Thank you Strumelia! And I'll go over to the Building group, Ken! I already started researching wood dealers in my area. Just being prepared.
Tell us about your VERY FIRST dulcimer
Sure ocean-daughter, ask away. Best to do it in another thread, not this one. If you Join the Dulcimer Building Group, I have a thread there called Sawn-Frame Dulcemore which details how I started the construction. You have to Join to be able to read and write comments on the threads. You can ask questions there if you like.
@ocean-daughter I enjoyed reading your post about your story in building your Cripple Creek kit dulcimer. :)
--
Site Owner
Those irritated by grain of sand best avoid beach.
-Strumelia proverb c.1990
The journey has been, and still is, very joyful and satisfying! Also, Ken, I saw your holly leaf dulcimers in a group on Facebook a few weeks ago--I commented there--and I'm hoping to try making a dulcimer or three from "scratch" one of these days. I may ask you questions about the holly leaf.
Welcome ocean-daughter. Bud & Donna were my intro to the dulcimer too; over 40 years ago. I too built a kit and have gone from there. Sounds like you're having a nice dulcimer, journey,
My very first dulcimer was a kit from Cripple Creek Dulcimers in Manitou Springs, Colorado. We were visiting friends in Colorado Springs, and went to Manitou Springs to stroll around, and came upon--a DULCIMER SHOP, oh, my!! I had always kind of wanted one. Theirs were so beautiful, with the leaves-and-vines soundholes, usually enhanced by a heart or something.
We were relatively young and kind of scared to spend $200 all in one place, so we decided to get a kit. I asked, "If I build this, will it sound good?" and Bud and Donna Ford's son assured me it would. It actually took me a couple of years to get down to building it, during which time we had two children and moved houses. (We had a toddler at the time I bought it.) It wasn't that hard except for pounding in that fret wire (the grooves for the frets were already cut, thanks be!!). I had fun designing my own soundholes, forget-me-nots with a butterfly, and I borrowed a friend's woodburning tool to draw the stems. I was so proud I had actually built my own.
I still have that dulcimer, and I played her some today (though lately I've added a few more to my flock). Cripple Creek dulcimers are a bit on the long side for my small hands, and I'm more comfortable chording on a shorter one. But my Cripple Creek is fine for melody drone, which is what I mostly do lately.
Also, I never introduced myself when I joined, so I'll count this as my introduction if that's ok! I built that dulcimer in 1996, and played kind of sporadically, then came back to it in full force last fall! I'm happy to have found this group. Hope we'll "meet" at some virtual festival sometime!
Thank you For aiding on this Journey @ken-longfield, I called the Settement school that sent me the artisan center that has sent lead to a Mr. Naselroad. I’m waiting on a call back from him. Just wanted to update everyone. I will get a few more steps before posting again. I just feel that this is an important part of American history and that of the dulcimer. So much this instrument’s creation and early years has been lost to time. It seems that the 1960’s and 1970’s unearthed many artisans and some of dulcimer’s history but written works has trailed off in recent years leavening is to revert back to word of mouth again despite the dulcimers growing popularity. From what little I have read on this web site there is an Extraordinary wealth of knowledge and new group artisans perfecting and shaping this history. As will as generations that had first hand knowledge of events and all the folks that contributed and continue to mold this truly American heritage.
We should all ask ourself for time to time:
-Do we stare into eternity passing us by or do we leave a few marks so that they shall never be forgot?
We should all ask ourself for time to time:
-Do we stare into eternity passing us by or do we leave a few marks so that they shall never be forgot?
If you can contact the folks at the luthiery in Hindman, Ky, they may be able to help you. I am sure that they have seen and handled many Amburgey dulcimers. Do a google search for Hindman, KY and Doug Naselroad. The Appalachian Artisan Center and the Hindman Settlement School are other things to look for. Hope this helps you.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Your J Amburgey looks great, @appalachiandreamer! Thanks a million for sharing the photos-- I enjoyed seeing them!
