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17/16 HAMMERED DULCIMER KIT
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1 assembly instructions
1 tuning chart on transparency
WOOD PARTS
a) 1 back (1/4" plywood)
b) 1 soundboard/top (solid wood)
c) 2 pinblocks (walnut and maple)
d) 1 long front rail (walnut)
e) 1 shorter back rail (walnut)
f) 2 inner braces (hardwood)
g) 2 bridges (maple)
h) 1 tone bar (hardwood)
i) 1 bridge support block
j) 1 pair playing hammers
Musicmakers
14525 61st ST CT N
Stillwater, MN 55082
Assembly Instructions
Updated November 2019
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HARDWARE
66 tuning pins
33 rh 1" screws for top (square drive)
2 black delrin rods (24" each)
2 brass tubes, 3/8" dia (21" each)
1 tuning wrench
4 walnut plugs, 3/8" dia
4 wood screws, 1-1/4"
1 drill bit, 3/16"
1 drill bit, 9/64"
1 square drive #2 bit for top screws
Music wire:
4 ea. - .032" dia. loop-end wound strings
8 ea. - .024" dia. loop-end wound strings
20 ft of .016" dia. music wire
50 ft of .018" dia. music wire
50 ft of .020" dia. music wire
75 ft of .022" dia. music wire
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Table of Contents
Related Manuals for Musicmakers 17/16 Hammered Dulcimer Kit
Summary of Contents for Musicmakers 17/16 Hammered Dulcimer Kit
- Page 1 17/16 HAMMERED DULCIMER KIT Assembly Instructions Updated November 2019 HARDWARE 1 assembly instructions 66 tuning pins 1 tuning chart on transparency 33 rh 1” screws for top (square drive) 2 black delrin rods (24” each) WOOD PARTS 2 brass tubes, 3/8” dia (21” each) 1 tuning wrench a) 1 back (1/4”...
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Page 2: Before You Begin
BEFORE YOU BEGIN _____A. Inventory and inspect all your parts carefully. If anything is 651-439-9120 missing or defective, please call us right away. _____B. It is a good idea to read through the entire assembly instructions before you start, just to get an overview of the project. - Page 3 ____2. Use a 7/64” drill bit (not provided) to drill a pilot hole into each end of the PINBLOCKS to make it easier to screw the rails to the PINBLOCKS. Drill through the holes already located in the RAILS, making sure the parts are perfectly aligned as you drill.
- Page 4 INNER BRACING ____6. The two INNER BRACES are cut with a slope at each end. The function of these braces is simply to support the TONE BAR, which, in turn, supports the middle of the SOUNDBOARD. These BRACES do not need to touch the PINBLOCKS. Measure the distances (shown in fig. 6) from the long FRONT RAIL to determine the proper placement, then glue them to the BACK, using heavy weights and/or clamps until dry.
- Page 5 ____10. Now is a good time to sign your name to your instrument. Put your signature, date, location, and any message you have for posterity on the inside of the back where it can be seen through one of the soundholes. GLUE ON THE SOUNDOBARD ____11.
- Page 6 TRIMMING AND SANDING ____13. Once the box is dry, you need to trim away the excess wood from the SOUNDBOARD and the BACK. One easy way to accomplish this is with a belt sander. This tool will also even out the corners of the PINBLOCKS that may protrude slightly beyond the RAILS.
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Page 7: Point Of Interest
If the punch-marks are difficult to see, blow the dust off and shine a bright light at a low angle to help locate them. Use an awl to enlarge any that are difficult to see. TUNING PIN HOLES: FIG. 13 Drill the 66 tuning pin holes FIG. - Page 8 ____20. Notice that the BRIDGES have a few tiny FIG. 15 holes drilled along the tops. These are for marking dots to help guide you in your playing. You need to fill these holes with black DELRIN (from the excess length provided in the kit).
- Page 9 INSTALLING THE HARDWARE AND STRINGS Once the finish is dry, you can install the hardware. We have a helpful video online that walks you through this entire process. www.harpkit.com/1716-hammered-dulcimer-kit.html CAUTION: Be very careful not to damage the finished surface as you install the tuning pins and hitch pins! We usually lay a long scrap of wood next to the pins as we work, so if the tool slips, it will just nick the scrap instead of the finished top.
- Page 10 STRINGING - TREBLE BRIDGE You will begin by installing all the strings that cross the Treble Bridge first. Forget about the Bass Bridge for now -- we don’t want to get you confused. FIG. 19 Hitch Pins ____28. Find four of the loop-end wound strings (size .024”). These will form the first two “courses”...
- Page 11 ____30. To hold the upper end of the treble bridge firmly in place, we recommend attaching the highest course (pair) of strings at the rear of the instrument. FIND THE COIL OF WIRE MARKED .016” FOR THIS COURSE. Installing the bulk wire is more complicated because you don’t have a loop at the end. The first four steps are the same as what you just did: FIG.
- Page 12 STRING SIZE CHART ____31. Continue stringing the wires TREBLE BRIDGE across the TREBLE BRIDGE, bringing them up to a reason- .024” loop-end Front 2 courses (longest) able tension, but not trying .022” wire Next 5 courses to actually tune them yet. Be .020”...
- Page 13 STRING SIZE CHART BASS BRIDGE ____34. String all 16 bass courses in the .032” loop-end Front 2 courses (longest) same manner you did the treble .024” loop-end Next 2 courses ones, changing wire sizes accord- .022” wire Next 2 courses ing to the chart at left.
- Page 14 Now, if the note on the left of the bridge is HIGHER than it should be (more than a fifth inter- val above the right side), then you must LENGTHEN the amount of wire on that left side of the bridge to lower the pitch.
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Page 15: Tuning Chart
TUNING CHART All pairs are tuned in unison. Treble Bridge Bass Bridge F6 • Bb5 The lowest pair of strings crossing the E6 • A5 bass bridge will be tuned to the D below D6 • G5 middle C (the middle line on the bass C6 •... -
Page 16: Care And Feeding
We occasionally hear from a customer with loose tuning pins. This can happen if the holes are drilled with a dull (or oversize) bit, or if the drilling was not straight and clean. Musicmakers stocks liquid “Pin-Tite” for swelling the wood fibers, and if that is not sufficient, we keep a few oversize tuning pins for that situation.
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