I have a correction to my last post. David from Backyard Music contacted me and said that since I have a 6 1/2 fret I have Even tempered. Well, I guess that 6 1/2 fret came in handy for more than I thought, LOL The length of the fretboard from the tip of the head to the end is about 31 inches. From the string separator/nut to the bridge is about 26 inches. There is what I call a "first" fret on which the strings rest. It is near the string separator/nut. It's not quite a quarter inch from the string separator/nut. For those of you who do metric...79 cm for total length and about 66 cm from string separator/nut to bridge.

How long is the fretboard on the kit?

If you didn't request it, you probably have the Just scale intonation.

Dusty, I agree . Folkfan, I had to do a bit of research when you mentioned Just Intonation and Even or Equal Intonation. I understand with Just Intonation ratios are used to determine fret spacing whereas in Even or Equal Intonation a multiplier so to speak is used. The twelfth root of 2 is used to determine fret spacing. According to Backyard Music the Just interval or intonation gives a sweet sound and is good for playing by yourself or with other Backyard Music Dulcimers. If playing with other instruments the Even or Equal Intonation is recommended. Because I didn't specify (I really didn't know I could do this at the time) I have a Just Intonation. I understand that the differences can be slight but a trained ear can pick it out. I think what I wanted to achieve in the video for comparison of this cardboard with the wood is volume and sound quality. I'll try to make sure I get the tuning of both as close as possible for the video

Here are the links of my limited research:

http://www.phy.mtu.edu/~suits/scales.html

http://www.backyardmusic.com/About_Dulcimers.html#3638

Patty, If I'm remembering correctly, with the Backyard Music Dulcimer Kit, you have a choice of getting a Just or and Even intonated fretboard. Which did you get?

At the Berkeley Dulcimer Gathering a couple of weeks ago I took a look at a couple of Folkcraft cardboard dulcimers that had been donated. The box they use looks fancier (it has the general shape and f-shaped sound holes of Folkcraft dulcimers) but they are still made of nothing other than heavy-duty cardboard. I was amazed at how good they sounded. The volume wasn't tremendous, but the sound was very pleasant. It all makes me wonder why we spend so much time consumed with the types of wood used to make our dulcimers.

Louis, I'm sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I'm hoping to do a video so you all can hear how it sounds. It does have volume which is more than I expected. When we get finished with my daughter's schooling, year end stuff, I plan on doing a video comparing a wood dulcimer with this cardboard one. Thanks for asking

Louis, Thanks!!! I never thought about those colors being the colors of Sweden. That's cool

Pflug, it sure does sound nice, better than I expected. The humming birds were cut out of some light card stock and then I decoupaged them on the sound box. I tried using acrylic paint on a scrap piece of cardboard that I painted with the same semi gloss paint but that didn't work too well. My daughter's art instructor suggested that if I did another one of these is to paint with flat paint and then coat with a gloss or semi gloss type sealer. He said it's hard to paint on semi gloss paint. It definitely was a learning experience. Jim, Carrie, I'll get a vid out soon. I'm working on it

Very nice, Patty. Look's really nice. Ready to hear what it sounds like.

Folkfan, I love the rhyme!!! Thank you!!! Wendy, yes I painted it myself. Thanks!!! I think if I did it again I would do spray paint.

Lol, it's nice, not nive

Nive Patty! Was the cardboard blue or did you paint it? Beautiful!

Sam, I am surprised on how it sounds. I did have low expectations but this cardboard dulcimer does have a nice sound to it. I'll get a video soon

I BET you're really surprised by it's voice. I've listened to a couple of these. Thought to build one early on. I'm anxious to hear you play it.

Carrie, notice there is not a Spam label

Thanks Carrie!!!

Thanks Barbara

Thanks JK!!! It was a great learning experience