ADDENDUM: Sorry, again the numbers made were 1350 to 1600, approximately depending on the source- please forgive the typos
Sorry the pics did not attach
Here is the dulcimer we found at the Salvation Army. Jethro Amburgey inscribed it and dated it 11-23-71. It was numbered 1268. Upon research, I learned he passed away two days later. I was thinking he had a makers mark inside his dulcimers, but found one he had in a Tennessee museum that was inscribed in the strum hollow. I think the one in Tennessee was from David Schnaufer’s donation but don’t know for sure. I hadn’t seen any others until I came across this forum page. I think this one is significant because of the number people say he made which was upward of three thousand, yet mine is two days before his passing but the number is much less. Trying to figure out this puzzle. Any information is helpful. I would like to get it authenticated but am not sure how to do so.
Wow, @paulinphoenix, such a neat story! It sounds as though you have a wonderful collection of instruments with memories to match.
[quote="PaulinPhoenix"]
My "very first" dulcimer was actually six dulcimers. I spent a summer in West Virginia many decades ago and heard my first dulcimer played on an old front porch by an equally old and delightful lady who was regarded as the matriarch of the town (the name of the town and her surname were the same - it was founded by her ancestors).
What a wonderful story. You are fortunate to have that collection of dulcimers.
My "very first" dulcimer was actually six dulcimers. I spent a summer in West Virginia many decades ago and heard my first dulcimer played on an old front porch by an equally old and delightful lady who was regarded as the matriarch of the town (the name of the town and her surname were the same - it was founded by her ancestors). She played noter/drone style, and simple melodic sound of the thing just fascinated me - it had an appealing singular plainness about it, but she had some techniques as well where she could make it seem to warble, chirp and sing. Our families kept in touch, and not long after the day came when she eventually passed a carton was delivered to me - 6 of her dulcimers, all wrapped so they would survive the postal transit in an old bed coverlet.
I came to learn that two of the instruments qualify as "ancient," according to the luthier that looked at them, as they were made before the Civil War. One, I was told, was either owned by (or made by, I can't remember exactly) Jean Richie, two were made in Walton West Virginia, and the newest one is a walnut McSpadden that is maybe 30 or so years old. I've cared for, but not much attempted to play, all these instruments for years, but recently have picked up the walnut one and started practicing again, as even just hearing the sound of the thing transports me back to a far less complicated time in my life.
John Gribble:
Actually, Jethro Amburgey passed away in 1971. By that time he had made and numbered over a thousand instruments. The signature on this one is "M J Amburgey," dated 3-7-76, and is #42. So I would guess it was made by another member of his family, perhaps a son. Someone else who knows more about this stuff than I do can bring more information to the table.
No matter. It looks like a very nice instrument in excellent condition. Enjoy!
Yep...that one was made by Morris, Jethro's son. Jethro was my 2nd Great Uncle, Morris my cousin. My Aunt Mavis has one of Jethro's and I have one of Morris' - mine is dated 5/27/99 #190....
Kim, how exciting that you are investigating your family history. I enjoy learning about the early dulcimers and builders. I really like the traditional sound.
Was happy to run across this forum. Jethro Amburgey was my 2nd great uncle, making his son Morris a cousin. My aunt has one of Jethro's dulcimer's and I have one of Morris'. The article below adds a bit to our family history.
Thanks a million, Greg! I've traveled through Logan hundreds of times and Hide-A-Way Hills is in the Hocking Hills region, a rural area. I hope I'll be able to find time to do some investigation into Amburgeys in the area!
