Building a Dulcimer Capo

I bet you're wondering what this strange wooden gadget is. There are actually a lot of folks who make this thing a necessary part of their musical performances. It's called a capo. This particular capo is designed specifically for the Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer. Using a capo allows the player to raise the pitch of the strings, making it possible to play in different keys without having to re-tune the instrument. I have been making and selling these for many years, refining the design through experience and feedback from other dulcimer players. In this video, I’ll walk you through the complete process—from selecting and preparing raw wood to shaping, assembling, and finishing the final product. Along the way, you’ll see me use a wide range of shop tools, from traditional hand tools to computer-operated machinery. I combine time-tested woodworking methods with techniques I’ve developed myself over the years, adapting and improving the process to create a capo that is precise, durable, and visually appealing. Whether you’re a dulcimer player curious about the craft behind your instrument’s accessories, a small-scale woodworker interested in practical shop techniques, or simply someone who enjoys watching raw materials transformed into something purposeful and beautiful, I’m confident you’ll find this video both interesting and informative. Copyright 2026 @HewnfromtheMountain #woodworking #laser #cnc Music Credits: Little Pine Siskin wr by John Reischman perf by Erin Mae https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=saved&v=748467434761215 Jamaica Lady perf Duane Porterfield https://www.facebook.com/duane.porterfield.416164/videos/713379704567281 Slack Tune perf. Donald A. DePoy https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=saved&v=767106278925980 Quill Whippin my Coffin Box perf. Banjo Dai https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1LWdbiwsVw/ In the Bleak Midwinter perf. Duane Porterfield https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DzuYYtEP8/ Medley: 'Personent Hodie', 'Noel Nouvelet', and 'Patapan' perf. Timothy Seaman https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Cxa4SyKpG/ The Water is Wide perf. Duane Porterfield https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1G7GrSSEuf/ Angels Meet Me At The Crossroads perf. Aaron Flinner https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Rp3Qre6MK/