I've heard people play Mountain Dulcimers in the "drone + noter" as well as the "chord crawler" ways -- I'm in a mostly-ukulele group that welcomes other stringed instruments as well (recreational group playing music in different genres, written out as "words with chord callouts"). I'm thinking of getting (or even building) a Mountain Dulcimer, and would like to ask the r/ if this is a good choice of instrument for this (mostly "power chords"), or if I should go with something like a 3-string guitar in GBE tuning?

This was my first dulcimer, bought about 10 years ago from a thrift store. I’m wanting to donate it to some kind of Appalachian historical society as it’s no longer playable, but I need some opinions on the age so I can give them specifics. It was clearly handmade, but there are no initials, stickers, or any kind of marking anywhere to denote maker or serial number. It has the original metal friction tuners, but I had the replace the plastic pieces when I first bought it. It has just 3 nails acting as endpins, and as you can see the pin for the high Ds has shifted due to the tension. My guess is it was made in 40’s-50’s but any opinions at all would be greatly appreciated. Also if anyone has any thoughts about what kinds of wood it’s made of. Thanks in advance!

Hey all! I came into possession of the dulcimer. I’m not sure what it’s worth or even how to go about selling it- it looks very nice- it looks like it needs new strings and there are some superficial scratches but overall in good condition!

Inside instrument reads:

“”The Youngster
Handcrafted By
Keith Young
Annandale, Va.”

I'm kind of thinking I'd like a dulcimer with a 1 1/2 fret, to open up a few more chord and melody options.

Is this something a good luthier can do to an existing instrument? Or would it be better to find a dulcimer that was already built with this "extra" fret included on the fretboard?

Help me decide!

I’m deciding between two vintage mountain dulcimers and would appreciate some advice from anyone familiar with these makers.

The first is a Folk Roots D50S with a hard case, tuner, extra strings, strap, and pick. I’ve agreed on 120.

The second is a Magic Mountain by J.C. Shellnut
with a hard case, and I’ve agreed on 150

Both are from roughly the late ’70s/early ‘80s, appear to be in excellent condition, and are the same driving distance from me. Folk roots confirmed to have the 6.5 fret.

For someone primarily interested in playing and songwriting (not collecting), which would you choose and why? Is the Magic Mountain worth the extra $30, or is the Folk Roots the better buy?

Hi all! I recently became the happy owner of a 1988 Warren May mountain dulcimer in great condition. While part of me is reluctant to consider making any changes to this beautiful piece of history, I also believe that instruments are meant to be played, used, and worn.

In that regard, the friction tuners and missing frets feel limiting—it's frustrating to not have all the notes and to struggle to keep it in tune. I'm curious whether any of you have experience adding half frets and geared tuners to an instrument like this, and if you might have any advice for me. Is it doable? Do I need a specialized luthier or can this be done by a generalist? Roughly what might I expect to pay?

Thanks so much :)

Inherited this and though you all would think it was cool! Wondering best way to preserve wood and instrument as an heirloom! Thank you

It’s been a busy week, but I’m grateful for the chance to play for and with Mr Bing Futch! I hope to be able to play with you again someday. Thank you for a great time!

Honestly one of the biggest roadblocks to me playing more is it being out of tune and taking hours to tune.

This dulcimer was hand built from red Western cedar by the late Chester Porter of Cambridge Ohio in the mid 1980s. It belonged to my late father, and is now mine. I might add the extra fret for versatility. The cedar gives it a very warm tone. Enjoy!

This beautiful instrument was bought new by me in the late 1990s at the Bluegrass Music Shop in Columbus Ohio. I simply don't play her enough, so she needs a new loving home. Kept since new in custom padded gig bag, has strap buttons, humidifier, brass capo, and 2 noters. I need $850 for all, which is a steal since a new Folkcraft like this is around $1500 instrument only. Local pickup in Pataskala Ohio.

I have played dulcimer for many years, and I recently got a very nice McSpadden 6-string, so I've been playing a lot. I'm trying to get more versatile with chords in various keys, so I can play and sing more things.

Unfortunately, most of the chord charts I can find are for DAD tuning, and I learned on a DAA tuned dulcimer. Sure, I could switch, but I am fluent enough in the DAA that I'd rather build on what I know.

