Pin blocks are commonly made of laminated or solid eastern maple, a very dense wood. Beyond that, the materials used in building hammered dulcimers vary quite a bit. Laminated wood is often used for soundboards and backs, while the finest instruments are made of solid wood. Mahogany, sapele, spruce, cedar, and redwood are popular for soundboards, while walnut, mahogany, cherry, and maple are often used for the rails. The woods used—especially for the soundboard—have a direct effect on the instrument’s tone and sustain.
Hammered dulcimers also come in many different sizes and weights, ranging from 12 to 40 lbs. Older instruments tend to be more massive, partly to support a larger number of strings per course, while modern designs tend toward fewer strings and lighter construction methods. The overall dimensions are dictated by the instrument’s range, the spacing of the courses, and the string lengths chosen by the maker.