WWWhen I was in high school I decided I wanted to learn the mountain dulcimer. I bought a Here Music kit (then based in Minneapolis) which I found through an ad in Sing Out. I wound up building two Here dulcimer kits, and doing another from scratch. Then I met some good instrument builders. My wood working skills were nowhere close to theirs. I decided I was better off playing instruments and appreciating the work that went into them, rather than trying to build them.
I really appreciate the time and skill it takes to do a good musical instrument, but have to admit that it is a skill I do not possess.