Thank you everyone. It is tuned, from low to high, A B c# d e f# g a b d. That high d throws me off, seems like it should be a c# since at the lower end c# is after the B. But that's what the instructions say and if I ever actually figure out how to really play it, I might learn why the top string is a d. (Or this will start a flurry of very technical but not understandable to me responses;)

Very nice job, Macy. Do you have it tuned diatonic? Or a Pentatonic variant? I've tuned them diatonic to match ten or twelve notes of the DAA scale so I can play along with dulcimers...

Ain't it just grand when the plan comes together ! I have made many instruments over a great number of years, and still always find that moment when the first notes issue forth from a newly completed ' whatever ' magical ! Well done MacyJane and thank you for sharing with us !

John

Very nice. Just hear yo play it very sweet sound.

I just posted a demo vid of the kantele. John Henry, now you kantele what it sounds like . If I keep this up I'll have to start a FOTK site.

Wendy, that is pretty I hope you post of video of you playing it. I would love to hear it.

Thanks John Henry! Is a goose neck like an L? Mine is L shaped, not T, but that's a good idea about only applying pressure on the end w/fingertip. I'll try it the next time the zither pins are in it.

Macy, not wishing to tell you how to 'suck eggs', but having had years of tuning hammered dulcimer strings afixed to zither pins, can I recommend that you use a 'goose neck' rather that a 'tee' wrench, and that you apply your pressures at the extreme end (ie, full length) of the goose neck. You may be surprised at just how much easier it is to get those strings in tune !, using just finger tip pressure!

JohnH

The kantele is actually Finnish, not finished, originally from Finland.

I 'kantele' either John Henry, had a hard time getting 10 strings in tune with a zither pin wrench, no fine tuning there! Then I decided to give it just 1 more coat of varnish (it only had 2) and took all the strings off again. I'll let you know when I kantele what it sounds like

Looking good Macy Jayne , any chance of a tune? 'Kantele' what it sounds like from the photo ...............! OK OK, sorry, (I'm ducking)

JohnH

Lovely. Enjoy it.