Robin,
There was a connection between Morris Jethro Amburgey and the Logan, Ohio area. Here's the rest of the December 17, 1975 article from the Logan Daily News:
"Hide-A-Way Hills Man Creates Appalachian Music Instruments
By SUE CHENOWETH Daily News Staff Writer
Morris Amburgey thoroughly modern man. He’s the city engineer for Lancaster and flies his own Cessna 180 airplane. He and wife Gertrude frequently go camping in their recreational vehicle Their residence on Cardinal Lane in Hide-A-Way Hills is admirable for its beauty and originality. But Amburgey is also a Kentuckian from Hindman in Knott County, where the hills are so steep there’s no bottom land and no farms, just gardens. And remembering his mountain heritage and the songs he heard played on the dulcimer, Amburgey now makes the unique Appalachian instrument from an old pattern passed on to him by his father, Jethro Amburgey. “We try to make them with as few mechanical tools as possible,” Amburgey says. “We whittle and cut and chisel a lot of things out.” Among favorite tunes for the dulcimer are “Jackerow,” “Barbara Allen” or “Turkish Lady,” — heartbroken songs, Amburgey calls them. “If we lose our heritage of music like that, we’ll never regain it,” he says. To help keep the dulcimer and its music alive, Amburgey works about 40 hours making one dulcimer, which he’ll sell for about $50, only $10 above the costs of the materials. Amburgey’s dulcimer pattern came originally from Eddridge Thomas of Hindman, who taught Jethro how to make them. Jethro made 1,389 dulcimers, several of which are in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC. Morris says his father was one of only two or three people who could make dulcimers in the decades from 1930 to 1950. Morris follows his father’s habit of distinguishing each dulcimer by etching his name, date and place completed, and number made. Since Morris owns a log cabin in Hindman, he puts that place name on the instruments. As long as Jethro lived, Morris didn’t make dulcimers, but after his father died in 1972, Morris picked up the tradition. He made his first one in 1973; the first five dulcimers were to finish his father’s orders. He has subsequently made about 40 of the instruments from either cherry or walnut. Amburgey explains that solid wood like his father used splits. His home workshop is well equipped, but Morris Amburgey carves, whittles and cuts in an old-time tradition to make the mountain dulcimer, a musical instrument native to the southern Appalachians. Amburgey makes his instruments in the same style as his late father, Jethro Amburgey. Morris’ 22-year-old son, Kenny, also is learning the techniques. (Daily News photo by Sue Chenoweth)"
It looks like Morris and his family lived on Cardinal Lane in Hide-A-Way Hills, but maintained ownership of a cabin in Hindman, Kentucky. Are Cardinal Lane and Hide-A-Way Hills near Logan, Ohio? There are a couple more interesting facts in the article. First, Morris's 22-year old son, Kenny Amburgey, was learning the techniques of dulcimer making from his father. And second, Morris refers to Ed Thomas as the man who taught his father the craft of dulcimer-making, but calls him "Edridge Thomas". It is not clear whether or not Kenny Amburgey followed through and made any dulcimers on his own, but he'd be about 65 years old now if he's still living in the Logan area.
Wow, in the Logan Daily? Was there a connection between the Amburgeys and Logan OH?
From the December 17, 1975 Edition of the Logan Daily News – Logan, Ohio
“Dec 17, 1975 - As long as Jethro lived, Morris didn't make dulcimers, but after his father died in 1972,Morris picked up the tradition. He made his first one in 1973; the first five dulcimers were to finish his father's orders. He has subsequently made about 40 of the instruments from either cherry or walnut…”
That's very interesting. I hope we can learn more.
This instrument looks like a return to the craftsmanship, materials, and attention to detail Jethro's earlier instruments had.
Jethro's son was named Morris Jethro Amburgey so the "M.J. Amburgey" signature on this dulcimer is most likely that of Jethro's son.
Actually, Jethro Amburgey passed away in 1971. By that time he had made and numbered over a thousand instruments. The signature on this one is "M J Amburgey," dated 3-7-76, and is #42. So I would guess it was made by another member of his family, perhaps a son. Someone else who knows more about this stuff than I do can bring more information to the table.
No matter. It looks like a very nice instrument in excellent condition. Enjoy!
updated by @john-gribble: 04/10/18 04:00:19AM
Ken Hulme: As Dusty also says (he steals all my good lines) Ask questions, and if we don't know the answer we'll make something up!
Well there's no reason to steal the bad ones! 
--
Dusty T., Northern California
Site Moderator
As a musician, you have to keep one foot back in the past and one foot forward into the future.
-- Dizzy Gillespie
ShowtimeGary's is an Amburgy from 1976. Signature in the strum hollow is seen on one of his images. I'm jealous.
Look inside the rear soundholes; there may be a maker's label visible. Beautiful instrument, as Dusty says it is build for more traditional playing since it has no 6+ fret and traditional wooden pegs. I've attached three articles I wrote for new players.
The first is called I Just Got A Dulcimer, Now What? It's an illustrated glossary of dulcimer terms (so we all speak the same lingo), plus answers to many beginner questions about the tuning, playing, care and feeding of your new acquisition.
