screwed to the bottom of opening in the peg head?   Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song."   Ken if i..."
Nate
@nate • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"Soldering tuners into a metal cage gives new meaning to the phrase "locking tuners" LOL"
Nate
@nate • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Help with restoring a 1962 Arthur Dixon dulcimer?":
"Wow thats the most bizarre system for anchoring tuning pegs that ive ever seen. Is this a method others have seen before?"
Nate
@nate • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Mountain Dulcimer Picture in Mathematics Magazine":
"Thank you for taking the time to articulate your results dulcidom! I have been playing around with these ideas quite a bit. I have a one string dulcimer that..."
Nate
@nate • 3 weeks ago • comments: 1
Posted a new Comment on Current Set:
"My first, second, fourth fifth and sixth kitchen pan dulcimers "
Nate
@nate • 3 weeks ago • comments: 1
Current Set
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Nate
@nate • 3 weeks ago • comments: 12
Posted a new Comment on Makeover for Sally :
"I have made an effort to reach out to Jacques but i dont think i have actually reached him. I dont know if hed like my instruments but id really like for him..."
Nate
@nate • 3 weeks ago • comments: 12
Posted a new Comment on Makeover for Sally :
"Robin Thompson: For $175, the sound will be relegated to being lost to history.  Yet we have something better here at FOTMD-- Nate!      Way too..."
Nate
@nate • 3 weeks ago • comments: 12
Posted a new Comment on Makeover for Sally :
"I'll have to look into how that mechanism works, however I have considered a few ways to stir the bowl, and honestly most of them are beyond my ability. I..."
Nate
@nate • 3 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Tinny sounding strings":
"Specifically with the language of tinny, My first guess would be that the strings are not seated correctly in either their slots at the bridge, or their..."
Nate
@nate • 3 weeks ago • comments: 12
Posted a new Comment on Makeover for Sally :
"Yes Robin, that is Jacques Dudon! I had thought up this cake pan dulcimer before reading about his invention, and when I did, I decided to finally get around..."
Nate
@nate • 3 weeks ago • comments: 12
Posted a new Comment on Makeover for Sally :
"Perhaps Jacques Dudon! He is the inventor of the aquavina dulcimer. His design was essentially a large mixing bowl with a dulcimer neck attached to it...."
Nate
@nate • 3 weeks ago • comments: 12
Posted a new Comment on Makeover for Sally :
"The first Bundt pan dulcimer I made was one of many experimental dulcimer ideas I had at the time, but its been my absolute favorite material ever since. I..."
Nate

Latest Group Discussions

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Nate

To What Extent Do You Plan Your Builds


Hello builders!  Just wondering about y'all's mindset toward planning....
@Nate 11 months ago - Comments: 18
Nate

History of Cigar Box Dulcimers


Hello folks I was wondering if anyone knows more about when cigar box...
@Nate last year - Comments: 21
Nate

What are the tedious parts of dulcimer building?


Hello skilled craftsmen, I've heard some people say that it takes them...
@Nate 2 years ago - Comments: 8
Nate

String physics question


Hey folks. Some of my dulcimers have a lot of string length that is...
@Nate 2 years ago - Comments: 3
Nate

Gluing resonant objects inside soundbox?


Hey folks I was hoping someone might have some insight on a thought I...
@Nate 2 years ago - Comments: 9
Nate

Choice of Wood for Fingerboard?


Hello craftsmen of FOTMD! I was hoping for some opinions on if the...
@Nate 2 years ago - Comments: 8
Nate

What is a Galax Dulcimer


Hey folks Im just wondering what traits are associated with galax...
@Nate 2 years ago - Comments: 26
Nate

How Much is my Weird Dulcimer Worth?


Hello craftsmen of FOTMD! I built a dulcimer from "upcycled" materials...
@Nate 2 years ago - Comments: 5
Nate

An Upside Downcimer


I have built a very strange dulcimer. I would appreciate some input and...
@Nate 2 years ago - Comments: 21
Nate

Your favorite noter


I would love some input on what your preferred noters are. Noters come...
@Nate 2 years ago - Comments: 21
Nate

Saddle on Soundboard


Hello folks, I am getting ready to make a dulcimer for myself and would...
@Nate 2 years ago - Comments: 5
Nate

Vertical vs Horizontal Quill?


