I got hooked on dulcimers about 40 years ago, and decided to try to make them. After a few years of making a traditional steam bent sides, I tried something rather radical, and began forming sides by cutting them out on a band saw. This opened a whole new world of unusual designs. I cut the sides in a serpentine fashion and even cut some at a 15 degree angle. Most of my fret boards are also cut in a similar serpentine fashion. I put a block of wood around each sound hole before I drill it, giving the illusion that the top is deeper than the standard 1/8 inch. Since the sides are at least 1/4 inch thick, I use my router to round off the sides. This gives them a starting to melt look. I stopped making them about 30 years ago, and started again 4 years ago. I resumed my odd ball style, and tried a few out of exotic hardwoods such as zebra wood canary wood and paduk. I have developed my own playing style of finger picking that does not require a pick. Mostly I play while watching TV, and rely on muscle memory to find the proper frets. Since I am running out of wall space and corners, I have been trying to sell some. Soon, I will be putting some on EBay and Etsy.
![fotmd.com fotmd.com](https://fotmd.com/image/img/skin/mdFOTMD_June15_2020/logo.png?skin=mdFOTMD_June15_2020&v=1592241067)
Hello and welcome to the site. This is a great place to share ideas and listen to music. I hope you enjoy!
Howdy and welcome to the FOTMD crew!
Hi James, and welcome (back or once again?) to the wonderful world of the Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. Thus, I am sure you already know what a great site this is and all of the many great people here.
Ben
Hey James, welcome aboard. Glad ya found us.