I have been challenged to build a mountain dulcimer. I remember back in the ’70s when I was a subscriber to “Fine Woodworking” magizine, I built one from a plan you had in one issue and I can’t remember which one. Does anyone have old issues laying around from that time? Does anyone have plans for a mountain dulcimer? I kept my old issues untill about a year ago when I finally cleaned out the cellar, too bad!
Let me know,Thanks
JN Don
Replies
I looked my index that covered the first 100 issues and the issue you were looking for would-be number 33. Issue 23 is referenced as having information on books.
That article, along with another book that he had bought(sorry don't know which one it was) was the inspiration my father used to for the two in the attached picture, something around 20+ years ago. Sorry about the dust and missing strings. The first one that he made was the teardrop shaped one, which had an oak top, Pau Faro sides, bottom, and neck/keys, and Maccassar Ebony fingerboard. The second one has Willow for the top(I think), Cherry sides and bottom, Pau Faro neck/keys, and again Maccassar Ebony fingerboard. They both have nice tone but I've never met anyone who knew how to play them. So I can't give an opinion about how good they sound compared to what's made by people with more expertise.
In the late 60s, he made an acoustic guitar from plans in a Popular Mechanics magazine. A music teacher said it sounded good when played. At that time, he bought the fretboard, keys and strings so the cost using available scrap wood was under $15. Those are the only instruments he's ever made, but I know he'd like to try and make a marimba. Have fun with your challenge.
It looks like issue number 33 would be the likely one. What is the date of the issue?
The bottom picture is exactly what I want.I have the form already constructed for it. All that I need is the fret mesurements and I think I can do it, but I'd really like to have the back issue.
You've been a big help, I appreciate this.
jndonner
I'm sorry, but I don't have a date for that issue, it wasn't in the index. (And to find the issue I've have to do a lot of digging through my magazine stacks). Perhaps in the members only section of this forum, there may be a reprint of the article. I can't say for sure, because I didn't pay for the service. (I'm too cheap).I take it that you're aware that the back of that fretboard is actually a hollow box section. It's also open to the inside of the dulcimer as there is a slot through the sound board.I'll give my father a phone call and see if he can dig out the book on making dulcimers, and give me the information on the title, author, etc. So that you could look at it in your local library, or buy one from the bookstore.
I just want to say thanks for your reply. I was loooking through some of my old papers and came across an article writen by Billy F. Best about a man named Warren May from Berea, Ky. Warren has been building the Appalachian dulcimer for a long time and has it down to a science. He looks young in the photograph in this article. Don't know how old he is now as it has been laying around here a long time. Anyway,I think I have all I need to go for it. All the measurements are here and I like what he is using with walnut pebbox, tailpiece and fretboard. The top and bottom are of quartersawn spruce. THe fret measurements are here too. Guess I lucked out.
Thanks
Donner
That is the author and subject in the article from FWW issue #33, March / April 1982. When you finish making the dulcimer post some pictures so we can see how it turned out.
yes, will do,
I have just started the project and will post a picture when I have finished.
donner
I'v been to May's shop, it's quite a place, great furniture too.
Napie,
Do you know where I can order fret wire? I used to deal with a place in Louisville, Ky. but don't have the address anymore. It was a catalog that sold banjo and guitar kits and all kinds of good prices for strings. I'm also going to need a peg reamer and pegs.Any suggestions?
Donner
Any luthier supply will have it. Google is your friend. :)My goal is for my work to outlast me. Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.
Thank you John-D,
talk to you later as this project developes.
Donner
Try http://www.internationalluthiers.com/catalog.php
Napie,
Yeah, I have 9 great grandchildren. Not one so far interested in stringed instruments.
Maybe later! An inlaw clued me in on a catalog that I can get from Ky., >FQMS.com<
for a "First Quality" music store where I can get all the stuff I need. Great deals on strings and all kinds of kits for banfos and even a Martin guitar kit. Not intrested in kits though, like to go from the start on my own.
Donner
You can order any parts that you need from FOLKCRAFT at Woodburn, In. They have a website and online catalog.