I have heard it said a few times that holding a quill vertically, like a...
@Nate 2 years ago - Comments: 4
Nate

false bottoms = added mass?


Hey folks  I've been thinking lately about false bottoms. Mainly about...
@Nate 2 years ago - Comments: 26
Nate

String Gauge and Intonation


Hello all. Am I correct in assuming that the reason for compensating...
@Nate 4 years ago - Comments: 5
Nate

Building Dulcimers Cheap


Hey all, when I first started building dulcimers it was a very...
@Nate 4 years ago - Comments: 5
Nate

Bridge Placement for Proper Intonation


Hello, this is always something I've had to relearn on every single...
@Nate 4 years ago - Comments: 2
Nate

Added some half frets....now what?


Hello all I have been playing dulcimer for about a year on diatonic...
@Nate 5 years ago - Comments: 16
Nate

Copyright law and dulcimer music


Hey all this has been something I've been struggling to understand and...
@Nate 5 years ago - Comments: 35
Nate

Protecting the interior of a dulcimer


Hello all I was just wondering if it is common for builders to apply any...
@Nate 5 years ago - Comments: 6
Nate

How I learned to build dulcimers


I thought y'all might find this silly. This is the page from a...
@Nate 5 years ago - Comments: 9

Latest Audio

  All
I Don't Believe You

I Don't Believe You


@Nate
2 years ago - Comments: 4
Livi

Livi


@Nate
2 years ago - Comments: 3
You Lead The Way

You Lead The Way


@Nate
2 years ago - Comments: 7

Latest Videos

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How do Possum Boards REALLY work?

How do Possum Boards REALLY work?


@Nate
3 months ago - Comments: 41
New Dulcimer Sympathetic Demo

New Dulcimer Sympathetic Demo


@Nate
7 months ago - Comments: 2
Sympathetic Drones Aquavina Experiment

Sympathetic Drones Aquavina Experiment


@Nate
7 months ago - Comments: 4
Frying Pan Dulcimer (old video)

Frying Pan Dulcimer (old video)


@Nate
10 months ago - Comments: 2
Jock Stuart

Jock Stuart


@Nate
last year - Comments: 7
The Moorlough Shore

The Moorlough Shore


@Nate
2 years ago - Comments: 3
Happy IADD

Happy IADD


@Nate
2 years ago - Comments: 3
Captain Kidd/Jack or Sam Hall

Captain Kidd/Jack or Sam Hall


@Nate
2 years ago - Comments: 4
Get Out of the Kitchen While I Cook

Get Out of the Kitchen While I Cook


@Nate
2 years ago - Comments: 4
The Nate Visiting Song

The Nate Visiting Song


@Nate
2 years ago - Comments: 2

Latest Photos

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Latest Forum Discussions

  All

Silicone Free Furniture Polish

Posted: Thursday March 20 2025, 11:11 PM
By: @Nate

Angry internet people, so hateful that...

Posted: Wednesday September 4 2024, 9:49 PM
By: @Dusty Turtle

A fun story with a satisfying ending

Posted: Sunday August 4 2024, 8:24 AM
By: @Ken Longfield

Does soundbox tension affect volume and tone

Posted: Monday April 15 2024, 12:18 AM
By: @Dwain Wilder

Are two melody strings louder than one?

Posted: Tuesday March 19 2024, 10:13 AM
By: @Robin Thompson

Connection Between Hammered and Mountain...

Posted: Tuesday March 19 2024, 4:25 AM
By: @shanonmilan

String gauge and intonation

Posted: Tuesday March 5 2024, 5:37 PM
By: @Dwain Wilder

Ergonomics and Wrist Strain

Posted: Friday February 16 2024, 12:08 AM
By: @Nate

How precisely do you tune up?

Posted: Thursday February 8 2024, 1:22 PM
By: @Strumelia

Kora

Posted: Sunday December 24 2023, 9:33 AM
By: @georgia k

Strings turned iridescent?

