Such an elegant instrument!
recognize the sound holes?
That fret wire does indeed look like what is referred to as "jumbo frets," an upgrade that usually costs more (probably $200-$300 these days). They are likely stainless steel and last longer than regular fret wire. But also, because they are bigger, they require less finger strength and allow you to play much faster and with ease. That's another reason I do not think this is a kit. It looks like a very nice instrument.
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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
Strumelia,
It is a bit of a mystery. The case doesn't go with the dulcimer but will be used.
Our group teaches dulcimer lessons at the community college to the 55+ group (continuing education for seniors) and one of out players, is donating this dulcimer. We try and set the beginner players up with loaners, so they are able to try a number of different dulcimers - to better understand what maybe will work best for them - size, tone, shape, etc. This one has a really easy touch & great action. I cleaned it up & changed the strings & checked for any buzzing but was unable to figure anything about it - other then what I could see. I was just trying to find out as much as I could about it, before placing it in the collection for the students.
thanks for your thoughts,
marg
No idea who made it, but they did a very skilled job in cutting those elegant soundholes. They are indeed F style holes (as one sees in a violin). However, I wouldn't call these 'classic' F holes myself- these are particularly delicate and graceful. Lovely. The (guitar?)frets seem a bit on the heavy side to me, or perhaps it's just that this is a slightly shorter scale dulcimer than the standard 26-28" vsl?
The instrument seems to have been very well cared for.
Like Dusty, the quality and uniqueness here does not really suggest to me a kit or anything put out by a 'low end' brand, despite being in a cheap case.
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Site Owner
Those irritated by grain of sand best avoid beach.
-Strumelia proverb c.1990
That is an elegant looking dulcimer, Marg. I cannot identify the builder, but it appears to have an ebony overlay on the fretboard, which I would not expect if it were made from a kit, though certainly I could be wrong. Have you tried looking inside the sound holes, perhaps with a flashlight? There might be some indication of the builder there.
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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
