Michael J King, Luthier

Cigar Box Stick Dulcimer: Part 2 Preparing the Box

2026-05-06T10:47:00.000-07:00

The Cigar Box Stick Dulcimer Book , that follows this online series Comes with full sized plans and maker's notes, is available on Amazon worldwide. https://mybook.to/cigar-box-stick 11" x 8.5" paperback in full colour. The book leads you through the building of a Cigar Box Guitar style stick Dulcimer, with one piece continuous neck, homemade piezo pickups with all the notes included, chapter by chapter, focusing on simple luthier tips and techniques. The QR codes in the book help guide you with the making process, as well as linking to new contents and useful older videos. (They are scannable by almost any smartphone, and older ones with a free QR reader app).

Cigar Box Stick Dulcimer: Part 1 Preparing the Neck

2026-05-06T10:46:00.000-07:00

The Cigar Box Stick Dulcimer Book is available, that follows this online series Comes with full sized plans and makers notes, is available on Amazon worldwide: https://mybook.to/cigar-box-stick 11" x 8.5" paperback in full colour. The book leads you through the building of a Cigar Box Guitar style stick Dulcimer, with one piece continuous neck, homemade piezo pickups with all the notes included, chapter by chapter, focusing on simple luthier tips and techniques. The QR codes in the book help guide you with the making process, as well as linking to new contents and useful older videos. (They are scannable by almost any smartphone, and older ones with a free QR reader app).

Cigar Box Stick Dulcimer: Introduction

2026-05-05T10:18:00.000-07:00

Making these instruments is straightforward; the pre-made cigar box simplifies construction, and the neck design featured in the series is both stable and easy to assemble.

The Cigar Box Stick Dulcimer Book is now available, complementing the online series with full-sized plans and maker's notes. You can find it on Amazon globally.

https://mybook.to/cigar-box-stick

11" x 8.5" paperback in full colour.

This book guides you in constructing a Cigar Box Guitar-style stick dulcimer, featuring a one-piece continuous neck and DIY piezo pickups.

with all the notes included, chapter by chapter, focusing on simple luthier tips and techniques. The QR codes in the book help guide you with the making process, as well as linking to new contents and useful older videos. (They are scannable by almost any smartphone, and older ones with a free QR reader app).

Welcome to this ten-part video series on making a cigar box stick dulcimer. These videos will support the notes and plans in the book, available on Amazon.

The video series primarily focus on the making of a traditional cigar box guitar style instrument, one of the easiest places to start for the first time makers, using a real cigar box with a long continuous neck providing strength a and stability, flat paddle headstock 4-strings and a piezo pickup. We will cover the creation, shaping, and fretting of the neck and fitting to the body, the wiring of a piezo pickup, and setting up the instrument. Cigar box stick dulcimers, while a simple instrument to make and play, will give you much enjoyment. Extras and the Book and Download: The two additional plans in the book expand the building options and cover building a soundbox from scratch, using traditional tonewoods rather than a readymade box. Included are both 3 and 4 string design options, which feature bolt-on or dovetailed necks.

The book edition features full-colour photos of the instruments, full maker's notes, and QR codes to connect to the video episodes online. At the back of the book, there is the complete set of plans for all three instrument designs in a multi-page format to cut out and glue or tape together.

Making a Batch of Violin-Style Labels

2025-11-05T11:32:00.000-08:00

Printmaking the next year’s instrument labels for my upcoming lyres, epinettes, moraharpa, english style violin and Stick Dulcimers. These ones are narrow violin style and larger ones with more information.

I am using Rubine Red Cranfield washable oil based relief ink, Fine Japanese wash printmaking papers, with a few larger labels in Nepalese Lokta paper.

For full video see my channel

The strong and thin Japanese washi paper allows the use of a spoon as a barren to make the prints

#miniprints #guitarlabels #luthier #profoil #wildpapers

#Luthierlabels #violinlabels

https://www.cranfield-colours.co.uk/

The hot foil magnesium plates were made for me by Profoil dot com in the UK.

