Location:
Location: Oregon
Country: United States
Country: United States
My Latest Followers:
Stats
youtube videos: 6
images: 34
Beginner dulcimer player and builder.
Latest Activity
All
@nate
• yesterday
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on Diddleybow Hiking Pole:
Posted a new Comment on Diddleybow Hiking Pole:
"Jergen:
How does that one sound? Is it worth trying to build one myself?
Hey Jergen. Sadly I can't record it as it has since broken.The answer depends..."
@nate
• 3 days ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on An Original Polska from Mark Gilston:
Posted a new Comment on An Original Polska from Mark Gilston:
"Very pleasant! The chiming tones you produce remind me of a harpsichord."
@nate
• 3 days ago
• comments: 4
Liked a youtube item created by @mark-gilston: An Original Polska from Mark Gilston
Liked a youtube item created by @mark-gilston: An Original Polska from Mark Gilston
@nate
• 3 days ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on Captain Kidd/Jack or Sam Hall:
Posted a new Comment on Captain Kidd/Jack or Sam Hall:
"Thank you very much Cynthia for your always kind words"
@nate
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "How Old is This Dulcimer Kit/Stuff?":
Posted a response to "How Old is This Dulcimer Kit/Stuff?":
"Thanks for the information! I was hoping that's what you guys would say . I am pretty curious what strings that old might sound like, hopefully they don't..."
@nate
• 4 days ago
• comments: 0
Created a new forum topic "How Old is This Dulcimer Kit/Stuff?":
Created a new forum topic "How Old is This Dulcimer Kit/Stuff?":
"Hello folks, a couple of years ago a friend gave me a half assembled kit dulcimer along with an instructional booklet, as well as"four & twenty" and a..."
@nate
• one week ago
• comments: 20
Posted a new Comment on What kind of staple:
Posted a new Comment on What kind of staple:
"Wally Venable:
This kinda broom is what I was talking about.
The wire was used to hold straw bristles in place, not as bristles.
Certainly common in most..."
@nate
• one week ago
• comments: 20
Posted a new Comment on What kind of staple:
Posted a new Comment on What kind of staple:
"Working shops, hangars, and warehouses I've pushed a lot of brooms, and all of their wire was far, far, FAR thinner than the mandolin wire I often use, which..."
@nate
• one week ago
• comments: 20
Posted a new Comment on What kind of staple:
Posted a new Comment on What kind of staple:
"Wally Venable:
As I recall, the tradition is to use "broom wire," taken off a used-up floor sweeping broom. A package of 18 gauge galvanized wire from..."
@nate
• one week ago
• comments: 20
Posted a new Comment on What kind of staple:
Posted a new Comment on What kind of staple:
"Ken Hulme:
Staple frets are pretty simple to install. Making the frets themselves is pretty easy as long as you have a good pair of wire nippers and..."
@nate
• one week ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Dulcimer Players News demise":
Posted a response to "Dulcimer Players News demise":
"My experience with the dulcimer community on this website is a very altruistic desire to share information and music. So many on here have taken quite a lot..."
@nate
• one week ago
• comments: 20
Posted a new Comment on What kind of staple:
Posted a new Comment on What kind of staple:
"Ken Longfield: Nate, here is a good video on making staple frets:
I couldn't find John Henry Crocker's video, but I'll keep looking. John H is John..."
@nate
• one week ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on Diddleybow Hiking Pole:
Posted a new Comment on Diddleybow Hiking Pole:
"I found this picture from 2018 on a thumbdrive of my old hiking pole. One morning, I got out of my tent after a windy night camping and a big branch had..."
@nate
• one week ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on Saddle on Soundboard :
Posted a new Comment on Saddle on Soundboard :
"Thank you Ken that's everything I was hoping to find out! When I first started building dulcimers they all had continuous fingerboards and it made me feel a..."
@nate
• one week ago
• comments: 20
Posted a new Comment on What kind of staple:
Posted a new Comment on What kind of staple:
"Robin Clark: Hi David, I use Precision Brand spring tempered music wire of 0.041 (AWG 18 gauge). For my Ed Thomas replica I bent the wire around a set..."
@nate
• one week ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Dulcimer Players News demise":
Posted a response to "Dulcimer Players News demise":
"I am not a regular reader, but I've pulled up a TON of random articles over time. Sorry is this question is out of the loop, but will there be any type of..."
