Group Discussions
Air dried vs. kiln dried woods
Hi! I'm both new to the site and to the world of dulcimer building. I'm wondering what people's informed opinions are regarding air dried vs. kiln...
@Will Adams started 6 years ago - replies: 12
Where can I get dulcimer wood?
Okay, folks, that build dulcimers. WHERE can I get dulcimer sides, back and top for making dulcimers? I was on a site a few months ago and it...
@IRENE started 5 years ago - replies: 4
Strange Intermittent Buzzing "Wahh" noise appearing
Hi folks, I've got a strange thing going on - my latest Dulcimer is making a strange noise every now and again... It seems to be occurring when I...
@tpatts started 5 years ago - replies: 15
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