A review of my new album
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Such an insightful review, Alex! The musically curious folks who listen to the recording will be rewarded for doing so.
Forum Activity for @robin-thompson
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
A review of my new album
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Hi All,
I hope you're doing well in all ways.
Here's the latest review of my new album:
https://www.ragtalent.com/post/alex-lubet-release-a-record-with-victoria-vargas-from-written-works-by-amy-levy
If you'd like to hear it, it streams in all the usual places, including Spotify and YouTube.
Have a great rest of the week.
Folkcraft dulcimer,1993, pristine condition, new soft case.
FOR SALE:instruments/music items/CDs/Wanted to Buy...
gerardo1000:
Hi is this still for sale ? Thanks ! Todd Metcalf
I am selling a beautiful dulcimer hand made in Connecticut by Folkcraft in 1993, in outstanding pristine condition (please see photos). Scale length is 27 inches. Total length of the instrument is 41 inches. Currently set for DAD tuning with brand new D'Addario 0.12 0.15 0.24 strings. A fourth 0.12 string can be added. The instrument sounds great and it is easy to play with no strings buzz. Folkcraft dulcimers currently retail for over $1,000.00. The instrument comes with a quality brand new T.K. O'Brien case (a value of $65.00) included for free. I am asking for $350.00. Local pick up in Oakland County, Michigan, or shipping to Continental United States with UPS for a flat fee of $35.00. Thanks.
David Lynch Baritone
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Ken Longfield:
Ken I so appreciate your knowledge and caring and this all is clarifying my search a ton . Will go with a Lynch or Mc Spadden or folk craft or one of the other high qualities if I can fit the budget:))). Thx! Todd
Todd, you are receiving good advice. I just want to make a few clarifications regarding David Lynch's student model dulcimer. His original price on this instrument was $125. By the time of his death he had to raise to price which was still under $150. He used baltic birch plywood for the back, sides, and top of the dulcimer and the price of this material had gone up. He could no longer absorb the cost of the price increase of a sheet of plywood. The peg head and the fret board on these dulcimers was walnut. All of them were finished with a light coat of Deft spray lacquer. He used either a matte or semi-gloss finish. These were very playable and good sounding instruments. Dave began by building harps and was known on various dulcimer sites as "Harpmaker." He later branched out to making mountain dulcimers.
In searching for a previous owned dulcimer keep your eyes and ears open. I've found some on Craig's list in addition to eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Goodwill, here at FOTMD, as well as some folks contacting me to see if I would be interested in their dulcimer. There are several builders in California; Blue Lion, Joellen Lapidus, and Howard Rugg are all well known, but their instruments are well above the beginner level.
Be patient and right dulcimer will find you. Best wishes in your hunt for an instrument.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
David Lynch Baritone
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Richard Streib:
Richard this infinitely helpful thank you ! I'm getting a good idea from you all of what and what not to do ! Thx ! Toddul
Todd, As to where to look for a dulcimer, shopgoodwill.com sometimes has mountain dulcimers. I think you will do well to take your time and find one made by a known builder. You have done well by asking for guidance on this forum. I would be wary of foreign made dulcimers many of which have quality and intonation issues. It is so disheartening to get a dulcimer and then become disappointed because it does not sound right. Not a good way to begin your dulcimer journey.
Over the years I have bought 3 McSpadden Dulcimers and 1 Warren May dulcimer previously owned which had been played little to not at all. One of them still had the pick and noter in a sealed envelope. People sometimes buy on the spur of the moment then never get around to learning to play. Such a dulcimer if it has been stored properly is usually a good buy and often at a very reasonable price.
If there is a local dulcimer club, many times the members are accepting of newbies and will allow you to look at and play their dulcimers. Sometimes teachers or clubs have loaner dulcimers as well, it that is an option where you live.
Continue to look and if you see one, let us know and we may be able to offer some guidance. Best of luck on your search.
David Lynch Baritone
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Dusty Turtle:
Dusty this is cool helpful. Would LOVE to connect to the Los Osos group. My email is lovetoddm@gmail.com, and ph: 928 848 9828. This is all clarifying my focus and heart thanks so much. Todd
Todd, I see you've found the For Sale Forum here. That is a great place to find used instruments, although the usual caveats apply.
The reason I mentioned McSpadden in my earlier post is that McSpadden dulcimers are all good quality and eminently playable. They are also quite popular, so if you decide to sell one later on, you won't take a big financial hit. I see you've found a Folkcraft for sale here. Folkcraft are also of high quality. If you find one at a decent price, they are usually a safe bet.
