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Cedar,
Western Red The sound is very impressive and is close to that of Sitka Spruce. A lot of volume and projection. Strong and even sound where the highs, mids, and lows are all clear and bold. |
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Aromatic
Cedar (add $10)
The sound is very much like Western Red Cedar above. (better photo coming soon) |
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Sitka Spruce (add $25) In general this wood creates a fuller, cleaner, and more dynamic sound than any other top wood I carry. Very even response throughout entire sound spectrum...great volume/sustain, sharp clean highs, mids, and lows. It has been generally accepted as the best tonewood for hundreds of years, and is therefore quite expensive. |
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Panguan (add $10) This
wood is similar in weight and density to Okoume and has
similar sound qualities. This slightly harder and
heavier wood makes for a brighter tone than that of
redwood, cedar, or spruce. I tried it as a top
because I love it's shimmering golden grain patter, but I
was very happy with its sound properties as well.
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Walnut (add $10) Walnut is used as a top wood primarily for baritone dulcimers, however it works well for non baritone dulcimers too. In non baritone applications, it is not quite as clean or sharp as the redwood or spruce, but is more interesting visually. Many established builders use walnut tops exclusively. Ironically, in my dulcimer design, I get the strongest bass from redwood, spruce, and cedar. Walnut, being a dense wood tends to lessen the bass a bit. Example:
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