This one is an introduction to playing Noter & Drone -- one of two or three traditional ways to play (the others are Fingerdancing and the rare bowing)
https://fotmd.com/forums/forum/dulcimer-resourcestabs-books-websites-dvds/15049/get-noterized
The other attached file is all about the older Modal style of tunings (not the modern DAd, although it's mentioned) and how they relate to the diatonic (non-chromatic) fretboard of the traditional dulcimer.
As Dusty also says (he steals all my good lines) Ask questions, and if we don't know the answer we'll make something up!
Enjoy your dulcimer journey!
Thanks all. I will be playing it Dusty. If it's got strings on it at my house it gets played.
Showtimegary--that is an awesome instrument you have. Enjoy it.
@showtimegary. there is nothing we can tell you. You're on your own.
Ha! I'm kidding, of course. 
You are going to get tons of advice from this site, and some of it might even be helpful!
First off, I would suggest you join both the Beginners Group and the Old Style Drone Players Group , since your dulcimer is intended for traditional styles of music. Poke around there and see if there are old conversations that might help.
Secondly, don't be afraid to just play. Put the dulcimer on your lap, tune it up, and start playing. If you like what you hear, do it again. If you don't, try something different. Lots of people learned to play this instrument long before the internet or even tablature had been used.
If you are a beginner, Strumelia's Noter and Drone Blog might be very helpful.
And when you have questions, speak up. If we don't know the answer, we'll make something up!
--
Dusty T., Northern California
Site Moderator
As a musician, you have to keep one foot back in the past and one foot forward into the future.
-- Dizzy Gillespie
Just bought my first Dulcimer and know very little about it. Is there anything you all could tell me ?
I just started playing the dulcimer in January using a borrowed instrument. Quickly decided that I wanted to continue playing and started looking for one of my own. I knew I didn't want to play traditional music on an instrument made overseas so that ruled out some of the less expensive commercially produced instruments. Stumbled across OldTyme Dulcimers on etsy. He is located in north Georgia. He built this instrument for me at what I thought was a very reasonable price. Walnut and butternut with the two cute little cats for the soundholes. I found the cat silhouettes I wanted to use and emailed to him. He chose the tweety bird for the upper sound hole. It came with four strings. I just attended an intro to flatpicking workshop given by Tull Glazener which was excellent. Love that sound and took off one of the melody strings to make it easier to flatpick.
Enjoy your "new" to you dulcimer. Keep us up-to-date on your progress and don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Oh, I do want an electronic tuner! Will save me so much time! This was already down to three strings so I wasn't surprised when the bass string snapped. I have a new set on the way. I'm going to check and see if the screws in the tuning gears are loose too
Meanwhile, I have a two string dulcimer. I just have to be patient a few more days and study tablature.
Meanwhile, I have a two string dulcimer. I just have to be patient a few more days and study tablature.
@notsothoreau -- tuning trick to keep from "popping" a string... Never try to tune a string unless it's "singing". Pick a string to tune and get hold of the tuner you think is 'right'. Strum the string and give the tuner a quarter turn. If the string does not change pitch up or down, STOP. You're got the wrong tuning knob. Try again.
Invest $15 or $20 for an electronic tuner which shows you which octave the notes are in. We tune dulcimers to D3 A3 d4
An ordinary set of strings will easily tune to DAA or DAd (the d is an octave higher than the D). That same set can go up to EBB/EBe and maybe as far as FCC/FCf, but the bass string will probably break trying to get to GDD/GDg. On the low side it can go down to CGG/CGc easily, and maybe BFF/BFb before the strings are too floppy.
I did find one that I fell in love with. Just want to lock down the sale before I talk about it. I did manage to confuse myself, as I kept listening to dulcimer music with that high sound that can come out on top of a group. And I would like to try playing with a group sometime. I decided that I wasn't ready for one with an internal pickup.
I do think it's confusing for beginners because we don't know what type of music we want to play and we don't know what sound we need for that music. I know the hazards of playing on inexpensive instruments, but sometimes it seems like the way to get started and experiment. I am really looking forward to stepping up to that next instrument. And it might be fun to try another kit some day.
I do think it's confusing for beginners because we don't know what type of music we want to play and we don't know what sound we need for that music. I know the hazards of playing on inexpensive instruments, but sometimes it seems like the way to get started and experiment. I am really looking forward to stepping up to that next instrument. And it might be fun to try another kit some day.
