I have a John Frazier dulcimer, and I think there is some info about him in one of the Revel's Music catalogues. Here:

This looks like a lot of fun, Lisa! Lucky!

Here you go, Jim! Yep, I totally understood about the name and initials! 

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Jim, I'm sending you these now because you are so eager! But they are pretty dark, so if you want me to try again later today I can. Mine clearly says H.A. Fleming 7-17-71 inside-- nothing William about it! But you did some good sleuthing to solve that mystery! Hope these help sate your curiosity!

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 Search George's posts, because he put up a sound clip just a couple of weeks ago! I think the thread was "How Do I Tune This Thing?"

I have one of these dulcimers now too, and when I got mine the two center strings were tuned an octave apart, with strings gauged for that purpose. I've just left it because it gives a very different, rich sound!

Well, WOW! I think it sounds great, and I loved listening to you play! I especially liked the last part, but I enjoyed all of it--

I did not think he meant the Blevins. I have 3 (vintage) dulcimers where the fret board goes out past the end and two of them produce cringe-inducing sounds, so I concur with him! Both made by makers with the history of making many instruments, so a person would think they would know better. In all three cases the dulcimers had something else unusual that attracted me--a carved head stock, for instance. Hence I gave myself that mental note about not getting distracted in the future unless I strictly want wall art (which I don't!  I like functional art!)!

 Now I just have to remember that and not get distracted by other pretty details!

Thank you so much for your prompt reply, George! Just what I wanted to hear!  

And, Ken, I'm just twice shy now because I used that "Well, this is number 217, so the builder must have known by then what he was doing!" logic on a fairly recent purchase online, only to discover that the instrument was well put together but is completely unplayable. But as I write this I am realizing that the instrument I'm talking about does have a fret board that extends off the end, so perhaps warping has robbed it of any good intonation. . . .

Back to the Blevins --I could only find an obituary with a fleeting mention of being a dulcimer maker and one comment on Everything Dulcimer (aside from Dan's comment below). I'd love it if you could post a link if you've found more info. Thanks to you both!

Hi again, fellow compulsive dulcimer purchaser! I have a question on this Blevins dulcimer you bought. How does it sound by now? Is the intonation good? Is the sound full or tinny? Thanks!

This Fleming dulcimer is wonderful! It is missing one mechanical tuning peg--the outer part you turn--but sounds beautiful as a four-string! Definitely glad I got it and thank you for the recommendation that gave me the little push, Jennifer! And guess what--no buzzing! Once I got the bridge set correctly (and the strings, which, holy smokes, I'm not sure what  previous owner was thinking. . .!!!) intonation is excellent and tone is warm even with mostly old strings! Sigh. So lovely!

That Fleming ad was from a different Fleming, though (who is also listed in the Directory of Contemporary etc.)!

Will do!

I'll let you know! Thanks for all of your help!

How lovely! And good to know that using a capo can make it playable, in the event that mine suffers from the same ailment as yours. I have plenty of dulcimers that need special accommodations to be played :), so perhaps this will be one more of those-- I will ask about the fret buzzing, but I don't think it will be productive since this person doesn't know dulcimers (that's the story, anyway!!).

HA Fleming is in the 

Directory of Contemporary American Musical Instrument Makers

but that doesn't guarantee playability ! ;)

The maker is HA Fleming, but I can't hear or play it before buying. It looks great. . .

Jennifer, Thank you for your prompt reply! If this is not too presumptuous to ask, would you say 100.00 was a fair price? That's the cost of the one I'm looking at, but can't play.

How did this dulcimer turn out? I'm thinking of buying one like it. Thanks.

The quality isn't the greatest on these because they are from my phone. See what you think!

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Looks more like an Edsel to me, especially with no paper inside. The face looks a lot like my Edsel, and the nut material is the same as my Edsel's (vs the one I have that Fred made). Just my two cents.

Thanks for the info! It turns out the one I'm looking at is from 1981. Would it probably be better to wait & bid on a newer one?

Would you share your serial number? I'm contemplating buying a McSpadden signed by Larry but am not sure how old it is. Thanks.

Van France said:

I bought a 1992 M12W made by Larry McSpadden and it is a very fine instrument. If you don't like yours, let me know and I'll buy it! Good luck and enjoy! BTW, if you need anything for it, send or take it to Jim Woods at the Dulcimer Shoppe and he will go over it for you and put it in tip top shape. He worked over my M12 while I waited (and played with some great players!) and that instrument looks and plays like new. Congratulations on your purchase.