Dulcimers For Intermediate/Advanced 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.
Dulcimers for sale (in accession order, most recent to earliest):
The Galax Dulcimer originated from an area of SW Virginia centred on the town of Galax, where the Old Fiddlers Convention has been held in August since 1935. The dulcimer is typically large-bodied, often with a resonator back for volume, played with unison strings and a noter. Two prime examples are now up for sale from the collection of pre-eminent UK noter player, Robin Clark. For more details and pictures, click here.
4.57 NEW 2026 McCafferty Beede Signature Hourglass #12609 3 or 4 String 3 Course £2800 inc. branded luxury case. TKL plush hard case £190 extra.
Let’s be honest, this is a very expensive dulcimer, but it’s also an extremely good one – and one for which we’ve been eagerly waiting. It’s an absolutely accurate and superbly built recreation of the original limited edition dulcimer by David Beede which was the first choice for a younger generation of star players like Aaron O’Rourke, Sarah Kate Morgan and Erin Mae Lewis. It looks understated, classy and packs a great deal of punch with its full and detailed sound. Click on the link below for more.
2.358 (Ex-2.184) 2009 Modern Mountain 3 String Hourglass (Resonator Back) Dulcimer #1498 £750 + as new pro hard case £100 or NEW soft case £25 Sold on commission
A classic later Modern Mountain with a more angular headstock and self-trimming Planet Wave tuners. This one is walnut and probably paulownia, the latter with a nice figure. As always with MMDs, they play easily (an ebony fingerboard helps) and with some volume, yet plenty of finesse. One for those wanting to advance their playing.
2.356 1992? Burge Searing #899 (?) 4 String 3 Course Hourglass £345 + NEW robust padded case £25
A good vintage find. A neat dulcimer from a known, smaller maker who has made good use of some stunning lacewood for the top. Nice intermediate dulcimer with a longer scale length.
2.355 2006 3 String Modern Mountain Hourglass (resonator) Dulcimer #1224 – £750 inc. original branded soft case
This beautiful Peruvian walnut, resonator-backed Modern Mountain is one of the prettiest I’ve seen, with a full but quite mellow sound. Came back to me recently after a long time away, but suffered some damage in shipping. Now repaired, as handsome as ever and ready for any aspiring player to up their game.
2.354 Boulder Junction Nov. 1981 #747 4 string, orig. equidistant layout now 3 or 4 course hourglass £395 + NEW robust padded bag £25
One of the less common finds – a big-bodied, easy-playing, well-balanced dulcimer from the early 1980s. The very reputable workshop apparently employed exclusively musicians as luthiers – and it shows in the sound.
2.351 Fellenbaum Hourglass #366 November 1982 £425 + £25 NEW basic padded case [or more expensive alternatives]
A neat-looking dulcimer by an unsung hero among dulcimer builders. Tom Fellenbaum has made many beautiful, great-sounding dulcimer in his small N Carolina workshop. This is an early one, but it plays very easily and sounds great.
2.349 October 2005 McSpadden FH12WW Special #49342 £475 + £25 new basic padded soft case [or more expensive hard case alternatives]
This is a rare and handsome ‘Special’ produced in small quantities by long-serving McSpadden craftsmen using superior timber. The ebony fingerboard is a delight to use and the sound is fuller than the standard McSpaddens of the time.
2.347 Timbre Hill 4 String 3 Course Dulcimer #68, undated but probably 2006. £385 + customised hard case £30
An unusual dulcimer from Paul Conrad in Ohio. It is extremely light and responsive and made using a multi-wood ‘intarsio’ technique. It results in a stunning dulcimer, both visually and sound-wise. Quite a forward sound but with a reasonable scale length and easy action.
2.346 1980s FolkRoots D550ST #141 4 String 3 Course Teardrop £425 + £20 original shell case in good condition
A high end example of the well-known FolkRoots concern, made from solid woods and with a long, large body which gives good depth of tone and volume. BUT, the long scale length is less manageable for small hands.
