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Location: Indian Land, SC
Country: US

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Luthier specializing in innovative high end mountain dulcimers. More information is available at stephenslutherie.com.

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@bob-stephens • 19 hours ago

@bob-stephens is now following @matt-berg

@bob-stephens • yesterday • comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on Two more from the workshop:

"Time well spent. Two fine looking instruments ."

@bob-stephens • yesterday • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Size of Soundbox and Loudness":

"That is interesting. Butch Ross mentioned the concept in our last meeting and I have it on my list of things to learn more about. My latest steel string..."

@bob-stephens • yesterday • comments: 18
Posted a new Comment on a VERY strange hypothetical:

"Yes, my steel string dulcimers have a pretty large beam running through them. It was roughly based on the Smallman school of classical guitar building where..."

@bob-stephens • 2 days ago • comments: 10
Posted a new Comment on Testing Lacquer v Polyurethane:

"I think Ken Hulme is right about needing special equipment when you are trying to isolate the sound difference the finish makes. The slightest difference..."

@bob-stephens • 2 days ago • comments: 18
Posted a new Comment on a VERY strange hypothetical:

"My standard steel string has a false bottom that is the soundboard just as Nate envisioned in his description. The bridge extends thorough the top to the..."

@bob-stephens • 2 days ago • comments: 18
Posted a new Comment on a VERY strange hypothetical:

"Thank you for posting Joni's dulcimer. I had never seen her play that particular instrument and it does look very close to my steel string designs. I..."

@bob-stephens • 2 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Size of Soundbox and Loudness":

"Your bracing is very similar to the Taylor V bracing. I have attached a photo of the bracing used on the dulcimer that Butch Ross is getting. I refer to it..."

@bob-stephens • 2 days ago • comments: 18
Posted a new Comment on a VERY strange hypothetical:

"Your thinking is correct and as you can see from my design, the resulting instrument looks quite conventional- in a modern sort of way. You can stay with..."

@bob-stephens • 2 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Size of Soundbox and Loudness":

"I am very intrigued by your solution to the problems of dulcimer design. The fact that you found a way to improve volume and still retain the tone you were..."

@bob-stephens • 3 days ago • comments: 18
Posted a new Comment on a VERY strange hypothetical:

"Nate, You just described my standard steel string design exactly and I can verify that it works very well- so maybe your idea wasn't so bizarre after all...."

@bob-stephens • 4 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Truss Rods?":

"As magical as the dulcimer is, it is still bound by the laws of physics and basic engineering principals. The engineer in me is compelled to try to explain..."

@bob-stephens • 4 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Size of Soundbox and Loudness":

"Matt, Thank you for posting your recent build. Not only does is show your excellent workmanship, it has some interesting design features. I am happy to see..."

@bob-stephens • 4 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Truss Rods?":

"If you are going to put a truss rod in I would definitely use an adjustable one- preferably double acting so you can correct in either direction. I have to..."

@bob-stephens • 4 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Truss Rods?":

"Nate, I use carbon fiber stiffening in my necks for several reasons. I strive for very low action, which requires a neck that stays straight within a few..."

@bob-stephens • 6 days ago • comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on Where the fingerboard meets the soundboard:

"I have not built any dulcimers with the bridge on the soundboard, where the neck was in contact with the top, so I am not sure how much of an advantage it..."

@bob-stephens • 6 days ago • comments: 7
Posted a new Comment on In pursuit of the ultimate dulcimer:

"Thank you for your kind comments Wendell. Making dulcimers that look good is relatively easy. Making them to match the needs of professional musicians is..."

@bob-stephens • 6 days ago • comments: 7
Posted a new Comment on In pursuit of the ultimate dulcimer:

"Dusty, Although I won't be building to order, there will be prototype instruments available from time to time. We won't be able store all of our test..."

@bob-stephens • 6 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Size of Soundbox and Loudness":

"Nate, You always have such great questions. I wish we had more answers that we know to be absolutely true. I have a few thoughts based on a recent dulcimer..."

@bob-stephens • one week ago • comments: 10
Posted a new Comment on fret wire crown height and width:

"Aaron O'Rourke introduced me to jumbo frets (EVO Gold FW9665) and unless someone specifically requests standard frets, all my builds now use the higher..."

@bob-stephens • one week ago • comments: 10
Liked a group discussions item created by @larryciesla: fret wire crown height and width

@bob-stephens • one week ago • comments: 7
Created a new Group discussion "In pursuit of the ultimate dulcimer":

"I have recently decided to suspend production of dulcimers for the general market so that I can devote my efforts to advancing the design. I am very..."
Dulcimer Making

@bob-stephens • one week ago • comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on Where the fingerboard meets the soundboard:

"One consideration is the amount of extraneous noise you get when doing hammer ons and pull offs. In our pursuit of the ultimate dulcimer, Aaron O'Rourke and..."