How to Build a Hammered Dulcimer Book Testimonials
Here's the best kind of testimonial from builder David Pickett. His Ardie's DIY Book hammered dulcimer won Best of Show at the Wayne County Fair, Ohio. Click Here for more builder photos. Also, check out below what David Junge's dulcimer won at the Anchorage Fur Rendezvous Arts and Crafts Show. "Thought you might enjoy seeing how someone successfully followed your instructions and made a product from your design...Thanks, again for all your help, patience and a GREAT instruction book!" - P. Cole
"Greetings! I just thought I would fill you in regarding reactions to the hammered dulcimer at the Summerfest meet in Joplin… There were a lot of big names at this meet, both manufacturers and
players (recording artists). I left the instrument I built using your plans sitting on a table in the main hall, and it attracted people like a magnet. People were lining up to take turns on the thing. Of the 40 or so hammered dulcimers that I saw (both for sale and being played), this was the only one with a floating soundboard. Everyone marveled at the projection and richness of this instrument. Several people ventured to guess who built the thing and were rather taken aback when I told
them I did. Needless to say I was very flattered and proud! One fellow suggested that the reason mine projected so well and sounded so rich compared to the others was due to current manufacturers using minimal composite designs to reduce weight and size for shipping/distribution purposes. He also said that my dulcimer could be compared to a grand piano where the others would be compared to small upright pianos. Interesting. I told everyone that was interested where to find your web site.
It was incredible to hear the thing played by an expert!" - M. Gillihan I wanted to tell you about what I've done with the Dulcimer I built with the help of your book. A large part of my motivation in building this instrument was my desire to compose a work for men's chorus and hammered dulcimer. I worked on the piece and the instrument simultaneously and completed the piece just after finishing
the dulcimer. I was given the great opportunity to have my work performed by the university men's choir, accompanied by myself on hammered dulcimer. Attached is a picture from the event for you to see. Thanks again for providing such easy-to-follow instructions." Customer A. Fryklund
"Well, I've got the bottom and top three courses strung, and the middle G (21 strings in all). Although I only have a few notes to play with right now, I can report that this thing makes an unreal sound! I can already tell that highly padded velvet hammers will be used for in-house practice. The sound this thing makes is LOUD and BEAUTIFUL! Did I build this thing? It sounds like it has supernatural properties! Imagine expecting bologna and a coke and getting served aged
prime rib and Dom Perignon. I'm not used to that kind of projection. In short, I'm already in love! I went to [a dulcimer retailer] in Branson on Saturday to buy a tuner and while there I examined their hammered offering. Although they do carry some nice instruments, I wouldn't trade my instrument for anything that they had. Randy, I guess you know that this design is physically a fair bit larger than most of the 15/14 instruments out there. I was shocked – some of
the 12/11 instruments looked like toys to me. I may be a bit biased, but even this new I think the instrument I built sounds much richer than the most expensive offering they had." - M. Gillihan, customer (See Mike's dulcimer here) "I wanted you to know just how good your design is. I followed your instructions as best I could and entered one of the
finished products in the Anchorage Fur Rendezvous Arts and Crafts Show. It won First Prize, Division Champion, Best of Show, and People's Choice ribbons. Your excellent design deserves a lot of that credit!" - D. Junge (customer)
"I just finished my first dulcimer from Ardie's book. I'm a complete beginner when it comes to dulcimers and have only a few years of woodworking experience, but didn't have too
much trouble. I've never played a dulcimer before, so some of the building process was following Ardie along in blind faith, hoping that whatever he wrote was correct. And it was!
I've posted pictures here: http://www.harts.name/mike/gallery/HammeredDulcimer" - Mike (Canadian customer) "Ardie - I have purchased
other books on building dulcimers. I must say, yours surpasses all others. I can't wait to start working on it! Thanks for your work on this book!" - S. Spear (.PDF customer)
"Your Dulcimer Builder's Guide is the best construction guide for hammered dulcimers that I have read! Thank you." - R. Reynolds (customer) "I will say that I am impressed with the user friendly
content. I am a retired State Police Trooper and cabinet maker. I have all the necessary tools and time to construct the dulcimer. I am excited to get started." - T. Snodgrass (customer)
"I built the instrument from a VERY well written book by Randy "Ardie" Davis entitled A Dulcimer Builder's Do-It-Yourself Guidebook." (Click Here to visit Bob Steele's Web site with pictures of the dulcimer he built)
"Your Do-It-Yourself book was a gift from my wife. Thank you for answering questions I had on dulcimer building, resources and a guide for what works. Keep up the great work." - Eric
"Using his experience in building dulcimers, Ardie has put together the most comprehensive, user-friendly hammered dulcimer construction book I have seen." - Mr. Dana Hamilton (master builder and performer)
"This book is great! I've been reading it and I'm completely pumped to start my next Hammered Dulcimer. You've given me some great ideas! I've made three 15/14 HDs off of another plan. They're okay, but you are supercharging my knowledge and drive to make my next one!" - B. Ford (everythingdulcimer.com)
"The best documented [hammered dulcimer] book I've seen. Extremely
helpful in locating parts, wood, etc." - D. Hagen (customer) "I have read other books written by different authors in building the hammer dulcimer, but I find your book is presented with a much clearer text and is easily understood with good illustrations." - F. Milam (customer)
"... the book [is] extremely well written, well thought out, and very clearly illustrated. I especially
liked the use of your "Maker's Caution" and "Maker's Hint" boxes. These really helped alleviate many of the problems inherent in making something new. Thanks for this terrific resource." - A. Wassel (customer) "A well-published book." - M. Dexter (customer, England)
"Thanks. Amazing book--this is so comprehensive and accessible. Thanks for making an amazing book." - Geoffrey (customer)
"Not much of a photographer, but here is my first attempt at a dulcimer construction. Your directions are excellent! It has been a tremendous amount of fun. Thanks for your guidance." - B. Cunningham (customer) "I
receive my book yesterday, and I read it from cover to cover before laying it down. I am well pleased with the information contained therein and I am very excited to begin my first Dulcimer project with many to follow I'm sure." - J. Milam (customer)
"Thank you so much. So far your book has been great! And it is great to see people starting to bring out eBooks. I love to have it in software format and be able to just print out the pages I
need." - J. Hamilton (customer) "I am using your book to build a dulcimer and have found it to be GREAT! I only have one question: Are the 1/16" holes drilled at 90 degrees? Everything else has been very clear and it is turning out great. Thank you for your great book." - D. Bellenger (customer)
"Very comprehensive and very well presented.... an improvement on the other U.S.
dulcimer construction books.... clear instructions.... quite easy to read." - (review for the Nonsuch Dulcimer Club, England) "I have just scanned the CD-ROM eBook and am very impressed. As a musician and woodworker I am very confident that I can build and learn to play the HD. Thanks, Ardie, for the great work!" - Steve W.(customer)
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