Sawn-Frame Dulcemore

Somewhere here awhile back, we had a discussion about making dulcimers and other instruments with carved or sawn frames rather than sides/top/back glued up from thin strips.  I started building a smaller version of the replica 1865 Burnsville, NC Holly Leaf dulcemore that I made a year or so back.  And just to be different, I've decided to do it with a sawn-frame.  

First step was scaling the rather large original 8"x39" down to 5.5"x25", and creating a new drawing on the compute.  Then, after transferring the drawing to some thin Ash planks, I cut out the top and back.  I also used some Hard Maple I have on hand to make a staple-fretted fretboard and glued it to the top plank.

I found a nice length of 2x6 Southern Yellow Pine remnant from our recent kitchen renovation, traced the top on it, and started sawing:



In half an hour I had my frame roughed out:

Now all I have to do is thin the frame a bit from the inside -- using a rasp -- then attach the scroll head, top and back.