New Ron Ewing Dulcimers
Ohio master craftsman Ron Ewing has been building superb and distinctive instruments for over 40 years. He was the first to develop a professional quality dulcimer capo 30 years ago which is still regarded as the gold standard. He is also credited with developing the earliest – and still arguably the best – higher register dulcimers. His dulcimettes (tuned an octave above the normal dulcimer, usually DAD) and baritone dulcimettes (tuned an octave above the baritone dulcimer, usually AEA) are justly famous.
As a shy youngster growing up in Ohio during the late 60s, Ron was first captivated by the dulcimer playing of Richard Farina. Looking to understand how to make a dulcimer for himself, he came across retired engineer, dulcimer builder and player Chet Hines. He pestered Chet into letting him help with the dulcimer building then, as Chet’s arthritis grew worse, he took over the building side completely and made around 200 dulcimers under Hines’ label. Developing into an accomplished player of traditional music, he moved in 1975 to the musical commune in Connecticut which was the home of Sandy and Caroline Paton and their Folk Legacy Records. They encouraged him to make more of his own instruments (see 2.45 1977 dulcimer elsewhere on the Intermediate/Advanced Dulcimers page) and to improve his business skills. He also found his dulcimers being sold at fairs alongside those of famous N Carolina father and son makers, Leonard and Clifford Glenn. At this time, his adventurous chordal playing led him to make his first dulcimettes and capos, and experiment with 1½ and ½ frets (of which he remains an important advocate).
His dulcimers are known for their clear, open sound, their superb workmanship, their combination of woods with different sound characteristics, and their distinctive sweeping shapes with elegant, angular soundholes and headstocks.
4.39 2022 Ewing Hourglass 4 String #D1071 Now SOLD Normal price £600, reduced to £540 + high end TKL plush-lined hard case £100
Rectangular printed label “DULCIMERS/ by Ron Ewing/ D 1071 1/7/22 [h/w] / 224 East Maynard/ Columbus, OH 43202/ [tel. no. & website address]”. Model AS4 with Curled Heart soundholes and S-shaped head.
All cherry body, bookmatched on the back and sides, with nice straight figure and contrasting dark wood purfling on back. Colourful browns and dark yellows in a very fine-grained western red cedar top, set against curled heart soundholes. S-head flat headstock with good quality black Gotoh tuners and black strap buttons. Cherry fingerboard (no overlay) with black inlaid wood (?) dot markers at frets 3, 7, 10 and 14. 1+, 6+, 8+ and 13+ frets present. Ebony ‘nut’/zero fret and fully compensated, floating (moveable) bridge. Ebony (?) string strainer on tail. Simple copper pins for string anchors (can use loop or ball end strings). Overall length 34¾”, upper bout 6”, lower bout 8”, depth 2⅛”, FBW 1½”, VSL 26″ (short/medium), weight 1lb 15oz (876g). 1+, 6+, 8+ and 13+ frets. Original strings 12/12, 16, 26w.
Clear, well-articulated notes, good sustain and intonation, plays to the top of the 2nd octave. Cherry gives incisiveness and cedar softens, so the sound is never harsh. Easy action and plenty of responsiveness with good volume. Comes with a top of the range TKL hard case which fits it perfectly. NB this was sold to me as a ‘Second’ and the price reflects this. There are several small, shallow dents on the fingerboard edge, made when the frets were installed. This is cosmetic and has no effect on playability.
