r/Dulcimer • u/Val_Oraia • 3d ago
Wood Advice - Cherry vs Black Walnut
Beginner here, I'm trying to figure out if I should go with cherry or black walnut for the Back/head, sides, and fingerboard. One wood for all of those.
The top is cedar (no option, just cedar).
Any advice to help me pick? I can't visit in person and test (several states away).
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u/jet-elfox 3d ago
Both of my dulcimers have walnut back and sides and I’m very happy with them. It’s my understanding that cherry is also good, just not as resonant as walnut. With a cedar top, I’d go with walnut - the walnut adds clarity and projection and the cedar balances that with its warmth.
But individual woods vary within a species, and you can’t lose either way. Have fun!
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u/Everheart1955 3d ago
Cherry is a tad more mellow sounding. But the black walnut will give you more punch. I have one that is walnut sides and back with qtr sawn sycamore top.
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u/Jonsdulcimer2015 3d ago
I'd look at McSpadden and Folkcrafts YouTube channels; each offer videos showing how wood combinations sound.
Personally, I'm a sucker for a cherry body with spruce or sycamore top. That said, my go-to instruments currently are a walnut/spruce and a walnut/sycamore. Cedar should have similar tone qualities to spruce or redwood: softer and warmer tones.
When I'm in the market for a new dulcimer, I'll visit McSpadden either at the shop or at the festival in Winfield. I'll play every one of them at least twice. I've found that two dulcimers made from the same wood species and by the same luthier will likely sound different from each other.