@nate
• one week ago
• comments: 9
Posted a new Comment on Staple Frets:
Posted a new Comment on Staple Frets:
"Randy Adams:
Yup that's the stuff John P...& I happen to have a roll of tie wire on hand! Good to know John Henry. I'll go for it. I have some wire..."
@nate
• one week ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Kora":
Posted a response to "Kora":
"Hey Ken, I thought the instrument was super interesting, especially how the traditional ones have handles on the front, so you can basically hold it like a..."
@nate
• one week ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Left handed playing ":
Posted a response to "Left handed playing ":
"Sam:
Then there's me. I'm Un-bidexterous. Can't do anything with either hand Haha! Thats why some guy invented the harmonica holder ! "
@nate
• one week ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on Saddle on Soundboard :
Posted a new Comment on Saddle on Soundboard :
"Hopefully the picture is better this way"
@nate
• one week ago
• comments: 5
Created a new Group discussion "Saddle on Soundboard ":
Created a new Group discussion "Saddle on Soundboard ":
"Hello folks, I am getting ready to make a dulcimer for myself and would like to make it in the style where the fingerboard stops after the second octave, a..."
Dulcimer Making
Dulcimer Making
@nate
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Left handed playing ":
Posted a response to "Left handed playing ":
"Wow I didnt realize how many of the folks here are left handed! It's neat to think about how both hands are doing tricky stuff and both need a lot of..."
@nate
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Benefits of longer VSL?":
Posted a response to "Benefits of longer VSL?":
"Thank you @strumelia for the useful details and thank you to everyone else for all the input in general. This has all helped me a lot to get a better..."
@nate
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "How to re-glue a bridge":
Posted a response to "How to re-glue a bridge":
"Was the bridge originally glued, or did it simply fall off when string tension was lowered? If it was already glued it could be possible to see on the..."
@nate
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Harmonica?":
Posted a response to "Harmonica?":
"shootrj2003:
A harmonica my other I’ve made two Cigarbox guitars but found a long box in Hobby Lobby and made me think “Dulcimer”.
playing dulcimer with..."
@nate
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Benefits of longer VSL?":
Posted a response to "Benefits of longer VSL?":
"Strumelia:
To me, scale length has been hugely important dependent on what tunings and keys I want to play in. If you're a singer it is critical. This..."
@nate
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Slots for frets loose":
Posted a response to "Slots for frets loose":
"A big factor when securing your frets, in my opinion, is what you expect from the instruments lifecycle. Super glue works well, but can be a serious pain if..."
@nate
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "How do I know what key I'm in?":
Posted a response to "How do I know what key I'm in?":
"That is all that really matters @shootrj2003! Luckily if you ever do want to know more (and believe me it took me a fair bit to grasp keys at all) there are..."
@nate
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Benefits of longer VSL?":
Posted a response to "Benefits of longer VSL?":
"Dan:
Sorry, to answer the question, personal preference. If'in you like that sort of sound go for it! thanks for sharing, i really like the sound of that..."
Latest Group Discussions
All
Saddle on Soundboard
Hello folks, I am getting ready to make a dulcimer for myself and...
@NateBuildsToys one week ago - Comments: 5
Vertical vs Horizontal Quill?
I have heard it said a few times that holding a quill vertically, like a...
@NateBuildsToys 2 weeks ago - Comments: 4
false bottoms = added mass?
Hey folks I've been thinking lately about false bottoms. Mainly about...
@NateBuildsToys 2 weeks ago - Comments: 8
String Gauge and Intonation
Hello all. Am I correct in assuming that the reason for compensating...
@NateBuildsToys 2 years ago - Comments: 5
Building Dulcimers Cheap
Hey all, when I first started building dulcimers it was a very...
@NateBuildsToys 2 years ago - Comments: 5
Bridge Placement for Proper Intonation
Hello, this is always something I've had to relearn on every single...
@NateBuildsToys 2 years ago - Comments: 2
Added some half frets....now what?
Hello all I have been playing dulcimer for about a year on diatonic...
@NateBuildsToys 3 years ago - Comments: 16
Copyright law and dulcimer music
Hey all this has been something I've been struggling to understand and...
@NateBuildsToys 3 years ago - Comments: 34
Protecting the interior of a dulcimer
Hello all I was just wondering if it is common for builders to apply any...
@NateBuildsToys 3 years ago - Comments: 6
How I learned to build dulcimers
I thought y'all might find this silly. This is the page from a...