#cranfieldcolours #violinlabel #luthier #profoil #rawumber #handprinting #handprinted #labels #miniprinting #shorts

Making Bows For the Bowed Psaltery: Part 4 Fitting the Horsehair

2025-10-22T11:08:00.000-07:00

Part 4

Book available - Psaltery Making: Maker's Notes and plans: for Chromatic and Diatonic models: https://mybook.to/bowedpsaltery (Book has full size plans for the soprano model in C, Diatonic Model in D as well as the Bow Bending template, notes and plans as shown in this video.) Digital plan version are also available here: https://payhip.com/b/j8S6 Digital plans include Bow templates, instrument plans include soprano in C and alto G plans, as well as Diatonic model in D and g

Making Bows for the Bowed Psaltery: Part 3: Drilling, Sanding and Finishing

2025-10-21T10:51:33.633-07:00

Psaltery Making: Maker's Notes and plans: for Chromatic and Diatonic models available now: https://mybook.to/bowedpsaltery (Book has full size plans for the soprano model in C, Diatonic Model in D as well as the Bow Bending template, notes and plans as shown in this video.) Digital plans are also available here: https://payhip.com/b/j8S6 Plans include Bow templates, instrument plans include soprano in C and G plans, as well as Diatonic model in D Plans are for my Soprano model in C version, 18" long, small and compact, my version inspired by Edgar Stahmer and Ronald Roberts design, with small changes internal and external for a better sound, Its a good alto instrument, the pins on the bridge help with the spacing of the strings.

Making Bows for the Bowed Psaltery: Part 2: Cutting and Shaping

2025-10-16T10:40:00.000-07:00

Making Bows for the Bowed Psaltery, Part 1: Bending the Wood

2025-10-15T10:59:00.000-07:00

Psaltery Making: Maker's Notes and plans: for Chromatic and Diatonic models available now: https://mybook.to/bowedpsaltery (Book has full size plans for the soprano model in C, Diatonic Model in D as well as the Bow Bending template, notes and plans as shown in this video.) Digital plans are also available here: https://payhip.com/b/j8S6 Plans include Bow templates, soprano in C and G plans, as well as Diatonic model in D Disclaimer: Always follow safe practices while working with tools. What is safe for one woodworker under certain conditions may not be safe for others in different circumstances. Viewers should undertake the use of materials and methods as shown in these videos after evaluation, and at their own risk.

Bowed Psaltery Plans Book Available

2025-10-14T10:52:00.000-07:00

Psaltery Making: Maker's Notes and plans: for Chromatic and Diatonic models available, see profile link or copy URL below:

https://mybook.to/bowedpsaltery

(Book has full size plans for the soprano model in C, Diatonic Model in D and the Bow Bending template, notes and plans as shown in this video.)

Digital plans are also available here:

https://payhip.com/b/j8S6

Plans include bow templates, instrument plans include soprano in C and G plans, as well as Diatonic model in D

#luthier zither #Streichpsalter #michaeljking #plans #psaltery #bowedpsaltery #psalteryPsaltery Making: Maker's Notes and plans: for Chromatic and Diatonic models available, see profile link or copy URL below:

https://mybook.to/bowedpsaltery

(Book has full size plans for the soprano model in C, Diatonic Model in D as well as the Bow Bending template, notes and plans as shown in this video.)

Digital plans are also available here:

https://payhip.com/b/j8S6

#luthier zither #Streichpsalter #michaeljking #plans #psaltery #bowedpsaltery #psaltery

Kantele making Plans Book: 11-String Kantele

2025-09-29T11:08:00.000-07:00

The second book is my Kantele Making Plans book, that has all my kantele plans in a multi-page format in 8.5” by 11” size, 5-String, 11-String, 15-string, Piccolo Kantele, along with patterns for long and short-scale 10-string models)

Search on Amazon books worldwide or see link:

https://mybook.to/kantele-making-books

Kantele Making Plans Book: Flick-though and preview (available on Amazon)

2025-09-27T11:08:00.000-07:00

Kantele Making Plans book are available now on Amazon, worldwide. Patterns included: 5 String Kantele 11 String Kantele 15-String Drone Kantele Piccolo kantele 10 String 10 String Bronze/Short scale String charts and cutting lists provided. all plans /patterns in multipage format, wide overlap, cut and paste/tape together. Physical copies are available from Amazon: https://mybook.to/kantele-making-books

Kantele Making Series: Two Books Available!

