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.
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!
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
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
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.
