Great video. Thank you for that. Since I retired during the covid craze, I have been acquiring used dulcimers (mostly online), and converting them to banjo dulcimers. Amazing how many dulcimers I find made out of inexpensive 1/4" laminated generic plywood. Adding an 8" banjo head really brings them to life. Thanks again for the great video.
I build my own with either box or simple slight convex sides, but I always make sure it has four corners somewhere. I like tulip poplar sides and Baltic birch plywood top and bottom. The elephant in the room is that square (rectangular) mountain dulcimers just sound better. Something about the sustain bouncing around in the corners, I guess. Anyway, I like making them. It is not rocket science but is very satisfying. Sometimes I put a cardboard sheet inside because the cardboard gives it a more mellow sound.
I preferred the sound of the butternut soundboard. It was deeper and more resonant. I would not call it "muddy" at all though. That apart, I also prefer a contrast between tops and bodies visually... so again.. the butternut for this demonstration. They are both beautiful though. Cheers.
I often see notes flash on the upper right corner, indicating different variety of wood than what I ordered. Mine is supposed to be black walnut/white walnut with dog paw sound holes.
No worries, Lee - "white walnut" and "butternut" are two names for the same wood. We generally call it butternut, so there's less chance that a player will confuse the name with "black walnut", which we generally call "walnut". Happy playing!
Mandy here Lee - Things that you see popping up in the upper right corner - those are called “cards”. Those are other videos of various other build videos that I think people might want to click on. Sort of like a dangling carrot for the person. I’m thinking that’s what you are referring to there.
Great video. Thank you for that. Since I retired during the covid craze, I have been acquiring used dulcimers (mostly online), and converting them to banjo dulcimers. Amazing how many dulcimers I find made out of inexpensive 1/4" laminated generic plywood. Adding an 8" banjo head really brings them to life. Thanks again for the great video.
We think when we can play together these two will sound marvelous
My favorite dulcimer is the one in my lap. My only Folkcraft is a beautiful cardboard dulcimer; a gift from my son.
I gotta agree, my favorite is whatever I’m playing at the moment. Haha
I build my own with either box or simple slight convex sides, but I always make sure it has four corners somewhere. I like tulip poplar sides and Baltic birch plywood top and bottom. The elephant in the room is that square (rectangular) mountain dulcimers just sound better. Something about the sustain bouncing around in the corners, I guess. Anyway, I like making them. It is not rocket science but is very satisfying. Sometimes I put a cardboard sheet inside because the cardboard gives it a more mellow sound.
I preferred the sound of the butternut soundboard. It was deeper and more resonant. I would not call it "muddy" at all though. That apart, I also prefer a contrast between tops and bodies visually... so again.. the butternut for this demonstration. They are both beautiful though. Cheers.
I often see notes flash on the upper right corner, indicating different variety of wood than what I ordered. Mine is supposed to be black walnut/white walnut with dog paw sound holes.
No worries, Lee - "white walnut" and "butternut" are two names for the same wood. We generally call it butternut, so there's less chance that a player will confuse the name with "black walnut", which we generally call "walnut". Happy playing!
@@FolkcraftInstrumentsSince1968 nah. The caption for her dulcimer was rosewood spruce. I heard that RUclips does the captioning
Mandy here Lee - Things that you see popping up in the upper right corner - those are called “cards”. Those are other videos of various other build videos that I think people might want to click on. Sort of like a dangling carrot for the person. I’m thinking that’s what you are referring to there.
Butternut and walnut.
I vote for the butternut top!
My opinion is that you can't go wrong either way...
Theee are a lot of good choices!
butternut a little more mellow
Gosh that was great information. Your office looks kinda empty. Must be the Covid mess.
Production mostly kept going during the virus's peak, but sales and through the roof. We haven't gotten caught up on inventory, yet!