Group Discussions
Wood choices and new bandsaw
I just bought a new to me, 1993 14" Delta bandsaw. It has a bigger motor, cool block guides, an upgraded tension mechanism, and a 6" riser block....
@Pete Staehling started 10 years ago - replies: 9
Guitar kits
Okay, okay... I know tis is a dulcimer building site. But I have this brother-in-law who is a guitar player and he says I need to make a "real"...
@Ed Gaunt started 10 years ago - replies: 6
I need some advice re: shellac drips
I'm hand-brushing shellac (premixed, from a can) onto my new walnut dulcimer, and although most of the finish looks absolutely great, I'm having a...
@John C. Knopf started 10 years ago - replies: 14
Mulberry
My wife wants me to make a ukelele for her out of mulberry. Many years back, I used mulberry for a dulcimer or two and can only remember not liking...
@Dale A Penrose started 10 years ago - replies: 10
Finishing Mahogany
I was wondering what the easiest way to finish mahogony is. Use oil or apply laquer or similar finish?
@Caleb Dan Bennett started 10 years ago - replies: 16
Shipping the finished product
I got kind of a shock when I shipped my first dulcimer actually built for a customer. I dropped it off at a service that packed and shipped it. It...
@Pete Staehling started 10 years ago - replies: 11
Dulcimer wood
I am selling ready made dulcimer tops, one is redwood and is on Ebay right now. I can also make ones from cherry, walnut, sassafras, sycamore and...
@Robert Worth started 10 years ago - replies: 2
Wound String for Octave?
At 19" VSL I find that 0.20" ones pop before reaching d'. The smallest I have found are 0.18" ones that can get to d' but are just on the verge of...
@Pete Staehling started 10 years ago - replies: 4
My first machine!
I started on the fretboard and the peghead, which is walnut. The whole thing will be walnut except for the top, which will be redwood. I sawed...
@Mark Runge started 10 years ago - replies: 0
Calculating VSL
We bought an old Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer last night that is complete except for the bridge. There are no markings as to where it should go....
@Monterey started 10 years ago - replies: 12
finish on poplar
I am getting ready to assemble an instrument, all yellow poplar ecept for a black walnut fretboard overlay. I know poplar is a rather plain wood,...
@Bill Robison started 10 years ago - replies: 11
MD on Antiques Roadshow
See the 1880 MD on AR from Richmond VA. recently broadcast. Look closely at fretboard and shape. Somebody please explain the fret placing. Maybe...
@Meredith Winn started 10 years ago - replies: 4
"Middletown dulcimer" sneak preview!
This is what I'm working on now in my shop. If you look at Anne Grimes' book "Stories From The Anne Grimes Collection of American Folk Music",...
@John C. Knopf started 10 years ago - replies: 13
Effect of wood type on sound
I have observed, at least from my limited experience, that lighter is better as far as both tone and volume go. But since most light woods like...
@J. Andy Crandall started 10 years ago - replies: 14
What is it?
I started this in the Collector's Corner group, but I thought that some builders might have an opinion since there are some good pics... What to...
@Rick Kennedy started 10 years ago - replies: 5
Finished another one.....
Number 154, curly black walnut with a wormy chestnut top.
@Dale A Penrose started 10 years ago - replies: 3
My latest...
I really like my latest creation. It is poplar, red oak, and baltic birch ply. It was my first stab at ebonizing. I am very please with the...
@Pete Staehling started 10 years ago - replies: 4
Follow up on my backpacking stick project
I finished the stick yesterday and am pretty happy with it. It sounds great and weighs 7.2 ounces. The zither pins are a pain though and did not...
@Pete Staehling started 10 years ago - replies: 2
Historic finishes, what did "they" use?
Howdy all,I've seen several photos here of new instruments that are finished black, or very dark, and I've seen photos of historic instruments that...
@Don Kemper started 10 years ago - replies: 20
Pearl Dots
Where to place them on the finger board? Between 2 and 3; Between 6+ and 7 (2 dots?)Between 9 and 10 (octave of 3) Between 13 and 14 (2 dots?)I...
@Ed Gaunt started 12 years ago - replies: 5