MIMF

I recently started this project and thought I'd share and update here as I went along.

I originally bought the kit on etsy that has a laser cut wood box resonator. I'm not using that part,(see bottom left of pic), only the neck part. I have an old frame drum that I found at an antique store. It's 14" dia. x 2.5" deep.
The frets came installed. I added the mother of pearl dots and did some staining. I still need to make and secure a back and figure out how to attach it all together. It sounded great when I had it precariously held together. (I removed the strings for the staining and purchased some squeakless strings for it).

What should I name it? Drumcimer does NOT roll off the tongue nicely,

Dulcidrum? Dulcirhan? There is a similar commercial instrument called the Banjomer, just with a smaller head:
https://www.juneappledulcimers.com/prod ... n-dulcimer
I play dulcimer myself, and am eager to hear how this turns out!

How can I accurately trace the diameter of this drum? It's handmade, so I suspect it's not perfectly round, also the leather is getting in my way. Suggestions?

I believe I managed it ok. Now to figure out how to make a thin strip of wood and bend it inside the drum so the back can sit on it. I don't want to permanently attach anything to the drum in case it needs to be re-skinned (is that a word?) in the future. Not that I know how to even do that, LOL.

We actually have a few discussions here about replacing a head, on both drums and banjos. Having done it, it is actually pretty easy. Soak the head in water for a couple hours to fully hydrate it, stretch and tack it onto the rim, and allow to dry. The skin will shrink considerably during drying and tighten up.

Good to know, thanks!