@Strumelia: "Hey Greg you could make sure the checkers are a tiny bit smaller than the round sound holes...then you could store the checkers inside the box.  Just drop them in!..."

I appreciate the suggestion, but with my luck I'd spend all night trying to shake them back out through the sound holes.  I've accidently dropped my pick through one of my dulcimer's sound holes on numerous occasions and it is hard to get it back out again.  Then again I could videotape myself trying to get the checkers back out and use it to start a humorous thread on FOTMD.  There's always a bright side.

All joking aside, my checkers came in a drawstring cloth bag that will fit nicely in the pocket of the soft padded case that is being made for my Tennessee Music Box.  Living in Michigan I don't want to leave the TMB out during the winter while the furnace runs and the humidity continues to fall.  John Knopf's luthiery work is superb and deserves to be protected and kept in a nice safe place when not in use.

Hey Greg, you could make sure the checkers are a tiny bit smaller than the round sound holes... then you could store the checkers inside the box. Just drop them in!  Every time you want to play checkers, you just hold the dulcimer upside down and shake it for good long while to get the checkers out so you can play a game.

Here are some links to further information on the Tennessee Music Box.  First, everyone should be aware that there is a group on FOTMD specifically geared toward Box-Shaped Dulcimers.  You can find it by searching through the groups link above or by clicking on the link below.

https://fotmd.com/strumelia/group/42/box-dulcimers

The following links also provide valuable information and pictures regarding the Tennessee Music Box

http://www.artsinmcnairy.com/tennessee-music-boxes.html

https://dulcimerarchive.omeka.net/items/browse?collection=1

https://dulcimerarchive.omeka.net/histtnmusicbox

As far as I know, John Knopf is the only builder that offers Tennessee Music Box reproductions as a regular part of his dulcimer-making business.  Enjoy!

As the new owner of this instrument, I can attest to its wonderful resonant sound. John is one of those builders you can count on to make you an accurate reproduction of old instruments like the ones this instrument replicates.

As to the screw-eye tuners, you need to insert a rod of some type (I use an old allen wrench, but a small screw driver or large nail would work.) into the opening in the screw eye to create a lever for turning.  It's not geared like mechanical tuners, but works in very much the same fashion as tuning an autoharp tuning pin with a tuning key.  If you are able to tune one string to match another with traditional wooden pegs or autoharp tuning pins, you'd have no trouble with the screw eyes.

I've located a woman in Montana who makes padded cases for musical instruments.  She's going to make me a customized padded case to fit the TMB.  The checkerboard is a unique twist found on some of the originals.  The way I understand it, two people would sit facing each other and the TMB would be supported by their knees with the checkerboard facing up and the fretboard facing down.  I've already got the checkers.

Thanks, Irene!

The new owner is impressed by the big sound from such an "unorthodox" instrument.  The top and bottom are nearly 3/8" thick, and the sides are 1/2" thick.  You ain't supposed to make musical instruments that-a-way... but it works, somehow.

this is really good.   everything.   I'm noticing that the soundboard and back are REALLY THICK wood....Do you really have to play it really hard to hear it?   AND how hard is it to turn the screws for tuning?   I love playing checkers....but love playing the music more.   Very cool and yes, your "tin work" is super great....Me, I'd have to decorate it all up as I've done with my box dulcimers.   aloha, irene

Thanks, Dan!

Your tin work looks great!