Thanks for the responses!
updated by @markstarcrashes: 07/20/18 04:05:34PM
Hi MarkStarCrashes! As you can see from my post below, I own two of David's dulcimers. Love them both! My post below was 3 years ago and still stands. Mine are both natural in color...one big standard form and one curvy (Tater). Lovely, light, great sound. He seemed to slip into the dark staining a while back, but I like the natural looks better. Will have to go see what he is offering now. I have a bunch of dulcimers...sighhhh… Like tater chips! Also, you can't go wrong with Folkcraft (have 3). Just finished restoring an old cherry that had more dents and dings than my hay truck and a mouse eaten 'f' hole. It turned out wonderfully, gorgeous sound! I doubt you would go wrong with a Honea dulcimer for $190. I looked at his Ebay offerings and liked liked #678 with Western Cedar top and Walnut back. Might be louder, rounder sound with Cedar. #691 semi hour glass with Cherry top and back might be a crisper, brighter sound with hard wood cherry. Enjoy your choice and let us know your pick!
Hello Barbara-p: I have two Honea Dulcimers. One is big - 38" long, Vsl: 31.5" built 6/2008. Though big, it is strong and light as a feather. Western Red Cedar top and bottom with walnut sides. Wonderful sound, warm and full - hourglass. The 2nd one I just got a few weeks ago. More freeform...looks like a sweet potato and was swiftly dubbed 'Tater' - smaller, VSL 27.5", Western Red Cedar & Walnut ( seems to be his favorite woods ). It is new and has a while before aging into it's real sound, but I do like it. He does a very good job and you can get them at often a very reasonable price on E-Bay. I would not be afraid to buy one. His quality is consistant. I usually buy the older dulcimers from assorted makers - 60's to 1990's as they have developed their mellowness of time. Hope this helps.
If you are still looking, may 15, 2015 on ebay: Good Luck
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BEAUTIFUL-HANDCRAFTED-MOUNTAIN-DULCIMER-by-David-Honea-27-1-2-VSL-/121648015351
HANDCRAFTED MOUNTAIN DULCIMER by David Honea 27-1/2" VSL
built overfive hundred Dulcimers over the last many years.
Each of my instruments have3 light coats of shellac.They are signed,dated and numberedon the inside and can be viewed through the soundhole.
The sides, head and tail piece are Maple.
The fret board isCherry and MaplewithMapleposition dots.
The soundboardand back arebook-matchedWestern Red Cedar.
This instrument is made of allsolid wood----no plywood.
Instrument #562
Instrument measures5-1/2" at the widest point. 2" thick. The vibratingstring length (VSL)is 27-1/2" from nut to bridge. Overall length is 33-1/2". It also has 6-1/2 and 13-1/2 fret.
It is tuned to D A A A.
I've seen his dulcimers advertized there before. I think he only sells through EBay and perhaps locally in Georgia. With a 31.5" VSL you'd better have BIG hands if you want to chord it; or play Noter & Drone style where a long VSL isn't much of a poblem.