Thanks for the tips - As you said, hopefully at $350, the luthier is decent enough to not just smack some huge holes on it just to make it 'look nice'.
Still unsure if I will go with this seller as this is a bit pricey for a first instrument, but I'm not finding much in the way of alternatives.
100% new to the site (thank you to the welcome message I received) and to dulcimers. I am looking at an online seller who custom makes dulcimers. I decided on the hourglass shape and all walnut, based on a little research saying this made for a 'fuller' sound.
I was going to ask for a custom leaf image for the sound holes, but am worried this could make the instrument sound 'thinner' versus traditional f holes. I'm also unsure that I should be spending $350+ on my first dulcimer, but I've been cheap about a drumset in the past and it sounded HORRIBLE and made me never want to play it.
Any insight on sound hole affects or instrument recommendations is more than welcome!
