How to build a dulcimer in under 10 minutes.

Cherry Dulcimer.
The wood was harvested from a local storm damaged tree. Quarter sawn on site then stored under cover and allowed to dry. It has been my Summer project, I have enjoyed every moment of it. Tuned in DAD. This is the 5th one that I have made, I'm still trying to learn how to play them.

[@blipblip88]

the use of a cabinet scraper is a wonderful thing..

[@rawlinggdavenportjr9672]

OMG. Been playing guitars on & off for 65 years (now 75yrs young). Fell in love with CBG's and started making them for friends & family (not selling), and having a great time... until I stumbled onto the Gulicmer. ...have now fallen head over heels over the sound...just beautiful. I'm an old woodworker, so that was one reason to love building CBG"s. However, I'm so excited by this new (for me) instrument! I want to build and play it... I just hope I can do anywhere near as good as you and a few others I just saw. Thank you oh so much.

[@mattnelson9123]

Dang Phil it was a real pleasure to watch you work, lots to love in this video... The shop-made mini-drum/thicknessing sander and steamer, taking slabs with a bow-saw, I especially loved the free-hand willy-nilly kerfing on the bandsaw, and most of all it's a pleasure to see expert hands working with care and precision. Thanks mate!

[@BeyondF1]

Very kind of you to say so, thank you.

[@annettelorraine2194]

Thank you for this. As a dulcimer player but not a wood worker this helps me appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into it. As an aside, I loved hearing the rain, songbirds, and train sounds around your workshop!

[@MountainHomeJerrel]

Brilliant work. The only thing I can make under 10 minutes is a sandwich and even that's a strugge.

[@nathandc]

That is a thing of beauty, and a wonder watching you work. :-)

[@bearshield7138]

Thank you this was very helpful

[@plainolamerican1557]

Pretty dang cool !! Making wood sing.

[@Cheesus4jesus]

I've been playing for about a month, would love to make my own someday.

[@cnacriciumapedagogicacoord4853]

gracefully amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@hansolo9674]

Wow ! I know its 3 years old, but Great video ! This type of skill and craft are becoming such a lost art. I truly hope you are passing that knowledge onto another lucky soul. ( aside from us youtubers that is )

[@brenturk22]

Wow! Incredible craftsmanship, and love your technique! Especially the jig you have for matching the two boards together and how to keep them flat - brilliant work

[@jimihendrix4376]

If only it where that easy and fast!

[@lindam5218]

Wow Phil, impressive. :)

[@Goldenthrush]

That is amazing, Phil! Absolutely beautiful work.

[@Sludgepump]

Wow, fantastic Phil. It looks amazing!! You're a skilled craftsman!

[@steveinthethumb6441]

Beautifully done. 😉

[@andredr_eas7433]

Thanks for sharing! Beautiful instrument!

[@richardash548]

Nice job, Phil!

[@congerscott6064]

I would be proud to own that, very nice work 👍 🇺🇸.

[@BeyondF1]

Thanks :)

[@jjjessee245]

Well I have to be somewhere in hour, so guess I better get started. No seriously that is beautiful crafting. I learned a lot and I still don't know anything. Especially liked your steamer and saw for cutting the front and back. It's hard to predict how many times I'll all watch and freeze this video gem.

[@BeyondF1]

Glad that you found it helpful.

[@riccardo-964]

Beautiful, sir.

[@BanjoLemonade]

Superb build!

[@BeyondF1]

Thank you :)

[@CristianoCemin]

Great job. Thanks from Brazil🙏

[@USNAVDC]

Nice video! Good work.

[@bangmon1000]

Thanks for making this video.

[@bobbyhaddock2242]

Great job awesome video.

[@wheetman]

Awesome video thanks! I’m curious if the jig with the wedges also adds some curvature to the plates or if they’re meant to be flat? Also curious if you’ve tried making one with a more traditional wood for the top like cedar or spruce?

[@williamhollan558]

Soothing to watch

[@BeyondF1]

Thank you.

[@briancotgrove8480]

Excellent

[@CommercialForest]

Beautiful instrument. Nicely done. 👍 How much shop time did that take?

[@johnford7847]

Sounds to me like you're doing real well with playin' part. And clearly you've got the makin' down. But at 8 minutes each, you'll turn out 15,000 dulcimers each year. Don't you worry about flooding the market? 😄

[@reltcl1995]

Yes I really enjoyed watching this video of you making the instrument can you give the plans on how to build one thanks

[@BeyondF1]

I basically drew it freehand based on dulcimers I had seen and online pictures. I have no plans. It is 8" at its widest, 3 1/2" in the middle and 7" at the top. Nut to bridge is 27". Depth is about 1 1/2"

[@luvmonkey666]

Generally are the headstocks attached to the body to allow for a a better anchor to handle the string tension? I’m about to disassemble a cheap foreign dulcimer neck to be be attached to a cigar box and noticed the headstock and neck are separate pieces.

[@OzarkMountainGoats]

Really a nice job Phil. I've been a musician and woodworker for years. Now I'm going to try my hand at dulcimers. How thick was your top and bottom? I'm wanting to do an eastern red cider top but think it may need to be thicker than 1/8". Have a wonderful day. Jim

[@caroljordan2886]

I’m learning to play. My dream is to build one like this. I’m not $ to have the electric equipment so am looking to find the necessary tools. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.

[@BeyondF1]

You just need basic woodworking tools. The band saw and power sanders make the task quicker but they are not essential. My best advice is to just start and go from there. Often the hardest part is just starting.