You might check Craig's list for used dulcimers, but as with Ebay, the majority of instruments you find there are of questionable quality. Reverb is another online marketplace, but the prices there seem higher. And honestly, I would suggest staying away from online retailers unless you know the maker well.
As to your question about how to get your hands on a dulcimer to try them out, I can't tell you where to go in SLO itself, but I know some people in Los Osos who have a regular dulcimer gathering. If you wish, I could put you in touch with them. In the LA area there are lots of players and there are a few up in the Santa Cruz area and in the East Bay. In the summer months there are in-person gatherings you could attend when you could just ask to try out people's instruments, but not much is happening like that this time of year.
David Lynch Baritone
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Todd, you are receiving good advice. I just want to make a few clarifications regarding David Lynch's student model dulcimer. His original price on this instrument was $125. By the time of his death he had to raise to price which was still under $150. He used baltic birch plywood for the back, sides, and top of the dulcimer and the price of this material had gone up. He could no longer absorb the cost of the price increase of a sheet of plywood. The peg head and the fret board on these dulcimers was walnut. All of them were finished with a light coat of Deft spray lacquer. He used either a matte or semi-gloss finish. These were very playable and good sounding instruments. Dave began by building harps and was known on various dulcimer sites as "Harpmaker." He later branched out to making mountain dulcimers.
In searching for a previous owned dulcimer keep your eyes and ears open. I've found some on Craig's list in addition to eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Goodwill, here at FOTMD, as well as some folks contacting me to see if I would be interested in their dulcimer. There are several builders in California; Blue Lion, Joellen Lapidus, and Howard Rugg are all well known, but their instruments are well above the beginner level.
Be patient and right dulcimer will find you. Best wishes in your hunt for an instrument.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
David Lynch Baritone
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Todd, As to where to look for a dulcimer, shopgoodwill.com sometimes has mountain dulcimers. I think you will do well to take your time and find one made by a known builder. You have done well by asking for guidance on this forum. I would be wary of foreign made dulcimers many of which have quality and intonation issues. It is so disheartening to get a dulcimer and then become disappointed because it does not sound right. Not a good way to begin your dulcimer journey.
Over the years I have bought 3 McSpadden Dulcimers and 1 Warren May dulcimer previously owned which had been played little to not at all. One of them still had the pick and noter in a sealed envelope. People sometimes buy on the spur of the moment then never get around to learning to play. Such a dulcimer if it has been stored properly is usually a good buy and often at a very reasonable price.
If there is a local dulcimer club, many times the members are accepting of newbies and will allow you to look at and play their dulcimers. Sometimes teachers or clubs have loaner dulcimers as well, it that is an option where you live.
Continue to look and if you see one, let us know and we may be able to offer some guidance. Best of luck on your search.
David Lynch Baritone
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Todd, I see you've found the For Sale Forum here. That is a great place to find used instruments, although the usual caveats apply.
The reason I mentioned McSpadden in my earlier post is that McSpadden dulcimers are all good quality and eminently playable. They are also quite popular, so if you decide to sell one later on, you won't take a big financial hit. I see you've found a Folkcraft for sale here. Folkcraft are also of high quality. If you find one at a decent price, they are usually a safe bet.
You might check Craig's list for used dulcimers, but as with Ebay, the majority of instruments you find there are of questionable quality. Reverb is another online marketplace, but the prices there seem higher. And honestly, I would suggest staying away from online retailers unless you know the maker well.
As to your question about how to get your hands on a dulcimer to try them out, I can't tell you where to go in SLO itself, but I know some people in Los Osos who have a regular dulcimer gathering. If you wish, I could put you in touch with them. In the LA area there are lots of players and there are a few up in the Santa Cruz area and in the East Bay. In the summer months there are in-person gatherings you could attend when you could just ask to try out people's instruments, but not much is happening like that this time of year.
Folkcraft dulcimer,1993, pristine condition, new soft case.
FOR SALE:instruments/music items/CDs/Wanted to Buy...
Hi..is this still for sale ? Thanks ! Todd
David Lynch Baritone
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Thanks so much, Richard this is super helpful Any idea where to look for another Lynch, or where to shop besides eBay for a used dulcimer ?
Many thx,, Todd
David Lynch Baritone
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Richard Streib:
I have owned in the past two of David Lynch's dulcimers which were not student models. They both were well made and sounded wonderful. I sold them not because there was anything wrong with them but because I chose to play dulcimers with a more traditional style, staple frets, fiddle edges, in the pattern of the Thomas dulcimers of old. But as Dusty pointed out the one on ebay looks to be one of his student models. Personally I don't think I would give that much for it.
