Wyo, my caveats are ONLY about the sound of the finished product.

Everyone gives the lap dulcimer as an example of a doable home-made instrument. I just wanted express a word caution. Even such a simple instrument can have its share of unpleasant surprises. A number of professional dulcimer makers I have spoken with admit that dulcimers are quite unpredictable. You can try to build two identical dulcimers simultaneously and still get two completely different sounds. As an amateur you might end up with an instrument to die for or one to die of. However, I know any number of lap dulcimer players who love their instruments with the tonal qualities of bricks.