Dear Mountain Dulcimer Construction Students,

Congratulations on signing up for this fun class. I am looking forward to helping you enjoy making a great looking and sounding mountain dulcimer in a week. In the process I will try to teach you how to be a better craftsman. Be prepared to spend a few long days in the shop.

In the rather short time available to us, we will start with wood that has already been aged, sawn and rough dimensioned. The material fee for the class is $120, and you can pay me at class. It includes all the materials you will need (wood, finishing materials and strings) plus a manual of instructions. I will show you the secret of making wooden pegs that work, however, if you prefer the metal machines, I will have an assortment of geared and un-geared metal tuners at cost. I will also have Cordura padded soft cases and hard dulcimer cases. You don't have to decide now, but if you are sure you want one let me know so that I can bring enough. Two band saws will be available to us, a drill press, a table saw and a large sanding machine. I will show you how to use these machines in a safe way. I will have available for your use specialty tools such as a peg reamer and peg shaver, clamps, drills and sanders. Bring your favorite tools if you have them, such as a hand sander, scraper, or small files. A set of miniature files (for your soundholes ), a 6 inch steel rule and an old bath towel would be handy.  Also, if you have any favorite safety equipment such as eye protectors, ear plugs or dust masks, bring them. Otherwise I will have some you can use.

Mountain dulcimer students will have your choice of all walnut, walnut with spruce top, walnut with butternut top, all cherry, or cherry with spruce top. Please tell me your choice NOW so I can get the wood ready. I encourage you to design your own sound holes. Start thinking about them now. I will have some designs you can use for ideas if you need them. You will be using my teardrop shaped gluing jigs. You will share a jig with your partner. I have fret placement templates for a 28.5 inch string length (the distance between the nut and the bridge). I also created a computer program that calculates accurate fret placement for any string length. If you have a preferred string length let me know now and I will bring you a printout of the fret placement distances.

If you want to get a jump start on the class, you can purchase: a two and one-half hour DVD video and booklet, How to Make a Mountain Dulcimer ($49 + $9 postage) from my website (see the link below). The booklet included contains calculations, drawings, bill of materials, procedures, tips, safety considerations, and sources of tools and materials. Students who have studied this video before class have found it very helpful, but it is, of course, optional.

Let’s meet after the general orientation meeting on Sunday evening, July 27, just to the left of the stage. I will show you the shop and give you your information packet (homework!).

Sincerely,

Keith Young

3815 Kendale Road
Annandale, VA 22003
Phone 703-941-1071
Email: keith@AppalachianDulcimers.com
Website: www.AppalachianDulcimers.com