I'm Scotland based and whilst there's an awful lot of cool spots for folk, I rarely find a place where I come across a dulcimer and wow do I miss that sound of sweet music. Anyone else UK based and find they came across dulcimer players once in a blue moon, even in the folk scene?
Thanks everyone for your generous responses!
Im really glad you mentioned camera and light source angle Ken. That is definitely what i was failing to consider. I guess if the camera and light source were both directly above the instrument, the shadow would move much less
I think it is an optical illusion created by the shadow and camera angle. With different lighting, especially no glare, and camera directly above the fret board I'm sure you would get a better look at the strings.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Id really love to know more about this. I've seen Bing do it in a few videos and I just can't wrap my head around it. I believe it is due to the interaction between the vibration of the string and the cameras frame rate, but visually, the shadow seems to move a lot further than the actual string does. Is the bass string actually moving over the edge of the fingerboard, or is this some type of optical illusion?
Following up on John's reply (again), you might join the UK and European Dulcimers Group, and ask if anyone is looking for a dulcimer. John and Paul Crocker are active in the British dulcimer community. John is a member here as John Henry. Paul is also a member here as Paul Crocker. I'm sure there are some folks in Great Britain who would enjoy having an older FolkRoots dulcimer. Best wishes on finding it a. new home.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Jonnyd....Sorry to have digressed on your initial post...But I hope it gives you a small glimpse into this community that is FOTMD. This site is filled with folks like Ken that are passionate and more than willing to help you in all things Dulcimer. [and quite a bit more if you ask...]
I just happened to notice that you and your D50-S are located across the pond. This brings your sale to a whole new level, as I have absolutely no idea as to the supply/demand in the UK. I DO know that the shipping of a Dulcimer [or Aeolian harp] to the UK from these hallowed shores is easily in the $100 range, and then there are the VAT and customs fees. Seems like we Americans always focus on English taxes....
I have only been part of FOTMD for a year [happy anniversary to me]... But perhaps Ken or some of the Veterans know how to find or join groups in the UK? To perhaps find what your market is?
john
No time like today to get a youngster involved!
I agree, John. The two used FolkRoots dulcimers I bought are doing just that. I look for inexpensive dulcimers that I can rehabilitate which our dulcimer group can put the hands or on the laps of folks who want to learn to play the mountain dulcimer. After a few months of playing those folks usually ask if they can buy the dulcimer they've been playing. As the lending instruments are purchased by students, I start looking to restock the herd.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Bing Futch 342
I happened to be surfing the internet Looking for the tab for Black Mountain rag. And came across this video. what I find really interesting about it is that the way the camera is set up and the lighting you can actually see the bass string vibrating amazing just thought I'd post the link in case somebody was interested in seeing how much the bass string actually vibrates
I may be just a bit cynical..[well maybe more than I should be...] But a New d-series at Folkcraft will set you back a thousand dollars. Is there something more than 2 frets I'm missing? Or is the workmanship 10x better now?
The used market is an interesting place...The "older" players I engage with seem to lean towards more frets, newer builders, and tend to be more afflicted with DAS. Effectively hoarding the used instrument market....
The "newer" college age players, are leaning towards fewer frets, and traditional "revival" instruments. Perhaps there will yet be a new resurgence in the "old ways" that were new to us so many years ago...
I foresee a HUGE tidal wave of used instruments hitting the market in the next 10 years or so, as the heirs of the DAS folks wonder what to do with closets full of "somedays"....that need to be cleaned out.
No time like today to get a youngster involved!
If Howard Rugg sees this post he can help tell you about the dulcimer. From the information you provide it was completed on July, 26, 1988 and was the first one completed that day. The top is spruce and the body is walnut. It is in very good shape. Without a 6 1/2 fret is not as desirable to dulcimer players today. I would put it at the lower end of John's estimate. I've recently purchased a couple of similar D50s for $125 and $15O.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Hello Jonnyd,
If you give a quick web search for D 50 Dulcimer [I use duck duck go..] You'll find several old listings on the "REVERB" sale pages, and a bit of history of these instruments. Yours has a spruce top, and what I would consider a very nicely figured black walnut back, sides and headstock. The fret board top "may" be of some other wood, as I can't really tell from the picture. If not walnut, could be mahogany, rosewood or?
