linglingpapa Posted June 7, 2021 Share Posted June 7, 2021 Hi there, this is my first post here, saying hello! I build classical guitars as a hobby, and is intrigued when I discovered the dulcimer on the web. It's a unique instrument, certainty not seen in my part of the world. I told myself to build one, and so am joining this community to learn as I build. The construction is my interpretation of material I got from the web. Hope to get pointers here. It's 520mm scale length (20.5 in), which is shorter than the norm, so I may encounter some unique challenges. Woods are Sapele top and sides, padauk/Khaya back and beech fingerboard and headstock. Here are some pictures of the ongoing build. Cheers! Will update as the build progresses. LLPP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoterMan Posted June 8, 2021 Share Posted June 8, 2021 Where are you from? Nice choice of woods. Build looks very nice. Good job for working from on-line stuff without asking questions first. The build seems over-built by modern techniques -- stub ends of the tuning head inside the box, all those kerf strips, very thick scroll head bits, heavy braces. These days almost no one uses kerf strips unless they are going to install bindings at the side/top and side/back junctions -- the kerf gives you somethings to glue the binding to. Modern glues such as TiteBond are so much stronger than hide glues and earlier glues that there is no need today for the extra glue surfaces of kerf strips. Cross braces only need to be 1/4" x 3.8" maximum. How thick are the bottom/top/sides? Is the fretboard hollowed underneath? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KWL Posted June 8, 2021 Share Posted June 8, 2021 Nice first dulcimer build. I agree with the comments Noterman made. I look forward to hearing the sound of the instrument when it is completed. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linglingpapa Posted June 10, 2021 Author Share Posted June 10, 2021 @NoterMan I am from Singapore. As I'm learning as I build, plus this is my first steel string instrument, so I'm being conservative. Top & sides are 2.5mm & bottom's 3mm. Fretboard is not hollowed (you mean across, right?) as I've made it quite thin at 10mm. I'll try that in a bigger dulcimer together with a stand alone bridge. I've positioned the integrated bridge higher and closer to the center of the lower bout for this build for increased volume, and placed a couple of top braces from the bridge to the f-holes. @KWL Thanks. I have just boxed it up, and next will be installing the frets, linings and polishing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoterMan Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 When we refer to a hollowed fretboard we mean down the length (except under a strum hollow) turning the fretboard into an inverted U shape. This reduces the mass of the fretboard and gives a tiny bit more soundboard to vibrate. The other hollowing -- crosswise -- is called an arched fretboard. There is no real need for top braces -- the top already has that massive brace (called the fretboard) running down it's length. Some of us re-inforce the area around delicate sound holes with thin pasteboard or veneer on the underside, but true top braces are not necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linglingpapa Posted June 12, 2021 Author Share Posted June 12, 2021 @NoterMan Ah, got it, thanks for the pointers. Yes, there is little space for the soundboard to flex with that fretboard running down the entire length. It's boxed up and installing the bindings now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linglingpapa Posted June 19, 2021 Author Share Posted June 19, 2021 Done! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoterMan Posted June 21, 2021 Share Posted June 21, 2021 Nice! Good work! Post a sound clip so we can hear it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linglingpapa Posted June 22, 2021 Author Share Posted June 22, 2021 Here are a couple of sound clips, learning to play 🤨. Scale length is 520mm/20.5in. Dulcimer-notes.m4aDulcimer-LittleWhiteBoat.m4a Is there a tap tone to target like in guitars? Mine has two peaks, at 216Hz/A3 and 294Hz/D4# Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoterMan Posted June 24, 2021 Share Posted June 24, 2021 Wow! For a 20" VSL that sure has a lot of sound -- both volume and quality; I love the deep bass you've got going there. The sound is probably due to the thin planks all around. Very nice! Dulcimer builders really don't much target tap tone frequency. Only a few builders seriously consider the concept. The dulcimer is more or less the last of the Western "folk instruments" and there has been very little scientific (quantitative rather than qualitative) research into the factors which make the sound of either the "modern dulcimers" like yours or the "traditional dulcemores" like I build these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KWL Posted July 13, 2021 Share Posted July 13, 2021 I've been away without the internet for three weeks. What a pleasant surprise to return to your completed dulcimer and the sound files. Very nice. You did well. Thanks for sharing your work and music. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.