Forum Activity for @bonnieannie

bonnieannie
@bonnieannie
11/08/25 07:05:07PM
6 posts

Advice for fire-damaged dulcimer


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Hello all! Hope you're doing well. I've posted on FOTMD a couple times in the past, most recently for advice about what to look for when buying my first wooden dulcimer secondhand. I wish I was back under better circumstances, but I'm now looking for advice about what to do with an instrument that was sadly damaged in a devastating house fire (pic attached).

I don't know much about this dulcimer since I got it on Facebook Marketplace from someone who was unfamiliar with the instrument, but it's been suggested to me that it was built from home from a McSpadden kit because the case is McSpadden but there's a different signature inside. The head is intact but has come off as you can see (we're thinking the glue melted in the heat) and the upper area of the instrument is a bit scorched. I live in Nashville, TN — any suggestions for a good luthier in the area? Or is this enough damage that I should just get a new instrument? Thanks so much for your help!


dulcimer.jpg dulcimer.jpg - 329KB
bonnieannie
@bonnieannie
06/06/25 10:03:53AM
6 posts

What to Look For When Buying a Dulcimer Secondhand


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thank you, everyone! Checking out the dulcimer went well and I ended up taking it home. It turned out to not be a McSpadden – looks like the maker is Bob Thomason out of Georgia and the case is a McSpadden – but it's still a lovely instrument that plays well and it was a fine price. Playing it has gone well so far, too – nice rich sound.

bonnieannie
@bonnieannie
06/02/25 06:50:08PM
6 posts

What to Look For When Buying a Dulcimer Secondhand


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Apologies if this is already posted elsewhere (or should be posted elsewhere on this forum!). I just lucked out and found a McSpadden mountain dulcimer in my area for sale on Facebook Marketplace. It belonged to the seller's father-in-law and she said he kept it in mint condition, but doesn't seem to know much about the instrument. I've arranged to take a look at it on Wednesday night – what are some things I should look for to make sure it's in good shape? Thank you for any advice you might have!

bonnieannie
@bonnieannie
01/25/25 12:54:37AM
6 posts

Introduce Yourself!


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I've actually heard of Glowhazel! They're based in VA too it turns out. Was just listening to their 2020 EP earlier, here it is on Bandcamp https://glowhazel.bandcamp.com/album/you-will-find-it-in-the-forest

bonnieannie
@bonnieannie
01/23/25 11:42:30AM
6 posts

Introduce Yourself!


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

John Petry:

I've done some custom orders of Aeolian harps just for those "ambient" tones and backgrounds.


https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n8QLd3SzYomXtscwucIa7KAMWu8_p9Gv/view?usp=sharing


 

This is awesome. So meditative


updated by @bonnieannie: 01/23/25 11:42:45AM
bonnieannie
@bonnieannie
01/23/25 10:50:23AM
6 posts

Introduce Yourself!


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Hi everyone! My name is Annie and I'm a beginner mountain dulcimer player. I'm based in Richmond, VA and my first time seeing a dulcimer in person was just last summer at a tea festival in Bristol, TN/VA. Couldn't stop thinking about it for months and finally got one.

I have a background in playing acoustic guitar and electric bass, plus a little ukulele. I also tried to teach myself banjo circa 2020. I'm currently learning off of a Backyard Music cardboard dulcimer and keeping an eye on ShopGoodwill, FB Marketplace etc for an affordable wooden option. Love this recent synthesizer discussion -- I've thought for a while that dulcimer could have an interesting role in ambient music, being a drone instrument and all.