David Lynch Baritone
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Dusty that response got broken up. Musta hit a key. Ii see we both live in CA. I'm near San Luis Obispo, and no dulcimers in music stores here or Santa Barbara . Any ideas where to hold one and hear it before buying ?
Warmly, Todd
David Lynch Baritone
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Dusty this is such a cool helpful response... I really appreciate it. Thank you. I see you live in CI'llce to hold it in my hands and hear it before buying. Any ideas where ?
It seems this Lynch model is lower than most prices, but oddly maybe not a reasonable price. I'll keep shopping perhaps.
Many warm thanks, Todd
David Lynch Baritone
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
I have owned in the past two of David Lynch's dulcimers which were not student models. They both were well made and sounded wonderful. I sold them not because there was anything wrong with them but because I chose to play dulcimers with a more traditional style, staple frets, fiddle edges, in the pattern of the Thomas dulcimers of old. But as Dusty pointed out the one on ebay looks to be one of his student models. Personally I don't think I would give that much for it.
David Lynch Baritone
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
@todd-metcalf, the listing should indicate if the dulcimer is a baritone. If it doesn't specify, you can assume it is a standard dulcimer. Is it worth $250? I suppose that depends on the model and your interest. David's most common dulcimer was a student model dulcimer that he sold for about $120. They were made of poplar ply, not solid wood, but they had excellent intonation and a nice punch to the sound. He also made fancier models, but I've never played one so I can't speak about those.
Is this the listing ? If so, that appears to be a student model. I do not believe there is another dulcimer on the market currently that you can get for that price that would be as playable. In that sense, perhaps it is worth $279. On the other hand, we know the original purchaser paid less than half that.
David's student model dulcimer is very well made and the intonation is spot on. It can be fun to play, with a pop that resembles a mandolin. However, since it is not made of solid wood, it does not have the deep, rich tone of a dulcimer with, for example, a body of walnut or cherry and a top of cedar or spruce. My guess is that anyone playing for a while would outgrow it in the search for a more pleasing tone.
With shipping, that dulcimer will cost you over $300 and does not include a bag or case.
There is no clear right or wrong answer here. I'm sure you would enjoy playing it, but you might choose to keep your eyes open for a used McSpadden instead.
David Lynch Baritone
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Hi Everyone, I'm lookin to buy my first dulcimer. I saw David Lynch on Ebay for 250.00. Is that a decent price ? is there a way to know if it is standard vs baritone? Any advice overall? Thanks ! Todd in Pismo Beach, Ca
Extended Range Dulcimer
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Nate:
I do like adding strings to the low end of my dulcimers and recently have been having a lot of fun with D2 A2 D3 A3 D4, but on a 4 string dulcimer I much prefer A2 D3 A3 D4 compared to D2 D3 A3 D4. In other words, ADAd instead of DDAd.
I'm with you, Nate. That is a common octave mandolin / Irish bouzouki tuning (I also play mandolin and octave mandolin). It's great for flatpicking fiddle tunes in D on the dulcimer an octave lower than would normally be possible, i.e. it lets you "dip below" that low D string.
You might want to try tuning your two A strings down to G: Then you can play in G without a capo!
My two main dulcimers have five equidistant strings, with two unison high D strings. One is tuned A,DAdd, the other G,DGdd ("A," and "G," indicate that those strings are tuned an octave below A and G, respectively).
Extended Range Dulcimer
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My 6-string conversion of an old Korean dulcimer has a "dropped" A on the middle set and a "raised" D on the base set. Otherwise it has the common, original, DAA tuning. I like it, and it the instrument I usually play.
Extended Range Dulcimer
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@nate Thanks! Yes, that is correct on the string configuration. I'm hooked on that drop D for droning...really reminds me of a bagpipe.
I'm not familiar with Willi, but he has some serious skills for sure. Dom Flemons is the first one I saw who played both harmonica and bones simultaneously. I find it difficult to play harmonica using a neck brace, because there is a lot of fine articulation that's involved with playing harp. Sometimes it needs to be tilted up and sometimes a little off axis. At least that's what I find for melody playing. Chords may be more forgiving on the harp's position.
updated by @barnjam: 10/09/25 08:45:27AM
Extended Range Dulcimer
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Talking about bones and harmonica, I thought you might enjoy this performance by Willi Carlisle, if you haven't seen it before.
Extended Range Dulcimer
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barnjam:
Do you like the drop D drone? Does anyone else use a drop D string?