[@johnhenry4988]

It is a credit to you that you have taken the effort to make this youtube clip and show the quality of your workmanship, so we can all enjoy and learn. Would it be possible to purchase a set of plans from you for the Dulcimer?

[@BeyondF1]

Your comment is much appreciated. I do not however have any plans. I freehanded the outline onto cardboard to make a template and basically winged it.

[@richedwards9646]

That is beautiful work my friend! I noticed you had braces on the bottom but didn't notice any on the top - did you have anything supporting the top - braces etc? I'm keen to build one so would welcome any advice from a master! Thanks for a lovely video !

[@BeyondF1]

The top is effectively braced by the fretboard. My best advise, if you want to build one, is to just start. Use an inexpensive wood such as poplar, that way if it all goes pear shaped (pun intended :) you can easily remake a section. In my opinion there are no hard and fast rules, these are folk instruments, each takes on the characteristics of the builder. If you need advice from a master just hang around, I'm sure one will be along shortly ;)

[@richedwards9646]

@@BeyondF1 Thankyou very much - you have certainly inspired me.

[@BeyondF1]

@@richedwards9646 you are very welcome.

[@sambsialia]

❤️Roubo resaw

[@gshowman8188]

Great video, thanks. I've made one from scratch and it turned out OK, but not nearly as nice as this one. I especially liked the scroll. Did you make the pattern for that yourself? Also, is it only secured to the body with glue? I saw you install a bolt or threaded rod, but couldn't tell what purpose that served.

[@BeyondF1]

If I recall I had a picture of a scroll for reference which I used to hand draw the outline onto the wood. The threaded rod was used in conjunction with clamps to hold the wood in place during glue up. The tuning head and foot piece are glued to the dulcimer body, the joints being strengthen by dowels. There are no mechanical fastening in the finished build, it is all glue. I would be interested in seeing the one you made. You can message me on FB at facebook.com/PhilipJCooke/

[@aaronflinner6431]

Beautiful work.

[@BeyondF1]

Thank you, they are a joy to make.

[@cameronwygent6775]

Hi Phil, loved the video. I've been toying with instrument building for some time and one of the issues I've had is not having the proper equipment to rip thin stock. What do you call that saw you used to rip the top, back and sides from your lumber? Love that you used hand tools for that stage. Thanks!

[@BeyondF1]

It is called a Roubo saw, alternatively you can use a rip saw. If you look through my videos you will see one on the Roubo saw and another on the kerfing plane. The key to getting a straight cut is to use the kerfing plane. If you search Facebook for the Everything Dulcimer group you'll find a number of very helpful individuals who love to share their knowledge.

[@cameronwygent6775]

@@BeyondF1 amazing! Thanks for the info. Watched both of your videos about them. Definitely an upcoming shop project. Keep on makin! Appreciate you sharing your wisdom

[@staffris2033]

tq

[@staffris2033]

Beautiful finish! What finish are you using?

[@BeyondF1]

A homemade concoction of carnauba wax, beeswax and mineral spirits. If I remember correctly it was equal parts of the two waxes with just enough spirits to make a paste. I don't think it has to be exact. If I were to sell any instruments and the customer were to ask I'm sure I would explain that it was a time honoured secret only to be shared with other luthiers ;)

[@staffris2033]

@@BeyondF1 Thank you! I make them, albeit from kits since I don't have the equipment to bend the sides (been investigating ideas). I have made 7. The finish is always a problem. Tung oil is too thick and dulls sound, shellac is ok but tough to work sometimes. Nothing else has satisfied me. The finish is essential. These are easy materials to get. Thanks again!

[@mikebadilla6970]

can you please show a video on putting on the strings and the pegs.Thanks

[@josephclay3864]

Do you make Dulcimers to sell? Thanks, great video.

[@BeyondF1]

I'm currently working on No 14. I've not sold any, I've given one or two away, it is really just a hobby. If you would like to chat you can find me on Facebook as PhilipJCooke. I'm in Lawrenceburg KY.

[@tallonchalmers9608]

What kind of pegs did you use?

[@StewieGriffin505]

Wow. How many hours did that really take? That was only your fifth one? Obviously you make many other things.

[@BeyondF1]

Difficult to say because I made it between doing other things. I guess it is a collection of spare half hours over a month.

[@anonymousperson4363]

Does the fretboard have a back angle like a guitar has?

[@BeyondF1]

No it is parallel to the soundboard.

[@anonymousperson4363]

@@BeyondF1 Thanks! I am trying to make a similar instrument.

[@ambu6478]

Would you happen to have any dulcimers for sale?

[@johnirby493]

I thought the title was "How to buy a dulcimer in under 10 minutes".

[@cmcapps1963]

Have a feeling it'll take me longer than 10 minutes for this project...

[@plasticcap1]

How did you make/where did you get the bridge for that?

[@BeyondF1]

Folkcraft Instruments. So far I have purchased all my nuts, bridges, strings, frets and tuners from them. Good quality, good service.

[@fractuss]

Dang, I have the tools, experience, desire, and time to do this. Just need some self discipline.

[@theprofascinatermcnew1242]

This looks suspiciously like more then 10 minutes

[@horaniki]

😂😅😅😂

[@waynedavies3185]

Be very sure that you will not be able to build a dulcimer from scratch in 10 mins like the post states.

[@Ivannbeats]

How to waste wood in 10 minutes!