Musical Instrument Plans

The following plans were developed through my own work and 20 years of teaching musical instrument making. Bristol Adult Education 1981 - 2000 evening classes Swindon Adult Education 1986 - 1991 evening classes Bath Spa University College 1995 - 1999 teaching music students The photo is from a class in Filton, Bristol, taken about 1982. I'm on the right and we are discussing a mould for an Appalachian dulcimer.

Many instruments have been made from each plan. The plans are full size, all dimensions are in millimetres and suggestions for materials and construction are given. I welcome feedback about the plans and pictures of your completed project. Below, there is a short description of each plan with links to pages showing portions of each plan, photographs of instruments built from the plan and some sound samples. Prices are at the bottom of the page. The Plans    The lute made from this plan is based on the work of north Italian makers from about 1600, the late Renaissance. The open string length is 600mm and any odd number of ribs from 13 to 33 is appropriate. As well as being a sensible woodworking project, the lute made from this plan will satisfy the criteria of historical accuracy demanded by today's musicians and will tune to concert pitch. The plan consists of two sheets, the second sheet has full size drawings for the mould and eight course neck and pegbox. This plan is backed up by a web page which has general advice about lute building and a FAQ. Click here for a portion of the lute plan and a sound sample.    An attempt to replicate guitars of the early 20th century in the USA, it has a very bright sound (click below to hear one ) which contrasts well with larger guitars. It has a string length of 612mm. Being smaller than jumbos and dreadnoughts, the wood work project is easier and materials are less expensive. Click here for photographs, a portion of the plan and sound sample.    The octave mandola is a recently invented musical instrument that has become very popular. The original concept was probably a bass mandolin and it is tuned an octave lower than the mandolin. It has become an instrument in it's own right and is especially popular with folk instrumentalists. This is my own design and one of the most frequently purchased plans. Again, it is a small instrument and this makes the project easier. Photographs and a portion of the plan    One of two folk instruments of the settlers of North America. This version is hourglassed shaped, lightly constructed and has a strong bright tone. This is the easiest instrument to make that uses all the techniques of lutherie, steam bending and fretting being the most important. The other is, of course, the banjo. A portion of the plan, sound samples and photos.    With has four strings (of the type used on an electric bass guitar) and looking like a large but rather narrow steel string guitar, it is meant to be played acoustically. The plan is drawn by Don Batten, who has tought musical instrument making in Swindon, Wiltshire. He started making as a student on a course which I ran in Swindon and together we designed the prototype of this acoustic bass. Six more acoustic basses have now been made and Don has put his latest ideas on this plan. The string length is 864mm, the instrument is overall 1200mm long and 420mm wide. It's maximum depth is 120mm. An error has been found on this plan, fret positions 13 to 20 are incorrect. Click on the link below for a correction Photos of the bass guitar, two of the prototype of the plan, two of a 2008 prize-winning guitar made in Holland and the corrections.    Plucked and Bowed, two instruments on the same plan. Plucked Psaltery - Trapezoidal in shape, about 450mm across the bottom and 50mm deep. Has 15 strings running across the top. Each string is tuned to a different note and the strings are pmore difficult with fingers. A very simple project. Bowed Psaltery - Triangular so that it's two chromatic octaves of strings can be reached with a bow. A little harder than the plucked and a simple horsehair bow is part of the project. Makes a very unique sound.    So different from the Appalachian that it should never have had the same name. A trapezoidal instrument like the psaltery but bigger and heavier (770x470x50 mm). Strings are in pairs or threes (17 courses) and are played by striking them with two wooden hammers. Versions of this folk instrument are found all over the world. Not such a delicate project, the woodworking is closer to fine cabinetmaking. Photographs    After the most common 3 pickup electric. The body is straightforward to make but the neck is made in the same way as any other guitar and will need some care and new skills. Easy to read electronics are shown on the plan.    A traditional Spanish guitar, lightly built with an open string length of 655mm. Click here for photographs and a portion of the plan.    A large and deep guitar, big sound - a true dreadnought. Click here for a portion of the guitar plan and a photo.    A very delayed project, this plan is not yet ready. It will be a plan of an 1835 Panormo. At present there are some detailed photos of the guitar to look at, click below. Click here for the photos    A free plan. A very interesting and easy project. The instrument is played by the wind and the plan is on the The Aeolian Harp Page.