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4.41 2022 Ewing Aorell Baritone 3 String #D1080 £Sold
Rectangular printed label “DULCIMERS/ by Ron Ewing/ D 1080 7/3/22 [h/w] / 224 East Maynard/ Columbus, OH 43202/ [tel. no. & website address]”. Model B-AS3 with Trailing Heart soundholes and S-shaped head. Pretty Aorell body (half teardrop, half hourglass) with bookmatched walnut back and sides. Top is a fine piece of straight- and close-grained cedar with attractive red/brown/yellow stripes. Wider, walnut fingerboard with 1+, 6+, 8+ and 13+ frets and silver dot markers at 3, 7, 10 & 14. Ebony ‘nut’/zero fret and koa or rosewood compensated floating bridge. Gold hardware with good quality Gotoh tuners and strap buttons at each end. Overall length 37″, UB 5⅞”, LB 7½”, depth 2⅛”, FBW 1½”, VSL 29¼” (long), weight 2lb 5 oz (1054g). 1+, 6+, 8+ and 13+ frets. Original strings 14, 20w, 32w.
Conventionally tuned AEA, this gives a wide range from a 5th below the normal DAD dulcimer to more than an octave above the open DAD melody string. Balanced tone with some volume if required. Slightly warmer, softer sound from the walnut/cedar combination. Easy playing action and good sustain.
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4.40 2022 Ewing Teardrop Baritone 3 String #D1079 £Sold
Rectangular printed label “DULCIMERS/ by Ron Ewing/ D 1079 10/6/22 [h/w] / 224 East Maynard/ Columbus, OH 43202/ [tel. no. & website address]”. Model B-TS3 with Crescent soundholes and S-shaped head. Larger baritone teardrop body with bookmatched walnut back and sides (small knot mark feature on nearside). Stunning copper-coloured, faceted lacewood top. Three string design (tuned AEA) with marginally narrower fingerboard to allow more movement of the top. Walnut fingerboard has 1+, 6+, 8+ and 13+ frets present with gold dot markers at 3, 7, 10 & 14. Ebony nut/zero fret with ebony floating bridge, compensated for baritone strings. Plain copper pins for string anchors, able to take ball- or loop-end strings. Gold hardware, including high quality Gotoh enclosed tuners and strap buttons each end. Overall length 36¾”, single bout 7⅞”, depth 2⅛”, FBW 1⅜”, VSL 29¼” (long), weight 2lb 06oz (1080g). 1+, 6+, 8+ and 13+ frets. Original strings 14, 20w, 32w.
Conventionally tuned AEA, this gives a wide range from a 5th below the normal DAD dulcimer to more than an octave above the open DAD melody string. Good volume with incisive mid and bass, easy action and great looks. Another lovely custom-ordered instrument from a master craftsman.
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4.38 2022 Ewing Teardrop Baritone 4 string #D1070 £Sold
Rectangular printed label “DULCIMERS/ by Ron Ewing/ D 1070 1/4/22 [h/w] / 224 East Maynard/ Columbus, OH 43202/ [tel. no. & website address]”. Model B-TR4 with Trailing heart soundholes and R-shaped head.
Very attractive walnut body, bookmatched on back and sides, with clever use of striated sapwood colours and reddish/brown purfling on back. Stunning orangey/cell-like patterned lacewood top, set off with trailing heart soundholes. Walnut R-head with chrome Gotohs – also chrome strap buttons. Walnut single piece fingerboard with mother of pearl markers at frets 3, 7, 10, 14. 1+, 6+, 8+ and 13+ frets present. Ebony ‘nut’/zero fret and compensated, floating (moveable) bridge. Copper pin string anchors. Overall length 36¾”, single bout 7½”, depth 2⅛”, FBW 1½”, VSL 29¼” (long), weight 2lb 06oz (1080g). 1+, 6+, 8+ and 13+ frets. Original strings 14/14, 20w, 32w.
Immense sustain with a light and responsive body. The walnut gives some warmth while the lacewood adds a little edge. Easy action and very playable, given the long scale and higher tension strings which drive the volume and produce good tone. Excellent balance and intonation. A pretty instrument, but more importantly, one of the nicest sounding baritones I’ve had the pleasure of playing. Comes with a top of the range TKL hard case which fits it perfectly.
