1st dulcimer

Posted by Battmann on December 25, 2012 at 11:18pm

I;ve  been follow CBN for over a year now,. Finally joined up last week. I 've been making 3 string CBG, some solid bodys and now dulcimers. 1st one went to my mother.

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  • Rooster Reaves January 2, 2013 at 2:29pm

    Is that poplar wood?  Very nice box!!

    • Battmann > Rooster Reaves January 3, 2013 at 2:02am

      top and bottom are aspen pine  1/4 x 6 x 36 inches piece . sides 1/4 oak,. neck maple/oak aceent.

  • Rand Moore January 1, 2013 at 12:22pm

    That really looks nice, great workmanship. Clean design.

    Some specs like box size and scale length would be nice to know.

    -Rand.

    • Battmann > Rand Moore January 1, 2013 at 7:53pm

      rand moore , I just answered  your question  in the previous reply. let me know if you nned more info.,

    • Rand Moore > Battmann January 1, 2013 at 8:13pm

      Thanks, Battmann,

      I was going to say the VSL looked to be 24", but that was just a guess, and I couldn't be sure from the photo.

      I zoomed in on your photo, and the woodworking even looks nicer. Did you use a router to shape the edges of your sound box? I think its a nice touch. I see you also used nails for fret markers. And are those white nylon (plastic) bolts you used for the nut and bridge? They're white, so they don't look like metal ones I've used.

      Again, a very nice build.

      -Rand.

    • Battmann > Rand Moore January 1, 2013 at 8:47pm

      Thanks, RandYes, I used a router to shape the edges but not becasue I wanted to. I make the frame then glue on the top then trim it down on the band saw. then i  was taking a belkt sander to it. I decied to try a flush  trim router bit but it keeps tearing up the aspen ,. so I got lucky was able to save it using a roundover bit.I dont use nails , I have a cheap woodburner tool. and just burn the  dots in.  turns out ok.  Yes I use the nylon toilet bowl bolts, menards has 2 kinds, I us ethe ones with the coarser lloking threads. works good plus they super glue in. .I just posted a photo of a dulcimer  strummer  with one of those mandolin  scalllop style tail pieces. works great on looped strings. Bruce

  • Tom Walters January 1, 2013 at 10:27am

    Very cool build!  Did you make the box?  May I ask the measurements of the box, the neck and the VSL?

     

    Thanks

     

    Tom

    • Battmann > Tom Walters January 1, 2013 at 7:52pm

      yes , I made the box. just lumber  from box store( Menards here).  the top and bottom  are   1/4 aspen. its a piece of 1/4 x6 x36.  I give it a slight taper.   4 1/2 at the top and keep the 5 1/2 at the bottom..cut the length to 27 inches,. the 2 sides are 1/4 x 2 oak  cut to a length of 27inches. the end pieces are 1x2 oak. top piece cut to 4.5 and the bottom cut to 5inches  so that the 5 1/2 inch top fits. I dont even bother cutting angle in these 2 piece. glue up and clamp. remeber to make sure the bottom doesnt excede the width of the top.I use a VSL of 24 but have found the sweet spot to be slightly longer.my neck length is 27 from the nut( positioned at the front of the box)to  the end of the box. so its 19 inched from the nut the to pick  cut out area( 4.5 inches  there)  then the nut at 24 , the 3 more inches to the end., use small screews to hold the strings but have recently found  the scallop style tailepiece work great  and look good also. Hope this helps

       

  • Arnold Kelly December 25, 2012 at 11:26pm

    Looks great!  Gonna have to try and build one myself. :)

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