2025-09-26T09:34:00.000-07:00

Today marks the launch of two books from my Kantele-Making Series.

The first is the 5-String Kantele book, a print edition of my original 2004 e-book, updated and revised for 2025, with added QR codes to YouTube videos, along with plans full size at the back of the book in multi-page format to fit the compact 5.5” x 8.5 size. This is a guide to get you started in making kanteles.

Search on Amazon books worldwide or see link:

https://mybook.to/kantele-making-books

The third book, which focuses on making the 11-string kantele and has lots of extra chapters, will be available next year.

See my videos on YouTube today and over the next week for more info.

#kantele #kantelemaking #finnish #zither #kannel #gusli #kannel #luthier #luthierplans #handmade #5string #11string #15string

Tuning a Kantele with the "Tune My String" App

2025-05-22T00:59:00.000-07:00

This is an electric kantele tuned A B C# D E F# G A B C# D

strings were not long fitted and you can see me tugging the srting to help ease them in, usually after a few days they stabilise very nicely. IOS app for iPhone or iPad, "Tune my string" https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/tune-my... gStrings on android will work in a similar way, "gStrings" https://play.google.com/store/apps/de... iPhone image: Image by svstudioart on Freepik see my electric Kantele pages for more info https://www.michaeljking.com

Plans for this instrument and others: https://payhip.com/lyreshop direct link for this one: https://payhip.com/b/iGSoa Etsy for Instruments and other accessories: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Thelyreshop Latest work at Instagram: / stringdidj website: https://www.michaeljking.com Blog https://michaeljking.blogspot.com/ Twitter / michaeljking #tuner #musicapps #zither #musicalinstrument #kantele

Stick Dulcimer Making Course,

2025-02-26T10:39:00.000-08:00

The Stick Dulcimer Making Book with full sized plans and course notes, available for sale on Amazon, https://mybook.to/stick-dulcimer-book available as a standard paperback or hardcover version: The book leads you through the Stick Dulcimer making course with all the updates included, chapter by chapter, focusing on simple luthier tips and techniques. The QR codes in the book help guide you with the making process, as well as linking to new contents and useful older videos. (They are scannable by almost any smartphone, and older ones with a free QR reader app). The methods in the course could apply to many other kinds of string instrument. I have spent the last two years working on this, updating my processes, filming extra content, and many months of formatting and editing. The book has plenty of content to explore, for players, as well as makers. I really hope for the book helps you on your creative journey! If you have questions, please let me know! Michael J King #stickdulcimer #dulcimer #Appalachian #luthier Download edition/book/plans for Stick Dulcimer: https://payhip.com/lyreshopFull Stick Dulcimer making course on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6E70E85773B6A204

Luthier Plate Joining Jig:

2025-02-19T13:22:00.000-08:00

I have had this jig in use for many years but never filmed. Cherry wood Psaltery back, planed and ready to glue. The jig is a very simple construction with battens, ladder rungs and wedges, more battens and bias tape and string, steel eyes, and tied on to small boat cleats.

7 String Lyre Making: Chamfering the inner edges

2024-09-11T22:47:00.000-07:00

This video follows the pdf guide in my 7 String Lyre making Download, Download includes PDF plans information to build plus extras. see link https://payhip.com/b/Lv2Tp

Etsy Shop for Instruments strings and other accessories: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Thelyreshop To let the soundboard vibrate more while maintaining structural stability, we thicken and angle the area at the bottom. We also add a foot to the bottom of the playing area for structural reasons, following the Trossingen lyre as a guide. More videos will follow, feel free to leave comments or questions on the video or email me for more information. Latest work at Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/stringdidj

Website: https://www.michaeljking.com

Three plans included with this latest download,

https://payhip.com/b/Lv2Tp

7 String Hybrid Viking/Kravik model in A C DE F G A tuning 6 String Viking in A, B or C tuning depending on strings 7 String travel lyre, sized to fit in carry-on luggage on Ryan Air! (note I have widened the latest design to have more soundbox size) I am still taking orders for 7 string models for 2025 though my order book is full at present for any custom models, working my way through orders one at a time, message me for details on availability or if you have any questions Always follow safe practices while working with tools. What is safe for one woodworker under certain conditions may not be safe for others in different circumstances. Readers should undertake the use of materials and methods as shown in these pages after evaluation, and at their own risk.

