Models
The Concert model is a very difficult model to build… I likely spend more time just making the fret board than many do on their entire dulcimer. The fret board is made from many separate quarter sawn strips. I make these fret boards up well in advance of the instruments in order for all the stresses to equal out before building it into and instrument.. Then, I very carefully shave them to be as straight as humanly possible. This means a very minimal tuning is necessary for the life of the instrument. I have tried to create a beautiful sound hole that reflects the image of a “real” instrument…such as the violin, etc. All the delicate parts of these sound holes are re-enforced with splints underneath so they will not break off. Linings are used to complete the bond between the sides, top, and back, making these instruments exceptionally durable. The plainest of my concert models (with no overlay on the fret board, no carving at the strum hollow and limited decoration) starts at about $500. Of course, let’s keep in mind our rising costs of everything. This may change. And, a fairly fancy concert model (with ebony on the fret board, some inlay, purfling, etc.) can run up to $700 or more. This concert model is among one of the largest dulcimers available.
My chamber model is somewhat more modest than the concert… being slightly smaller, yet still larger than many other instruments on the market. It is quite a bit larger than a McSpadden, for instance. I designed this instrument to offer a very high quality instrument, yet at, hopefully, a reasonable price. I try to keep the decoration on this instrument to a minimum to keep the cost down. Despite being smaller than my concert model it is still a good sized instrument and will hold its own on the concert stage or jam session. The construction details on this instrument are more in line with those of other dulcimer builders, yet I am sure that you will find the workmanship top notch and the finish outstanding! And, like the concert model… the delicate parts of the sound holes are re-enforced underneath with splint.s. The fret board and string length is the same as on the concert model, and it is normally made from very well cured, quarter sawn , clear stock. I am offering this instrument at a starting price of about $385.
And… finally, my banjamated dulcimer! I don’t make too many of these… but these instruments do have a place in a concert hall, jam session, or back porch. I have dispensed with the idea of giving it any kind of “dulcimer” look as nothing on such an instrument means anything musically but the sound head. I make what is essentially a banjo with a dobro type square neck – to be played on your lap as you would a normal dulcimer. It is simply fretted like a dulcimer…yet sounds exactly like a banjo…because it IS ONE! This instrument has a traditional 11” banjo pot… and IS loud!... so be very astute when playing it with other dulcimers. It will sell for around $400. I do not have a current picture of this instrument but hope to very soon. Any picture here depicting an instrument with a wide gray band around the pot is my older model. My new banjamated dulcimer will, indeed, have a full sized, traditional banjo pot!
Both the concert and chamber models have a 27” vibrating string length (vsl) and the banjamated dulcimer has a 26” vsl.