These are fantastic! Well made stringed instruments are a delight, and what skills!

A year or five back, we stayed at a B&B in Cornwall, and the guy who owned it made guitars. When I found this out, the beach lost any of its remaining appeal! Fascinating to watch.....and such tiny tools! 

Excellent. 

Mike 

Thanks Mike,

I really enjoyed the process and learning curve as these were my first attempts at musical instrument construction ( all from library books ) - I actually managed to win a bronze medal (shown in the background) from exhibiting the dulcimer at the Woodwork Show at Sandown Park and Zachary Taylor made the presentations. I was really chuffed!

Jonny

Excellent work Jonny. I hope they sound as good as they look - seriously now, I've heard it can be very difficult to get the acoustics sound just right?

Have you got any recommendations for the books you used? My dad's always pestering me to make him a guitar (even though he has dozens already!) and I'm keen to have a go one day. I love the sound a Mandolin makes (that is the "Chinese Violin", right?) and I could probably have a go at one of those at some point too.

OPJ

Yes getting the acoustics right is difficult, the thinner the soundboard on the guitar the brighter the sound. I play guitar a bit but not mandolin or the dulcimer. Can't remember the names of any books in particular but you need to research your library.

The only book I've bought was 'Making Early Stringed Instruments' by Ronald Zachary Taylor published in 1991 by Stobart Davies Ltd. ISBN 0 85442 0517 which I thoroughly recommend.

Good luck, Jonny