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["Lynda" <lurine AT softcom.net>]

Hmmm, well now, I have some curly redwood and bird's eye maple.  A couple of 
pieces of teak, some hardrock maple and some swamp ash.  Couldn't figure out 
what to do with the curly redwood.  This might be that "thing" I've been 
looking to do!

Lynda, adding to the honey do list as she types <g>  Now to find some plans.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Clansgian AT wmconnect.com>
> The last couple I made were of Virginia cedar (eastern juniper).  Redwood
> actually makes a good dulcimer if it is designed properly.  Hardwood has 
> too long
> a sustain (rings too long) with the result that the rapid playing gets
> muddled.  The idea behind using softer wood is to dampen the sustain a 
> bit.
> Remember that violins, cellos, and many guitars (as well as mandolins and 
> lutes)
> often have tops made of spruce.  Historically lutes had tops (technically 
> called
> the 'belly') made of pine.
>
> Wire strung harps have soundboards made of hardwood because you want a 
> long
> sustain, which is damped with the fingertips when needed.  But there's no 
> way
> to dampen the sustain on a dulcimer so they are purposely made to have a 
> short
> 'pluck' which dies away quickly.   </HTML>
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