Stick Dulcimer Making part 5.2: Making the neck

[ImperialistRunningDo]

Michael, When you're gluing up at 4:21 those two bits will slide around when clamped. I drive two finishing nails just a bit into the neck and clip it off so that just the slightest bit is left sticking out. You don't want these nails anywhere near where you're going to drill for tuners, of course.

The strongest way to do this would be with a dowel joint,.

[michaeljking]

@ImperialistRunningDo Thats a good tip, I was wondering whether I could use the plastic side dot material as a temporary fitting then remove them

[murdelabop]

Thanks, Michael.

It's reassuring that your set square is just as rusty as mine.

[tit4tat4dat]

thanx 4 that michael, gotta check things out. will be back to you. eager to see your progress with the clips...cheers man

[tit4tat4dat]

hey michael, nice one. just wonder - is the spacing between the frets the same on all dulcimers? i plan to build a teardrop-model but can`t find any plans whatsoever on the net. so here i come across your new clip. are there any rules to measure the frets in relation to the length of the neck? if so please let me know.... cheers...and good luck....

[michaeljking]

There is a bit of variability in the scale lengths, what key do you want to play? There are free Dulcimer plans out there The Thomas Dulcimer for example, though no internal details are given, you can read a teardrop kit instructions on the stewmac website btw I am using a guitar scale length for my sticks and have a teardrop baby octave dulcimer myself in the works..

[michaeljking]

there are free fret calculators online to work out the fret positons for you