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4.33 NEW 4 String 3 Course Aorell D 1028. £Sold
Usual modern oblong label “DULCIMERS/ by Ron Ewing/ [h/w] D1028 11/8/19 / 224 East Maynard/ Columbus, OH 43202/ [tel. no. & website address]”. An unusual one-off for Ewing. This is a luxury Aorell (half-hourglass, half teardrop) model, but with sides and back made entirely from purpleheart, bookmatched on the back with a central purfling line of maple or cherry. A light cedar top, straight-grained but with a small knothole imperfection on the far side edge. Mix of teardrop and trailing teardrop soundholes. Unusual double-curve variation of the flat S-head, with gold Gotohs tuners. Walnut fingerboard with purpleheart overlay, brass markers at frets 3, 7, 10, 14; 1+, 6+ and 13+ frets present. Ebony ‘nut’/zero fret and bridge, latter fully compensated for excellent intonation.
Overall length 35¾”, upper bout/lower bout in continuous curve but roughly 5¾” and 7⅝” respectively at their widest, depth 2⅛”, FBW 1⅝”, VSL 27¾” (medium), weight 2lb 05oz (1063g). 1+, 6+ and 13+ frets. Original strings 12, 16, 25w.
This is Ron’s longer Aorell body which, together with the medium/heavy strings, gives this great presence and good tone, without sacrificing playability. Has a forward sound with good mids and lows, clear articulation, intonation is spot on. Ron’s second level instruments with bookmatched backs, unusual woods and fingerboard overlay, are always good value. Ron called this striking creation “Her Purpleness”!
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4.32 NEW DHR4 Standard Ewing 4 String Hourglass D1012 £Sold
Usual modern oblong label “DULCIMERS/ by Ron Ewing/ [h/w] D1012 2/2/19 / 224 East Maynard/ Columbus, OH 43202/ [tel. no. & website address]”.
Unusual and attractive dark mahogany single piece back and sides, the side showing straight grain lines. The top is a warm-coloured, lightly-figured redwood. Contrasting with the darker body is the light ginger-coloured cherry headstock and fingerboard. The former is Ewing’s R-head design and the top soundholes are Teardrops. The fingerboard has black position markers and 1+, 6+, 13+ frets. The good quality hardware – tuners, strap buttons – is also black. Overall length 34½”, upper bout 6¼”, lower bout 8”, depth 2¼”, FBW 1⅝”, VSL 27¾” (medium), weight 2lb 1oz (941g). 1+, 6+ and 13+ frets. Original strings 12/12, 16, 24w.
This is Ron’s standard size body with an interesting mix of woods and colours which make for an attractive and good-sounding dulcimer. It has a full, open sound with some volume, helped by a lively back. Intonation is, as always, spot on with the compensated floating bridge and each note is very clearly defined.
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4.31 NEW 2021 D-AO4 Ewing Aorell #D1055 26″ VSL : £Sold
Rectangular printed label “DULCIMERS/ by Ron Ewing/ D1055 1/13/21 [h/w] / 224 East Maynard/ Columbus, OH 43202/ [tel. no. & website address]”.
Elegant body shape, one side teardrop, the other hourglass, which Ron calls an Aorell. Unique ‘Harlequin’ design, comprising contrasting dark walnut and light orange cherry – a bookmatched dual-colour back, different coloured sides, even the headstock and fingerboard are dual colour (the join running perfectly under the middle string!). The top, by contrast is a stunning piece of orangey-brown curly koa. Flat “S Head”-type headstock with black Schaller-type tuning pegs. Neat “Trailing Teardrop” soundhole on one half of the Aorell, the other side with two organic oval shapes. Frets 1+, 6+, (no 8+), 13+ are present, with small black ebony markers at frets 3, 7, 10, & 14. Ebony ‘nut’/zero fret and fully compensated floating bridge. String anchors are plain copper pins on the tail, suitable for ball- and loop-end strings. Black strap buttons at each end. Overall length 34″, upper bout/lower bout in continuous curve but roughly 5½” and 7½” respectively at their widest, depth 2⅛”, FBW 1⅝”, VSL 26⅛” (short/medium), weight 2lb 01oz (929g). 1+, 6+ and 13+ frets. Original strings 12/12, 16, 24w.
