Joan, in my experience the UPS Store tends to over pack and over charge. The most difficult part is finding an appropriate box for the dulcimer. Once if find a box, I wrap the dulcimer in plain paper, surround it with bubble wrap, place it the box and take it to the post office. I think most dulcimers have shipped this way for less than $20 including insurance. I build dulcimers as a hobby and occasionally sell one.
Should you find it easier, my email address is: klongfield69@gmail.com
Also, if you change your mind or find a buyer offering more, I won't be offended. I admit that it would be a great addition to my dulcimer collection and presentations. I even have a copy of Walt's old brochure and a couple of articles written about him. Thank you for considering my offer.
Best wishes,
Ken
Oh, and l, my zip code is 17084. You will need that in calculating shipping charges.
Well, I spent some time today checking used dulcimer prices. Before giving my opinion, let me share some of my thinking. Used instruments are usually offered at one half to three quarters of the their original price on a straight sale. At an auction, like eBay, prices can be all over the place. There tends to be more interest in new dulcimers on auctions, but used instruments sell well if the maker is known and the dulcimer is in good condition. On auctions, if you get a few people interested in one item, the item can sell well above market value.j So you need to decide if you want to offer it at a selling a fixed price on.site like this or put it on one of the auction sites. It appears that currently used dulcimer prices are down with more people out of work and the whole uncertainty over the pandemic and the uncertain prospects of economic recovery.
Now as to value, Walt Martin is not as well known as he was back in the 1980s. I have seen a couple of his dulcimers sell in the $400 - $500 range, but those were his top-of-the-line models in excellent condition with hard shell cases. Your dulcimer I would put in the $100 - $200 range because of the crack in the back, the wood violin pegs, and the teardrop shape.
There is a small cadre of people interested in dulcimer history who might be interested in a Sunhearth dulcimer, but again I have seen less interest because of the economy.
All of this is my opinion only. You could post this in a thread here a probably receive other comments, some more optimistic .
I present programs on the history of the American dulcimer and write occasional articles on dulcimer makers and history for Dulcimer Players News, a quarterly magazine. There were a few dulcimer makers in Pennsylvania in the 1970s - 1990s and Walt Martin was one of them. George Orthey, who recently died, was another. I will have an article about him the next issue of DPN.
I do not have a Sunhearth dulcimer and would be interested in yours to use as part of my presentations. I can offer you $150 plus whatever it costs to ship it here to Pennsylvania, but I am sure you can get much more if you advertise it for sale here or at one of the other dulcimer sites or on eBay.
Whatever you decide, please feel free to ask any other questions if you need more help.
I grew up in northern New Jersey, but left when I went to college. I get back occasionally to visit a cousin who is the only relative I still have in NJ.
Hello, Joan. I knew Walt Martin. He was quite a character. It would help to know which model Sunhearth you have. The crack will hurt the value a little as it will need to be repaired. Does it have wood or mechanical pegs? Does it have a 6 1/2 fret. The value of the dulcimer will be determined by answers to these questions. It would be helpful if you could post a few photos of the dulcimer.
Joan, in my experience the UPS Store tends to over pack and over charge. The most difficult part is finding an appropriate box for the dulcimer. Once if find a box, I wrap the dulcimer in plain paper, surround it with bubble wrap, place it the box and take it to the post office. I think most dulcimers have shipped this way for less than $20 including insurance. I build dulcimers as a hobby and occasionally sell one.
Should you find it easier, my email address is: klongfield69@gmail.com
Also, if you change your mind or find a buyer offering more, I won't be offended. I admit that it would be a great addition to my dulcimer collection and presentations. I even have a copy of Walt's old brochure and a couple of articles written about him. Thank you for considering my offer.
Best wishes,
Ken
Oh, and l, my zip code is 17084. You will need that in calculating shipping charges.
Joan,
Well, I spent some time today checking used dulcimer prices. Before giving my opinion, let me share some of my thinking. Used instruments are usually offered at one half to three quarters of the their original price on a straight sale. At an auction, like eBay, prices can be all over the place. There tends to be more interest in new dulcimers on auctions, but used instruments sell well if the maker is known and the dulcimer is in good condition. On auctions, if you get a few people interested in one item, the item can sell well above market value.j So you need to decide if you want to offer it at a selling a fixed price on.site like this or put it on one of the auction sites. It appears that currently used dulcimer prices are down with more people out of work and the whole uncertainty over the pandemic and the uncertain prospects of economic recovery.
Now as to value, Walt Martin is not as well known as he was back in the 1980s. I have seen a couple of his dulcimers sell in the $400 - $500 range, but those were his top-of-the-line models in excellent condition with hard shell cases. Your dulcimer I would put in the $100 - $200 range because of the crack in the back, the wood violin pegs, and the teardrop shape.
There is a small cadre of people interested in dulcimer history who might be interested in a Sunhearth dulcimer, but again I have seen less interest because of the economy.
All of this is my opinion only. You could post this in a thread here a probably receive other comments, some more optimistic .
I present programs on the history of the American dulcimer and write occasional articles on dulcimer makers and history for Dulcimer Players News, a quarterly magazine. There were a few dulcimer makers in Pennsylvania in the 1970s - 1990s and Walt Martin was one of them. George Orthey, who recently died, was another. I will have an article about him the next issue of DPN.
I do not have a Sunhearth dulcimer and would be interested in yours to use as part of my presentations. I can offer you $150 plus whatever it costs to ship it here to Pennsylvania, but I am sure you can get much more if you advertise it for sale here or at one of the other dulcimer sites or on eBay.
Whatever you decide, please feel free to ask any other questions if you need more help.
I grew up in northern New Jersey, but left when I went to college. I get back occasionally to visit a cousin who is the only relative I still have in NJ.
Best wishes,
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Hey Joan, welcome aboard. Glad ya found us.
Hello, Joan. I knew Walt Martin. He was quite a character. It would help to know which model Sunhearth you have. The crack will hurt the value a little as it will need to be repaired. Does it have wood or mechanical pegs? Does it have a 6 1/2 fret. The value of the dulcimer will be determined by answers to these questions. It would be helpful if you could post a few photos of the dulcimer.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Welcome to FOTMD, JMocco. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation in these discussions.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."