Sale prices looked to be in the area of 3-500 [ish], But again, this depends on finding the right buyer, case, shipping etc. I would suggest that you take some time and peruse this site and the multiple forums....perhaps the best "buyer" could be some one that has never discovered in over 30 years just how much joy a dulcimer and the "community" around it can bring......
Best wishes for your New Year....
Very cool. Mawhee was the absolute first maker that I learned about, after trying to look up "walkabout and stick dulcimers" lol. Welcome to the forum. I hope your personal connection to the dulcimer grows into a lifetime of enjoyment.
-Nate
Hi,
I got myself a dulcimer more than 30 years ago and have finally decided to let it go, as i never gave it my full attention. I just want to make sure it goes to someone who will take good care of it. So I'd really like to know what woods it's made of and any other details about it so I can give any buyers honest information.
Here are the details of my dulcimer.
There’s a label inside: Rugg and Jackel Fok Roots Dulcimer
D-50 S 726881
Approximate measurements are:
Length: 37”
Height: 3”
Width at widest point: 7¾”
Yet another reason to take up the Didgeridoo......Sure is pretty though!
My friend, Rob Lackey, had a Mawhee dulcimer. Here is a link to a YouTube video of him with the dulcimer playing Black Eyed Susie. Unfortunately, Rob died a little over a year ago so we can't ask him any more questions about his dulcimer.
You may already be aware of this video if you've done a search for John Mawhee on the internet.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Here’s a link to my great grandpa Bill Graves telling a story about his grandpa Mawhee describing the dulcimer he made.
https://open.spotify.com/track/6puYCNvYzWdKHKPseNvZ17?si=82-ifo3SSpuwG0eL_dpDVQ&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A7xwCkNFcI0jMSSQydtalDw
I’m thrilled to join this community and connect with others who share a love for the dulcimer. I’ve recently rekindled my passion for this beautiful instrument, which has deep roots in my family’s history. I’m especially hoping to someday find a Mawhee dulcimer, a unique version of the instrument that my great great grandfather, John Mawhee, carved and played in the mid-1800s. He learned the craft from Cherokee traditions and carried it with him as a Union soldier during the Civil War. To me, owning or even learning more about one of his dulcimers would be an incredible way to honor that legacy and share it with my family.
I grew up hearing the dulcimer played by my great grandfather Bill Graves, who called it the “walking cane dulcimer.” He recorded his music with the Missouri Historical Society, and now—24 years after his passing—it’s surreal to hear his songs on Spotify. (He would have been so tickled by that!) Back in the day, our whole family was buying his CDs and gathering around as he played with a turkey quill. His children joined in with singing and guitar, and those memories of music at family reunions—at Grandma’s house with all my cousins—are some of my fondest.
Unfortunately, I never learned to play when they encouraged me to, and that’s a big regret. But now, I feel inspired to dive in, learn the instrument, and maybe continue the family tradition. The dulcimer’s sound, to me, feels like a family reunion—it brings back so much joy and nostalgia.
I’m hoping this group can help me find my way as I learn to play and possibly locate a Mawhee dulcimer. Where should I start? I’m also eager to learn more about dulcimer music, history, and techniques. My favorite song is “Turkey in the Straw (ha ha ha)” and I’d love to someday be able to play it just like my great grandfather did.
Thank you for welcoming me into this community—I’m looking forward to learning from you all and sharing in this wonderful tradition!
That's wonderful, Anne. Glad you enjoyed it and a lovely time. Have a great 2025.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
It's beautiful! I think about things like this and that $980US is a great price, but then realise that that would be $1,577.68AUD, before shipping...
