How to Build the Rick Thum Hammered Dulcimer Kit

The dulcimer is strung in a similar fashion to the harp.

A hammered dulcimer is a stringed instrument which you play with mallets or hammers. It is comprised of a flat, trapezoid frame. The strings are pinned at each end and stretched across the frame. Depending on the type of instrument, the frame may be hollow or have a decorative back. Rick Thum is a hammered dulcimer self-assembly kit retailer. The parts come pre-cut and measured, all you need to do is fit them together.

Things You'll Need

• Sandpaper, 220-240 grit
• Small block of wood
• Varnish
• Soft bristle paint brush
• Standard electric drill
• Standard 3/8-inch drill bit
• Utility Knife
• Polyvinyl acetate

Instructions

1. Inspect your parts. Rick Thum dulcimer kits are mail order. The parts are good quality but it's smart to inspect them for damage before you begin assembly. Look for cracks, chips and warping. Run your finger along the edge of each piece of wood and sand down any rough edges. Rough edges will not necessarily influence the sound of your dulcimer, but they look less attractive.

2. Sand and varnish the frame. Take a piece of sand paper and fold it around a small block of wood. Gently sand the wood in a circular motion. Blow away any dust and apply a coat of varnish. Leave to dry to manufacturer's specifications and add an optional second coat; leave it to dry.

3. Assemble the frame. Lay the five-ply birch back panel down and place the rail ends on top of the panel, one each at opposite ends. Use a small, standard drill bit (no larger than 3/8-inch) to bore screw holes at the joints where the corners of the frame meet. Screw the screws provided into the holes. The frame consists of top, bottom and side rails.

4. Fit the two bridges. Use a pencil to mark the location of the bridges on the backboard. These are located in the middle of the frame. The top bridge sits centrally between the two sound holes. The bottom bridge sits centrally, exactly half way between the bottom sound hole and the bottom rail. They are fixed to the back panel with glue. Use a utility knife to make a cross-hatch pattern on the back of the bridges. This provides a better bonding surface. Apply a thin layer of polyvinyl acetate to the scored side of the bridge and place it glued side down on the back board. Hold each bridge in place for one minute and then leave to dry for two hours.

5. Fit the strings and string pins. There are 50 strings in total. The strings sit in pairs, called courses. There are 13 treble courses and 12 bass courses. Consult the tuning layout guide and select your preferred tuning and string layout. Fit one end of the string in the pre-drilled hole on the bottom rail and drive the string pin into the hole to secure the string. Lay the string across the bridge, fit it in the pre-drilled hole and drive the string pin into the hole to secure the string.

6. Tune the dulcimer. The Rick Thum dulcimer kit comes with an L-shaped tuning wrench. Adjust the tension of the string pins with the wrench. Tune your dulcimer using the tuning guide provided.

Tips & Warnings

• Follow the color-coding system for fitting the string pins. This makes tuning easier.

• If you want to add your own finish, do so before assembly. It's easier to apply varnish while the strings aren't on.

• Turn the tuning wrench carefully. Aggressive turning can snap the strings.

References

• Rick Thum: Meadowlark 13/12 Hammered Dulcimer

Resources

• Dulcimers: Tuning Layouts