Replies

1. 
   roc | Oct 31, 2009 07:26am | #1

   Here is one :

   http://www.dulcimer.net/store/

   just up the way from me.

   I know, I know that is not what you had in mind but it will give you something to look at until some one else responds.

   They have been in business over 39 years. Not bad !
   Hope some one else responds soon.

   Happy instrument making !

   roc

   Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. Abraham Lincoln ( 54° shaves )

2. 
   Tinkerer3 | Nov 01, 2009 03:32am | #2

   I once was tired of my job and considered making dulcimers.  I made a couple but that was all.  That was thirty some years ago.

1. 
   JoeRo | Nov 03, 2009 12:09am | #3

   I started learning to play dulcimers about a year and a half ago and making them 10 months ago.  So far I have learned a lot and have been really challenged.  To this date, I have completed 13 and have really enjoyed it.

1. 
   RalphBarker | Nov 03, 2009 12:42am | #4

   You need to post some photos, Joe - both of the finished instrument and stages of construction.What kinds of wood are you using? Where are you located? (You don't have any info in your Knots profile.)

1. 
   JoeRo | Nov 03, 2009 03:46am | #5

   I'll have to have help to post photos as I am an old guy that doesn't get along well with computers.  I am located in southern Indiana.  As for the woods that I use, I am using only native woods such as walnut, cherry, hard maple for backs, sides and fret boards.  So far, I have used only walnut for head and tail blocks.  I am making only hourglass shapes except for one teardrop.  For soundboards, I have used cherry but the sound was too high pitched for my liking so I opted for the soft woods such as spruce,basswood and yellow poplar.  I prefer the basswood or yellow poplar.  As I have said, I am learning each time I build one and not to brag but each one seems to sound better than the one before.  I have been buying my hardware kits from Folkcraft near Fort Wayne, Indiana.

   Edited 11/2/2009 7:47 pm ET by JoeRo

1. 
   RalphBarker | Nov 03, 2009 04:10am | #6

   Who would have thought of Indiana as the new hot bed of dulcimer making. ;-)The dulcimer I bought years ago from a maker in the Santa Cruz hills is also the traditional hourglass shape with mahogany back and sides, basswood soundboard.I would assume the quality of the sound is largely a function of symmetry and quality of joinery, along with the nature of the woods used. As such, it sounds like you're making good progress.If you need help with images, feel free to e-mail them to me, and I'll adjust and re-size them for you and send them back via e-mail. [email protected]

2. 
   z3peru | Nov 03, 2009 08:30am | #7

   Presumably you are not referring to hammered dulcimers.  How would one start out learning how to make the hammered version?

1. 
   JoeRo | Nov 03, 2009 11:00pm | #8

   I have no idea.  I have never examined one.

2. 
   ctsjr | Nov 04, 2009 01:06am | #9

   Fill them full of cheap scotch... :) Sorry, couldn't resist! Tom"Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"