Ivy Lee Method To-Do List Book, One Year for productivity

2024-08-18T09:03:00.000-07:00

New book in the Daily Action List series, book available on Amazon worldwide.

This book is the prequel to my acclaimed Daily Action List series, bringing everything back to basics and full circle. In this comprehensive guide, you'll find a streamlined approach to tackling your daily tasks using the powerful and time-tested Ivy Lee Method. For an entire year, this book will be your companion, helping you maintain focus and achieve your goals with unparalleled clarity and efficiency.

One year of To-Do lists using the Ivy Lee method, pocketable 5"x8" format.

"The Ivy Lee method is powerful in its simplicity, each day, write six things to do, listing them in priority, crossing off tasks as you complete them. Prior to ending the day, take a moment to plan for tomorrow and transfer any incomplete tasks onto the new list. arrowing down the focus each day and implementing it is all in your hands!"

universal links:

New book link:

https://mybook.to/tdal-one-year

Links for all my productivity series:

https://linktr.ee/thedailyactionlist

#atomichabits #slowproductivity #todolist #ivylee #ivyleemethod #checklist #timemanagement #shedule #oneyear #oneyearchallenge

Stick Dulcimer making part 2.1 laminating the sides (2024)

2024-07-04T02:42:00.000-07:00

Update to the 2010 video series demonstrating the side lamination techniques, plans for the side jig is in the updated plans download and the Printed edition of the Stick Dulcimer making Book, available soon. I am always trying to improve, simplifying and refining, the new plans and notes its been over 20 years of making these now.

My Stick Dulcimer Blank tab book with one tune as an example is already available to purchase: https://www.azonlinks.com/gb/view/B0CPYNW2FY

Plans for Stick Dulcimer: https://payhip.com/lyreshop

Book edition of notes and plans available soon

Full Stick Dulcimer making course on YouTube:

• Stick Dulcimer Making Course

Etsy for Instruments, plans and accessories:

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Thelyreshop

Latest work at Instagram: / stringdidj

website: https://www.michaeljking.com

Disclaimer: Always follow safe practices while working with tools. What is safe for one woodworker under certain conditions may not be safe for others in different circumstances. Viewers should undertake the use of materials and methods as shown in these videos after evaluation, and at their own risk.

BRAGOD - The Lost Music of Wales

2024-05-07T09:33:00.000-07:00

Came across a wonderful documentary.

BRAGOD - The Lost Music of Wales

from the video description:

"The film portrays the creative process of Robert Evans and Mary-Anne Roberts in their search for the lost music of Wales. It shows their efforts and strategies to recreate medieval bardic music as it was played in Wales. The duo BRAGOD digs deep to reimagine the sound-world and melodies with crwth, lyre and voice."

Staff Notation and Tab books for Guitar, Mandolin, Ukulele and Dulcimer

2023-12-12T10:20:00.000-08:00

Staff Notation and Tab books for Guitar,

Mandolin, Ukulele and Dulcimer

Staff Notation/Tab books available from amazon direct links Appalachian Dulcimer: https://pge.me/app-dc Mandolin: https://pge.me/mando Classical Guitar: https://pge.me/classic Ukulele: https://pge.me/Ukulele Stick Dulcimer: https://pge.me/StickD Author page for all my books: Amazon.com: https://tinyurl.com/3ay2348v

Daily Action List: free pdf guide available/discount on book offer

2023-10-31T11:07:00.009-07:00

The Daily Action List book series

This is a planning system I have been using for some time, to-do list and schedule combination. Had this book printed for my use mostly, but others might find it useful as well, ;-)

Free PDF:

If you would like to read my short guide for free and see if its something that could work for you before purchasing go to my payhip download page here:

https://payhip.com/lyreshop

Book Offer on amazon:

https://pge.me/0tTmwm

pocket size 5x8" paperback as shown, available until the end of the year at near cost price of £4.99/$5.99

6x9" paperback and Hardback editions are also available.