This is the shorter-scale version of the classic Aorell shape, with a fractionally smaller body. A mellow-sounding dulcimer with Ron’s customary clear sound, spot-on intonation and easy playability. …And a spectacular looking instrument, irrespective of its classy sound!
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4.26 2017 Custom Order 4 String Hourglass #D 968: £Sold
Rectangular printed label “DULCIMERS/ by Ron Ewing/ [h/w] D968 2/4/17 / 224 East Maynard/ Columbus, OH 43202/ [tel. no. & website address]”. Beautifully figured curly Claro Walnut body, bookmatched to side and back, with a lighter brown central purfling strip down the back. Slightly pinky-white fine-grained sitka spruce top with “teardrop”-style soundholes. “F-head” style flat headstock with top quality gold Gotoh tuner hardware. Single-piece walnut fingerboard with zero fret, ebony (?) “nut” and fully compensated bridge; near full complement of extra frets – 1+, 6+, (no 8+), 13+; small brass inlay markers at frets 3, 7, 10, 14; hardwood “strainer” on top of tail to avoid string marks; copper pin string anchors suitable for both loop- and ball-end strings. Gold strap buttons at each end.
Overall length 35¾”, UB 6”, LB 8”, depth 2⅛”, FBW 1⅝”, VSL 27¾” (medium), weight 2lb 4oz (1014g). 1+, 6+ and 13+ frets. Original strings 12/12, 15, 23w.
One of Ron’s fancier models with top-notch woods, bookmatched body and gold hardware. But the clean design, good intonation, easy action and Ron’s trademark clarity and balance are what you pay for. In the interests of transparency, this instrument (and another in the same shipment) was damaged in transit and had to be returned to Ron in the U.S.A. for repair. As you would expect from a top-class luthier, there are NO outward signs of his work (a new top) and the instrument remains brand new and fully functional.
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4.17 2017 Custom Order 4 String Teardrop #D973 £Sold including padded soft case.
Printed label “Dulcimers/ by Ron Ewing/ D973 3/3/17 [h/w]/ 224 East Maynard/ Columbus, OH 43202/ [tel. no. & website address]”.
Beautiful rippled brown lacewood top, walnut bookmatched body with centre white wood purfling strip, walnut head and walnut fingerboard with ebony overlay. Markers at frets 3, 7, 10, 14. Additional 1+ and 8+ frets. Ebony “nut”, zero fret and ebony compensated bridge.
Overall length 35½”, LB 8”, depth 2⅛”, FBW 1⅝”, VSL 27¾” (medium), weight 2lb 2 oz (961g). 6+ and 13+ frets. Original strings 12/12, 16, 24w.
Open, clear sound with Ron’s typical note separation and responsiveness. A very fast, smooth action on the perfectly prepared ebony fingerboard. I’ve enjoyed playing this dulcimer this Summer in a number of settings – indeed I ordered it to my specification and was very tempted to keep it for myself!
SOLD 4.15 2015 4 String Aorell #D 940 £Sold inc padded soft case:
Printed label “Dulcimers/ by Ron Ewing/ D940 7/14/15 [h/w]/ 224 East Maynard/ Columbus, OH 43202/ [tel. no. & website address]”. Walnut sides with walnut-stained single piece mahogany back and spruce top. “Trailing heart” soundhole design. Walnut “S-Head” style headstock with chrome Gotohs and walnut fingerboard. Ebony nut and fully compensating ebony bridge. Brass dot markers at frets 3, 7, 10, 14 with extra frets at 6+ and 13+. Chrome strap buttons at each end. Overall length 34¼”, upper bout/lower bout in continuous curve but roughly 5½” and 8” respectively at their widest, depth 2⅛”, FBW 1⅝”, VSL 26¼” (short/medium), weight 2lb 0oz (926g). 6+ and 13+ frets. Original strings 12/12, 16, 26w.
