Mastertone Hourglass
It has a stunning birdseye maple body with faux tortoiseshell binding, bookmatched top and bottom; maple fingerboard with walnut overlay; rosewood headstock veneer; figured walnut (?) scratchplate in the distinctive Mastertone shape; walnut endblock with single walnut (?) string anchor; two Mastertone signature sliced walnut rosettes (two missing) forming the soundholes. Black mini Schaller-style guitar machine heads. Has the typical Mastertone 5 string layout, arranged in 3 courses but with doubled melody string and doubled bass course (octave wound/unwound). Original hardshell case included. Overall length 34”/35½”, upper bout 6⅜”/7”, lower bout 8”/8½”, height 2”, VSL 24”/25″ (short scale), strings currently 12/12, 16, 23w/15. Originally no 6½ fret, now provided.
This is a classy dulcimer with a striking appearance, made from high quality materials. Solidly built and in good condition; easy to play (short scale) with a balanced sound across the range. This is a heavier than average dulcimer and, though it projects well, it is not quite as loud as its size and string configuration would suggest. Not ideal for finger-picking, given its string configuration and slightly variable intonation higher up, but would perform well with mic or pick up.
