That sounds like a solid project, but let’s get the specs nailed down first. A small, resonant box can become a great instrument if we pick the right wood, cut the panels to precise thicknesses, and choose the right internal bracing. I’m thinking a thin‑rimed spruce top for brightness, a basswood back for warmth, and maybe a spruce or maple bottom to give it a solid bite. We’ll need a scale factor for the size – maybe a 12‑inch square as a starting point, then we can tweak it once we see how the vibrations behave. And if you’ve got a story in mind, we can carve some motifs into the edges to tie the narrative into the wood. Ready to grab a saw and a caliper?

Alright, first things first: the 12‑inch square is a good middle ground – not so big it drifts off the soundboard, not so small it loses tonal depth. I’ll lay out a template on the spruce, measure out a 3‑mm panel, then cut it with a band saw so we keep the kerf clean. The basswood backing will go at 2‑mm thick; it’ll give us that mellow, warm sustain without making the box feel flimsy. For the rune, let’s carve it in relief on the spruce edges – 0.5‑mm depth should keep the carving visible but not break the vibration path. Once the pieces are down, we’ll glue with a light‑set adhesive, sand to a 150 grit finish, and apply a natural oil to preserve the grain. The real test comes when we hang the drumhead and see how the whole thing resonates. I’m on my clipboard, ready to double‑check every measurement, so let’s keep the numbers tight.