DulcimerStickClassNotes
Class Notes for How to make a dulcimer stick
Class materials
Tuning Peg Slot Cutting on the Drill Press Using a Forstner Bit (pdf)
End block template (small)
End block template (large)
Resources
Buying
Strum Stick This is the guy that invented the instrument (also the Martin travel guitar)
Building
You Tube
How to build a strum stick, part 1 by Andy Mackey (courtesy of Evan Harrison)
How to build a strum stick, part 2 by Andy Mackey (courtesy of Evan Harrison)
How to build a strum stick, part 3 by Andy Mackey (courtesy of Evan Harrison)
How to build a strum stick, part 4 by Andy Mackey (courtesy of Evan Harrison)
How to build a strum stick, part 5 by Andy Mackey (courtesy of Evan Harrison)
How to build a strum stick, part 6 by Andy Mackey (courtesy of Evan Harrison)
How to make a Music Stick by Bill Atkins
How to build a strum stick by Evan Harrison (instructables)
Supplies
Pickin' stick - Building a stringed Instrument Book which got me started!
Stewart MacDonald Luthier Supply
McKinney Hardwoods (lumber)
Woodcraft (exotics [ebony], tools)
Wood World (lumber)
Adjustable Suede Leather Strap for Strum stick
Playing
The Strum Stick Playing Instructions and Owners Manual, Part 1
The Strum Stick Playing Instructions and Owner's Manual, Part 2
Strum Stick Instruction CD (download)
How to play the music stick, part 1 by Matt Circley (courtesy of Evan Harrison)
How to play the music stick, part 2 by Matt Circley (courtesy of Evan Harrison)
How to play the music stick, part 3 by Matt Circley (courtesy of Evan Harrison)
Construction Notes
These instruments (like most folk instruments) offer a lot of possible variations when constructing. In this section folks who build them may post information about their build, along with photos and sound samples, and provide some feedback about what they like and don't like about the build.
Walter Anderson
Smaller of the two instruments (at right)
Specifications:
Scale length: 22 3/4"
Width: 7/8"
Thickness: 1 1/16"
Length: ~ 29"
Neck Material: American Black Walnut, plain cut
Back Material: Birds eye maple
Front Material: Western Red Cedar
Nut Material: Ebony
Bridge Material: Ebony
Built directly to match specifications in the book above. Scale length was 22 3/4". So the stick is 7/8" wide, 1 1/16" thick, and finishes to about 29" long. It is tuned to GAg' (though other tunings are possible). It was constructed with mandolin strings. My primary issue with this instrument is that the narrow fret board (stick) is very difficult for my fat fingers to avoid contact with two adjacent strings. Someone with small hands (like a child) would probably like the size better.
Larger of the two instruments (at right)
Specifications:
Scale length: 22 3/4"
Width: 7/8"
Thickness: 1 1/16"
Length: ~ 33"
Neck Material: American Black Walnut, plain cut
Back Material: Birds eye maple
Front Material: Western Red Cedar
Nut Material: Ebony
Bridge Material: Ebony
This instrument was a direct result of my concern over the smaller size of the previous. I made it with a stick that was 1 3/8" wide, and 1 1/4" thick. I chose a longer scale length (not needed for the different tuning, but helped) of 25 1/2". I like the width of this one; however, the thickness is a slight bit too much and makes the instrument feel a little 'clunky' in my hands. I suspect a larger man, might like this one...
Instrument made to document process for class
Specifications:
Scale length: 22 3/4"
Width: 1 1/4"
Thickness: 1 1/4"
Length: ~
Neck Material: American Black Walnut, plain cut
Back Material: Birds eye maple
Front Material:
Nut Material: Ebony
Bridge Material: Ebony
