Group Discussions
Custom fret templates
One of the things I do for other makers of fretted stringed instruments is build precision fret templates to any specified scale length. I've...
@Dwain Wilder started 4 years ago - replies: 0
A "Little Guy" dulcimer
Here's a prototype of my "Little Guy" dulcimer, with a 22" VSL and DAA tuning. It's made of black walnut with a buckeye top. It's shown next to...
@John C. Knopf started 4 years ago - replies: 2
To vault or not to vault.
I am still working on the six dulcimers and I am curious. The ones I have made in the past have had a channel grooved in the bottom. I have...
@Don started 5 years ago - replies: 19
Fixing old dulcimer
New to the forum! I was just given a mountain dulcimer by Samzie Adams, made in 1972. A friend pulled it out of a junk pile on the floor of his...
@Suzette started 4 years ago - replies: 16
Number and Size of Sound Holes
The standard dulcimer has four sound holes. As some of you know, I experiment with many different configurations. If any of you have tried...
@Matt Berg started 4 years ago - replies: 6
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 5 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 5 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 5 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 5 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 5 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 5 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 5 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 5 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 5 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 5 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 5 years ago - replies: 4
End Joints
Interesting youtube look at whether or not end joints are the weakest.
@Matt Berg started 5 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 5 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 6 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 6 years ago - replies: 33