Tell us about your VERY FIRST dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
My first was a simple plank made by Tut Taylor and called a "Plickett." It seemed like a toy but played like a dulcimer. It had three strings and a plastic fretboard. The resonator was a hole drilled in the back partway through the body. I bought it at the Gatlinburg Craftsman's Fair in 1982 while getting a story for the local newspaper. While driving back to the newspaper office, I played all the songs provided on a simple tab playlist about ten altogether.
I was hooked. Shortly afterwards, I bought a Black Mountain dulcimer (a real dulcimer) that is currently on loan to a young woman friend from church. Since then I worked with a dulcimer maker and made hundreds while there. Currently own two made from Folkcraft and McSpadden kits.
The dulcimer hooked me with its beautiful voice and has never let me go. All thanks to that little Plickett. It's been a wondrous love affair.