Only one (so far), but it's not here yet - just shipped and will be here next Thursday. It's built by Dan Daniels of New Traditions Dulcimers in Indiana.
Rene
Exciting. I've heard wonderful things about Dan's dulcimers. Maybe you could show it to us after you get it.
That's a real beauty! A deal too good to pass up. Enjoy!
A strap is what I use. Sure there is a tiny bit of getting used to it and 'fitting' the proper length, but it's soooo much easier than hauling around folding tables or footstools. I use loops and big buttons to make the strap adjustable depending on if I'm wearing heavy or light clothes.
I agree. An adjustable strap is pretty easy to get used to. I've even found as I have progressed, I've changed the positioning of the dulcimer by adjusting the strap (and my legs). So, the flexibility is an advantage. Experimenting with a strap is a cheap investment and might be a pleasant surprise for her.
Congratulations, very nice looking dulcimer. Hope it brings you years of music joy!
Congrats on your new dulcimer. I know you are excited.
Thank you Richard. 
Nice to see I'm not the only one adding to their collection. Thanks for sharing.
Dulcimer Acquisition Disease. 
I ordered #7 today. I've been contemplating this one for quite a while. My husband said "life can through you a curve ball at any time....just do it". So I got my order in. A 4 month wait begins. 
(Hickory sweetness, with some secial features.)
Ken, great job! I bet she's tickled.
Awesome, be sure to post pics when it's done. You deserve it!
Susie, I can't recommend Ron enough. Very good to work with and talented.
So happy you had a great experience and it turned out beautiful for you. I had one of his years ago, a Birdseye Maple. It was very pretty, but the intonation was off up the fretboard. My Luther did his best to correct it, but it still wasn't right. I parted ways with it. I probably just got a bad one, because so many people are happy with Ron's dulcimers. I have another builder lined up, but thanks.
Enjoy your gem!
Beautiful and a great honor to your mom. Priceless!
I'm thinking about doing something special with another builder, to honor my dad and the farm property where we live and produce Maple Syrup, which was settled in 1889 (I'm 4th generation and only descendent living here). My dad died last year at 86 too.
Yes, that was a really nice article.
Love my McSpaddens!
The VSL on a Black Mountain is a little longer than you stated, but they cost less than the Gingers. They are pretty decent dulcimers. Just trying to give you ideas.
https://blackmtninstruments.com/buy-dulcimers/
I'm sure it would be a good choice, but, at $500+ without case, I don't know if it is within her price range.
The Ginger DOES come with a real nice soft case.
I have one of Ron Ewing's baritone dulcimettes and I absolutely love it. Tight construction, low action, crisp, clear sound. However, it is tuned usually to G or A rather than D, and the VSL is only about 21 inches, so it may not be perfect for this case. That's why I recommended a McSpadden Ginger.
That's why I asked Wally what tuning his friend wanted. I agree, your baritone dulcimette is gorgeous and has a great voice. It sounds like she's just starting out, so my guess is she'd want a dulcimer in D tuning, to learn and play with groups. Many of these little dulcimers are for those of us who already have standard dulcimers and are looking for alternate tunings and fun little dulcimers to complement what we already have. Maybe Wally will get back with us and let us know. Hey, even I am still toying with the idea of a Ewing baritone ducimettte.
We have a friend who is looking for a small dulcimer. She is currently playing a borrowed small Apple Creek instrument. She has tried "full size" instruments and is uncomfortable with them.
I would describe her desires as follows:
24 inch VSL
Hourglass body
Geared tuners
6 1/2 fret
Holes you can't drop a pick in
Good sound
Not looking for a specific wood
New or used OK
Moderate price
Any suggestions?
Does your friend want standard D tuning?
Many of the little dulcimers are set up for alternate tunings (usually G or A). So that's something to keep in mind.
I have two McSpadden Gingers, which I love. You can have them set up for standard D tuning. They check most of the boxes you have listed. They are quality made, sound great, and are a joy to play.
Also, in the groups, check out the "Little Dulcimers" group, where you'll see a "Little Dulcimers Little List". Very helpful when looking for a smaller dulcimer.
Thank you all for the input and suggestions.I found Mr.McCafferty online and ordered one of his capos[tuner included!] .I also stocked up on strings.It's hard to find suitable gauges and lengths for the dulcimer in Canada,in my experience.
That's great to hear. You will not be disappointed. Those with the tuner look like a great idea (I got mine before he came out with those). Glad we could be of some help to you.
Terry McCafferty makes some really nice capos for a little more money than the economical Ewing capos (which are generally a good value). I have purchased 4 of Terry's capos. Nice mechanism, consistent pressure across the strings.....my favorite dulcimer capo.
https://www.mccaffertydulcimers.com/capos
That is beautiful. Bocote always seems to have an eerie look to it.
I really enjoyed that, thanks so much for sharing. I had one of Mike's Tennessee Sweeties a while back. He's so talented and has quite a history in the dulcimer community.
We met Sam at a dulcimer festival. A real nice guy for sure. Sad news.
Wow, that is really cool. Thanks for sharing....have fun!
Sad news. Taken too soon. I hope his family can find some peace in his passing.
I recently bought matching stands for my dulcimer and guitar. The instructions for how to attach the base to the arm read:
"Do not overtighten. You can crack the wood. Maybe not a job for a drummer."
And similarly, the instructions for attaching the hanger to the arm read:
"Do not overtighten. You can strip out the insert. Keep the drummer away from this."
For the record, the assembly went very well. Clearly dulcimer players are more gentle creatures than are percussionists.
At least they had an appropriate (musician) sense of humor. (Although, a drummer may disagree.)
Super cool! Glad you're back with us.
If you really want to have choices for fret markers, I'd suggest this place:
https://www.inlaystickers.com/
I've used them on occasion for various instruments (for different purposes) over the years. Easy to apply, look really nice, and you can remove them without residue.
When I recently purchased an instrument without a fret marker on a particular fret that I was used to, I added a sticker to the fretboard. Here's that instrument. All but one of the markers are actual inlays, one is a sticker. Can you tell which is which?
Maybe contact them directly with your questions. I've found most places to be very responsive and informative.
I have dulcimers with VSL's that range from 23" to 27". My fingers/hands (and mind) tend(s) to adjust very quickly.
Maple is so beautiful, nice instrument. She should love it!
Wow, that touched my heart. ❤️
but are always open to more ; )
Rob and John, thanks for sharing. It's interesting to see the other instruments that people play too.
As Rockwell sang back in the '80s, "I always feel like somebody's watchin' me"
Love it!
I've enjoyed this thread. Thank you to everyone who shared. Whether you have 1 dulcimer or 10, we share a common love for this beautiful little wooden box with strings.
Have fun! 
Congrats on your new Flatwater, ADK. From what I see, they look and sound great, and have a great price to boot. I think McSpadden has really filled a niche with these new dulcimers.
Susie, enjoy that lovely new Ginger!
There may be some enablers here at fotmd yet I'm not one of them.
Thanks Robin, I sure will! No, I didn't think you were one of the enablers.
Looks like a beauty, and I'm sure it sounds like one, too!
Thanks Dusty. It sure does have a nice voice and these Gingers are fun to play. It's amazing the tone they can get out of a small bodied dulcimer.
