Thank you both so much for your help! I really needed a little boost of confidence before making the investment. I just placed an order on Reverb for an "excellent condition" used Folkcraft. Fingers crossed the order goes through and the dulcimer is as good as the vendor claims.
Hello! After 40-some years of wishing, I'm finally buying myself a dulcimer. I've been trying to educate myself, but I feel overwhelmed. I would greatly appreciate any guidance on dulcimer makers, models, and/or features that would be reliable and easy to play. I'm not being modest when I say I have zero musical talent, and I'll only be playing by and for myself. When I had a cardboard dulcimer 40-some years ago, I played what I believe is called noter/drone style (with a wooden rod and a pick). I really liked that, but would be game to try plucking it, too. I know it would be best to try various dulcimers out, but I live in Minnesota, and don't have easy access to a dulcimer store or dulcimer luthier (that I'm aware of).
I've been looking at McSpadden, New Harmony, and Warren May, but am open to anything. I can afford a new, basic dulcimer, and possibly an upgrade or two, but nothing too crazy. I have thought about getting a smaller model, like a Ginger or Pudge, but don't know if that affects the reliability or ease of playing at all? Are ebony fret boards a good investment? Finally, are there certain frets that should be included or added (I see a lot of discussion about the 6.5 fret)?
Thank you so much for reading! Any opinions on any of this would be greatly appreciated.
