Wood

The wood used in dulcimers must have special qualities that create the acoustic properties so prized in premier stringed instruments.

• It must be cut at special times of the year
• It must come from carefully chosen places
• It must be specially sawn
• It has to be carefully aged

Wood which meets all these criteria are candidates for instrument-grade wood. Such wood is capable of shaping the voice of a musical instrument, and is called the tonewood.

There is a wonderful article on the structure of wood, and why woods have the characteristic look they do, on William Cumpiano's wood page. Bill Cumpiano is an internationally known luthier, teacher, and writer on guitar building, and his site is worth visiting by aspiring luthiers.

dwain@bearmeadow.com

Design  | Materials  | Finish | Tools  | Methods
Dulcimer Models  |Dulcimer music  | FlexiFrets®  | Ordering  | Home  | Search
Dulcimer Making | Classes  | Lutherie  | History  | Poetry  | Links  |  Guestbook