It sounds great. Am I understanding you correctly that the dulcimer has 4 strings tuned D2 D3 A3 D4? I do like adding strings to the low end of my dulcimers and recently have been having a lot of fun with D2 A2 D3 A3 D4, but on a 4 string dulcimer I much prefer A2 D3 A3 D4 compared to D2 D3 A3 D4. In other words, ADAd instead of DDAd. The drones provide a nice sound, and when I'm chording, I can just fret the A2 string the same way I fret the A3 string for some really pretty chords.
Extended Range Dulcimer
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I'd like to thank each of you for your great ideas, tips and advice. Rather than purchase another dulcimer, I decided to experiment with my 8-String Milford Blevins model. It has the longest VSL and widest fretboard among my dulcimers. I built a new nut and bridge to accommodate a 4-String DAD tuning setup, with 1 Drop D string included. Attached is an audio sample of what I've been wanting to do on Sal's Got Mud. I play each part once. Part A & B are played on the 'D' melody string, then part C is played on the middle 'A' string. Surprisingly, I don't miss the extra drop D and A strings. The wider fretboard allows me to comfortably pick the middle A without contacting the other strings.
The tonality and sustain is great. I did cut another sound port in the side of the body, which is matched to the opposite side. I originally determined that the top sound holes were not allowing enough of the sound to escape. These two sound ports really make a difference. Do you like the drop D drone? Does anyone else use a drop D string?
Sals_Got_Mud_BarnJam_Dulcimer.mp3 - 1.1MBExtended Range Dulcimer
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Whoops, I did notice that they were bones and still typed spoons for some reason lol. Similar, but still quite different. Either way, sounds like a cool group, as most lovers of folk music and instruments tend to be.
Extended Range Dulcimer
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@nate Thank you. It’s a wonderful group of folks and we have a great time playing together. The famous Dom Flemons, The American Songster, is from Phoenix and used to play with the PHX OTMS. As you noticed there is a variety of instruments, These folks got me playing the dulcimer. I have about (7) dulcimers and each one is tuned differently.
I’m actually playing rhythm bones, which are a close relative of spoons. Many of the members of Rhythm Bones Society knew Percy Danforth, the “granddaddy of bones”. There are gentlemen like Steve Brown who shared the stage with The Chieftains and Barry “Bones” Patton, who performs internationally. Like the Appalachian Dulcimer, there is a rich history of bones players.
Extended Range Dulcimer
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Looks like a lot of fun. I see that you are playing harmonica and spoons at the same time, which is no small feat, and the result is great.
Cool to see so many people coming together and playing different instruments in the second and third clip. Seems like a great time.
updated by @nate: 10/08/25 03:02:12AM
Extended Range Dulcimer
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I learned Sal’s from the Phoenix Old Time Music Society. Here are three recordings we’ve done with various instruments and tempos, if you’re interested in hearing our versions.
Four of us (banjo, fiddle, guitar, harmonica)
The Phoenix Old Time Music Society
Black River Barn Band
Extended Range Dulcimer
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Yes, that is exactly right. That makes sense that the open D string would sound “better” than the fretted D on the A string. I like low action on the melody string, but I notice that the drone strings sound amazing with high action. I hear a noticeable difference in the resonance of the elevated strings. The drawback is that they can’t be fretted without going extremely sharp.
I wonder if the intonation is better in DAD tuning. I read that the dulcimer relies on averages, to give it its simplicity. Someday, I will buy a guitar with an adjustable nut and saddle, so I can perfectly intonate each string. Are there any dulcimers that have that feature?
updated by @barnjam: 10/07/25 10:33:19PM
Extended Range Dulcimer
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Are you saying that you like the tone of the melody string when it plays the tonic D note on the open string?... as opposed to the melody string tuned to A and you playing the tonic d note on the 3rd fret?
I think the tone of fretted strings are inherently slightly more 'closed' sounding than open strings... is that what you mean? That's one reason oldtime banjo players use various tunings... to take advantage of ringing open strings as much as possible.
But I'm sure others will have great input on this.
P.S. what version source of Sal/Mud are you learning?
updated by @strumelia: 10/07/25 10:15:12PM
Extended Range Dulcimer
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@strumelia Thanks for that tip. I can see how the noter would fit more easily between close frets. I like the speed and tactile feel I get from my bare fingers.
So I tried playing Sal’s Got Mud on the A string, and it works well on the Milford Blevins 8-String because it has a VSL of 28.25”. There is plenty of room from left to right.
Here’s my next dilemma. I don’t like the tonal quality of the A string, played in the key of D, as much as I like the D played in D. My new question is about intonation. Have you found that mountain dulcimers sound better in DAD than DAA?
