John, yes, but it took me a year to make! I had no tools and zero woodworking experience. I have wood for my second one, which I hope to complete in a month. Your comment was very sweet, thank you!
I made the top from a Western Red Cedar deck board. I went with the crosscut grain for a more mellow sound. The back, sides, fretboard, and headstock are Sapele. It has a 25.5" vsl, modified from a Steve Antes blueprint (28" vsl) Sounds like a modern dulcimer. I wasn't sure how such a large body would sound with a short vsl, but it's great. 1.5, 8.5, 13.5 frets with off-set markers in purple heart wood that I made. I'll be uploading an audio file soon. I also used stainless frets which give it a nice silvery sound.
Sweet!
JP, a little bit!
if i may interject, I LIKE IT! i take it you now have woodworking tools and a wee bit of woodworking experience.
Thanks sooo much everyone for your encouragement. I posted an audio clip. Hope you like it.
Ladies and gentlemen, it looks like we have a winner! (Awesome job!!)
wow, that's beautiful! Especially for a first instrument with no woodworking experience! Congratulations. I can't wait to hear it .
Sheryl, That is one beautiful instrument!!
John, yes, but it took me a year to make! I had no tools and zero woodworking experience. I have wood for my second one, which I hope to complete in a month. Your comment was very sweet, thank you!
OK, Sheryl, time to fess up...
Are you SURE that this is the first dulcimer that you've made, or is it really the FIFTY-first one you've made?
'Cause MY first dulcimer looked NOTHING like that one...
(Congratulations, by the way. An excellent job of lutherie.)
Gorgeous!
Thanks Virginia!
Looks beautiful!
I made the top from a Western Red Cedar deck board. I went with the crosscut grain for a more mellow sound. The back, sides, fretboard, and headstock are Sapele. It has a 25.5" vsl, modified from a Steve Antes blueprint (28" vsl) Sounds like a modern dulcimer. I wasn't sure how such a large body would sound with a short vsl, but it's great. 1.5, 8.5, 13.5 frets with off-set markers in purple heart wood that I made. I'll be uploading an audio file soon. I also used stainless frets which give it a nice silvery sound.