That's good thinking, @notsothoreau. I always advise people to play for a year or more before indulging in what they think will be their dream dulcimer. There are just so many variables (scale length, fretboard width, fretboard overlay, wood types, extra frets, bright tone vs mellow tone, internal pickup, and more) that until you play for a while and develop your preferences, you can't know what kind of dulcimer you will really want. Get a decent, playable, and affordable dulcimer at first and give yourself some time to discover what options you would want on your dream dulcimer. (Of course, if you're like many of us, you may find that you have several dream dulcimers!)
--
Dusty T., Northern California
Site Moderator
As a musician, you have to keep one foot back in the past and one foot forward into the future.
-- Dizzy Gillespie
It's part of the reason that I'm not ready for a custom dulcimer yet. I don't know what sound I want to hear, but I am starting to get a better idea of it. I think this particular dulcimer was designed to be used noter style and that's something I want to check into anyway.
I know about acquistion disorders. I have five treadle sewing machines in this room and two in another! Fortunately, I have all the machines on my bucket list. I suspect there are at least two dulcimers in my future, maybe more if I happen across any old instruments.
notsothoreau
Congratulations on your first dulcimer. I know you are excited. Best wishes on your dulcimer journey.
By the way, the DAD (dulcimer acquisition disorder) may strike at any moment. The cure is easy. Get another dulcimer. Trouble is the malady has a way of recurring at intervals. I have found that certain instruments sound better on some tunes than others and some dulcimers seem to "prefer" one mode or tuning. Explore and have fun.
I can finally add a story! Way back in the day, I bought a kit teardrop dulcimer. I believe it was mahogany. I could play it, but it wasn't the best instrument. I have no idea what happened to it. Recently, I got a wild hair that it might be fun to try this again. I'd tried guitar and mandolin but just couldn't seem to do much with either. I knew that I wanted a good quality instrument at some point, but thought I might check what is available locally.
Well, I found a dulcimer on the Facebook marketplace. It seemed like a student quality from the picture, so I thought I might be able to use it for awhile. Contacted the seller last week and he said it was available. Asked when we could get together and he said Wednesday after we got off work. I tried to contact him Wednesday and nothing. Later that night, he messaged me and said he'd be available Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Said we'd try again Thursday. Same thing. It turned out he was driving between Portland, OR and Eugene for his job! He apologized and said we would get together for sure on Saturday at noon. He'd let me know where we could meet. Saturday came and went. I got a message from him that night with the Steve Martin excuse "I forgot"!
I'd pretty much given up at this point, but it seemed sad to have a decent dulcimer sitting unplayed. I gave him one more chance today. And this time, he and his wife did show up! I believe this is from 1997. It has a decent sound but I can't really check it out yet. I popped the bass string while tuning it and my new strings are still on the way. I was able to pick out "I'll Fly Away" on two strings and expect to have more fun in the future. It will do for now. Even my husband is enjoying this hobby.
And, I do have something in the works to get that quality dulcimer. More on that, as I get further along on the plan.
fordferguson:
I would appreciate any input related to Black Mountain dulcimers by David Johnson
Hi
I picked up one of his student models (made in 2007) used from ebay UK. I don't have much experience and can only compare it with the new Sweetwoods Student Model I also recently bought direct from Harpmaker. These are starter instruments and seem comparable.
Regards
Eric
Nigel -- be sure to contact Robin Clark in Snowdonia, who is a member here. He is a fabulous player who has a company called BirdRock Dulcimers and sells instruments, supplies, etc. www.dulcimers.co.uk
I have only had my first dulcimer for three weeks. It is a 1999 McSpadden FM12CS, cherry/spruce and is absolutely lovely. The gentleman who sold it to me lined up about nine dulcimers and I wish I could have bought them all. The word "awesome" is much overused these days but the sight of all that craftsmanship on one table was just that. I am making progress albeit slowly but I have little doubt that I will be buying another from him before too long. They were all very beautiful.
@mathom You've got a treasure!
My very first dulcimer was purchased by my in-laws in Berea, Kentucky long before I met my wife. No one in her family ever learned to play it. It was "loaned" to me around 1987-8. I learned enough on it to know I wanted to get a better instrument and did so a few years later. That first one now hangs on the wall of our family room. I take it down now and then and tune it up and play it a bit. I would never part with it.
