Location:
Location: Indian Land, SC
Country: US
Country: US
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Luthier specializing in innovative high end mountain dulcimers. More information is available at stephenslutherie.com.
Latest Activity
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@bob-stephens
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 13
Posted a new Comment on Where the fingerboard meets the soundboard:
Posted a new Comment on Where the fingerboard meets the soundboard:
"Very attractive design Bill. Seeing the design, I would agree with Ken that a simple transverse brace under the bridge would do the job. If you want to get..."
@bob-stephens
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 13
Posted a new Comment on Where the fingerboard meets the soundboard:
Posted a new Comment on Where the fingerboard meets the soundboard:
"Do you have a sketch of the what you have in mind? The bracing will depend on the design."
@bob-stephens
• 2 months ago
• comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on Humbucker stye pickup...?:
Posted a new Comment on Humbucker stye pickup...?:
"I suggest the MGB Mini Box Bucker pickups. I just delivered dulcimers to Aaron O'Rourke and Butch Ross with them and they both are pleased with them. The..."
@bob-stephens
• 2 months ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Glass Bottle Resonator Dulcimer":
Posted a response to "Glass Bottle Resonator Dulcimer":
"I applaud your creativity. I would never have thought of a concept like this. Keep up the good work. "
@bob-stephens
• 2 months ago
• comments: 10
Posted a new Comment on Two more from the workshop:
Posted a new Comment on Two more from the workshop:
"Time well spent. Two fine looking instruments ."
@bob-stephens
• 2 months ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Size of Soundbox and Loudness":
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
• 2 months ago
• comments: 19
Posted a new Comment on a VERY strange hypothetical:
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 months ago
• comments: 10
Posted a new Comment on Testing Lacquer v Polyurethane:
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 months ago
• comments: 19
Posted a new Comment on a VERY strange hypothetical:
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 months ago
• comments: 19
Posted a new Comment on a VERY strange hypothetical:
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 months ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Size of Soundbox and Loudness":
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 months ago
• comments: 19
Posted a new Comment on a VERY strange hypothetical:
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 months ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Size of Soundbox and Loudness":
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
• 2 months ago
• comments: 19
Posted a new Comment on a VERY strange hypothetical:
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
• 2 months ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Truss Rods?":
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
• 2 months ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Size of Soundbox and Loudness":
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
• 3 months ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Truss Rods?":
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
• 3 months ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Truss Rods?":
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
• 3 months ago
• comments: 13
Posted a new Comment on Where the fingerboard meets the soundboard:
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
• 3 months ago
• comments: 7
Posted a new Comment on In pursuit of the ultimate dulcimer:
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
• 3 months ago
• comments: 7
Posted a new Comment on In pursuit of the ultimate dulcimer:
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
• 3 months ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Size of Soundbox and Loudness":
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
• 3 months ago
• comments: 10
Posted a new Comment on fret wire crown height and width:
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
• 3 months ago
• comments: 10
Liked a group discussions item created by @larryciesla: fret wire crown height and width
Liked a group discussions item created by @larryciesla: fret wire crown height and width
@bob-stephens
• 3 months ago
• comments: 7
Created a new Group discussion "In pursuit of the ultimate dulcimer":
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
Dulcimer Making
@bob-stephens
• 3 months ago
• comments: 13
Posted a new Comment on Where the fingerboard meets the soundboard:
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..."
Latest Group Discussions
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In pursuit of the ultimate dulcimer
I have recently decided to suspend production of dulcimers for the...
@Bob Stephens 3 months ago - Comments: 7
String spacing and fretboard width
I would like to know the string spacing and fretboard width typically...
@Bob Stephens 8 months ago - Comments: 4
Latest Photos
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