I love EVERYTHING about this, but WOW!!!  ~those walnut sound holes take my breath~  I've so enjoyed getting to know you today!!!

Irene--Didn't realize I had mentioned our VW journeys in my profile.  LOVED that VW, had adventures in it for 12 years! Took it to Europe with us where it didn't fit in any of the indoor parking houses. 

Again, love this post as well.  I went to hear you sing that lovely song and play your dulcimer so aptly. It makes me "think about" learning how to play without a noter.  Thank you for these other photos.  I must learn how to post photos....wayyyyyy too many instruments, but ahhhhhhhhh, I know I have friends that do this too YOU and others on this site. yeah.  and WOAH, I had a pop up 1988 VW CAMPER.  Oregon to Illinois twice.  LOVED traveling in that bus and camping.  sigh.  Midwest doesn't know how to fix those like West Coast does.  It was so good to put my instruments and us in and just GOOOOOOOOOO.  aloha, irene

Close up of walnut soundholes on new Bill Taylor dulcimer (Butternut & Walnut).  I had been looking for Bill Taylor for years to replace my favorite dulcimer which was another one of his, and when I saw him at KMW I could't resist..even though I had no cash with me and he didn't take credit cards. He said, "take it, I trust you"...but I wanted to take care of it that week, so found a way. SUPER guy.

an old and new addition:

replica Sheitholt (based on one in the Mercer Museum), and a new Bill Taylor acquisition from Kentucky Music Week;  Butternut top, walnut back and sides, a little maple thrown in...and walnut shell sound holes.

I want to see the scheitholt replica in the black checked bag.  

Ken, that's looks very similar and I'm pretty sure I bought mine from IMPROVEMENTS catalog. Maybe this replaces mine. Looks more solid but maybe doesn't come apart as readily, which may be a good thing.

I found this item at Improvements. http://www.improvementscatalog.com/magazine-stand/262907 It's not quite the same, but worth a look.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Jan--The useable surfaceof the individual shelves,for holding the dulcimer is 9 1/2" X 11 1/2". I've admired the really tall metal book towers but I'd have to be sure you can afix it to the wall somewhere (I bet you can), but I'm afraid my dogs might mistake it for a fire hydrant if it's on the ground....yuk! What is also really nice about this particular tower is that the shelves tip upslightly so the item shifts back a little, toward the center beam. The back of the center beam also has 2 lucite "pockets" built in where you can put picks and capos, noters etc. When I see them in a catalog again one day, I'll post them.They really are perfect for this purpose. I'd be a little concerned if the shelvesare perfectly parallel to the floor.Those metal towerslookreally nice though, and they are built to hold significant weight.

I can find versions of this made of metal and some made of MDF, but the shelves on those seem very tiny, whereas your items seem to be all solid wood and have larger shelves...what size are they? Thank you for the added photos.

oops, now that I seen them blown up in a photo, guess I could have dusted first

I love the stands, had them for at least 8 years with no problems. I added a few self-sticking felt strips to be sure I can pull the dulcimers out quickly with minimal rubbing. I bought them from a mail order catalog..maybe "Solutions" or "Improvements"...something like that. They were listed as a magazine or book tower but I just googled images and couldn't find them quickly for you. They cost me $59 for the first and then a couple years later found them for $60 something again. They break down easily and I've taken them to display dulcimers at celtic festivals or craft shows. You can adjust the angle of the shelves. I've included close ups here. I also have a styrofoam pet step I use to set a couple of dulcimers beside me when I'm playing so I have a couple of tunings ready to go. That cost around $30 and I see them at TJ Maxx fully uphostered for around $50. Holds fewer dulcimers though. If the tower were on the floor I might be concerned about it getting knocked over (all my dogs ) but it's been really secure on a table top. If you're handy, I'd think it would be easy enough to build.

Curious about where you got the tables/stands....? Have they worked well for you?

I was thinking of taking an on the spot photo of the same general area, to prove my point...but that would be one too many photos of my basement I think.

I just want to say, in the interest of full disclosure , this photo was taken immediately after the basement was finished and there is a craft area, TV area, and small library/computer area. I was showing my mom what we had done, in photos....however in the last 4 years or so since.....there has been plenty of CLUTTER accumulation. It no longer looks quite like this...she said sheepishly

I have no idea how we survived and stored all this STUFF elsewhere in the house before the basement was finished. It seems if you find or create some space,other STUFF will find it's way there and reproduce.

Oh....I get it! You frame the pictures, hang instruments on the walls , use innovative stands for display, get things up off the floor ...etc. etc.!!! I'm still trying to gather all my music stuff together, have pictures taped to the wall, and if I did display anything, no one would know for all the junk around. This is VERY inspiring! But keep drooling, everyone, 'cause we're still in a drought here in Arizona!

Wow! That is a great room. I think I can talk Mark & Robin into picking me up on their way!