-First Build

Thanks again to all of you who have welcomed me to this wonderful resource.

I'm Jon Timlin from Florida and about to start my first dulcimer project. A mountain dulcimer build has been on my list for quite a while.......... it's just a matter of fitting it into my busy retirement schedule. I am a woodworkng hobbiest, not a professional. My current projects include building all of our cabinets for our new house , finishing up a third bowed psaltery, and a cypress strip-built touring kayak. The MD will get fitted in there somewhere.

I have plans for a teardrop MD which I got this spring from Folkcraft, along with bowed psaltery and hammered dulcimer plans (that's next year), and of course have lots of questions.

First, has anyone used these plans and if so were they sufficient to build a really nice instrument? I am not a great musician, more of a wannabe, but have always loved woodworking and had a special appreciation for wooden instruments. I don't want to put a lot of effort into building a beginner's or student model, but would rather put forth my best efforts to build a high quality instrument. I know there is a lot more to it than just the plans, but I don't want to start off in the wrong direction.

The plans call for 28 inches for vsl........... is that OK, or should I modify the plan, along with the fret spacings to what appears to be more of a "standard" of 27 inches. I see that word is a very loose term in dulcimer circles........ Will the length make a big difference in playability? I anticipate learning to play in drone/noter style, at least initially. How far I get in learning to play is anyone's guess, but I am sure I will treasure the instrument forever.

My plans are to use the same beautifully figured sycamore board, which I used on my first bowed psaltery, for the back and sound board. I used mahogany sides and plan the same for the dulcimer, making them a matching pair. Has anybody had any experience with that wood combination on a MD?

Anyone interested in the psaltery can see it here: http://psalterystrings.ning.com/profile/JonTimlin

I don't want to wear out my welcome from day one, so I'll stop here. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone.