Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ben on October 11, 2009 at 1:10am

Yes.

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Permalink Reply by Ben on October 11, 2009 at 1:34am

Some bridge adjustments will need to be made for the different thickness of strings. In my experience, its worked out fine though.

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Permalink Reply by Ben on October 11, 2009 at 1:37am

You may want to join my "Scale Lengths, Etc." group if you think you may have more questions like this in the future.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Doug on October 11, 2009 at 6:05am

I didn't even think about this, so I went to a fret calculator and calculated fret spacing for a acoustic and a dulcimer. They are the same except that some of the frets are left out on the dulcimer. Boy, I am a total illiterate about music.

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Permalink Reply by Ben on October 11, 2009 at 8:28am

Also, if you have a scale that you like but would like to build one for playing in a higher key (like putting a capo on the guitar) then you can just measure from that fret to the bridge and get the scale length with similar tension on the strings. Why use a capo when you can just build another guitar? Similarly, if you want to lower the key you're tuned in, you can add (usually) a little more than an inch for each fret you want to add on and get similar string tension. That way is a little more guess work and I'd only suggest it for a couple of frets.

Paul Doug said:

I didn't even think about this, so I went to a fret calculator and calculated fret spacing for a acoustic and a dulcimer. They are the same except that some of the frets are left out on the dulcimer. Boy, I am a total illiterate about music.

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Permalink Reply by Old Lowe on October 11, 2009 at 1:19pm

Yep they are all the same if it has a chromatic scale it's just a guitar even if it's a banjo!

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Permalink Reply by Wray on October 11, 2009 at 1:32pm

I too have a fret chart, but mine is copyright 1977 & very worn at the folds, actually falling apart. Wish I could find another one, but musicmakers .com is a school for learning to play now. If you meant the one that sells kits & parts,they are harpkits.com. They don't have one listed in their catalog. Sure would like to find someplace that sells them though. Wray

Randy S. Bretz said:

You want to save yourself alot of figuring. Go to Musicmakers.com they sell a fretting chart. It`s 2' x 3' and has scale lengths from 13" to 30 ". With lines labeled for dulcimer fretting. Ihave had one of these chart for over 20 years now and it`s so easy. You can just lay yout fret board along the desired scale length and mark off the fret lines. I turned Steve [ "roots"] on to this chart and he also said it`s too easy. I done alot of fretting over the years and have never got one wrong yet. This fretting chart is worth it`s weight in gold for the instrument builder.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Doug on October 11, 2009 at 2:18pm

Darn, I just spent 20 minutes searching that site and could not find one. Glad I'm not just stupid. Also did as search on the internet but couldn't find anything.

Wray said:

I too have a fret chart, but mine is copyright 1977 & very worn at the folds, actually falling apart. Wish I could find another one, but musicmakers .com is a school for learning to play now. If you meant the one that sells kits & parts,they are harpkits.com. They don't have one listed in their catalog. Sure would like to find someplace that sells them though. Wray

Randy S. Bretz said:

You want to save yourself alot of figuring. Go to Musicmakers.com they sell a fretting chart. It`s 2' x 3' and has scale lengths from 13" to 30 ". With lines labeled for dulcimer fretting. Ihave had one of these chart for over 20 years now and it`s so easy. You can just lay yout fret board along the desired scale length and mark off the fret lines. I turned Steve [ "roots"] on to this chart and he also said it`s too easy. I done alot of fretting over the years and have never got one wrong yet. This fretting chart is worth it`s weight in gold for the instrument builder.

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Permalink Reply by Al Allen (Hangten) on October 11, 2009 at 5:09pm

I would also like to locate that elusive fret chart. If anyone lays hands on one please post the address for us. Thanks

Wray said:

I too have a fret chart, but mine is copyright 1977 & very worn at the folds, actually falling apart. Wish I could find another one, but musicmakers .com is a school for learning to play now. If you meant the one that sells kits & parts,they are harpkits.com. They don't have one listed in their catalog. Sure would like to find someplace that sells them though. Wray

Randy S. Bretz said:

You want to save yourself alot of figuring. Go to Musicmakers.com they sell a fretting chart. It`s 2' x 3' and has scale lengths from 13" to 30 ". With lines labeled for dulcimer fretting. Ihave had one of these chart for over 20 years now and it`s so easy. You can just lay yout fret board along the desired scale length and mark off the fret lines. I turned Steve [ "roots"] on to this chart and he also said it`s too easy. I done alot of fretting over the years and have never got one wrong yet. This fretting chart is worth it`s weight in gold for the instrument builder.

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Permalink Reply by steve (Roots) on October 11, 2009 at 5:15pm

http://www.harpkit.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Produ...

Try this I have a chart and its great .If u make different size scale builds this is a great tool to have

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