The details of it: It is an hourglass with a very narrow body (by current standards) and has two heart-shaped soundholes in the lower bout and two small round ones in the upper bout. It was made by Raymond Layne of Berea, Kentucky and is dated April 20, 1975 and is numbered 293. It is the instrument I am holding in my profile picture.
Hi @fordferguson . I don't have any personal experience with Black Mountain Dulcimers, so I can't offer the kind of information you seek. But let me point out that we have a whole Forum discussion devoted to specific instruments and luthiers . That might be a better place to pose that question rather than this discussion where people share stories of their first dulcimer.
--
Dusty T., Northern California
Site Moderator
As a musician, you have to keep one foot back in the past and one foot forward into the future.
-- Dizzy Gillespie
I would appreciate any input related to Black Mountain dulcimers by David Johnson
Beautiful dulcimer. Best wishes on your dulcimer journey. Thanks for posting the pictures.
Here are the original photos I took the day I first found her.
I picked up my first (and only) dulcimer on November 9th. I found her in a flea market. I checked her very carefully the day I found her; she seemed to be in great shape, had one string broken. I asked the price but didn't buy her. I went home and researched the maker's name to learn what I could, then I went back the next day and checked her out some more. I started talking price with the owner, but he was being squirrelly, denied having told me the price he'd given me the day before. I finally told him I was going out of town and if she was still there when I got back I'd look at her again. He threw a price at me "if you take it today" as I went toward the door. I told him I'd think about it and left. But I had decided that I was going to have to give her a pass; I had the money to buy her but was saving it for my trip. It was just luck that I had gone by this place and that the dulcimer was there. But I felt really bad; I wanted to get that instrument.
Based on my research and the answers I received when I posted questions on Everything Dulcimer, I knew this dulcimer was something I needed to snag. That just caused me more angst. But I was leaving in a few days for Native Rhythms, a native American flute festival in Melbourne, FL, something I had been planning and saving for. Well, on the 9th as I was heading out on my trip I detoured back over to the store, which was an hour out of my way. I had called the day before and learned that the dulcimer was still there. I finally reached an agreeable price with the owner, though he still tried to get extra money for the case (in bad shape, has to be replaced). I stuck to my guns and he gave in, though.
So my new dulcimer went along for the ride to Native Rhythms. While I was there I met Marsha Harris, a fine musician on both dulcimer and native American flute. I showed her the instrument. Marsha put a new string on, tuned her, and gave me some pointers on playing. She confirmed what I had learned about my new instrument and that she was in good shape.
So who made her? She's on my lap in my profile picture above. The maker was Morris Jethro Amburgey, the son of Jethro. He crafted her in 1978, #73. I know she's not really an instrument for a beginner (so I've been told, twice), but that doesn't worry me. I feel very privileged to be the caretaker of this beautiful dulcimer. She's not a Jethro, but she's a dulcimer that comes in a direct line from Uncle Ed Thomas through Jethro Amburgey to Morris. I appreciate the significance of that. I am so happy to finally be able to learn to play, something I've wanted for a couple of decades. And I feel sure that if I ever decide to sell her I will be able to. I'm (hopefully) posting some photos, some now and some later from my phone. You'll note in the second set that the frets don't extend all the way across. I've been told that Jethro would do that, too. There is no paper label inside. Instead the maker info is carved into the strum hollow. I've seen photos where Jethro did the same.
So there's my l-o-n-g story of my first dulcimer. She probably will not be my last, if this follows the same route as my history with my native American flutes. They do tend to multiply...
