SteveLikesHamsters Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 So over at mandolin cafe. com I asked the same thing but for mandolins. I'm definitely going to buy a new mandolin, but I really love the sound of the mountain dulcimer too (don't tell them). I'm looking for a good one, acoustic or electric, to be had under 900. I want a nice warm tone, that kind of "washes" over you. I'm open to anything. You can send the name of a builder, a brand, whatever. I'm into acoustics but electrics would be cool too. I'm also a complete newbie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLikesHamsters Posted January 22 Author Share Posted January 22 For useless context, this would be for my birthday in a few months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoterMan Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 For $900 you can get almost "anything goes" made by any of several builders. Acoustic is definitely the way to go. FYI, "warm tones" is not a traditional dulcimer sound. Traditionally they have a "high silvery" sound. For more modern mellow tones you want an instrument with more cubic inches "under the hood" than average (larger cubic volumes mean better bass/baritone response. Look for a body 7-8" wide or more and more than 2" in depth. You'll also want a longer VSL (you'd call it "scale") than your mando -- say 27 or 28". If you want really mellow, look at Tennessee Music Box type dulcimers. Not much to look at, but the mellow sound will really "wash over you". The series of round sound holes is traditional, but the luthier can put whatever sound holes you like. My friend John Knopf makes exceptional TMBs as well a larger bodied replica dulcimers. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oVbxZTcs8O0/T_WjiXJsAgI/AAAAAAAAAlg/LRGEAviuMms/s320/boxpoplar23a.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLikesHamsters Posted January 22 Author Share Posted January 22 Thank you for this in depth response! I realize 900 dollars is actually pretty high of a budget as far as dulcimers go, and not as far as mandolins go. Do you happen to know any good builders around the Houston area? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KWL Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 The two largest makers of mountain dulcimers in the US are Folkcraft and McSpadden. That said, Folkcraft has two or three people actually involved in the construction of an instrument and McSpadden has a little more (maybe four or five). Blue Lion dulcimers in California and Bear Meadows in New York are a couple of the higher end dulcimer builders currently. Some single person shops are Ron Gibson, Ben Seymour (Kudzu Patch), Bill Berg (Mountain Made), New Traditions dulcimers, June Apple, and others. I am not sure if there are any builders currently working in Texas. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLikesHamsters Posted January 22 Author Share Posted January 22 The good news is that I will be in Virginia (east Virginia) soon, so I would think there are some good shops or builders up there. Maybe not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoterMan Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 Ken and I have a builder friend who lives in Virginia. Bobby Ratliff makes fabulous instruments (I own two). However, his dulcimers are made traditionally -- with staple frets under only the melody strings -- not for modern Chord-Melody style playing. He's "semi-retired" like a lot of us, and only makes what he wants to make, when he wants to make them. His instruments are worth every penny. Check out his website: Slate Creek Dulcimers (google.com) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLikesHamsters Posted January 24 Author Share Posted January 24 I'll see if I'm anywhere near their shop when I'm up there. A handcrafted dulcimer is a very special thing. Thanks for the recommendations guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoterMan Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 FYI Bobbie does not have a 'visitable' shop as it were. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KWL Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 And Bobby is in the southwestern corner of Virginia. I don't know of any current builders with a store in Virginia or any music stores that sell them. There are few shops you walk in to but they are in Arkansas, Indiana, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Some places like Elderly Instruments in Michigan, the House of Musical Traditions in Maryland, and McCabe's Guitar Shop in California usually have a few dulcimers for sale. There are probably others, but I'm just sharing the ones I've visited. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 A couple more: Appalachian Flutes and Dulcimers is in Southwest Virginia near Roanoke. I believe Terry McCafferty (McCafferty Dulcimers) is in Texas if you're looking for a builder there, though I'm not sure how close he is to Houston. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLikesHamsters Posted January 24 Author Share Posted January 24 Oh, OK good to know that he doesn't have a visitable shop. I don't think I could go anyway since I'll be more near Northern Virginia, D.C., Maryland area. House of Musical Traditions sounds like a good one. I've heard of Terry McCafferty when I was doing research into this. His instruments sound beautiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLikesHamsters Posted January 24 Author Share Posted January 24 Sorry, when I said east Virginia, I meant to say as opposed to West Virginia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KWL Posted January 25 Share Posted January 25 The House of Musical Traditions is in Takoma Park, Maryland not far the D.C. border north of the city. I think there is a Metro stop nearby which makes it easily accessible from anywhere in the Metro D.C. area. You can check their website or call before going to find out what dulcimers they have in stock. Looks like currently they have five for sale (four used, one new). At least you could try a few to understand differences in sound and playability. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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