I’ve tried many string configurations and gauges. I even had custom small gauge wound strings custom made (.11 and .13). They work best on an electric guitar or dulcimer. Bassist Garry Goodman hand winds these specialty strings.
Extended Range Dulcimer
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@barnjam ... just from my personal viewpoint- when playing oldtime tunes up high in the second octave solely on the melody string, -because i play with a noter I do not have the problem of my fingertips sliding quickly between frets that are very close together. Just putting that little bug in your ear! 
Extended Range Dulcimer
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I refreshed my memory on playing melody jn DAA, and the results are as follows. I truly enjoy the rich tonal quality of playing on the lower octave. The upper octave however is limited (as mentioned by someone).
Example: Sal’s Got Mud Between Her Toes
DAD tuning is ideal for parts A & B. I start on the low octave and play into the higher octave. Part C is where I prefer DAA tuning, because I quickly run out of frets/notes on the lower octave. I can play it on the middle A string, but that’s not as seamless as walking down the fretboard to finish the Part C.
If the dulcimer was a bit larger, diatonic, and had some extra frets on the upper register….would I be able to play all three parts on the melody string? I’m going to do some test recordings and share the results.
Extended Range Dulcimer
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barnjam:
Richard Ash at Folkcraft has a great write up on the subject of hands, fingers, and VSLs.
https://folkcraft.com/pages/how-to-choose-the-right-scale-length-for-your-new-dulcimer
That's a great write up!
Extended Range Dulcimer
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Skip, in his original post he said "I wish it were a tad longer so that I could get the best of DAA and DAD tuning, allowing me to walk down the fretboard on the melody string alone." Which i assume means that he wants notes below A to be available on the melody string.
@Barnjam you might consider trying to tune your instrument D3A3D3, (you will need to put a bass string where you would normally put a melody string) such that the melody string is the same pitch as the bass string, which would allow you to have a range of D3 to D5 on the melody string, assuming 2 octaves of frets. This would allow you to play "melodies on the bass string" using the first octave of frets on the melody string, and the second octave of frets will correspond to the notes you would normally get on the melody string. It may be the easiest solution, if you like the feel of it, and that gives you the notes you want.
Extended Range Dulcimer
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Thanks for moving this to the proper category. Interestingly, Richard Ash at Folkcraft has a great write up on the subject of hands, fingers, and VSLs.
https://folkcraft.com/pages/how-to-choose-the-right-scale-length-for-your-new-dulcimer
Extended Range Dulcimer
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As an example; Standard, 28.5" VSL McSpadden tuned DAA will do exactly what you just described. Any dulcimer with the same fret layout will also meet that criteria. The caveat is the frets are really close together at the high notes.
DAA is a 155 tuning so just about any 155 tuning [w/correct strings] would work. Other modal tunings may or may not result in 2 full octaves.
DAd [158] may also work since the McSpadden has the 6.5 and 13.5 frets.
updated by @skip: 10/07/25 05:27:47PM
Extended Range Dulcimer
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It means you asked a good question that hits on interesting ideas. :)
It may be helpful to know: what exactly is the range of notes that you would like to have access to on your melody string?
Extended Range Dulcimer
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I never expected my question to make the rounds, but a lot of great information and ideas are being shared. John Knopf to had some great ideas as well. One thought is to make the fretboard longer, but tune the melody string to something other than D. I’m thinking A (like in DAA tuning). From that point you play it like it’s tuned in D, leaving the lower frets available. Hopefully I got that all right.
Extended Range Dulcimer
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Dusty Turtle:
What this demonstrates, I think, is that the wideness of the fretboard and the distance between strings is an important variable, perhaps more important that VSL even, and yet it is one that gets little attention either by builders or by players.
I agree completely. For me personally, I think a fretboard should be at least as wide as my pointer, middle, and ring finger's combined width. Anything less and I don't have enough room for chording all three strings across the same fret. Of course that is because I play chording style, and isn't necessarily useful to BarnJam.
Extended Range Dulcimer
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Dusty Turtle:
A dulcimer with a long enough VSL could be configured for 3 full, usable octaves.
A dulcimer with a long enough VSL could be configured for 3 full, usable octaves.
I personally would have no use for such a dulcimer, but it is theoretically possible to build one.
In the past when I built a similar dulcimer I found two serious constraints. One is that the fret placement has to be perfect because even the tiniest most subtle imprecision makes a huge difference. The other is that the frets become impossibly close together. Even on a 34" dulcimer, the 19-21 frets will only be about 1/4 of an inch apart. For someone like me who uses jumbo fretwire, the frets crowns would need to overlap. It would requireusing small fretwire and being very very precise with your fingertips.
But as you said, it is possible, lol.