Our family owns 6 of them, but are always open to more ; )

It seems I somehow only have nine now.

1 McSpadden,

1 Arthur lee West,

1 Fred Martin Bowed,

1 Gardener Teardrop,

2 Blue Lions,

1 Rugg and Jackel,

1 Jenny Lind Gibson,

1 HA Fleming

and a Hoffner Electric 

and selling a RS dulcimer, John A Maxwell, Daron Dulcimer and an unknown + an 1850-1870 Friedrich Augusta Glass Violin

Haha, John. I can only claim four bells in our choir, E flat 4, E4, F4, and F#4. I wouldn't ever try to play all 12 bells in an octave.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Rob and John, thanks for sharing. It's interesting to see the other instruments that people play too.

I have two dulcimers, both McSpaddens (one a baritone).  I also have a recorder and triangle.  The piano is upstairs.

But I can inflate my numbers by counting the hand bells and hand chimes I "own" at church - the low octave (C3 - B4), 12 bells, 12 chimes.  Admittedly this may be cheating as I really play them as a unit.

I enjoy the dulcimer playing the most.

Between my wife and I if we cold get them all rounded up in the same room at once I think the correct number is 7.  Including a pretty old cardboard dulcimer, a couple of what I suppose are home-made dulcimers my wife picked up when she worked 1 day a week in an antique shop, a small Cripple Creek (think cheap) dulcimer from the same shop, a TK O'Brian, a Hill Country Dulcimer and a courting Dulcimer.  Our latest acquisition was last month when my wife found a Cedar Creek 12/11 Hammered Dulcimer at a garage sale, but I'm not sure I should count it in with its Mountain Dulcimer "cousins."  Oh yeah, I forgot... I also have a Cedar Creek Strumstick.

I've enjoyed this thread. Thank you to everyone who shared. Whether you have 1 dulcimer or 10, we share a common love for this beautiful little wooden box with strings. 

Have fun!

Hmm, I just counted and I have nine dulcimers! 

the Cripple Creek kit I built in 1996

a Folk Roots dulcimer a friend gave me

two Black Mountains, one cherry and one walnut

an unknown dulcimer that looks like a Black Mountain, possibly built from a kit

Another unknown with the names "Bodd & Eye" engraved inside

Yet another unknown with inlay trim around the edges

a Russ Green hourglass

a little "board dulcimer" by a man in Kentucky, which I got for travel

All except the first two came to me from eBay or shopgoodwill dot com.  I've been learning what I like in a dulcimer. I love finding different quirky unknown instruments, and it's a wonder I don't have a dozen or more yet.  I also plan to have extra frets added to a couple. 

I do envy those of you who have made several, but I'm hoping to do that myself when I make space in the garage. 

Up to now just one dulcimer ( I plan to get another one spontan though) but I already have a mild case of Instrument acquisation  sydrome:

- One dulcimer ( beginner level)

- two classical guitars and one lute guitar ( not a beginner but no Bert Jansch either)

- Two tin whistles ( D and C tuning, beginner) 

- One mandolin ( my latest addition, still struggling with the first song after one month)

Super cool how many of y'all have other instruments aside from dulcimers!

While 95% of what I play is a dulcimer I also pick up my other instruments on occasion:

-a few acoustic guitars
-2 electric guitars
-a mandolin
-an ukulele
-a dozen or so harmonicas
-a D tin whistle
-a 10 string lyre harp
-an ocarina
-an electric keyboard
-a few cigar box guitars
and some folksey stuff like a jaw harp, washboard, washtub bass, tambourine shoe, kazoos and a couple more I'm sure I'm forgetting

I forgot about the limberjack.....

I have sold several guitars. Currently, I only own the three dulcimers and a rain stick.

LOL to "Bag of Kazoos" band! 

I guess I will add to my list (forgot about these the first time) - 

• Fender guitar - my first stringed instrument
• Gretsch 5 string banjo
• Several pennywhistles in D
• Native American Flute in B minor - High Spirits
• Old band instruments - flute, oboe. cornet
• Gretsch sunburst mandolin (my husband is playing this)

"Bag of Kazoos" would be a good name for a jug band. Or even just a folk jam.