Has a full, rounded tone with clear separation of notes and good responsiveness. The spruce top makes it slightly louder but not more raw. Plays beautifully, with real style.
SOLD 4.16 2015 4 String Teardrop #D 939: Printed label “Dulcimers/ by Ron Ewing/ D939 7/8/15 [h/w]/ 224 East Maynard/ Columbus, OH 43202/ [tel. no. & website address]”. Walnut sides with single piece mahogany back and very fine-grained western red cedar top. “Crescent” soundhole design with walnut “S-Head” style headstock, chrome Gotoh tuners and walnut fingerboard. Ebony nut and fully compensating ebony bridge. Copper pin string anchors which will accept loop or ball end strings. Chrome strap buttons at each end. Overall length 35½”, 7⅞”, depth 2⅛”, FBW 1⅝”, VSL 27¾” (medium), weight 2lb 0oz (909g). 6+ and 13+ frets. Original strings 12/12, 16, 24w.
This is unshowy but beautifully made, with a full, rounded tone, clear separation of notes and good responsiveness. Plenty of presence but not brittle-sounding. Superb intonation and good action. Plays beautifully, with real style. See pictures 6-8 below.
SOLD 4.05 2014 Aorell 4 string #D 911. Printed label: “Dulcimers/ by Ron Ewing/ 224 East Maynard/ Columbus, OH 43202/ [tel. no. & website address]/ [HW] D 911 6/9/14”. Model AA4: aorell with A-head and 4 strings. The aorell – half hourglass and half teardrop (Warren May calls it an hourdrop) – is Ron’s favoured body shape, in terms both of aesthetics and sound. This has a red cedar top, walnut sides and mahogany, single piece (non-bookmatched) back. Soundholes are elegant “Trailing Diamonds”, carefully braced inside to reduce the likelihood of cracking. Single piece walnut fingerboard with small brass inlaid markers at frets 3, 7, 10 & 14. 6+ fret and 13+ frets. Ebony bridge, compensated for accurate intonation in DAD tuning, and ebony guide nut with zero fret. String anchors are simple copper pins, to accommodate both loop and ball end strings. Good quality gold Gotoh guitar-style tuners on flat “A-head”; gold strap buttons on each end.
Overall length 34¾”, upper bout/lower bout in continuous curve but roughly 5¾” and 7¾ respectively at their widest, depth 2⅛”, FBW 1½”, VSL 27¾” (medium/long), weight 2lb 2oz (970g). 6+ and 13+ frets. Original strings 12/12, 16, 25w.
SOLD 4.04 2014 Teardrop 4 String #D 920. Printed label: “Dulcimers/ by Ron Ewing/ 224 East Maynard/ Columbus, OH 43202/ [tel. no. & website address]/ [HW] D 920 11/5/14”. Again, explores the potential of mixing woods with different sound characteristics. The fine grained cedar top usually makes for a warmer sound, as do the walnut sides, to balance the generally brighter mahogany of the single piece back. Unusual internal bracing on this large, teardrop body. Walnut single piece fingerboard with brass markers at frets 3, 7, 10 and 14. Compensated ebony bridge and guide nut with zero fret, as above. Gold Gotohs on flat “S-Head” (flame shaped), gold strap buttons and “Crescent” sweeping soundholes.
Overall length 34½”, upper bout n/a, lower bout 8”, depth 2⅛”, FBW 1⅝”, VSL 26¼” (short/medium), weight 2lb 1oz (950g). 6+ and 13+ frets. Original strings 12/12, 16, 24w.
Both of these dulcimer show excellent craftsmanship, with real flair in design. They have a good, full sound and a balanced tone, with a certain crispness which provides good note separation. Intonation with the zero fret and compensated bridge is spot on. Frets are well finished.
