Russ, when I first started building HD's I built really ugly prototypes to simply try different things inside the box as well as rails and stuff. Then I built my best sounding one with decent woods. I still had to make some changes, but what I learned in those first 15 or so "uglies" made the process quite easy. I agree with you that with a kit, you never really know. The guy with the autoharp had a nice sounding instrument but that's not always the case and like I said, he'd added a few personal touches as well and for all I know some of them may have been inside.

BTW, I went through the same process with lap dulcimers and though I'm happy with what I have, I could be happier still.........

I'd still recommend MusicMaker Kits as again, what I've seen makes them a good option.

Spaw