The fretboard is the most critical part of a dulcimer. The fretboard design determines how accurately the instrument can reproduce notes. The design will also determine whether the instrument is easy or difficult to play. Simerman dulcimers use a 25 inch string length which creates easier fingering and chording because the frets are spaced closer together eliminating the need to stretch for a note. Every fretboard is designed to play in tune on every fret.
Fret placement is also critical.
Simerman frets are accurate to within 2 thousandths of an inch. Each instrument is checked electronically to insure every fret plays precisely. The scalloping allows the sound board to vibrate more freely so that volume is increased and the full voice of the instrument can be released. A narrow, hidden sound hole is also added to the soundboard underneath the scalloping to further enhance the resonance of the instrument. The underside of the board is actually hollow to lighten the mass and to increase soundboard vibration.