Michael's Dulcimer

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Michael's dulcimer was built on a jig.

After steaming in a conventional steambox, the New Guinea Rosewood sides were clamped into place.

After the sides had cooled, the clamps were replaced by temporary spreaders.

Next, the linings were steamed, clamped and glued into place.

The edges of the sides were leveled and smoothed to take the back.

The peghead was fabricated from two outer pieces of NG Rosewood and a middle piece of cedar.

Which were glued together and roughed out.

The peghead was then placed in the jig and glued to the sides.

The tailpiece was shaped and glued in place.

The inner edges of two matched pieces of NG Rosewood 3mm thick were smoothed and butted together using the tape method.

Before the glue was set the long brace which supports the butt joint was also glued in place.

When the butt joint was set the back was glued and clamped to the sides.

When the glue was set the jig was dismantled and the instrument was removed. The jig was then re-assembled and the dulcimer was fixed firmly in place again, this time frontside up. Two braces were glued in place on the back and three on the front.

The soundholes were cut out in two pieces of Western Red Cedar 4mm thick before butt jointing to form the soundboard.

After levelling and smoothing the edges of the sides, the soundboard was glued and clamped in place.

While the glue was setting, the slots were cut and the fretwire was inserted into the Tasmanian Myrtle fretboard.

The fretboard was then glued to the soundboard and the peghead.

After trimming and fine sanding the dulcimer was ready for oiling.

All finished.