The early stringed instruments illustrated are some of the most popular of their kind. Most are "folk" instruments, are not difficult to play and permit a good variety of music, especially the harp, and the keyboard instruments even more so.

The plans for each of the instruments are full-sized, so that you can cut accurate templates for the frames and readily locate the position of bridges, pins etc. The illustrated manual that accompanies each plan gives details of each step.

You can view sample pages from some of the construction manuals here. The construction manuals show each step and are fully illustrated. The plans for each instrument are full-size to give details of positioning of strings, pins, etc, and show the full-size shape of the instrument. (Use the back button in your web browser to return to this page)

• Celtic 30 string Harp - Soundbox Frame
• Clavichord - Case Construction
• Virginal - Case Construction
• Harpsichord - Case Construction

It is highly desirable that you have prior woodworking experience and it is essential for the keyboard instruments, which are major projects. You will also find that power tools are helpful, even though the original instruments were hand made.

There is an overseas mail surcharge of $12.00 Australian for plans and $20.00 Australian for parts (currently $1 Australian = 83¢ American, 0.61 Euros, $1.12 NZ, and £0.41 UK as of May 2007). Airmail weight may add to the parts, but I will quote you.