Forum Activity for @todd-metcalf

Todd, that looks like a very reasonable price. The one thing that you may want to ask is how it has been stored. If perhaps in an attic or  a  rental storage unit it may have been exposed to extremes of heat or humidity. Other than that I would go for it. Some people place extra value on those made in Connecticut. Best wishes.

Todd, I agree with Dusty. A 1993 Folkcraft is a good instrument and it is offered at a fair price.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Todd, that is a very fair price for a Folkcraft dulcimer.  A small group of aficionados especially treasure those Folkcraft dulcimers that pre-date the move from CT to IN (and now to MI?). I cannot vouch for the seller, but the dulcimer itself seems like a good deal.  And it comes with a good bag, too. Make sure shipping comes with insurance; even if it costs a bit more, it might be worth it for peace of mind.

I bid $351............

Just kidding....Nice price, looks pristine too! congratulations!

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.