Timeline | fotmd.com

@wally-venable • an hour ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Fret Rocker":

"I measured the 3-fret distances on my old Folkcraft dulcimer and then made the triangular Fret Rocker shown from a piece of scrap aluminum I had on hand. I..."

@john-petry • 2 hours ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Changing from pegs to machine tuners":

" I've been rehabbing and re homing instruments for years to kids and families...only in these last few years doing it as a way to lose money faster by..."

@nate • 2 hours ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Changing from pegs to machine tuners":

"My thought is that, it would be nice to save the original pegs in case they ever want to reinstall them in the future, but most people probably wouldn't have..."

@wally-venable • 3 hours ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Changing from pegs to machine tuners":

"If you are selling them as musical instruments, the first concern should be how do they sound. If the sound isn't better than a cardboard one, they're not..."

@robin-thompson • 3 hours ago • comments: 0

Posted new YouTube video(s):
Drifting Off, a lullaby

@benjamin-w-barr-jr • 4 hours ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @jacqueline-lawton:

"Hi Jacqueline, and welcome to the wonderful world of the Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. It's a good place to come, spend some time, learn about the..."

@benjamin-w-barr-jr • 4 hours ago • comments: 0
Liked a forum discussions item created by @john-petry: Changing from pegs to machine tuners

@strumelia • 5 hours ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Changing from pegs to machine tuners":

"Good cartoon, John. lololI certainly don't know your situation or how you get these dulcimers that you are trying to then sell in your 'booth', but in..."

@anne-bowman • 8 hours ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "NGFDA's A Day with Dusty -- online May 2, 2026":

"Thanks for the info. Dusty. I'll check it out. What generally interferes is Time Zone and US vs AUS dollar.. I still drag out stuff printed out from Aaron's..."

@dusty • 14 hours ago • comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on The Rosebud of Allenvale:

"Nice playing, Jamie. It's a cool tune that uses both the 6 and the 6+ fret. Skinner originally wrote it in 6/8 time, but it's commonly played in old timey..."

@john-petry • 16 hours ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Changing from pegs to machine tuners":

"Better now I hope..."

@john-petry • 16 hours ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Changing from pegs to machine tuners":

"Oops"

@john-petry • 16 hours ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Changing from pegs to machine tuners":

"Truly do appreciate your comments....I agree those mechanical pegs are nice...but at over a hundred bucks a pop... Well that's not gonna happen. Thank you..."

@ken-longfield • 17 hours ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @jacqueline-lawton:

"Welcome to FOTMD, Jacqueline. It is good to have you aboard. This is wonderful place to start your dulcimer journey. There are many friendly, knowledgeable..."

@ken-longfield • 17 hours ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Changing from pegs to machine tuners":

"If the dulcimers are "revival" instruments, mainly post 1950, I don't see any problem in modifying it. I would look to be able to undo the modification if..."

@richard-streib • 17 hours ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Changing from pegs to machine tuners":

"I understand the hesitation to "cut up" a wonderful historical instrument. It does seem a shame. And like John says, the violin looking mechanical pegs..."

@richard-streib • 17 hours ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @jacqueline-lawton:

"Welcome Jacqueline Lawton to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. So glad to have you. There is a lot of information here about all aspects of the mountain..."

@john-c-knopf • 17 hours ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Changing from pegs to machine tuners":

"John (good name), you have many options from which to choose. The most popular option with my customers is to replace the wooden tuners with either..."

@john-petry • 18 hours ago • comments: 0
Created a new forum topic "Changing from pegs to machine tuners":

"Need to pick some brains, get some opinions... Seems I get quite a few older, 70's 80's era instruments that are quite nicely put together, except for the..."

@wally-venable • yesterday • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Luthiers, Builder question on finishes":

"From a web search: Where to buy pure, 200-proof food grade ethanol in California? Buying 200 proof food grade ethanol in California is quick and easy from..."

@dan • yesterday • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Luthiers, Builder question on finishes":

"My favorite is French polish and it is best done with pure grain alcohol. The denatured has garbage added to discourage human consumption and isn't that good..."

@dan • yesterday • comments: 0
Liked a forum discussions item created by @lilley-pad: Luthiers, Builder question on finishes

@robin-thompson • 2 days ago • comments: 0
Liked a youtube item created by @ondrej: Czech Marian Music - Baroque Songs

@john-c-knopf • 2 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Luthiers, Builder question on finishes":

"I agree completely with Ken. When I build a modern dulcimer, I tend to use spray semi-gloss clear lacquer such as Deft. It's fast-drying, smooth-coating, and..."

@ken-longfield • 2 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Luthiers, Builder question on finishes":

"When I first started making dulcimers I used violin varnish as that was what my teacher used since he was a violin maker. I think I made three or four..."

@lilley-pad • 2 days ago • comments: 0
Created a new forum topic "Luthiers, Builder question on finishes":

"Hello everybody, just Jon Lilley here again. With another dumb question this question is to those who are Luthier out there builders. What is your personal..."

@strumelia • 2 days ago • comments: 0
Liked a youtube item created by @ondrej: Czech Marian Music - Baroque Songs

@ondrej • 2 days ago • comments: 0

Posted new YouTube video(s):
Czech Marian Music - Baroque Songs

@wally-venable • 4 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Fret Rocker":

"A "fret rocker" can be any straight edge which spans 3 frets, but not 4. The "special tools" sold for the purpose are metal plates with 4 sides of different..."

@richard-streib • 5 days ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @carla-anderson:

"So glad you joined CarlaAnderson. Welcome to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. This is an active community of folks who love the mountain dulcimer. There is..."

@richard-streib • 5 days ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @bowarr:

"Welcome Bowarr to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer from a fellow North Carolinian. Glad you joined. I wish you best with your dulcimer builds."

@davisjames • 5 days ago • comments: 11
Posted a new Comment on Reynardine.:

"Reynardine was a bad actor no doubt but when he said "the judges' men they follow me and my life they would destroy"...he got me on his side to a certain..."

@anne-bowman • 6 days ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on Instrument Makers Concert, NFF 2026:

"[quote="Robin Thompson"] You honor Richard Fariña and David Schnaufer so well with this wonderful pairing, Anne. Thanks Robin. It's also so nice to have..."

@anne-bowman • 6 days ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on Instrument Makers Concert, NFF 2026:

"[quote="Ken Longfield"] Very nice playing. You picked two wonderful folks to honor with your dulcimers. Thanks for sharing the video. Ken "The dulcimer sings..."

@ken-longfield • 6 days ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @carla-anderson:

"Welcome to FOTMD, Carla. It's good to have you aboard. There are many knowledgeable mountain folks here who are willing to share their expertise with others...."

Timeline Entry