Group Discussions

Building Dulcimers Cheap

Hey all, when I first started building dulcimers it was a very inexpensive process. Tied on fishing line frets, eyehole screws for tuners, anything...
@Nate started 4 years ago - replies: 5

Latest build: Electric dulcimer with hum bucker pickup

Just finished my first electric dulcimer. I had some extra parts and thought "Why not"? It is a 23 inch scale with 1+, 8+, 6+, and 13+ frets. I...
@Shelton started 4 years ago - replies: 2

T - 6

This is my sixth teardrop dulcimer. The shape comes from plans by Scott Antes and the peg head from a Popular Woodworking article. Many years ago...
@Ken Longfield started 4 years ago - replies: 12

New Professional Model Overview

I wanted to post this overview first and foremost to give members of this site ideas and potentially inspire builders to try new designs as I was...
@Collier Frederick started 4 years ago - replies: 4

Building the Celtic Strum

The strum stick, or stick dulcimer, is the kissing cousin of the mountain dulcimer. I have been thinking of building one for some time. I...
@tukanu started 4 years ago - replies: 14

Unidentified MD

Hi this is on EBay in the UK. Is anyone able to hazard a guess as to the maker? thanks eric
@Banjostray started 4 years ago - replies: 6

Creating a triangular mountain dulcimer -seeking help

G'Day all. In a posting on Pinterest  “Lumberjocks” briefly illustrates a simple triangular mountain dulcimer he made for his wife, based upon  2...
@John Dunn started 4 years ago - replies: 4

PERSIMMON lumber

I was gifted several short (4 foot) persimmon logs around 24 inches in diameter. Several hours later, a couple chain saw blades, I now have...
@Dale A Penrose started 4 years ago - replies: 4

Need some helpful advice on fret markers

I have been building stringed musical instruments since 1976.  I was building dulcimers before 6 1/2 and 13 1/2 became a "thing".  I was going to...
@Don started 4 years ago - replies: 20

Building the stick banjo...what is the correct name?

I'm waiting for some part before I can finish this stick banjo. It has a 21" scale for GDG tuning. Walnut rim, mahogany neck, and torrefied spruce...
@tukanu started 4 years ago - replies: 12

Leveling a Fretboard

I have two nice pieces of 1X2 quarter-sawn maple to make fretboards.  Problem is they have about a 1/16" bend in the middle.  So here is the...
@Matt Berg started 4 years ago - replies: 4

End Joints

Interesting youtube look at whether or not end joints are the weakest.
@Matt Berg started 4 years ago - replies: 4

Solid Body Bass Dulcimer

We are back in Covid lock down in Auckland, New Zealand and building the above gave me a project to tackle. Built from a kauri floor joist,...
@Hobbyhorse started 4 years ago - replies: 5

Music stand ..... a dulcimer accessory

I built the top section as a desk mounted music stand some months ago and with the lock down time on my hands, I finally got around to making a...
@Hobbyhorse started 5 years ago - replies: 12

Sympathetic Strings

What do the wise and knowledgeable luthiers of FOTMD think about sympathetic strings? I learned that several of the instruments closely related to...
@Nate started 5 years ago - replies: 33

Fret Placement on Chromatic Dulcimer?

Hello all! It has been tons of fun building and learning to play diatonic dulcimers, but part of me feels that it would be useful to try to learn...
@Nate started 5 years ago - replies: 12

Protecting the interior of a dulcimer

Hello all I was just wondering if it is common for builders to apply any kind of protectant to the interior of their instrument before gluing it...
@Nate started 5 years ago - replies: 6

3D Printing Dulcimers

The following is the latest blog posting from my website for anyone interested in 3D Printing a dulcimer.  It can be done and the...
@Bob Stephens started 4 years ago - replies: 11

Bridge location question new member

Hi to all, I’m new to the forum and was hoping someone may be able to assist me in restoring a very old “courting dulcimer” for a friend. I...
@dad roadie started 4 years ago - replies: 9

Just Finished No. 1

Hello friends!  I just finished my first mountain dulcimer, made completely from scratch. I used a remnant of a curly maple gunstock blank (one...
@glp1958 started 4 years ago - replies: 11