2.287 2015 McCafferty Hourglass #253 4 String 3 Course £850 inc. original branded soft case
A pretty and mature-sounding dulcimer from Terry McCafferty’s workshop and a rare find pre-owned. This was one of my main dulcimers and I found it delightfully easy to play, very responsive and well balanced. Reluctantly, it has to go and at half the price of the equivalent current model it’s a bargain. Just note the longer scale length.
3.107 A W Jeffreys 3 String Hourglass #2572 Early 70s? £265 + NEW soft, padded case £25
Another interesting historic dulcimer, made in quite large numbers in the 1970s by a family concern. It’s neat, well-designed, easy to play and sounds great, but was intended mainly for 1:5:5 tuning (DAA or similar). Now fitted with geared tuners for added ease of tuning, it is from the collection of the late UK dulcimer maestro, John Shaw.
Previously Sold Instruments
4.51 NEW 2025 McCafferty Traditional Model Hourglass #926 £Sold inc. high quality soft case
This is the first NEW McCafferty I’ve imported for sale and it’s a belter. Traditional look and feel with high quality construction and a stunning inlay, but a very modern easy action and great, full sound. Shortish scale length, ebony fingerboard overlay, extra frets, internal pickup….I could go on. Look at the detailed page and ask me if you need to know more.
3.116 1998 Warren May 4 String 3 Course hourglass #10032 £Sold
A very pretty traditional-style dulcimer from Kentucky craftsman Warren May. This is all-cherry with a good curl/quilted figure, a responsive sound – particularly for noter playing – and has been retro-fitted with quality geared tuners. NB Has no 6+ or 13+ fret.
3.108 1975 George Orthey Hourglass #284 £Sold
These early Orthey dulcimers, staple-fretted under the melody string only, are something special. I have one as my favourite DAA dulcimer – it’s light, small, yet it really sings. Worth investing in, then playing – a lot! They don’t come round often….
3.106 2016/7 (?) Bird Rock “Heritage” #123 3 String Hourglass….from the collection of the late John Shaw £Sold
A traditional-style dulcimer with the sweetness of just intonation and the ease of geared tuners. John rightly enthused about the sound of this dulcimer, played in 1:5:5 tuning (DAA or similar).
3.101 1993 Robert Mize Hourglass 4 string 3 course #3048 £Sold
This is one of a pair of dulcimers which were among the last Bob Mize built. As expected, they are beautifully crafted from choice woods, but these late models have geared tuners and 6+/13+ frets. Nonetheless, they are still essentially traditional dulcimers, happier in DAA (or similar) than modern DAD tunings.
3.100 Late 1960s/early 70s Davis-style ‘church’ or ‘fiddleside’ dulcimer, 5 string, 4 course £Sold
A good example of an unusual dulcimer, probably made in the late 60s or early 70s in Tennessee and updated with 6+ fret and geared, planetary tuners. Glowing, straw-coloured, wormy chestnut construction which makes it extraordinarily light and responsive.
2.353 Nov. 1994 McSpadden M-12W #30503 £Sold
A well-preserved example of the standard McSpadden of its era, with its iconic scroll head, rosewood friction tuners and crisp, dulcimery sound. Comes with original shell case at extra cost.
2.343 (ex- 2.183) 1979 Boulder Junction #538 4 string, 3 or 4 course hourglass £Sold
A rare and interesting hourglass dulcimer, handmade to high standards and somewhat ahead of its time. Has a good sound and a decent action. Now updated with geared tuners and raring to get back to work.
2.340 2001 Blue Lion Model 1C #3103 £Sold
A classic dulcimer at an affordable price. This is the entry model of top Californian dulcimer builders Blue Lion. Designed and built to the same high standards – indeed the same body shape and playing feel – but from more readily available woods. This figured cherry dulcimer is clear, precise and quite forthright.
2.10 2010 P J Abnett 4 String Hourglass £Sold
A very beautiful – and rare – dulcimer from one of the great UK luthiers, Peter Abnett. I commissioned this 15 years ago and am only now, reluctantly, letting it go. Has all the frets, sounds excellent and it looks a million!
Archive of previously sold intermediate/advanced instruments
CLICK this heading or the picture below to see all the Intermediate/advanced instruments previously sold.
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.
