Just got back from Berea, took the Ledford to Warren May to be restored and a old one of his that i found #646 to be checked out. He said I got a real bargin on the Ledford and that it was worth 900 dollars. That is 850 more than I paid for it. Good profit margin there. He said it was an easy fix and would be playable when he got it done. All the frets were in good shape. He said it was made to play in DAC tuning. Something to do with a shorter 1 fret ? I can't wait to get it back, but told him I was in no hurry, want him to take his time and do it right. And his father in law passed away this morning at the age of 94. I was very sorry to hear that. Warren told me the noter in with the old dulcimer of his I took in was one made by his father in law. He couldn't believe to be as old as it is the dulcimer and case were in new condition just like they had just left his shop and it was 40 yrs old.

SCORE!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats!

susie i need to recount, i've got them all over the place plus a couple loaned out. I'm not sure how many i have right now, plus i SOLD one. ewwww i don't like saying that word.

How many dulcimers does this make for you? Congrats on the find!

But i need to say also that was a couple of years ago before money was as tight. A lot of things(antiques) that were bringing good money a couple years ago are down right now. I just hope it goes back up one day.

Dana R. McCall said:

Kevin I spend way to much time on the net. I search all over for them. Just been lucky and got good deals on all of mine so far.

Kevin Messenger said:

Tom most of the ones down that low a number I've seen go for 1000 to 1200

Tom McDonald said:

That's just incredible...good for you!

Man why can't i find these deals. Great job Dana, looking forward to seeing your Ledford. Kevin.

Great find, Dana! Just curious: what do you figure this is really worth once restored?

LOL Patty I can always find more room for another dulcimer! I'll post pics tomorrow before I take it to Berea to Warrens shop.

Patty from Virginia said:

Thats whats wrong with this one JH the sides have come loose. but no cracks or splits. Rest of the body is in really good shape. Looks like the glue just dried out.

John Henry said:

Dana, good for you! Put them on the ceiling. After all, Fred Astaire danced on the ceiling. I can't wait to see the pictures

Chuckle, Robin, how you doing, I might have guessed you would come back at me (I have actualy done a refurb on a Ledford , JohnS purchased a very beat up instrument, reminiscent of one of Charlie Chaplins shoes, bad case of glue failure for some reason, it looked like hide glue to me ?)

John

LOL sorry ya'll but I think it's a keeper, John I'll just have Jimmy boy build me another wall! Or I might start putting them on the ceiling.:)

I offer $77 and John Henry will do the refurb for free!

John Henry said:

$76, and I'll do the refurb for free?

an onlooker

Hey, Dana, I'll give you $75 sight unseen! Hope to see pictures of your new treasure!

Huh ! for starters that thar wall ain't big enough to take more, and in any case the sun/light will only aid the timber to bleach its true colour a tad, and just what in tarnation is that Jim doing letting you run riot in such a fashion, time you came to heel gal! (hasty signing off !!!)

Good on you

John

Lordy, Lordy.... You just getting too many of those, Dana. Pass 'em around

LOL Don't choke John H. What can I sayI'm just a ledford magnet. LOL

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

John

Well while crusing Craigs list last week...I saw a dulcimer that caught my eye. Looked like a Ledford headstock and it had diamond sound holes and staple frets. Called the number and it was a pickers site that buys out estates and resales. I asked if they knew who made the dulcimer and they said no. I asked how much they wanted and they said 60 bucks, so I told them I would take it.

I got it in the mail today, they failed to tell me the glue had come loose from the sides and the bridge was missing but other wise it's in good shape, just needed a clean up. I looked inside and couldn't find a name anywhere, so I was dissappointed. But still it looked just like my other ledfords except it is about a inch shorter and the tail piece is a litte different. so decided to try again to find a name. Got my book light out and ran it down the sound hole and guess what....there it was in pencil Built by Homer Ledford Winchester KY Number 1163!!!! For 60 bucks and 10 dollars shipping. I'm going to run it down to Warren May in Berea and see if he will restore it for me. I LOVE a bargain.