Dulcimers For Beginner/Intermediate Players
Note on jargon: VSL = Vibrating String Length, i.e. the scale length of the dulcimer. Longer scale lengths often give better tone, but playing is a little more difficult because the string tension is higher and fingers have to stretch further. There is no accepted standard length, but 27½“ is about the middle of the range – which varies from 25″ to over 30″. FBW = Fingerboard width. Standard modern fingerboard width is around 1½”, which is ideal for chording and fingerstyle playing. Earlier instruments, particularly those intended for noter/drone playing (i.e. on the melody string only), can be much narrower. The 6½ or 6+ fret is standard on modern dulcimers, which are usually tuned DAD and need the added fret to complete the D major scale. Older instruments were more commonly tuned to DAA, where the D major scale starts on the third fret and does not require the extra fret.
1.162 1989 Walnut Valley Cedar Creek Teardrop 4 String, 3 Course £220 inc. as new soft case Currently unavailable
An excellent example of a well-designed and carefully-built intermediate instrument – made from solid walnut. A great way to start playing, with a real musical instrument at a low entry cost.
1.129 1998 Ken Hollar Hourglass #56 £285 + NEW soft case £25
Nice looking Kentucky-style dulcimer with an old-fashioned feel despite its relatively recent construction. Soft and quite sweet sounding instrument from a small-scale N Carolina maker.
1.81 Here Inc. [Stoney End] 4 String 3 Course Hourglass £Sold
Early instrument from the Stoney Wood concern who build no-nonsense, reliable, all-solid wood dulcimers for the mass market in the US and UK. Probably over 25 years old, but despite a rather clumsy addition of a 6+ fret, sounds fine and has a decent action.
1.76 2002 Off the Beaten Path 4 String 3 Course Hourglass £195 £225 + NEW case £25
Entry level instrument from a craft shop in one of the great tourist hotspots of the Appalachians. Looks striking and sounds OK, but without great depth.
1.52 1980s? Anonymous English 3 String Hourglass £180 Case extra
A basic but quite neatly constructed dulcimer found, and probably made, in England. Narrow body means a smaller sound.
No markings, so probably non-professional, given the flaws in the finish and the soundholes. All mahogany body, nicely flamed and bookmatched on the back, with fiddle edges. The overlapping top appears to be a soft hardwood. Rather inelegant mahogany “scroll” and pegbox. Original long, quite elegant but rather spindly wooden pegs have been replaced by machine guitar-type tuners with a white button. The fingerboard is a 3 sided box profile, made of a mahogany/beech (?) sandwich, and with a nice maple overlay. Ebony (or dark-coloured) nut and floating bridge; similar material strainer on top of tail for strings to pass over. String anchors are simple pins. The square-edged heart soundholes are not perfectly cut. Very narrow frets, originally no 6+/13+ frets, 6+ now added.
Overall length 37¾”, upper bout 4½”, lower bout 6½”, height 1¾”, FBW 1¼”, VSL 27¾” (medium scale), weight 2lb 5oz (1050g). 6+ fret, no 13+.
1.47 – 1970s? Camac 4 String Hourglass – £180 no case
Ornate French dulcimer from the small Societe Camac concern, based near Nantes in Brittany. It was created to catch the vogue for dulcimer playing in the mid/late 70s and has no great subtlety of tone, but it’s pretty and plays well. With its short scale, wide fingerboard and straightforward action it is ideal for beginners. N.B. I’ve now added a 6+ fret, even though the (early) photos don’t show it.
Click here to view larger images and full description.
1.44 – 1970s (?) McSpadden Sweetsong 4 String Hourglass Kit – £175 no case
McSpadden kit dulcimer from the 70s. The kits were a popular way of buying a cheaper instrument from one of the best known and most reliable larger scale dulcimer makers. This is an hourglass model based on the traditional, small body Thomas design, with heart-shaped soundholes on a narrow, shallow body. Top, back and sides made of high quality, attractive walnut laminate.
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Previously Sold Instruments
1.165 McSpadden 1985 Kit 4 String, 3 Course Hourglass £Sold
This is a well-constructed kit version of the shallower standard McSpadden. Good ones, like this, sound really good and have factory-installed frets and quality enclosed tuners. A great place to start playing the dulcimer.
1.164 1987 Walnut Valley #087-24 Model SC [Stone County], 4 string teardrop £Sold
Pretty intermediate model from the very sound Walnut Valley concern. This was their more luxuriously appointed teardrop model, simply constructed but with quality woods. Low action, short scale length, very playable!
1.157 2011 Stoney End 4 String 3 Course Hourglass £Sold
A neat and unshowy dulcimer from this prolific maker, made from solid wood and with a surprisingly decent tone. Its previous owner did, however, attach a plate hanger for wall display….
1.156 2002 T K O’Brien 4 String Hourglass £Sold
Another excellent example of these good value, good-looking dulcimers with their broad fingerboards and solid wood bodies.
1.153 2018 T.K. O’Brien 4 String Hourglass £SOLD
A recent and immaculate dulcimer from the Hagen Family who have made thousands of these neat, well-crafted instruments for the intermediate market. No longer imported to the UK as Red Kites, an opportunity not to be missed.
1.152 2016 Black Mountain Instruments Model 58D (4 String 3 Course) £Sold inc. original branded soft case
An absolutely brand new, unused dulcimer from a less well-known but highly reputable maker. This is neatly constructed, sounds good and is all solid wood. Added bonus is the shorter scale for those with smaller hands.
1.151 1989 Dulcimer Factory 4 string hourglass Model DF4 £Sold
A very striking dulcimer from this prolific Texan maker. The colours, the grain – even the Texas-shaped soundhole – are eye-popping but, more importantly, the construction and sound are good.
1.150 2010 T.K. O’Brien 4 String Hourglass £Sold
A well cared-for example of this popular, solid beginner/intermediate dulcimer. These are well-made, they sound good and they have a good re-sale value when you upgrade.
1.149 1992 Green River Teardrop #3052 £Sold
I’m a fan of these well-made, solid wood dulcimers. This has a striking zebrawood top and a neat walnut body. It plays well and has a great sound, though the long scale length makes it less suitable for those with small hands.
1.125 1997 Sweet Woods 4 String 3 Course Teardrop #166 (?) £Sold
Early teardrop design from a well-known and respected modern maker. David Lynch makes excellent student dulcimers as well as beautifully crafted custom instruments. This is a more basic dulcimer with a few rough edges but it is made from solid wood and it works well.
1.124 1985 Folkcraft TW #434 £Sold
An older example of Folkcraft’s great value, all-solid wood, entry level dulcimer. A few carefully repaired injuries show its age, but it sounds good and plays well.
Archive of previously sold beginner/intermediate instruments
CLICK the heading or picture to see all the Beginner/Intermediate instruments sold prior to September 2021.
This page contains the short catalogue listing for each sold dulcimer, but links to the detailed individual descriptions are still live if you click on the pictures.