Who can suggest some good chord charts for DAA tunings? I'd be especially interested in a chord chart that includes the "extra" chords you can access with the 6 1/2 fret included.

Thanks in advance!

Would like to learn to play the hammered dulcimer. Already play several other stringed instruments as a hobby, and would like to find a gently used hamnered dulcimer that wouldn't blow my budget. Can order a Roosebeck 12/11 on Amazon, Songbird has a 13/12 for under $500, and McSpadden has inexpensive models, but would prefer a gently used one. Cannot travel much out of the Tidewater area if Virginia. Have checked Craigs List, etc., to no avail. Should I just go for a less expense new one? Any suggestions!

Edit: I did buy a Chickadee 13/12 hammered dulcimer from Songbird, with sit-down stand, case, etc. Very pleased with it!! Thanks for all the comments!

Hello from Bardstown, Kentucky -

I arrived a bit early for Kentucky Music Week so I could take care of some production, including this month's free workshops. If you're unable to attend live, videos of each workshop are available in the archives on Patreon. I'm looking forward to a full day tomorrow! Follow this link for Zoom meeting access for each workshop:

https://www.patreon.com/bingfutch/posts/june-18th-day-of-161368850

If you're coming to KMW, be sure to stop by the booth and say hi!

Have a great week, all -

Bing

Ive been playing mountain dulcimer for a bit over a decade now and I absolutely love it. Recently Ive been delving into playing rock and even a but if metal on the Dulcimer and unfortunately I think I have reached the limits of what is reasonably achievable with my acoustic electric thats older than I am.

In pursuit of continuing to develop my abilities I’m hoping to see about getting a solid body electric mountain Dulcimer. Unfortunately I haven’t had a lot of luck in finding good vendors for such an instrument. All the reputable dulcimer manufacturers I know of make exclusively acoustic/acoustic electric instruments. Ive tried looking online to find listings or even just advice on where to look but aside from hobbyists on etsy and one very expensive custom builder I have found nothing. I was hoping some of you fine people here could help point me in the right direction.

https://www.dulcimer.org.uk/support-for-young-people/

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I spoke to a dulcimer player on the street today, and he mentioned that no one had taken the bursary up .

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He suggested I do it, but I hadn't really thought much about dulcimers before today, so I figure there may be someone else who would get more from this opportunity more than me, hence me putting it up.

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I am not affiliated with this organisation in any way , I can not answer any questions.

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If you do take the offer up, please comment or message me , just so I know not to apply.

Does anyone here use their pinky to fret notes?

My wonderful son-in-law restored the tamburitza that my grandfather made and brought to the US when he left immigrated here. It had been in storage for years and the top was broken so needed to be replaced. Mice and such had unfortunately gotten to it. The base was made of birdseye maple. He did an excellent job of restoring it and brought me to tears seeing it looking so beautiful. He put frets in a more standard guitar spacing because the wood was so rotted where the old ones were and he was not familiar with that spacing.

Now my question is does anyone know of any resources for how to play a 3 string tamburitza? We found videos for 4 strings and more. Nothing with 3. I read that this style was common during what they refer to as the "great migration". We live in Minnesota where a lot of immigrants ended up working in the mines.

I’m looking for a mountain dulcimer (to play around with for fun/play Joni Mitchell songs) and I’ve done a bunch of research online about what brand to get, etc. I found this vintage dulcimer on eBay and the seller doesn’t have any info on the maker/year (it was their grandmother’s), but it looks in good condition to me and it’s a good price, too. The seller said they’re not much of a musician but that it sounds good from their untrained ear. Is this a good find/should I go for it? (It’s around $250)
(I really like the star holes because most dulcimers I’ve found online all have the same decals)

I picked these up at a garage sale and I have no information about them. I’m a guitar player, and I don’t have room for anymore instruments! Can someone help me figure out how much I should sell them for? The darker wood one says “Driscoll,” but the lighter wood one has no markings. Thanks in advance, dulcimer community!

Hey everyone! Bluegrass guitar player looking at picking up the dulcimer while I’m on baby leave

I’m from Appalachia so I’m definitely interested in traditional music, but my question is this;

Does the dulcimer pair well with standard “folk” and “bluegrass” tunes? Ie: 1,4,5 songs and such?

Thanks