Ron Gibson Mountain Dulcimers

To order a dulcimer please email ron@gibsondulcimers.com

or leave a message at 740-262-2660

The dulcimer fretboard is very different than fretboards on other stringed instruments. Because it runs the entire length of the soundbox, the fretboard must function as an acoustic element and vibrate with the top as well as define the exact intonation of the notes. To enhance the acoustic properties of the dulcimer, all Gibson Mountain Dulcimers feature a hollow fretboard. The hollow fretboard has two functions. First it increases the size of the internal sound chamber and increases the volume of the dulcimer. Secondly, it makes the fretboard lighter, which allows the top to vibrate more freely and improves the tone of the dulcimer. Three styles of fretboards are available on Gibson dulcimers - a solid one piece fretboard, a fretboard with overlay and a layered fretboard.

Solid Fretboards

A solid fretboard is made entirely of one piece of solid wood. This is the traditional fretboard and is still used on the vast majority of dulcimers made today.

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Fretboard with Overlay

A fretboard with overlay is similar to the style of fretboards used on other stringed instruments. It is made by combining a different variety of wood on top of the one-piece fretboard. The strum hollow (cut out area) of the fretboard is cut away to reveal the wood under the fretboard, which gives the dulcimer a very nice appearance.

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Layered Fretboard

A layered fretboard is unique to dulcimers. It is constructed of alternating varieties of solid wood to give the fretboard a striking appearance. The woods are usually the same variety as the top and scroll. A layered fretboard can be either 3-piece or 5-piece layering.

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