Bibliography & Bookstore

 

The biggest selection of 'Do-it-yourself' and 'How to' Books

 

How to find, compare, get more info and buy a book
 

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Books about Mandolins, Dulcimers, Banjos and other stringed Instruments

    How to build a hammered dulcimer by Phillip Mason

Publisher: Crying Creek Publishers

 

    The Mandolin Manual: The Art, Craft and Science of the Mandolin and Mandola by John Troughton

Paperback

 

    Constructing a Bluegrass Mandolin. A complete techical guide by Roger H. Siminoff (Author)

 

    Fun with the Dulcimer by Virgil Hughes

Publisher: Melbay

 

    The Ultimate Bluegrass Mandolin Construction Manual by Roger H. Siminoff (Author)

Book description
The Ultimate Bluegrass Mandolin Construction Manual is the most complete step-by-step treatise ever written on building an acoustical string instrument. Siminoff, a renowned author and luthier, applies over four decades of experience to guide beginners to pros through detailed chapters on wood selection, cutting, carving, shaping, assembly, inlays, fretting, binding and assembly of an F-style mandolin. A special highlight is an in-depth chapter on the art of tap tuning. This fully-illustrated manual boasts more than 250 photos, a full-color section on the staining and finishing processes, numerous detailed illustrations, and a bonus set of 20 full-size blueprints.

Plastic Comb: 186 pages
Publisher: Hal Leonard; Manual edition
Language: English

 

    Constructing the mountain dulcimer by Dean Kimball (Author)

Book description
A comprehensive handbook for building the dulcimer.

Unknown Binding: 111 pages
Publisher: McKay
Language: English

 

    Making Stringed Instruments: A Workshop Guide by George Buchanan (Author)

Book description
There is a dichotomy in this book. Only an experienced cabinetmaker would be able to fill in the book's gaps and come up with a good-looking though not necessarily playable instrument; yet, the book is apparently written for the enthusiastic putterer who needs different saws and their uses identified. The section on choosing woods, for instance, gives no more than general guidelines; the brief section on varnishes is more concerned with looks than sound. Scale drawings are negated being caught in the binding. This is truly a do-it-yourself book. There is no mention of where a person could go for further advice and no bibliography. Despite copious and clear line drawings and a few photos, this is not recommended.

Paperback: 205 pages
Publisher: Sterling Pub Co Inc (November 1990)
Language: English

 

    Mandolin Manual: The Art, Craft and Science of the Mandolin and Mandola by John Troughton (Author)

Book description
ILLUSTRATED The Mandolin Manual is a detailed guide to constructing instruments belonging to the mandolin family: the mandolin, tenor mandola, and octave mandola. Logically structured and clearly written, it introduces the art of these beautiful instruments, describes the various techniques of the craft, and explains the science of their unique sound. The book includes: detailed instructions explaining the techniques for making a mandolin; chapters on the nature of wood, adhesives, and other materials for those new to woodworking; sections on the acoustics and dynamics of the bridge, belly, and sound box, as well as string technology, tone theory, optimum performance, and playability; an overview of the origins of mandolins; and grid–scale plans for all the instruments’ templates and critical dimensions.

Hardcover: 160 pages
Publisher: Crowood Press, Limited, The (May 1, 2002)
Language: English