For other special ebook versions on Kindle, Kobo, Google books and Apple iBook see my linktree pages here:

https://linktr.ee/thedailyactionlist

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thedailyactionlist/

website:

https://www.thedailyactionlist.com/

facebook

https://www.facebook.com/The-Daily-Action-List-103619579462521/

Blog

https://michaeljking.blogspot.com/

Twitter

https://twitter.com/michaeljking

The Daily Action List book series also now has a 100 day planner follow on book.

see links section for website details, search on amazon or copy and paste:

https://pge.me/0tTmwm

#thedailyactionlsit #atomichabits #benjaminfranklin #ivylee #listmaking #timekeeping #seizetheday #carpediem #deepwork #productivity #actionlist #todolist #worklifebalance #5amclub #focus #livingthedream

Creative Commons music used for this video:

Audio recording of Adagio, BWV 974, transcribed by Johann Sebastian Bach from the 2nd movement of an oboe concerto by Alessandro Marcello, performed by Constantin Stephan.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oboe_Concerto_(Marcello)

Nostalgia: tune from 1983 in e minor by Michael J King

2023-10-25T10:04:00.006-07:00

This tune is 40 years old this year, created in 1983, improvised and recorded on cassette a few months after learning to play the guitar at a club at school. My friend Roland played the chords on the original, and I did the melody. (it has a flavour of Nights in White Satin and House of the rising sun crossed with Spanish guitar music which says a lot about the music we were listening to) This is my solo version of the tune. Forgive my fingerpicking and timing, very rusty! The original version on cassette had sounds of the playground in the background and takes me back to that moment each time I listen or play this tune, a tune of sadness, friendship and nostalgia. I think we performed this once or twice at school and in a talent show as part of a group of tunes. This tune represents a time when I wasn’t enjoying school but learning the guitar meant Io could hide away in the Music room in between lessons and use the instruments and recording tools. I have played this tune by ear a few times a year when I pick up the guitar, although there have been years when I didn't play the guitar. Thanks across time and space to my music teacher, (Miss Thomas), Kelmscott high school and to Roland, the co-creator of course! Latest work at Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stringdidj/

website: https://www.michaeljking.com

Inspirational Instruments: Making the Instruments of Wardruna with Don S...

2023-09-24T01:47:00.002-07:00

Inspirational Instruments: Making the
Instruments of Wardruna with Don Shaw - Midgardsblot 2023

Interview on the Nordic podcast with Instrument maker Don Shaw,

See his instagram account here

https://www.instagram.com/inspirational_instruments/

many thanks for the shout out at 7.40 minutes!

The Lyre CD mentioned by Don is still available as a Download

and will be in Book form shortly, mote details soon.

Anglo-Saxon/Trossingen Lyre Lesson - Brian Borus March

2023-08-02T04:19:00.003-07:00

Norþhærpe - How To Play Anglo-Saxon, Viking & Germanic Lyres + 80 Tunes

This tune is from a book of tunes by Paul Wilding for 6 and 7 string lyres, Its the only tune book I know of and can recommend to lyre players. The book includes sheet music and tab.

The Tab is different to what I use on lyres, Paul uses a type the numbers reversed like a harp (and like the Kantele tab I use) An easy task to read, or write out again as you learn tunes.

https://www.azonlinks.com/B09NGXZMDW

Making a Lyre bag: Part 2 by Michael J King

2023-07-24T02:19:00.003-07:00

Lyre bag made from sheepskin for Sutton Hoo lyre replica There will be a full write up or my blog and the upcoming Lyre making book. Message me if you are interested. Just a quick walkthrough here. I spent most of the time stitching and shearing the skin card template used for the flap section that was sewn on. Scissors and Dog Hair Clippers used to reduce the sheepskin depth in places. Staghorn toggle as a fastener, leather woven cord. Sheepskins sewn with saddle stitching.