Replies

1. 
   stancalow | Feb 05, 2004 05:11am | #1

   CGREEN36 

   You might want to check out the musical instrument makers forum at http://www.mimf.com 

   You will find a world of help there.

2. 
   OneofmanyBobs | Feb 05, 2004 09:02pm | #2

   An exotic crossbreed of a pencil sharpener and violin filled with angry cats, a hurdy gurdy is not a good beginner's instrument.  However, if you must attempt it, Musicmakers Kits has a kit and plans for a very simple version.  Luthier's Merchantile has (or had) the plans for sale.   The only book I have which describes the construction is "Making and playing musical instruments" by Hans Goddefroy.  (out of print - $80 or more if you can find a copy).    Lark in the Morning still sells some ready made ones I think.  As a first project, I'd recommend getting the musicmaker's kit.  Not very elegant, but it does make the approximate grinding and shreiking noises.

   For top, back and sides, guitar wood is suitable although larger than necessary.  Get a set from Luthiers Merchantile, Stewart MacDonald, or a dozen others.  Pegs can be viola pegs, guitar tuners, or make them yourself.  Keyboard, make the parts yourself.  Strings - cello strings and viola strings.  Wheel and crank - either buy from MusicMakers or make it.  A nicely made version needs a metal-cutting lathe, although you may be able to hack one together from bushings and shafting and gear blanks.  Try Small Parts International. 

1. 
   jonsherryl | Feb 05, 2004 09:31pm | #3

   I take it you're not fond of the hurdy gurdy, Bob. What do you think of fretted dulcimers? Do you make them, or do you have any leads on the least expensive source for parts (tuners, strings, etc.)? I'm currently sourcing my needs via Elderly Instruments in Lansing, Michigan. While not exactly a discount operation, their prices are reasonable and their selection is good. 

1. 
   Sphere | Feb 05, 2004 09:49pm | #4

   Jon..  http://www.stewmac.com is great for frets and tuners. 

   Go Stab yourself Ya Putz! Ya think I Parked here?

1. 
   jonsherryl | Feb 05, 2004 10:45pm | #5

   Sphere, I don't need frets...I use 16GA baling wire for my frets. It costs me about $1.80 per 100ft roll at the local hardware store. I bend it into staples in the genuine 19th century mountain-crude fashion. I can also make my own wooden (violin type) tuners, although I do use mechanical tuners most of the time because they are more durable and easier for the player to use...so, I'm forced to cave in to modern technology on tuners. Also, I haven't come up with a homemade option for the strings...But that's about it, I buy mostly just tuners and strings.

    Strings are cheap (about $2 a set), it's the tuners that get pricey. I've bought from Stewmac in the past. They've always been price competitive and good people to deal with, but their selection doesn't seem to be as good as Elderly's on the type of tuners I use. Sure do wish I could get right to the manufacturing source on tuners and buy them by the dozens.

   Edited 2/5/2004 3:32:44 PM ET by Jon Arno

1. 
   Sphere | Feb 05, 2004 11:20pm | #6

   open gear tuners , yer right. they do not have a whole slew of those..I have repair at least 3 x a year..replacing them,,  waverlys are middle of the road, Sloan way up there.

   I like the friction pegs..mountain rustic.

   Homemade strings?  now I gotta think of a good supply of catgut for ya..maybe tennis racket supply dot com..<G>

   Go Stab yourself Ya Putz! Ya think I Parked here?

2. 
   OneofmanyBobs | Feb 05, 2004 11:42pm | #7

   I think hurdy gurdies are great.  A very odd instrument with a unique sound.  Quite uncommon and very little published about them compared to other stringed instruments.  You really wonder how somebody came up with the idea.  I love genuine folk instruments and music that has not been re-manufactured into professional music.   I loaned one of my favorite recordings to a friend and his wife would not let him play it in the house.  I like music that is not mixed, "fixed", re-recorded and homogenized.  Building them is difficult.  A lot of parts and some very sensitive adjustments.  I've made a couple.  You really need a fully equipped shop to do a nice job.  The wheel assembly in particular.  Without a metal-cutting lathe, its hard to make a nice handle, wheel, bearings, that don't rattle.  A mortising machine is handy for the box, although you could make the keys with round shafts.

   I resaw and process my own wood for dulcimers.  You can buy material of the appropriate length from various suppliers, but since its longer than guitar material it tends to be expensive.   I make mine with a scale length of 25 to 27 inches so I can use guitar strings.  Easier to get and a wider variety of tone than the dulcimer strings.  For tuners, I use guitar tuners.  Schallers. 2 sets makes 3 dulcimers.  Or, about half the ones I make have violin-type scrolls and I use viola pegs.  Very inexpensive except for the reamers and shapers.  International Violin in Baltimore is a good source.  They have a great web site.  Fitting violin pegs is touchy work.  Really poor results unless you practice a bit, but easy once you know how.  Never use them as just as they come.  You have to shave the diameter down considerably and match them to your reamer.  Then you get better leverage, smooth operation and a margin for re-cutting the peg holes when they wear out without installing bushings.

   I like quartered cherry for dulcimers.  I buy rough lumber or log my own and resaw and thickness sand myself.  If you don't have the equipment, its very cost effective to find a millwork shop that will do it for you.  Buy a bunch of raw lumber to your taste, have them resaw and sand it.  A lot of waste, but you get a lot of useful material for a moderate price.  The shop rate for millwork is generally $50 to $100 and you get a lot of work done for that.  With the instrument suppliers, like Elderly or LMI, they do all the work and absorb all the waste.   If you're not building a whole lot, that really is the way to go.  Seems expensive, but really isn't once you see how much work goes into processing your own.  Good instruments start with good materials.  Don't try to do it cheaper.  You won't be happy.  Buy the best and spend the time.  There are a ton of offshore shops that turn out cheap junk and you can't compete with that.

   I'm not quite a full time instrument maker, but I make a lot.  Dulcimers are generally full lined like violins with bent linings.  curved top and back, veneered fretboard.  Cedar inside (to reduce weight) and cocobolo or ebony outside.  Spruce bracing.  Full binding and purfling like a guitar.  French polished.  Not the usual teardrop of hourglass shape, but more a viol shape like the so-called "Ohio" pattern dulcimers.

   Have fun and keep building.