McSpadden Sweet Song/Sweetsong Kits and M8/SSW Smaller McSpaddens
These kits were a popular way of buying a cheaper instrument from one of the best known and most reliable larger scale dulcimer makers. Most used the high quality walnut laminate available at the time and favoured by the founder Lynn McSpadden over solid wood, certainly for dulcimer backs.
1.165 McSpadden 1985 Kit 4 String, 3 Course Hourglass £295 + NEW robust padded case £25
Small oblong label with neatly handwritten: “Roy Neighbours/ 12-28-85”.
This is the larger profile kit of the 1980s onwards, rather than the 70s Sweetsongs, with a body the same dimensions as the standard factory McSpadden of the day, but shallower. Like all McSpaddens of the 1970s-2000s, makes use of the high quality walnut laminate available at the time – in this case for the whole body, including the top. The laminate is robust and has a nice grain. Soundholes are standard McSpadden ‘squashed hearts’. Has a solid walnut flat headstock, fitted with good quality nickel Grover enclosed tuners. Usual 2 level walnut fingerboard, possibly hollow, but with no routing into the body cavity; 6+ but no 13+ fret. Factory light brown composite ‘nut’/zero fret and bridge. Neat touch on tail, with a block of cross-grain walnut to act as a string strainer. Mushroom-headed pins for string anchors, as in the factory dulcimers. Neat internal bracing across each bout. Overall length 36”, upper bout 5⅛”, lower bout 6¾”, depth 1⅝”, FBW 1½”, VSL 28⅜” (long scale), weight 2lb 2oz (975g), strings now 0.011, 0.014, 0.023w. 6+ no 13+ fret.
This is a very carefully built example of a McSpadden kit – an excellent path into quality dulcimer ownership. One small bending flaw or chip, otherwise in excellent condition. Plays easily, as you would expect, but also sounds really good for a low cost instrument.
Click on images below to enlarge.
1.44 – 1970s? McSpadden Sweetsong Kit – 3 String Hourglass – £175 no case
Very early 70s or late 60s? Printed label, “MOUNTAIN DULCIMER/ Made by Ralph L. Malozzi [h/w]”. Walnut laminate body with McSpadden heart soundholes pointing to the tail. Simple, solid walnut “elephant trunk” scroll and pegbox, with standard rosewood violin pegs, now replaced by open-geared guitar-style tuners with white plastic buttons. Two-part walnut fingerboard with wideish frets including zero fret and original 6+ fret. Originally a wooden nut and bridge, latter now replaced by buffalo horn, compensated bridge. Three plain string anchor pins. Rather close string placing, now adjusted to provide wider options.
Overall length 36”, upper bout 4¾”, lower bout 5⅞”, depth 1½”, FBW 1⅜”, VSL 28½” (long scale), weight 1lb 9oz (705g). Original 6½ fret. Strings now 0.011, 0.014, 0.022w.
In good condition with an attractive walnut appearance. Not loud but quite a sweet sound. Moderately high action. Eminently suitable for dulcimer beginner and intermediate player alike.
1.63 McSpadden Hourglass Kit – M8? £Sold
Stamped on the inside in three places: “Robert F Reed…/Bath, MI “– presumably the person who put the kit together.
All walnut body made from a high quality, thin laminate, showing good colour and interesting grain on the top. Solid walnut flat peghead with good quality chrome Gotoh guitar machines. Walnut two part fingerboard, complete with 6+ and 13+ frets. Usual McSpadden composite nut and bridge, combined with zero fret for improved intonation. Four mushroom-headed pins for string anchors with – nice touch – a block of cross-grained walnut as combined tailpiece and string strainer. Usual McSpadden elongated heart soundholes. Overall length 36¼”, upper bout 5⅛”, lower bout 6⅜”, depth 1½”, FBW 1½”, VSL 28⅜” (long scale), weight ?lb ?oz (????g), strings now 0.011, 0.014, 0.023w. 6+ and 13+ fret.
Generally good condition, but a few scuffs, a small area of laminate damage on the nearside UB and a little fret wear under the melody strings. The original kit seems to have been solidly put together, but the finish is not perfect in a couple of places. Plays quite sweetly and has an easy action. Great for a beginner.
Click on images to enlarge
2.60 – 90s McSpadden “Sweet Song” – 4 String Hourglass – £Sold
This is an hourglass M4 model, with a slightly smaller body than the standard M12 of the time, but larger than the Sweetsong kits of the 70s which were based on a narrow, traditional Kentucky instrument. Top and back are made of good quality, attractive walnut laminate; sides seem to be solid walnut. Flat modern-style headstock with good quality Gotoh mini-Schaller guitar tuners. Two part hollow walnut fretboard with 6+ fret and micarta nut and bridge – as on factory McSpaddens of the time. Typical McSpadden “squashed heart” soundholes. Stainless mushroom-head pins for ball- and loop-end strings.
Overall length 36”, upper bout 5¼”, lower bout 6½” [vs normal McS 5⅝” and 7”], depth 1½” [vs normal McS 2”], FBW 1½”, VSL 28½” (long/medium scale). 6½ fret.
Bought from a shop in Eureka Springs, Arkansas and assembled by Scott Taylor. Looks as though fingerboard was provided complete, fully fretted, with the rest comprising a good quality kit of part-finished components to be glued together. As a result, this instrument has a few visible glue lines, but has been well assembled and is structurally very robust. Matte, lightly oiled finish with a pleasant walnut grain. It is in excellent, unmarked condition. Sounds great, with perfect intonation, good volume and an attractive treble-led sound. McSpadden design quality makes this worthwhile for beginners or more experienced players alike, especially at this price.