Warren May appears to be alive and well. I visited his shop a few years ago, and he makes beautiful stuff. His website:http://www.warrenamaywoodworker.com/Also, Popular Woodworking magazine did a profile of Warren in their April 2002 issue (issue #127). It had some really interesting information about how Warren has been able to apply some "production" techniques to increase his output. Might be easier to find than FW #33.Finally, that issue had an article titled "Building a Child's Double Dulcimer." It included all the information on fret spacing, etc. Seemed like a really fun project (assuming you have the requisite number of children handy).
Edited 1/24/2006 12:34 pm ET by Gene
I got a hold of some information on the books and articles that my father used to make those dulcimers.Foxfire 3 has information on the dimensions of the dulcimer including the fret spacing.The December 1993 issue of Popular Science had an article on making a dulcimer. (This one might be hard to track down.)There is a book called 'Making Folk Instruments in Wood' published by Sterling, authored by Dennis Warind. Library of Congress number ML460W281981. And the ISBN 0-8069-7540-7.I hope these are of some help to you.
not familiar with "Foxfire 3" can you clue me in on this?
The Foxfire series of books was written from interviews collected by a bunch of college students conducted with old people that lived in the Appalachian region to document their culture and practices before it was lost. I know there were at least seven or more books in the series but, I don't know if they're still in print, or who the original publishers are. I would think you'd be able to find them in the library.
Thank you Inspector, will look into "Foxfire"
QCInspector,
Have ordered the "foxfire #3" from book store and it just cam in today. Am looking forward to looking at it.
Thanks
I'm of the opinion that since the mountain dulcimer originated in America, that they are more authentic if made from native woods.
"I'm of the opinion that since the mountain dulcimer originated in America, that they are more authentic if made from native woods."Well since my Dad is Danish and has lived here in Canada since 1950 (now an 88 year old). I think he was entitled to make his Dulcimers of any of the wood we had kicking around the shop at the time that he felt like, rather than spend it on "authentic native wood" ordered from the Appalachian region of America. You are of course entitled to your opinion and to voice it, even if disapprovingly, in this 4 year old thread.
Mountain Dulcimers are often an intro to lutherie project, and as such, all the major luthier's supply houses carry plans, wood, parts and in some cases kits. I'd check out Strewart MacDonalds: http://www.stewmac.com and Luthiers Merchantile http://www.LMII.com
They ought to be able to fix you up with whatever you need.
David C.
David C.
Thank you for info. Have the address you gave and will look into them.
donner
Try these for ideas..
Mountain type:
http://www.bearmeadow.com/build/
Hammer type:
http://www.si.edu/resource/faq/nmah/hdmake.htm
I found many links out on the web... Hope it is some help.
thank you for info, will explore.
donner
The article from issue #33 is:
by Billy F. Best
Issue #33 is out of print, but the article is still available in a book collection, Things to Make, which you'll find here:
http://www.taunton.com/store/pages/070049.asp
Ruth Dobsevage
Taunton New Media
Here is one more book to look into.
Making Music Instruments. By Erving Sloan. ISBN 0-87690-293-X.
Thank you Ratu,
I have the artical by Bily Best. Found it in my stuff, but I would likr to know more about Irving Sloan.
Donner
Found this forum for instrument makers. Might be helpful.http://www.mimf.com/index.htm
I started building them by first purchasing a kit. These are available from FOLKCRAFT near Fort Wayne, In. or somewhere in Colorado. I'll see if I can fine the name.
As an intermediate player, I would recommend using guitar tuner machines instead of the wooden tuning pegs. I am sure the ref data you have will point you in that direction. Don't just build one, learn to play it. It will provide lots of enjoyment for you.
Dulci
To each his own. From what I have learned, and I haven't studied dulcimers long, they have several points of origin in America. I live in southern Indiana and ,like your dad, I build from what I have on hand. Most woods that grow here, I suspect grow in many parts of North America. Native woods that I referred to include maple, poplar, cherry, walnut, basswood, sassafras and other hardwoods. Some are using spruce and redwood. I guess that I just don't get into socalled exotic imports from the rain forests of Asia , Africa, or South America. I'm sure that many of these woods make great dulcimers, however, in my mind they don't represent authentic Americana.
You can check the thread that begins 48689.1
On one of the sites people sent me there is a link to a fret planner depending on how long you are going to make the neck or fret board. Very precise as you may know.
Alan - planesaw
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