How to Build a Cigar Box Dulcimer
Although a dulcimer is a different instrument than a guitar, they are similar in terms of design, structure and how they transmit sound. The main visual difference between the two is the shape of the body and the location of the frets. A guitar has a near box-shaped body, while a dulcimer tends to extend the body closer to the headstock. The fret locations and the way a dulcimer is played also results in a different sound. Creating a cigar box dulcimer is nearly identical to creating a cigar box guitar; the difference lies in the strings and frets that are added.
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Things You'll Need
- 1-by-2-inch board, 3 feet long
- Wooden cigar box
- Pencil
- Hacksaw or wood file
- Tape measure or ruler
- Drill and drill bits
- Sandpaper or a sander
- Wood glue
- 2-inch strip of wood
- 4 eye bolts
- 4 Dulcimer strings
Instructions
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1
Place the 1-by-2-inch board -- the "neck" -- across the inside of the cigar box lid an inch from the end of the lid, allowing the end of the neck to hang over the edge of the lid by an inch. Mark the location on the neck where it meets up with each side of the lid in order to make the lid notch.
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2
Remove a section of wood as deep as your lid is thick between the markings on the neck using a saw or wood file. Measure the center of each side of the cigar box along the top edge and mark the location. Measure and mark a spot 3/4 inch on each side of the center point and, from those points, 3/4 inch from the top edge of the lid toward the bottom.
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3
Mark the lines and cut with a saw. Fit the neck into the hole to make sure it fits snugly. Drill or cut sound holes in the lid in any pattern you choose.
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4
Mark four spots in the top 4 inches of the neck where the strings will go, making sure that the strings will not overlap each other when the dulcimer is finished. Drill the four spots using a 1/4-inch drill bit.
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5
Mark four equally spaced locations 1/2 inch from the bottom of the neck and drill with a 1/4-inch drill bit. Glue the neck of the dulcimer to the box lid using wood glue and wait for the glue to dry completely.
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6
Thread each string through one of the holes at the bottom of the neck. Place the 2-inch strip of wood just below the string holes at the top and run the strings over the wood, securing the strings with the eye bolts in the pre-drilled holes at the top.
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Tips & Warnings
Add frets to your dulcimer for easier playing.
Staining or sealing the neck will enhance the look and help keep it clean.
Use caution when handling sharp tools.
Read the manufacturer's warnings when using stain or sealant, and always use in a well-ventilated space.
