New Page Added! Kantele Build Logs!

Just another update regarding a new page added to the blog! The Kantele Build Logs page, located at the top or in the bolded link provided, like some of my other previously published pages, is a way to organize and collect information and posts regarding build logs I have written. This will make it easier to find and look up information regarding either my pseudo-build logs or completed build logs for the kantele I have made so far. Like my other pages, I will update them when new material is added. Right now the page contains the pseudo-build logs of my kanteles #001, #002, #003, and #004, with the last being broken up into three parts. Kind of as a sneak peak for future work, I am currently compiling information for two additional and more complete build logs for two new kantele that I am working on. They will most likely be completed in the upcoming months, with complete information and details. These next two kanteles, #009 and #010 (I have to set aside working on #005 - #008 for now), are definitely unique builds, certainly different than my previous kanteles but still reflecting my own style of kantele making. Kantele #010 in particular is an uber-budget model, made from a free and very unlikely but challenging source of wood, while kantele #009 is a radically different and epic style kantele inspired from mythology and a desire to have a kantele with a more natural and raw construction while combining hand carved and shaped features. So browse around and enjoy, and check back for more updates!

New Page Added! Completed Kanteles!

Just a quick update on a new kantele page for the blog! The Completed Kanteles page, located at the top above or in the bolded link provided, is a page dedicated to my ever growing list of kanteles that I have completed. This page should make it easier to navigate to information regarding each of the completed kantele builds. As I build more kanteles in the future, I will continue to add and update the page. I definitely have some unique kanteles on the way I will be working on in the next coming months, with complete information and build logs, so stay tuned for updates! And if you haven't already viewed the completed kanteles, I encourage you to take a look! Enjoy!

Pseudo-Build Log of Kantele #004 - Part III

Welcome to the third and final part of this series of build logs for my kantele #004! The last two parts showed the basic construction and preparation of the frame of the kantele. This last portion includes a few shots of the finished frame and different angles of different features. From here on out, my future kantele build logs will try to include the entire and complete documented process for each kantele. Like the other posts, just hover your mouse over the picture for a description or click to enlarge.
 

                         

Extra Sources and Info:
 
1.) Pseudo-Build log of Kantele #004 - Part I

2.) Pseudo-Build log of Kantele #004 - Part II

3.) Completed Kantele #004 Info

Pseudo-Build Log of Kantele #004 - Part II

Welcome back to Part II of this kantele build log for kantele #004. The previous part showed a few of the beginning stages with the raw bubinga turning blanks and gluing of the sides. Below are more pictures showing the gluing and construction of the frame. Just hover your mouse over the pictures for a description or click to enlarge. Part III to come shortly, enjoy!

 

Extra Sources and Info:
 
1.) Pseudo-Build log of Kantele #004 - Part I

2.) Completed Kantele #004 Info

Pseudo-Build Log of Kantele #004 - Part I

       Welcome to the fourth installment of my kantele pseudo-build logs! This log will show some of the details of kantele #004, which happens to be my favorite to date. Like my previous build logs, I kind of dropped the ball on documenting the later portions of the build, so I really only have some of the early parts documented. I will however be taking a more complete documentation of my future kantele builds now that I have gotten more involved in posting and sharing this work. Because there are a lot more pictures with this build log, I will break it up into three parts so that this post isn't overloaded with pictures. Just hover your mouse over the pictures for a description or click to enlarge. Below I have included links to the pages of the completed kantele #004, as well as additional resources for upcoming builds and reviews of suppliers I commonly buy my woods from to create my kantele. Stay tuned for Part II in the coming week!

 

Extra Sources and Info:

1.) Completed Kantele #004 Info

2.) Some Future Kantele Wood Choices

3.) Suggested Wood Sources

4.) Raw Materials Resources

New Page Added! Kantele Resources!

I have just recently added a new page dedicated to kantele related resources. This page, either accessed at the top with the other pages or in the link below, includes links to many sites and sources, from groups, to general information, to kantele makers, to playing guides, sheet music and other kantele related blogs and research. There is definitely a lot of information available, and having it all in one place makes it easier (since it can be a bit difficult to find information on the kantele sometimes.) I encourage you to explore these additional sources, whether new or old, as much can be learned by many kantele enthusiasts, players, and makers out there. I will add more as I find more sources, but it should provide for a very good start for anyone interested in finding out more about many aspects of this instrument. And if anyone has suggestions for other sources that I may have missed then please send me a message or comment and I will add the suggested site!

Kantele Resources

Pseudo-Build Log of Kantele #003

A third installment of my rather impromptu kantele pseudo-build logs, this time giving an overview of kantele #003. A little more detail is given of the basic cutting and roughing of the front and the ponsi. Again, when I was building this, I was more excited to finish the instrument than to document progress, so these are the photos that I obtained early in the process. As always I am more than willing to give suggestions for aspiring kantele builders. Below is a link to the completed kantele page, as well as additional sources of wood I commonly use here in the U.S.

 

 

 

 

Extra Sources and Info:

1.) Kantele #003 Info: http://oertheeternalstrings.blogspot.com/2014/11/kantele-003.html

 2.) Suggested Sources of Wood for DIY Kantele: http://oertheeternalstrings.blogspot.com/2015/01/suggested-wood-sources-for-kantele-or.html  

New Page Added! Suppliers and Materials Resources List!

I finally have gotten around to adding a dedicated page for suppliers of various materials and resources for kantele building, and woodworking in general. I will continue to add to the list, but for now it includes a bunch of sources to get started with. I will only add sources that I have purchased from and would recommend myself. I don't have everything up yet, but again I will continue to add as I go along. I will also be adding pages for kantele groups and resources, sheet music, and videos, so check back for more material!

Raw Materials Resources Page

Suggested Wood Sources and Reviews

Pseudo-Build Log of Kantele #002

Here is the second of my pseudo-build logs, with an overview of kantele #002. I didn't take as many pictures of the later processes again, but it should provide a little more reference for building frames for anyone interested in making their own. These kantele are again of my own style, one that I have developed myself, and are not traditional, but it should give some background on basic construction techniques for those who are interested. The thumbnails can be opened as larger pictures, and I am always more than happy to answer questions about kantele making, provide feedback, or suggestions if needed. Information on the completed kantele can be found in the link below.

Extra Sources and Info:

1.) Kantele #002 Info: http://oertheeternalstrings.blogspot.com/2014/11/kantele-002.html

2.) Suggested Sources of Wood for DIY Kantele: http://oertheeternalstrings.blogspot.com/2015/01/suggested-wood-sources-for-kantele-or.html  

Pseudo-Build Log of Kantele #001

When I first started making my kantele, I had intended on creating a detailed build log with all the steps. However, I got too caught up in making the kantele and as a result, got rather lazy on documenting my progress. Though this isn't a true build log, It does give a kind of general flow of how this kantele was built. I didn't include all of the details such as the backboard, decorative headplate, or ponsi, but this gives the rough basics of building the frame as a general reference. You can click on the thumbnails for a larger picture. To see the completed kantele just click on the first link below at the bottom of the page.

Extra Sources and Info:

1.) Kantele #001 Info:  http://oertheeternalstrings.blogspot.com/2014/10/kantele-001.html

2.) Future Wood Choices: http://oertheeternalstrings.blogspot.com/2015/01/some-future-kantele-wood-choices.html 

3.) Suggested Sources of Wood for DIY Kantele: http://oertheeternalstrings.blogspot.com/2015/01/suggested-wood-sources-for-kantele-or.html