Early period McSpadden M12 dulcimers (late 70s – mid-80s)
2.269 McSpadden M12-W #3313 £Sold
Lynn McSpadden began crafting dulcimers full-time in late 1967 or early 1968 and is now recognised as possibly the best known maker of mountain dulcimers in the world. This instrument has a solid walnut top, with a high quality laminated walnut back and sides. Elegant carved solid walnut scroll, walnut single-piece fingerboard, with zero fret for accurate intonation and 6½ fret. Rosewood nut and bridge. The original Grover “sta-tite” friction tuners were replaced with high quality Gotoh planetary geared tuners in Nov 2019. Typical McSpadden style heart soundholes but no company name inscribed on the fingerboard as later. Pin string anchors. Overall length 36”, upper bout 5⅝”, lower bout 7⅛”, depth 1¾”, FBW 1⅜”, weight 1lb 15oz (884g), VSL 28½” (medium/long scale).
McSpadden are perhaps the most consistent craft maker of mountain dulcimers in the world, continuing to produce well-made, reliable and great-sounding instruments – a touchstone for quality. This is no exception. It has an easy action, and warm, responsive sound with plenty of power across the tonal range. Its sweet, clearly-articulated and balanced sound is ideal for finger-picking. It also projects well, with a clear, attractive tone for strumming. Almost mint, with just a few almost invisible pressure marks.
2.178 Mid-80s M12 #12,502 4 String Hourglass £Sold
Small oblong printed label with brown text/scroll decoration: “The Dulcimer Shoppe/ Handcrafted Instruments by McSpadden/ Mountain View, Arkansas/ Lynn McSpadden [h/w]/ Serial No. 12,502 [h/w] Model: M12 [h/w]”.
From time when M12 was the standard – scroll head, walnut body and spruce top. Solid walnut sides with straight-grained spruce top and laminated walnut back. Rich, darker walnut scroll with closed pegbox, fitted with Grover Sta-Tite friction tuners and real walnut buttons. Typical two layer walnut fingerboard; 6+ but not 13+ fret; “McSpadden” name stamped just in front of bridge; brown composite bridge and ‘nut’ with zero fret. Mushroom-headed pins on non-recessed tail, small vent under fingerboard; strainer block on top of tail, with contrasting grain direction to support string path to bridge.
Overall length 36½”, upper bout 5½”, lower bout 7”, height 1¾”, FBW 1½”, VSL 28⅜” (medium/long scale), weight 2lb 2oz (950g), strings now 10/10, 14, 22w. 6½ fret no 13+.
An almost pristine example, with very few visible signs of wear. Sounds crisp and clear with plenty of resonance. Plays well up into the second octave. Like most great-sounding pre-millennium McSpaddens would be an even more desirable working instrument with a geared tuner upgrade. At £45 with free fitting (it takes about an hour of my time), this is well worth considering.
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2.117 McSpadden M12-W #14589 £Sold
2.117 Mid-80s M12-W #14589 4 String Hourglass: printed label, “The Dulcimer Shoppe/ Handcrafted Instruments by McSpadden/ Mountain View, Arkansas/ Lynn McSpadden [h/w]/ Serial No. 14,589 Model: M12-W [h/w]”.
Classic scroll dulcimer from the McSpadden stable with laminated walnut back and solid walnut sides and top. Walnut two part fingerboard with zero fret and 6+ but not 13+ frets. Walnut tail and the iconic McSpadden moulded scroll headstock, this one in a nice rich walnut. Grover Sta-Tite friction tuners with rosewood buttons. Composite nut and bridge.
Overall length 36¾”, upper bout 5⅝”, lower bout 7”, height 1¾”, FBW 1½”, VSL 28⅜” (medium/long scale), weight 2lb 1oz (933g), strings now 11/11, 14, 24w. 6½ fret.
Clear, sweet and well-articulated sound, with plenty of volume. In excellent condition with very few surface marks for its age. Comes with original brown shell case in good condition.
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