@NateBuildsToys 3 years ago - Comments: 9
a VERY strange hypothetical
Hello all a very bizarre idea came to my mind and I'd love some input. I...
@NateBuildsToys 3 years ago - Comments: 19
Where the fingerboard meets the soundboard
Hello all. I have started making my dulcimers with fingerboards that...
@NateBuildsToys 3 years ago - Comments: 23
Sympathetic Strings
What do the wise and knowledgeable luthiers of FOTMD think about...
@NateBuildsToys 3 years ago - Comments: 33
the "door dulcimer" ?!?!?!?
I'm always trying to dig around and look for ideas that might inspire...
@NateBuildsToys 3 years ago - Comments: 3
Fret Placement on Chromatic Dulcimer?
Hello all! It has been tons of fun building and learning to play...
@NateBuildsToys 3 years ago - Comments: 12
Latest Photos
All
Latest Forum Discussions
AllHow Old is This Dulcimer Kit/Stuff?
Posted: Wednesday March 22 2023, 10:35 AM
By: @John C. Knopf
By: @John C. Knopf
Benefits of longer VSL?
Posted: Thursday March 16 2023, 1:04 PM
By: @Randy Adams
By: @Randy Adams
Kora
Posted: Wednesday March 15 2023, 3:07 PM
By: @NateBuildsToys
By: @NateBuildsToys
How do I know what key I'm in?
Posted: Sunday March 12 2023, 10:49 PM
By: @Strumelia
By: @Strumelia
Strings turned iridescent?
Posted: Wednesday March 1 2023, 12:07 AM
By: @Salt Springs
By: @Salt Springs
An Aquavina Update
Posted: Sunday February 26 2023, 6:55 PM
By: @NateBuildsToys
By: @NateBuildsToys
What's the deal with Aquavinas?
Posted: Saturday February 25 2023, 3:32 PM
By: @NateBuildsToys
By: @NateBuildsToys
Magnetic pickup vs Piezo vs Mic pointed at...
Posted: Saturday December 3 2022, 7:22 AM
By: @Bill Robison
By: @Bill Robison
The Joy of Sharing Dulcimer
Posted: Sunday September 11 2022, 7:58 PM
By: @Cindy Stammich
By: @Cindy Stammich
Why is it called a possum board?
Posted: Tuesday January 18 2022, 8:04 PM
By: @Jon W Harris
By: @Jon W Harris
Making a dulcimer humidity resistant?
Posted: Monday May 31 2021, 2:36 PM
By: @Nathina
By: @Nathina
Choosing Strings
Posted: Sunday May 2 2021, 9:47 AM
By: @Ken Hulme
By: @Ken Hulme
Nylon strings on a steel string dulcimer
Posted: Friday March 26 2021, 9:01 AM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
Non-Metal Fret Material
Posted: Thursday February 11 2021, 4:09 PM
By: @Ken Hulme
By: @Ken Hulme
Choice of Wood: Pertinent or Purism?
Posted: Friday September 4 2020, 8:25 PM
By: @Lisa Golladay
By: @Lisa Golladay
Are there fretless dulcimers?
Posted: Wednesday September 2 2020, 5:05 AM
By: @NateBuildsToys
By: @NateBuildsToys
Glass Bottle Resonator Dulcimer
Posted: Tuesday September 1 2020, 11:14 PM
By: @NateBuildsToys
By: @NateBuildsToys
Size of Soundbox and Loudness
Posted: Friday August 14 2020, 8:14 AM
By: @Matt Berg
By: @Matt Berg
Truss Rods?
Posted: Tuesday August 11 2020, 11:33 AM
By: @Bob Stephens
By: @Bob Stephens
Beer Bottle Bridge/Glass Resonator
Posted: Friday May 22 2020, 12:54 PM
By: @Strumelia
By: @Strumelia
Is the strumhollow redundant?
Posted: Thursday May 21 2020, 11:43 AM
By: @NateBuildsToys
By: @NateBuildsToys
VSL Breakpoint Angles, Radiuses, and...
Posted: Sunday May 10 2020, 2:37 PM
By: @Strumelia
By: @Strumelia
Adding Extra Strings to Courses
Posted: Wednesday May 6 2020, 3:04 PM
By: @NateBuildsToys
By: @NateBuildsToys
Comments
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! 
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
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.
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."