Posted: Monday November 27 2023, 3:30 AM
By: @shanonmilan

VSL Breakpoint Angles, Radiuses, and...

Posted: Friday November 10 2023, 7:55 AM
By: @Ken Hulme

The Joy of Sharing Dulcimer

Posted: Saturday September 2 2023, 9:58 AM
By: @Wally Venable

A Test for Tone-Deafness!

Posted: Wednesday August 16 2023, 6:27 PM
By: @Nate

Benefits of longer VSL?

Posted: Saturday April 29 2023, 12:04 AM
By: @Bob Stephens

How Old is This Dulcimer Kit/Stuff?

Posted: Wednesday March 22 2023, 10:35 AM
By: @John C. Knopf

How do I know what key I'm in?

Posted: Sunday March 12 2023, 10:49 PM
By: @Strumelia

An Aquavina Update

Posted: Sunday February 26 2023, 6:55 PM
By: @Nate

What's the deal with Aquavinas?

Posted: Saturday February 25 2023, 3:32 PM
By: @Nate

Magnetic pickup vs Piezo vs Mic pointed at...

Posted: Saturday December 3 2022, 7:22 AM
By: @Bill Robison

Why is it called a possum board?

Posted: Tuesday January 18 2022, 8:04 PM
By: @Jon W Harris

Making a dulcimer humidity resistant?

Posted: Monday May 31 2021, 2:36 PM
By: @Nathina

Choosing Strings

Posted: Sunday May 2 2021, 9:47 AM
By: @Ken Hulme

Nylon strings on a steel string dulcimer

Posted: Friday March 26 2021, 9:01 AM
By: @Ken Longfield

Non-Metal Fret Material

Posted: Thursday February 11 2021, 4:09 PM
By: @Ken Hulme

Choice of Wood: Pertinent or Purism?

Posted: Friday September 4 2020, 8:25 PM
By: @Lisa Golladay

Are there fretless dulcimers?

Posted: Wednesday September 2 2020, 5:05 AM
By: @Nate

Glass Bottle Resonator Dulcimer

Posted: Tuesday September 1 2020, 11:14 PM
By: @Nate

Size of Soundbox and Loudness

Posted: Friday August 14 2020, 8:14 AM
By: @Matt Berg

Truss Rods?

Posted: Tuesday August 11 2020, 11:33 AM
By: @Bob Stephens

Comments

MacAodha
04/17/24 11:34:56AM @macaodha:

The air The Pride of Petravore was used by Percy French (1854-1920) for the song he wrote Eileen Og. It was recorded by many, the Dubliner's included.


IRENE
10/06/23 10:12:09AM @irene:

I've not posted photos for a while here and I'll have to read up on it again.   Yes, that teardrop dulcimer turned out very lovely, all out of woods mentioned in the Bible.  I'm getting ready to make another hourglass dulcimer mostly out of Bible woods again.  aloha, irene


Dan
09/25/23 07:01:20AM @dan:

"grow closer to the sharp iron and wood philosophy every day" is my way of describing my passion for tradition.


Sea Strings
08/30/23 04:29:56PM @sea-strings:

After you left a comment on my discussion, I had to come over here and check out your profile, and hey! We have the same favorite song picked out! We're favorite-song siblings. Laugh


Strumelia
03/06/20 06:24:47AM @strumelia:

Hi Nate. I hope you will post some photos soon of some of your instruments.  The ones you describe and the one in your profile pic look amazing!  sun


Ben Barr Jr
02/29/20 09:12:01AM @benjamin-w-barr-jr:

Hi Nate, 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


Richard Streib
02/26/20 08:16:55PM @richard-streib:

Welcome NateBuildToys to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. Glad you joined. You may want to consider joining the Dulcimer Making group. Best wishes on your dulcimer journey.


Jim Fawcett
02/23/20 07:53:08AM @jim-fawcett:

Hey Nate, welcome aboard. Glad ya found us.


Ken Longfield
02/22/20 08:45:08PM @ken-longfield:

Welcome to FOTMD NateBuildsToys. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation in these discussions.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."