Group Discussions
Tuning peg knobs
I have a customer who is having the tuning pegs replaced on two of his dulcimers. He wants planetary peg and I am using the ones sold by...
@Ken Longfield started 6 years ago - replies: 23
What Thickness do you use for the Top & Bottom boards?
Hi all, I've just finished Dulcimer #3, scratch-built to my own design. This instrument has a body made from Douglas Fir (it smells absolutely...
@tpatts started 6 years ago - replies: 5
Holly Leaf Dulcimer
Question for Ken. How did you handle the corners on that dulcimer? Just a butt joint or did you miter the corner. I'm also assuming a brace block...
@hineps83 started 6 years ago - replies: 4
Tips for using loop end strings on a build?
Hi, I’m getting ready to start dulcimer #3 and have just purchased some d’darrio dulcimercstrings with loop ends. Being a long time guitar player...
@tpatts started 6 years ago - replies: 8
Your favourite or preferred shape to build / play
hi every one! I’m looking to build my 3rd dulcimer. my first was a 26” vsl large box dulcimer, my second was a 20” vsl elliptical design. For my...
@tpatts started 6 years ago - replies: 12
Placement for Piezo Pickup
Hi all, I’m about to embark on my second dulcimer build - an elliptical 20” vsl with a pine (softwood at least) 1.5inch deep body. The body won’t...
@tpatts started 6 years ago - replies: 5
Dulcimer makers with longer VSLs
Hi, All, Out of curiosity, what makers still produce dulcimers with VSLs of 27" and up? I know of Bear Meadow, Ron Ewing, and McSpadden....
@Garret started 6 years ago - replies: 13
Dulcimer #2
This is my second dulcimer build. It was completed at this year's Dulcimer University Week at Western Carolina University. The...
@kdparker started 6 years ago - replies: 8
Looking for help with a Hughes kit
I have a Hughes Hourglass Mountain Dulcimer Kit with no instruction booklet. I have built a few kits and instruments from scratch but this one has...
@daman2610 started 6 years ago - replies: 6
Basswood as a tone wood?
Has anyone tried using basswood for the top, bottom, or sides in making a dulcimer? How did it sound? I have read that it is lacking on the...
@d.danner started 6 years ago - replies: 5
Wood Identification Question
Hi everyone, so I read about and have gotten into the whole re-use/re-purpose wood thing. And the dulcimer I'm building will be constructed...
@JCM started 6 years ago - replies: 9
How many frets are really useful?
I have twenty frets on my old McSpadden, and so many in the upper scale are never used. Is it really necessary to place that many frets on a...
@Bill S started 6 years ago - replies: 19
NC Holly Leaf Pattern circa 1860s
Here's my almost finished latest build. This is based on the Burnsville holly-leaf pattern from around the Civil War in North Carolina. The...
@Ken Hulme started 6 years ago - replies: 9
Tennessee Music Box just about completed.
Well here it is all done except for applying some sort of finish - I'm thinking of wiping on a bit of Tung oil. Fretboard is a bit of mahogany...
@John Tose started 12 years ago - replies: 17
First build completed
Just finished my first dulcimer. Many thanks to Ken H for his tutelage. Walnut body with maple fretboard and scroll.
@Tanstaafl started 6 years ago - replies: 7
Staple frets?
https://www.facebook.com/WildMeadowDulcimers/photos/pcb.1427338414057733/1427338277391080/?type=3&theater Was asked to build a very...
@WildMeadow started 6 years ago - replies: 7
Curly Maple Suppliers?
I am looking for a supplier of Curly Maple (and Birdseye if possible), milled to 1/8" thick for Mountain Dulcimers. There was one supplier I saw...
@Bob started 6 years ago - replies: 10
Small Octave dulcimer plans or measurements
i’d like to try building an octave dulcimer and am wondering if anyone knows where I might find plans or measurements. Thanks! Dave
@Davesterino started 7 years ago - replies: 9
Luthier's Handbook--tap tuning for dulcimers?
Hi all, I "built" a cardboard dulcimer late last year from a kit, then was so smitten with it, I built a solid walnut kit earlier this year....
@LisavB started 6 years ago - replies: 10