Help building a Hammered Dulcimer
Shaqe
Hello,
I've recently decided to attempt to construct a hammered dulcimer.
I've found references on the web to the book:
The Hammered Dulcimer Book
How I Build the Things
by Charlie Alm
Can anyone speak for this book or recommend another
book that they know of?
Any other advice as to how to get started?
Thanks,
Shaqe.
Keith Rogers
>I've found references on the web to the book:
>
>The Hammered Dulcimer Book
>How I Build the Things
>
>by Charlie Alm
Let's see. Disclaimer first: all this is IMO.
I got and read the Alm booklet a while ago. My recollections from
that reading are: the instrument presented is massively overbraced and
some of the construction techniques were odd. Although I didn't make
an instrument using his plans I'm sure it will make one you can play.
Actually, the truth be known, just about any dulcimer made is
playable. It may not sound especially good but the HD is an amazingly
forgiving instrument and a great 1st one to make.
The main modifications I would make to Alm's plans would be to
eliminate the two lateral internal braces (it's only a 12/11
instrument) and to make all courses just two strings.
I also got the Musicmakers plans. I like their instrument over Alm's
with a couple of caveats: 1, don't make it out of plywood, even high
quality hardwood plywood. Been there, done that, makes a less sturdy
instrument, is not optimal in sound and looks like hell unless you
veneer it. 2, don't make cuts in the bottom course area of the bridge
support rails. This yields really "thunky" sounds. I also don't like
wrapping wire around screws for hitch pins; makes tuning too finicky.
I use individual hitch pins for each string.
A final aside: I personally don't like softwood topped HDs. They're
too "bright" for my taste. But lots of people do. Depends upon your
taste.
--
Keith Rogers
kro...@xmission.com
DulciMark
(Shaqe) writes:
>I've found references on the web to the book:
>
>The Hammered Dulcimer Book
>How I Build the Things
>
>by Charlie Alm
>
>
>Can anyone speak for this book or recommend another
>book that they know of?
>
>
There are a number of resources available. In addition to Charlie Alm's
book, there's also:
1. FREE information from the Smithsonian, yours for the asking. Write to
the Smithsonian Institution, Public Inquiry Mail Service, Washington DC
20560, and ask for the leaflets below. I think there's another one or two
on HD's but I don't have 'em.
"Hammer Dulcimer: History and Playing", by Sam Rizzetta
Leaflet 72-4, PIMS/AH19-9/81B
"Making a Hammer Dulcimer", by Sam Rizzetta
Leaflet 72-5, PIMS/AH20-8/81B
2. "How to Build a Hammered Dulcimer", by Philip Mason. Features two
sets of plans, an "old-timey" rectangular shape, and the more familiar
trapezoid. Both are 12/11.
3. "The Hammered Dulcimer", by Howie Mitchell. Not so much a
how-to-build-it book, it's more one man's journey through instrument
building by experimentation. What I liked most about this book is
Mitchell's documentation of his successful *and* unsuccessful results.
Each of these has at least one piece of valuable information not presented
in the others. And each presents slightly different opinions on such
subjects bridge bracing, etc. Which only goes to show that luthiery is
still as much (or more) art as it is science. My advice is to read as
many of these as you can (or can afford), and go from there.
I know of one other book, but have not read it.:
4. "Building a Hammered Dulcimer: Do-It-Yourself", by Rick Fogel and
N.A. Martin.
Items 2, 3 and 4 are available from Andy's Front Hall (518-765-4193)
You can also get plans from a variety of sources, including Musicmaker's
Kits (612-439-9120).
Disclaimer: I'm not associated in any way with any of the authors or
providers named herein.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark W. Stayton
Dulc...@aol.com "There's an exception to every rule.
sty...@bbms.iac.honeywell.com Except this one."
Dick Dery
>
>
>Hello,
>
>I've recently decided to attempt to construct a hammered dulcimer.
>
>
>The Hammered Dulcimer Book
>How I Build the Things
>
>by Charlie Alm
>
>
>Can anyone speak for this book or recommend another
>book that they know of?
>
by Rick Fogel. It is a construction manual for the kits he sells, but the
book contains enough information that I was able to build a hammered
dulcimer using scratch materials. You can order the book from Elderly
Instuments in Lansing Michigan. It costs about $8.00.
Russell Kay
Guild of American Luthiers
8222 South Park Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98404
phone and fax: 206-472-7853
They have 2 sets of plans for sale:
an older 12/11 69-string plan by Allan Carruth (#4 -- $14 members, $16
nonmembers)
a new 13/13 52-string plan by Debbie Suran (#39 -- same prices)
The Suran plan is for her less-expensive, less-sophisticated student model.
Their quarterly journal, American Lutherie, has a nice interview with
Debbie in the Spring 1995 issue, number 41. There was an even more
interesting talk on dulcimer design and building by Sam Rizzetta reprinted
in Summer 1987, #10, but that is now out of print.
=================================
Russell Kay, BYTE Magazine
Peterborough, NH 603-924-2591
===== russ...@bix.com ==========
JDCran
to this group, the same as you. I ended up buying a partially assembled
kit. From my experience with that, let me say: Unless you've got a lot
of spare time, a lot of patience, quality woodworking tools, and are
skilled with said tools, don't try to build one from scratch. It looks to
be very difficult, precision-requiring, and time-consuming. Go for a kit
(partially or not-at-all assembled).
BTW, that was all IMO, based just on my observations about the
instrument.
Good Luck!!!
JDCran