Note: This first post appears to all happen in one day, but in fact, took place over a week and a half. Future postings will be more current.
Most recently. I have been commissioned to work on a “problem” dulcimer. The “fingerboard” on top of the oak fretboard was actually a dark stain.
![Repair1](https://www.naturecoastdulcimerworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Repair1.jpg)
The main problem, however, was a 6 1/2 fret that was added after the fact. The crown of the fret appeared to be too high. It was ground quite flat, but still caused a great deal of string buzz.
![Repair3](https://www.naturecoastdulcimerworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Repair3-300x169.jpg)
I removed the frets,
![Repair4](https://www.naturecoastdulcimerworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Repair4-300x167.jpg)
and the clunky string guide,
![Repair5](https://www.naturecoastdulcimerworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Repair5-300x169.jpg)
and began the process of sanding and flattening the oak fretboard.
![Repair6](https://www.naturecoastdulcimerworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Repair6-300x169.jpg)
The fretboard is sanded flat and level.
![Repair 10](https://www.naturecoastdulcimerworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Repair-10-300x169.jpg)
Nice and smooth…
![Repair 7](https://www.naturecoastdulcimerworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Repair-7-300x169.jpg)
This is the new fingerboard before preparation.
![Repair 8](https://www.naturecoastdulcimerworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Repair-8-300x169.jpg)
The prepared fingerboard awaits new frets.
![Repair 9](https://www.naturecoastdulcimerworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Repair-9-300x169.jpg)
The frets are placed based on the scale length.
![Repair10](https://www.naturecoastdulcimerworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Repair10-300x169.jpg)
The frets are cut to length and pressed into the fingerboard.
![Repair11](https://www.naturecoastdulcimerworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Repair11-300x169.jpg)
The frets are trimmed and the fingerboard is glued onto the fretboard.
![Repair12](https://www.naturecoastdulcimerworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Repair12-300x169.jpg)
One of several coats of polyurethane is applied.
![Repair13](https://www.naturecoastdulcimerworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Repair13-300x169.jpg)
Add strings, and this one is complete.