Group Discussions

What is a "luthier" ?

The word luthier always seems to imply a skilled artist who makes musical instruments. Yet the actual definition is simply "a maker of stringed...
@Strumelia started 4 years ago - replies: 21

Testing Lacquer v Polyurethane

Has anyone done any testing of how using lacquer v polyurethane impacts the sound of an instrument?  I have talked to different builders, some use...
@Matt Berg started 4 years ago - replies: 13

In pursuit of the ultimate dulcimer

I have recently decided to suspend production of dulcimers for the general market so that I can devote my efforts to advancing the design.  I am...
@Bob Stephens started 4 years ago - replies: 8

hollow soundboard.

Should I cut holes in the soundboard below a hollow fretboard? its in an all walnut dulcimer.
@rojo started 3 years ago - replies: 6

Replacing a nut and floating bridge

I have a dulcimer that my husband put together from a kit in the 70s. It has a floating bridge which I would like to replace with a permanent...
@Leny-Sue started 4 years ago - replies: 5

Soundhole reinforcement

What material do you use to reinforce the intricate soundhole designs?  Wood at a90 deg to grain  for fabric with glue? I don't have access to  a...
@Bill Robison started 3 years ago - replies: 2

Electric Bass Dulcimer

i would like to build an electric solid body bass dulcimer. Does anyone know of plans that are available? Also, what pickup would you suggest?...
@Carverdw started 6 years ago - replies: 5

Neck width

Hello to you all. I just had a question I thought would be worthy of all the knowledge here. I am building a dulcimer kit and and noticed that the...
@banjelele started 3 years ago - replies: 24

Ugly Wood - Lacquer v Polyurethane Dulcimer Project

I am a sucker for straight grained clear lumber, so when I found two 4 x 4s that had some water and mold damage, but had straight grains and no...
@Matt Berg started 3 years ago - replies: 9

An unusual wood

This is made of Tiger catalpa wood,  Its unusual to find it with such grain. It is very light in weight and pretty grainy so it takes more time to...
@Bill Robison started 3 years ago - replies: 4

Sawn-Frame Dulcemore

Somewhere here awhile back, we had a discussion about making dulcimers and other instruments with carved or sawn frames rather than...
@Ken Hulme started 4 years ago - replies: 9

Latest project - Prichard

I started to build a C.N. Prichard reproduction, but made a mistake along the way. When trimming the fiddle edge, I over trimmed a small section...
@Ken Longfield started 4 years ago - replies: 9

Where the fingerboard meets the soundboard

Hello all. I have started making my dulcimers with fingerboards that have a  very deep channel on the underside, for extra resonance. I have taken...
@NateBuildsToys started 4 years ago - replies: 23

Making wood tuning pegs

For those of us who make wood tuning pegs, what finish do you put on your pegs. I have been using shellac, but wonder if there is something better...
@Ken Longfield started 4 years ago - replies: 3

Next Build - Not quite a dulcimer

So, my wife and I went to Gjovik, Norway for the Nordic Harp meet last October and I was introduced to the Langeleik.  Got to take lots of photos...
@JCM started 4 years ago - replies: 19

If this is true the Piezo goes on the Bottom?

Athena Tiamet From Benjamin Collie Seymour "actually the back is what vibrates and generates the sound on a dulcimer as the top is separated by...
@Nathina started 4 years ago - replies: 0

What kind of wood

I am totally new at this game. I have plenty of tools and wood working experience . The only wood I have is a lot of red oak ,eastern red cedar...
@tednms started 4 years ago - replies: 11

guitars built from a lynching tree

I thought this was a fascinating article about this man who seems to connect spiritually with the wood he uses to build musical instruments:...
@Strumelia started 4 years ago - replies: 2

a VERY strange hypothetical

Hello all a very bizarre idea came to my mind and I'd love some input. I was thinking about how if a dulcimer has a false bottom the entire actual...
@NateBuildsToys started 4 years ago - replies: 19

Humbucker stye pickup...?

Hi all, has anyone put a humbucker style pickup on a dulcimer? If so, would you use one with 3 silver dots (I think they’re called cores?) for a...
@tpatts started 5 years ago - replies: 6