Since folks are adding to their instrument inventory, I'll add a few since my original response only included mountain dulcimers, zitters, and other instruments I made. So in addition to all of that I have two more open back banjos, three acoustic guitars, a soprano ukulele, a D tin whistle, a recorder, a jaw harp, a couple of harmonicas. an assortment of rhythm instruments (spoons, Catspaws, limber jack, etc.), a small tambourine, and bag of kazoos. Oh, an electronic keyboard which I don't play, but my wife does. There might be a few more instruments around the house that I've forgotten about.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Skip, you bring up a good point, about other instruments. I've been suffering from GAS (guitar acquisition syndrome) much longer than DAD (dulcimer acquisition disease). My first love, fingerstyle guitar (since 1973), has been my true passion for nearly 48 years. I've settled into a stable of 6 guitars and 1 guilele. Many other instruments (primarily stringed instruments)  have come and gone over the years, but I'm simplifying to just guitar, dulcimer, and Native American flute (I have 5). In fact, my last banjo is moving on to a new home this week. I was in band all through school, where I played flute, then alto saxophone. Music has been such a joy in my life.

It's interesting to see that many folks have more instruments than just mountain dulcimers.

In addition to my dulcimers, I have a bodhran, half a dozen or so diatonic harmonicas, a chromatic harmonica, several pennywhistles, a full size keyboard, and 5 autoharps [three chromatics, two 2 key diatonics, FC and GD] and a 15/16 hammered dulcimer I made and still have. I've tried guitars and a banjo but they didn't, physically, work for me.

I guess I have IAD, but music is such a fascinating subject and has so many facets and challenges it's easy to overindulge! Especially for a non-music oriented retiree [no music instruments at all before retiring].

For example, I am in a dulcimer group that plays traditional music. However, I tend to play Renaissance, Celtic, Manx, Baroque, and a few pieces from the Middle Ages when I am by myself. 

Some really neat collections here. I can get a feel for the type of music that is played, just by looking at the collection. Such a variety, between members. Thanks to all who have shared so far, it's been fun to follow.

@steven-berger So, you're who has that checkerboard TMB John built-- I remember it!  You've got a cool collection of instruments which, I imagine, give you lots of joy in making the kinds of music you want to make.  

@susie I can imagine those little Gingers are much handier to have when traveling and space is at a premium.  Enjoy your little DAD Ginger, your final dulcimer (you think).  

I decided that my McSpadden Ginger (intonated GDG) needed a sister, so I ordered a walnut (w/ sapwood) - spruce Ginger (intonated DAD) to keep her company. I'm enjoying the smaller dulcimers (they also come in handy in our smaller motorhome when we travel). It's in at my music store where I ordered it though, but I can't get in to pick it up until Wednesday. I think this is my final dulcimer.

Robin, I see that you also have a new one on order. I'd love to see pictures of the BL after you get it. 

I have:

All poplar Tennessee Music Box (with checkerboard on back) by John Knopf

All poplar Will Singleton by John Knopf

All poplar J E Thomas (painted black) by John Knopf

Black walnut/butternut top Boar by Bobby Ratliff

Various woods kit by Bobby Ratliff

All wormy poplar Betty by Dan Cox (came with wormy poplar coffin case)

All cherry custom by Johnny Pledger

All black walnut by Johnny Pledger

All hickory teardrop by Folkcraft

All sycamore 5-string by Bill Berg

Padauk/spruce/maple Strumstick by Bob McNally

I also have:  SJ100+  Jumbo guitar by Gibson,  WL-250 banjo by Gold Tone, Tackhead banjo by Eric Prust, Mountain banjo by Jon Peterson, Mountain banjo by Nate Calkins, Gourd banjo by Barry Sholder, Nickel-plated brass resophonic guitar by OMI, Copper-plated/engraved Tricone resophonic guitar by Republic, Boxcar resophonic guitar by Gretsch, Weathered steel Style-O resophonic guitar by National Resophonic, Swan concertina by McNeela, a couple of harmonicas, a kalimba, 3 Civil War era fifes, and a Civil War era tin whistle.

Whew! L think that's it!

@susie Do tell!

I'm going to have a new little one in the family on Wednesday.

