Group Discussions

d.danner

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 5 years ago - replies: 5
JCM

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 5 years ago - replies: 9
Bill S

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 5 years ago - replies: 19
Ken Hulme

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 5 years ago - replies: 9
John Tose

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 11 years ago - replies: 17
Tanstaafl

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 5 years ago - replies: 7
WildMeadow

Staple frets?


https://www.facebook.com/WildMeadowDulcimers/photos/pcb.1427338414057733/1427338277391080/?type=3&theater Was asked to build a very...
@WildMeadow started 5 years ago - replies: 7
Bob

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 5 years ago - replies: 10
Davesterino

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 6 years ago - replies: 9
LisavB

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 5 years ago - replies: 10
Bill S

Kerfing


I'm wondering if, when building the box of a dulcimer, if kerfing is really necessary.  Do the builders here use kerfing?
@Bill S started 5 years ago - replies: 5
Pete Staehling

Tuning Keys for Zither Pins?


I am planning to start selling an instrument that uses zither pins. I probably should provide a tuning key with the instruments. Thus far I...
@Pete Staehling started 10 years ago - replies: 5
chiselerinwood

Need some advise on nut and bridge height


Thanks to Ken who answered my question on Planetary gear tuners I ordered them and they are installed. At the same times I ordered new nut and...
@chiselerinwood started 5 years ago - replies: 12
Leny-Sue

Dulcimer maker gathering?


Other than making a cross-country trip to try out a dulcimer to purchase, does anyone know of any events or gatherings where dulcimer makers sell...
@Leny-Sue started 5 years ago - replies: 9
chiselerinwood

Need some advise on planetary tuners.


I just built a dulcimer, my first.      I was cheap and put cheap tuners on. Now I need to upgrade and wonder if any one has used the Gotoh UPT -...
@chiselerinwood started 5 years ago - replies: 6
GaryFSmith

Courting Dulcimer pick-up placement


I'm about to embark on building my second Tennessee Music Box mountain dulcimer. This one will be a courting dulcimer. Because it has two fret...
@GaryFSmith started 5 years ago - replies: 15
Paparazzi

Is Re-Fretting Possible Without Damage?


Looking down my dulcimers (my third one) fretboard I find a slight warp going downward not side to side.  My measurement indicates a rough depth...
@Paparazzi started 5 years ago - replies: 16
Bob

Double-bottomed dulcimer question


Hi friends, I am working on a double-bottomed dulcimer like those found on a Galax dulcimer (though mine is half Hourglass/half Elm leaf shape),...
@Bob started 5 years ago - replies: 10
WildMeadow

Curly Burr Oak


One of the best things about building mountain dulcimers, is that one can use a wide variety of woods. Found this curly burr oak board (surface...
@WildMeadow started 5 years ago - replies: 2
Rachael

Question on floating vs. fixed nut


Hello, everyone.  I own two dulcimers, one with a fixed nut and one with a floating nut, from two different makers.  Can anyone explain to me what...
@Rachael started 5 years ago - replies: 6
 
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