Group Discussions

how small do you make your dulcimers?

because I just made a fun 2 stringed one that has a single cigar box as the body. It was easy to build and is fun to play. Just wondering if there...
@mattb started 8 years ago - replies: 1

First time builder

Hi all, Picking trees from wood lot, cutting some boards, waxing and drying. in the mean time I want to get a handle on the build. Particularly...
@Tim Good Man started 8 years ago - replies: 9

Selecting the wood finish

Hi all,I will be soon completing my next mountain dulcimer, made from Cherry (Top), African Mahogany sides and back, and Purple Heart Tuning Head,...
@Bob started 8 years ago - replies: 7

On the Workbench

My latest creation is nearly finished.  Bird's eye maple throughout.
@John C. Knopf started 8 years ago - replies: 0

Drying fresh cut wood

Hi, according to my past experiences I feel quite competent in building my first dulcimer. However, I know I will have several if not many...
@Tim Good Man started 8 years ago - replies: 0

On to my next project!

I have been preparing materials for my next dulcimer; an Hourglass shape with Mahogany sides and bottom and a Cherry top. I will use either...
@Bob started 9 years ago - replies: 3

Went to add 1+ Fret and Made Surprising VSL Discovery

I decided to add a 1+ fret to my Folkcraft dulcimer kit build. I discovered the frets, which were already installed by Folkcraft, are set to...
@Sheryl St. Clare started 8 years ago - replies: 3

Black Mountain Instruments Model 36 - 1992 Tuner advice

Any advice on what tuners would fit this model? The tuners that are on it now are sloppy. What I mean by sloppy, is the the posts wiggle, and...
@Sheryl St. Clare started 9 years ago - replies: 7

Elevator bridge

Has anyone thought of making a bridge that could be raised or lowered so there wouldn't be a problem with the action?
@marg started 8 years ago - replies: 4

half frets under a single string

I have been asked to put a 1 1/2 fret under the middle string, rather than cut all the way across the fret board, I drilled a shy 1/16 inch hole on...
@Bill Robison started 8 years ago - replies: 10

TN Blues Box

I do love the sound of this. It is not as boisterous as I anticipated, but I think it has a great singing voice! I have another week or so on it.
@Mark Runge started 8 years ago - replies: 9

My Second Dulcimer (Burly Maple)

I knew working with burly maple was going to be a challenge and it definitely is!  The wild grain structure, leading to brittleness in some area,...
@Kusani started 9 years ago - replies: 20

Buzzing String

So, I have a slight buzz on my melody string and I can think of two options- would like your suggestions: 1) Raise the bridge (or fill in the...
@Bob started 9 years ago - replies: 9

Asking for help from the 'experts' again....

I have purchased a couple of sound hole medallions from Folkcraft for a teardrop dulcimer I am working on.  My question is do you attempt to use a...
@Kusani started 9 years ago - replies: 18

Tennessee Music Box aka Dulcimer - work in progress - DONE.

After reading a research study done at Vanderbilt University Music Department where they found and cataloged about 49 'Tennessee Music Boxes', I...
@Kusani started 9 years ago - replies: 29

Guitar Head Dulcimer Plan Needed

Does anyone know of a source for a dulcimer plan with a guitar head, instead of a scroll head? I have searched the inter-web extensively for one....
@Sheryl St. Clare started 9 years ago - replies: 6

Placement of position marker at 6 1/2 fret?

I play a lot in D A A, and I was thinking of putting position markers at the 6 1/2 fret to remind myself to avoid it. Have any of your ever done that?
@John W. McKinstry started 9 years ago - replies: 11

Sound post or Under-brace ?

So, the 'concept dulcimer' I am building is coming along now, and I have a question... As you can see by the attached photo (hopefully), the...
@Bob started 9 years ago - replies: 7

Getting back to work on my dulcimer!

Well, it was two years ago that I drew up a design for a new Mountain Dulcimer. Lots of things took precident, but I have returned to work on my...
@Bob started 9 years ago - replies: 4

Bass Dulcimer Strings???

What would be the result of putting bass dulcimer strings on a standard mountain dulcimer (sound wise and mechanically)?   (.022BW, .022BW,...
@Kusani started 9 years ago - replies: 8