I don't think I have accumulated dulcimers.  But I leave them alone at night and they reproduce.

I have three dulcimers. 

1) A 26” VSL McSpadden dulcimer made of redwood and black walnut with a micarta fretboard.

2) A 26” VSL McSpadden dulcimer made of black walnut with extra 1-1/2 and 8-1/2 frets. This one also has a micarta fretboard.

3) A Black Mountain Deluxe 58 dulcimer made of redwood and cherry. It has a rosewood fretboard with a 25.88” VSL.

I love and play them all frequently. Each dulcimer has a different sound.

I agree with both of your points Robin.

Whether someone has 1 or 11, the instrument can add such a joy to our lives. 

@ken-hulme Or we've made a newer player afraid of what they might become?  

On a serious note, coming to the mountain dulcimer has made my life better-- making music at home is such a joy!  

"Thanks to all who shared here. I thought we'd get a little more interest in the thread, but if you don't feel comfortable sharing that's fine."

I suspect some newer players, with just one or two dulcimers, might be intimidated by those of us who have "accumulated" more... 

Depending on how taken apart or incomplete of a dulcimer i can count, I have between 3 and 10. Five of them are playable

A cardboard dulcimer
A rectangular dulcimer made from an old crate
A Baritone dulcimer
A bundt pan "resonator" dulcimer and
A dulcimer with a frying pan for a bridge

We do our !!!

I just ordered a Tennessee Music Box so that will make 5 dulcimers. I also have 2 guitars, a tack head banjo & a autoharp.

Susie, I haven't shared in this thread for the simple reason that I don't want to admit how many dulcimers I have!

I have four "little" dulcimers, including octave dulcimers by Ron Ewing and David Beede as well as a Ewing octave dulcimette and a "soprano" dulcimer by Laurel Mountain, those last two usually tuned up a fourth or fifth to G or A.  I also have four full-size dulcimers: a Modern Mountain Dulcimer made of lacewood, a Blue Lion IC, a Bill Taylor made of quilted maple, and a cherry/spruce Rick Probst which I have tuned as a baritone.  

You can do the math.  I'd rather not admit it.  Maybe it's time to part with one or two.

I also have two guitars, a mandolin, a ukulele, an autoharp, some pennywhistles . . . 

I have 4, an early Borquin, Folkcraft, Melody Maker and a Folkcraft chromatic. Actually my first was off of ebay, It was ok for beginning, I gave it away to make room for more dulcimers,

I've followed this thread and have enjoyed it!  

I have 5 dulcimers which are promised to a couple young dulcimer friends-- I own them yet they will be leaving my house when opportunity presents.  And I have one out on loan and another I keep for lending.  When all is done, I may still have 6 or 7 (or 8) mountain dulcimers-- this is including the instrument being built by Blue Lion this year.  I have 3 bowed dulcimers.  

Susie, thanks for starting the thread. I am sure many of us enjoyed it, whether we participated or not.

Thanks to all who shared here. I thought we'd get a little more interest in the thread, but if you don't feel comfortable sharing that's fine. I've enjoyed seeing what dulcimers people own, some of which are new to me. Enjoy what you have and play on.

Total of 4 in the order I got them:

1 Simplicity by Backyard Instruments (cardboard)

1 June Apple dulcimer by Carl Gotzmer / Jessica Wills (black walnut body / western red cedar top)

1 FolkRoots D100S (mahogany & Sitka Spruce)

1 Blue Lion IW Chromatic (walnut & western red cedar)

It is cool to see the variety of dulcimers that people own. We, as players, have quite the selection of makers, models, shapes, sizes, woods, configurations, etc. 

A few........

3 Warren May's in Walnut

 Cherry Ray Epler

 Gila Mountain by Kerry Coates

 Cherry Folkcraft

 Walnut and Spruce  Folkcraft Baritone

 Deluxe German Scheitholt by Carl Goetzmer

 Cherry McSpaden Baritone

 Pritchard Reproduction by Kevin Messenger

 6 String by JR Beale

 Homer Ledford

 Large Irish by Carl Goetzmer in Mahogany

 Bobby Ratliff Virginian

Yes, Susie, I've had more at one time. They come and go. It's the ebb and flow of dulcimer ownership.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Thanks to those who have shared so far. Ken, I like your comment "...I only have 15.". It sounds like you once owned many more.

