3/16 thick seems to be about right for the thickness
Most of the manufacturers use a 3 ply Baltic birch ply for the bottom , or you could call it the sound board
Polishing the dowel and dowel holes till their smooth will reduce friction noise , of that doesn't work try a little wax on the rod.
![](http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t456/oldgobbler3/20150222_175316.jpg)
I like to make these when I have time , and that's almost never -