Looking for advice to build a kantele

**jimmyh** · 8th October 2010, 08:17 AM

Hi

I am looking at a musical instrument build, this will be a kantele, which is stringed instrument traditional to Finland and the baltic countries. I have found a couple of websites for plans etc mostly either in other languages I can't read or American sites which just want to sell me something.

I would love to hear from anyone who has built something similar, and in particular would love to see some photos of any finished product.

I am looking at building primarily from Australian timbers and also need advice on the best type of glues to use in a stringed instrument.

Thanks

**kiwigeo** · 8th October 2010, 08:35 AM

Cant help with information about the build but as far as instrument glues go....I use either Titebond I AR glue or hide glue. Im tending to use hide glue more than AR glue of late. I get my hide glue from Toolsforwoodworking in the US (their high clarity glue).

Cheers Martin

**Sebastiaan56** · 9th October 2010, 07:56 AM

Ive looked at Kantele's as well. Its on my very long list of things to do one day. The best site I have found is here Carl Rahkonen's Kantele Site His dissertation is very good. I find it fascinating that there doesnt seem to be a standard configuration for the instrument. A true folk instrument. Thats the charm.

I expect that with most stringed instruments the body cavity volume, string length / material and tunings will be the main determinants of sound. That said the steel string is an invention of the 17thC so prior to that guts strings ruled and they would have sounded totally differently. Depends on what your interest is really. Seems like the Finnish ones are made of indigenous timbers (Pine, Spruce, Alder etc) so equivalents here would be King William Pine, Bunya Pine or Kauri Pine. That said a Tassie Blackwood or Tassie Oak body would be very cool.

Maybe Chris has or is willing to draw a plan?

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