Geoff, good to hear from you ! Coincidence, I had only this morning been looking at your "Home Of The Dulcimer" stuff. This is the second time I attempt to reply to your comment about a similar photo, somehow or the other while answering I managed to delete the photo and my answer to you !!! Anyway, appro the Blonde, I am pleased with this one, which started out as a 'use up the odds and sods' project before Mary became ill, hence the long build time. The action is not high (about the usual USA 'small change' setup), none of mine are, remember, I sat next to JohnS for a long while, and therefore sometimes play in that 'other manner', and the intonation is good on all strings all the way up. As for the colour, most timbers will darken when exposed to light, I am guessing that the darker colour we associate with USA Cherry may be down to the fact it was cut from long growth trees having a lot of heartwood, and it6 being used in situations where it may also have been subject to things like smoke, maybe even some sort of preservative ect (think of all them stills !!!)

Looking forward to seeing you in March, and the meet at the American Museum also sounds promising, chance to learn something maybe ?

Again, sorry to both you and pine for the deletion, I really am so early 20th c with modern technology, lol, I still make things using 95% hand tools !

best wishes

John

Help yourself James, if I can be of further assistance sing out ?

John

I just love this, so understated. I've pinched a few of the design features for my build, hope you don't mind.

Thanks James, the pic was taken in a hurry the dayI first strung it, will post a couple more so as you get a better idea of the finished instrument. The sound ? AS you know, it takes a while for most such instruments to delvelop full potential, this one shows promise, I did post a tune played on it prior to Christmas, 'The Friendly Beasts' have since replaced the bass string with a 0.022 nickle wound one, seems to suit the stuff I play better ?

best wishes

John

(glad to hear that you are in 'hot water' once more, lol)

This is wonderful looking John, and bet it sounds as good as it looks!

Chuckle, nice one Bob !(tho' my wife is not a blonde, might be message there,lol)

best wishes

John

Thank you Helen, now that we have shared time together I think that the makings exist for a beautiful long term relationship !

John

What days are you in next week Robin, ? I'll pop in for tea one day and you can strum away to your hearts content, lol

thanks for the comment

John

Thank you Jan, comment appreciated !

John

(I did post a simple 'holiday type' tune yesterday ?)

Beautiful workmanship in this with exquisite attention to details. I, too, am looking forward to hearing her sing!

Thank you for the comment Michael F ! ( " I wonder how many.....", more to the point, how many of 'em were born that way ???)

John

Hello Maryann . Yes, that is its final look, tho it will darken over time if left exposed to the light. I tend to go for the simple,goodlines, finish, timber selection, and a sound that suits me, tho I greatly admire the more elaborate work others produce. Congrats on your perseverance in bringing your latest back to life, always better to have one on your lap rather than the wall?

John

Steph! Your wish is my command ! (how's that for service, lol !)

John

John Henry, If I could have a dulcimer like this I wouldn't mind that the tuners were made with S*** cans This is a gorgeous dulcimer!!!

Now I never said that Marion ! ( and just remember that your son is now a member here ! ) I will try to get a video up asp. but it will have to be 'on the run' as it were, not a lot of time for what might be laughingly called 'rehearsal', I've only played it twice, each time after string 'exploration'

thanks for comment

John

Macy, you are correct in that there is no 6+ fret, that makes it diatonic . Mean tone indicates that the instrument has its frets placed to offer a sweeter tone, more in tune with the human voice, but not with a piano ! (a move toward the practice often referred to as 'placing frets by ear' , said to have often been done by some makers of older instruments.)

Steve, be good to hear it when you finally nail it? Patty, I have heard a rumour that some of those fancy tuners are made from recycled S... tins ??? Kevin, not really back into making, just 'finishing off' really ( struggling with these busted ribs and Mary, time still at a premium !!!) Lisa, be sure not to drool over any of your instruments, seeing as how you took me to task once about rusty strings . Talking of which, I have'nt settled on final gauges yet, but will try to post something 'as soon as'

thank you all for your comments

John

Beautiful again John Henry! Does mean tone mean that there is no 6+ fret?