building the hammered dulcimer - PART (05) - the braces

In this episode I will manufacture the braces that couple the soundboard to the bottom of the instrument. They transfer the soundwaves through the dulcimer but they also guarantee stability as the strings and bridges push down the soundboard. We will start out by roughing out the material, drilling two shifted rows of large holes to reduce weight while maintaining stability. The Braces are fitted carefully onto the bottom board, making sure there are no gaps. Little defects are filled with epoxy to prevent ratteling noise when the strings vibrate. Also we will add a strip of mahogany to the front and back of the instrument, getting ready for the final glue-up in the next episode.
For some parts of the build I will be referencing the book "Saiteninstrumente selbst gebaut Band 1" by Martin Kesselring (Zytglogge Verlag Bern, 1987)
#building #hammereddulcimer #mountaindulcimer #instrumentbuilding #DIY #luthier #luthery #guitarbuilder #dulcimer #hackbrett #bauen #maker #selfmade #woodworking #handcrafted #musikinstrumentebauen #handplane #blockplane

[@user-hf7fr6vd2j]

Hi, I play some kind of hammered dulcimer! and also wanna build it. Can you tell me how to 'locate' the braces depends on the position of bridges?

[@solitudewoodworking8431]

The positions are relative to the bridges ontop of the soundboard. However they mustnot be right below, as that would prevent the soundboard from resonating, but then again they must be close enough to provide stability. I worked with dimensions that i found after long researches in the book im referencing (see video description). As this my first dulcimer build I cannot yet tell, if the placement is good or if i would make any changes in furthrr builds..

[@user-hf7fr6vd2j]

@@solitudewoodworking8431 I see. Thank you for reply!