Well, I worked on playing as ambient music...I haven't busked for a while, but about 2 months ago I was busking at Aldi, and someone asked for my card. They asked if I'd be interested in playing for a Christmas gathering that they would be hosting. I confessed my lack of Christmas repertoire, and that I'd not done such thing before,but they said a couple of Chrissy pieces and just whatever else would be fine, and that they'd be in touch. Having heard this before, and not receiving any messages up until the weekend before Christmas, I was surprised to hear from them on the Saturday, apologising for the short notice, but saying they'd lost my card and only just found it, and wanting me for Monday night. Well, I went along, was made very welcome, had a lovely time and got paid as well. I guess busking can have extra benefits. Here's the lovely tree I was stationed beside.. I hope everyone had a lovely end of 2025 and happy, auspicious start to 2025.
Very true, Dusty. I hope you had a lovely Christmas and New Year.
Maddie, thank you so much for donating to help keep us running. Yes, that name is me. (I don't use my real name online when I can avoid it.)
Your donation was received! 
(and thanks John, for clarifying)
.
Maddie, Lisa is her real name. It's OK!
Maddie
Maddie, thank you so much for donating to help keep us running. Yes, that name is me. (I don't use my real name online when I can avoid it.)
Your donation was received!
(and thanks John, for clarifying)
Maddie, Lisa is her real name. It's OK!
When you work on a song, you get better at that song. But when you work on your technique, you get better at every song you play.
Hi, Strumelia - I just tried to donate US$20 with PayPal and it was to be donated to a Lisa ____(??). Then said there was a problem and try again. Until I know who Lisa ____ is, I await your response. Otherwise, happy to donate. Thanks, Maddie in SW Western Australia.
Happy New Year to all. And wishing for each of you a year of health and blessings beyond measure. And lots of beautiful dulcimer music.
Happy New Year everyone!
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
And a Bonnie Annie to you as well, Strumelia! Your old illustrations are wonderful! 
Thank you for the good wishes, Strumelia!
I hope the coming year is filled with many pleasant surprises for us all!
New Year's Eve, December 31 2024....
Here's hoping all members have a safe, healthy, and productive new year for 2025...full of personal joys like music and also the joy of kindnesses to others.
@patrick If you punch your VSL into a fret calculator for guitar, the third fret is the same as the 1.5 on dulcimer
Does anyone know of a fret calculator that gives the measurement for the 1.5 fret?
Good point, Wally.
As a builder, I want my tuner to be as precise as possible to make sure that my instrument is as precise as possible. If the tuner is off, then the bridge will be off, and the frets will be off and the whole instrument will have a compounding error.
If I were to place my bridge using a tuner that considers 9 cents sharp to be "in the green." and then also tuned my string 9 cents sharp, that could lead to terrible intonation near the end of the second octave.
I also think that our pitch perception is only as precise as the data we give it, so it's just good practice to get as close as I can, unless I have some reason not to.
Well said Wally, well said.
As to the old saying however.....
Actually........ Rocket Propulsion Altitude/Ambient Pressure Adjustment • Can use variable frequency expansion ratio nozzles -extendable, two-step nozzles e.g., RL-10B-2 on Delta IV 2nd stage..............
Why are you worried about tuner precision? Electronic turners are great for many reasons, including letting folks "tune up" backstage to the same note, instead of devoting a minute or so of on-stage time, but in my opinion, a few cents difference doesn't really matter.
In the real world when you take your dulcimer out of its case and try a tune it may sound fine, but the happy person next to you sounds out-of-tune. You get out your tuning meter and find you are a bit off because your strings are at a different temperature than they were the last time you played. In the old days, you would have said to the leader "Play me a D," and tuned to that, the group being more important than you.
Tune your middle A string as precisely as possible (in the green) and then test the tuning when you finger at frets, 3, 7, and 10. On many, perhaps most, dulcimers you will find you are a few cents sharp, but when you play music it sounds fine.
If you put your finger on the string and check the tuning, you may even find that it makes a difference where and how you place your finger.
On large organs, pairs of pipes are tuned with one a few cents sharp to produce a voice called Celeste, or a few cents flat to produce a voice called Humana. Slight dissonances make music more interesting.
As the old saying goes, "This ain't rocket science."
I use the D'addario Nexxus 360. The display is very clear and can be read in any lighting conditions unlike others that i have used in the past. As for comparative accuracy I don't know where it sits, but it's quite good enough for my use.
