Kit for TK O'Brien's Hourglass Mountain Dulcimer
This hourglass shape mountain dulcimer kit has all the same fine components as the finished Walnut Creek model. The back, sides, fret board and scroll head are solid walnut. The top comes in a variety of woods that include walnut, cherry, cedar, redgum and others (see wood samples below). The sound hole is a hummingbird pattern with leaves and has already been cut out. When finished, the dulcimer is approx 34 1/2 inches long, 7 3/4 inches wide lower bout, 2 inches deep.
Complete with all parts and step-by-step instructions with illustrations. One of the more difficult steps, placing the frets, has already been done for you. The sides of the hourglass shape are pre-bent. Assembling the kit requires sanding, gluing and clamping, sawing/cutting (the top and back do have to be cut to shape) and application of a finish. Tools needed to complete: coping saw or exacto knife (band saw or trim router can be used), needle nose pliers, drill with 1/16 and 1/32 or 3/64 bit, carpenters glue, 2 bar clamps with 10" span, C clamps optional, sanding block, sandpaper, 0000 steel wool, ruler or tape measure, and a finish of your choice.
Dulcimer kit shown with cedar top. Other woods shown below.
Optional accessories to consider for this kit include a variety of carrying cases, electronic tuner, capo, extra string sets and picks.
Wood for top varies. Usual options are walnut, cherry, butternut, redgum, sapele and sassafras.
Wood Samples
Appearance of wood varies in grain and tone.
These samples will give you a close approximation of the actual wood. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Butternut |
Redgum |
Walnut |
Cherry |
 |
 |
|
|
| Sassafras |
Sapele |
|
|