My first dulcimer was built for me by Lucky Diamond in Silver Springs, MD. on March 10, 1976. I was first exposed to the dulcimer by Kevin Roth in 1975 at a tiny music fest in the suburbs of Philadelphia, where he was performing. I was really taken by the sound and his skill, but I was nervous about talking to him about the dulcimer, since I knew nothing about the instrument. He was nice enough to chat and suggest Diamond Dulcimers. So I called Diamond and I think he sent me some info, but I ended up ordering their 6-string, which I think they referred to as a church dulcimer, since it's loud. It has wooden tuning pegs. I drove to Silver Spring in my old Fiat Spider and it was a house in a residential section. I was expecting a music shop. Anyway, I recall next to nothing about the actual transaction, but it felt like I was there for 5 minutes and was back on the road to Pa. I recall trying to strum it while driving, but it was too large, so I placed in the floor of the passenger seat and leaned it vertically and would occasionally strum the strings on the way home. I was soooo excited. I played it for about 2 years, while working a 40-hour week and attending college. It was my stress relief, with my only instructional materials being what came with the dulcimer and my copy of "In Search of...". My younger brother was trying to be funny and do his Jimmy Page imitation with the dulcimer and snapped the headstock. I was heartbroken. Anyway, I carried the pieces of my dulcimer around for over 35 years until I joined FOTMD and decided see if anyone could help me repair it. First, I did try a local music shop that did repairs, they told me my dulcimer was junk and could not be repaired, and would happily sell me a McSpadden. That made me angry, like someone making fun of your kid. It went downhill from there with me having no intention of leaving my dulcimer with him, even if he could repair it. After some discussion on the builders page, I met Ken Longfield who is relatively local and willing to take a look at my "kid", I mean dulcimer. Ken is fantastic, he repaired my dulcimer and the broken heart from 35+ years ago. I'm so grateful. Anyway, that's my first dulcimer story.
This is an easy one for me. Mine arrived just last evening. Walnut and Spruce McSpadden dulcimer. I've played Irish music before this, mostly on Flute and Whistle. I play a little Mandolin and Irish Bouzouki. In the past year, I found myself playing more and more old-time and I've always been interested in the MD.
Looking forward to a long journey with it.
I had gone to a dulcimer gathering, but not to play dulcimer. I wanted to play along on my acoustic bass guitar. It was good practice and I also got to hear again a local group I enjoy, Picks 'n' Sticks. The day started with an offer to let people borrow a dulcimer, probably the cardboard body ones, for a year. I said to myself, since I already have way to many instruments, no way.
Never say never. Later that year I was out with my daughter visiting flea markets and antique shops in her area and found what I call "the Orphan." A smallish locally made dulcimer abandoned in a flea market. Decided to try it and, yes, just as I feared earlier, became hooked!
I like your stories, folks. <3
My first was a walnut McSpadden with wooden tuning pegs purchased in summer of 86 on a road trip from FL to CA..whilst driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Met the daughter of the owner of that shop at a workshop in northern GA a year or so ago. She said it was going to close soon. They got me started...recommended learning materials (Larkin's book) and basic supplies and sent me on my way. Played at our campground each night for the month-long trip.
Still have it (had the tuners changed out though).
My first dulcimer was and is (I still play it) a Walnut Valley Wildwood Mountain model I ordered in late 1992 and received in Feb 1993. Lovely instrument with walnut back, cherry sides, walnut fretboard and spruce top. I did replace the tuning machines with geared tuners and added strap buttons. Still looks good other than some mild finish loss from playing it.
It came with a hard shell case with shaped mold for the instrument inside. I wish other builders offered the fitted case. I know Blue Lion does.
It's pretty easy to adjust that string height by sanding a tiny bit off the bottom of the bridge (and maybe the nut) Start a new General thread about that, and we'll talk you through the process.
My husband bought me my first dulcimer 13 years ago on eBay from Pakistan, or somewhere unexpected like that. It's an hourglass with heart shaped sound holes. I call 'her' Dulcina. I still play it now and then, but the strings sit a bit too high for my liking. The fretboard sits nice and high, which I do like since I use a noter. It came with a wooden noter, which was a nice touch. It was delivered while we were out one day, and some kind postal worker tucked it underneath our porch, presumably to keep it safe. We didn't see it and my poor husband was a bit panicked until he figured it out!
My first was a FolkRoots hourglass, spruce/walnut, purchased at Elderly Instruments. Beautiful tone and looked really nice. I have since purchased a FolkRoots with a shorter scale length that I have converted to a baritone and a Folkcraft Custom. Still loving their dulcimers.
@majajog , that's a great story, and probably one that is repeated often, for one of the aspects of the dulcimer that we celebrate is how accessible it is even to those with no musical experience. Thanks to the McSpadden salesperson who just sat you down and put a dulcimer in your lap!
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Dusty T., Northern California
Site Moderator
As a musician, you have to keep one foot back in the past and one foot forward into the future.
