instructables

Talharpa / Jouhikko

by Essort

This is a custom build bass talharpa or bass jouhikko

You can listen similar sounding instruments in soundtracks of bands like, Wardruna, Danheim.

The main features:

cello strings (C G D) 4/4 (635200, 635300, 635400)

hard wood cello tuning pegs
1 meter height

Everything handmade except the horse hair for the bow, and the cello string, and tuning pegs.

We used pine wood for the body of the instrument. The other parts contacting with the string made from hard
wood. The parts of the instrument is glued together with non flexible wood glue. (its important because the flexible
glue will reduce the resonance)

This is our first try to build a stringed instrument. We looked at the topic thoroughly, but we are not sure this is the
best supplies to build with. We are open to suggestions how to build better one. Probably we will build another
one.

You can download the full schematic here:

https://gitlab.com/mindencsoki/talharpa

Supplies:

pine wood sheet for the front and the back part
pine wood planks for the sides
hard wood for the other smaller parts
string (we used the lower 3 cello string)
horse hair for the bow

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Step 1: Cut the Wood Planks

You have to make sure it's well connected before gluing. We used circular saw, and after that lots of sanding.

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Step 2: Cut Outs From the Upper Part

It's easier if you do it now, before you glue this together. If you clamp together the two planks, it will be symmetrical
when you cut is. We suggest to sand it after the cutting, because it's easier while it's separated parts.

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Step 3: Glue Together the Frame

The pine wood easily can get damaged from the clamps so use some extra wood like on the pictures.

After the glue dried, sand down the joints.

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Step 4: Cut Out the Back of the Instrument and Glue It Together

We used blue tapes to fix it together while the glue dry.

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Step 5: Cut Out the Upper Part

We used the woodworking CNC to cut out the sound hole. The symbol is: The Triple Horn of Odin / The Horn
Triskelion

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Step 6: Place the Sound Post, and Glue It Together

Placing the sound post is important. You can check our positioning on the schematic drawings. The sound post is
made with hard wood to.

Don't glue the sound post!

It has to be pressured between the back and the front part. Use extra caution, if you glue the top part you can't
remove it to modified the sound post placing.

While the glue dried we made the tail piece, and the bridge.

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Step 7: Tail Piece and Bridge From Hardwood

Has been cut out from hard wood. And sanded to the desired form. (it took lots of time)

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Step 8: Chamfer the Edges, and Install the Tuning Pegs

After this stage, we can tried out the sounding with cello bow.

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Step 9: New Working Bow

The new bow made from a branch.

There is a V shaped cut on the end. On the handle part there is a hole behind the insulation tape, and the horse
hair fastened with wire on both end.

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An original 4/4 cello has C-G-D-A. So my question is: isn't your E in fact a D and to what size cello
can it be compared?
You are correct! Thank you, i will change it in the description.
I'm not good with cellos. This is the ones we used in the picture.

This is amazing! A beautiful carving for the sound-hole. I'm so intrigued that I really want to try this.
Thank you for sharing your work :-)
(Also thank you for the introduction to Wardruna; I'm listening to Helvegen as I type!)
Thank you!
If you require any further information about the steps, let me know.
Beautiful instrument.

Talharpa / Jouhikko: Page 15

Thank you!

Thank you for sharing! It's a beautiful instrument. But please check the Finnish spelling. It's called
jouhikko.
Thank you for the correction!

oooh, what a neat looking instrument!

Thank you!

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