At the moment I only have 15: the first one I made which is based on a plan by Joseph Wallo, rosewood and spruce; a teardrop from Scott Antes plans, rosewood and spruce; the same model but made of marine grade mahogany plywood and spruce; the same model made of chestnut and spruce; a Blue Lion hourglass, rosewood, red cedar, and mahogany; a Folkcraft all walnut hourglass (the last two have have built in pickups), a David Lynch travel dulcimer; Musical Traditions hourglass of walnut; an walnut hourglass made by Warren May; an original James Edward Thomas all walnut hourglass; a cardboard Backyard dulcimer painted navy blue; a Sunhearth teardrop made by Walt Martin made of walnut and spruce; a C.N. Prichard hourglass reproduction made of all poplar painted black; a teardrop dulcimer based on Scott Antes plan made of paduk and spruce; and one based on the C.N. Prichard dulcimer made of walnut and butternut. In addition I have  four Pennsylvania German zitters, two of which I made. One is based on an instrument in the Mercer Museum and the other is based on an instrument in the Landis Valley Museum. I also have a 16/15 hammered dulcimer and an open back banjo which I made. I made a Fender "S" style electric guitar and am currently working on an acoustic guitar.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Eleven: Folkcraft Resonator, 5 string Blue Lion Jam strung as a 3 string bass, Bonnie Caroll, Black Rose, McSpadden Kit [my first MD], six I made, including one made from Koa, and a travel MD only 4" wide, a Banjimer, and a TMB that I later modified into a double bass using bass guitar tuners and strings.

The Folkcraft, Blue Lion, travel, and the Koa are the ones I use the most.

I'm enjoying your posts...keep them coming. It's interesting to see what you all have.

Six traditional pieces. 26 inch Betty, 26 inch Homer repro, 26 inch Dulcimore, 28 inch Thomas repro, 28 inch Ultra-lite and a 36 inch Grand. I play them all regularly!

I have 5 mountain dulcimers but always looking at new ones : 

• McCafferty chromatic - walnut/redwood top
• McSpadden diatonic - cherry/redwood top
• Folkroots - diatonic strung as a baritone
• Clemmer Ban-Jammer - walnut, chromatic
• Folkcraft - diatonic, all walnut

Also:

• 5 ukuleles of various types - banjo hybrid, ebony tenor, Fluke, etc.
• Bowed psaltery - Pete Braden 1997
• Ugears hurdy-gurdey
• Rick Thum 17/17 chromatic hammered dulcimer -  gently used - Adirondack spruce/ walnut/ hard rock maple - newest addition to the music room 

I own 6. 1Capritaures, 1 Mcspadden& 4 Cedar Creek.

I now have 12 including 2 zitters both with staple frets. Most of mine are traditional style with staple frets, several with wooden tuners. Only one with a 6 1/2 fret.

Ten, plus one in process:

Jacob Gross fretted zither -- replica of one in the Mercer Museum
Large Burnsville NC holly leaf
Small Burnsville NC holly leaf
Til Holloway hourglass  -- out on loan
Harry Wicker KY hourglass
Ozark Walking Stick coffin shape
Korean Honda hourglass -- out on loan
John Knopf JE Thomas replica hourglass 
Bobby Ratliff Hogfiddle elliptical
Bobby Ratliff Cumberland Travel model elliptical -- in transit from Virginia

In process:
Buckeye Pattern Ohio pre-revival two-bout

Plus three Anglo-Saxon Lyres, a Bowed Psaltery and 4 Mirlitons

I own 5, with 1 more on the way...

1. Doug Berch custom (sassafras/walnut)

2. Folkcraft custom (butternut/walnut)

3. Folkcraft Baritone custom (cherry)

4. McSpadden standard (26") (walnut)

5. McSpadden Ginger (GDG) (cherry)

6. McSpadden Ginger (DAD) (on order) (spruce/walnut)

We did this 11 years ago, and then again 8 years ago. So, I thought it would be fun to do it again, and see members' current lists. I know I enjoy seeing what dulcimers (makes/models) others own. After all, DAD (dulcimer acquisition disease) is real.