-- Dizzy Gillespie
Our first dulcimers were a ginger for my spouse and a standard for me, both bought from McSpadden. We sort ended up in Mountain View five years ago, basically by accident. We had a good time listening to the music and eventually went to McSpaddens to see the dulcimers we fell in love with 40 years earlier. Thought they were beautiful but knew neither of us had any talent at all so we looked around and left. Went back a couple of days later for a last look before heading home. The door to the shop has a sign that says "if you can to 10, you can play." We both laughed at it, knowing that neither of us could ever play an instrument.
This time, after looking around for awhile, a salesperson talked me into sitting down and holding a dulcimer. I thought that was pretty cool but, I knew I could never play and I said so and besides I was left handed anyway. She took the dulcimer away and laid a left handed dulcimer on my lap and said "here, play it." I said "huh, I don't know how and don't have any talent anyway". She said you don't need talent just a desire and some tab. I said "what's tab?" She showed me some tab, explained the numbers and told me to try and play. I got through the first 2 measures and could tell it more or less sounded like "Ode To Joy". Couldn't believe it.
My spouse then went through the same thing with the same outcome. We promptly said we'll take two. Spent the next couple of hours deciding on size, shape, woods etc., gave them a credit card and told them ship them to us when they were done. Best thing we ever did.
They turned out great, at least to us, sound great and we play almost everyday. Started our own little group that meets every week to practice, learn new stuff and play old favorites. Unbelievably, my spouse and I even played at a nursing home with some members of our group. The people there seemed to enjoy it so we were pretty excited.
We still don't have any talent, we will never be very good players but we have fun practicing and have met some wonderful people and hear music all the time now. Best money we ever spent.
My first dulcimer was an hourglass Folk Roots dulcimer purchased in about 1985 or 1986 from Elderly Instruments. While visiting one of the Toledo Metroparks I stopped to listen to a lady playing a dulcimer at a very small gathering organized by one of the park rangers. I ordered my first dulcimer from Elderly Instruments shortly thereafter. About three or four years later I organized a dulcimer club for students at the local elementary school. By then I owned three or four dulcimers, so I sold my Folk Roots model to one of the students at a fraction of its value to help them obtain their own instrument.
A Hughes hourglass I bought in the late '80's. I still play it occasionally. Solid walnut back and sides, solid spruce or cedar top (it's darkened considerably over the years). I knew both Virgil and Norman Hughes when I lived in Denver. I was still somewhat active in Civil War re-enacting with my infantry unit back in NJ and I was thinking about joining an artillery unit (run by Virgil). I ended up not joining although I did participate in a couple of events with them. I remember their shop where they made a number of different folk instruments...they played them too (quite well!).
My Hughes dulcimer was well made with a laminated headstock, floating bone bridge, and a 3-piece inlay strip in the back of different woods, and heart-shaped soundholes...an attractive and nice sounding instrument.
My first love was a little kit purchased from a man at a Georgia arts and crafts festival back in 1984-87ish. I never played it. It doesn't have too good of a tone but it was good enough it got my interest some years later and I took it to a group and learned to play. Never looked back.
My first love was a little kit purchased from a man at a Georgia arts and crafts festival back in 1984-87ish. I never played it. It doesn't have too good of a tone but it was good enough it got my interest some years later and I took it to a group and learned to play. Never looked back.
My first was/is a Bill Taylor. My grandmother left me some money after she passed away so I figured the dulcimer was best purchase to make. To this day I can remember standing there at Bardstown contemplating which one to buy. Ron Turner came over and stood beside me then pointed to one and said "That is the one you need." Great choice - small holes in the top so I could not drop picks inside - and a sweet sound. Sad to say Ron passed away not long after that, but I'm forever grateful for his assistance.
They may have different sounds, the noter better slides sounds but with the finger you could add additional notes for sometimes a fuller sound. Both nice and nothing wrong with either or both ways at different times. As we learn we grow, as we grow we learn - a wonderful adventure.
suzannbakkey & jan
Do you feel Warren May dulcimers sound better played with fingers or does it also sound sweet with a pick or noter? Warren uses his tick tock strum with fingers and that is the only way I have hear one of his dulcimers. Also do you tune in any tune or do you keep it in DAA?
