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):
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.
3.101 1993 Robert Mize Hourglass 4 string 3 course #3048 £395 + £25 robust padded soft case
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.
2.313 April 1999 McSpadden FM12CS £400 + good shell case £30
A good example of this late-McSpadden era hourglass in a powerful cherry/spruce combination. After 30+ years of creating McSpadden dulcimers, the workshop was at the peak of its powers, with experienced craftspeople and a proven design.
2.312 Blue Lion Model IIK Hourglass #386 (Oct 1982) £595 inc. (worn) original shell case
A rare and beautiful example of a koa-bodied Style II hourglass from one of the iconic dulcimer makers. This has been well used but plays well, with a low action, and sounds quintessentially Blue Lion.
2.299 Blue Lion Model IIR TFHT #4220 (March 2009) £685 + £35 high quality branded Blue Heron case
A lovely – and quite rare – teardrop from the up-market Style II range of Blue Lion boutique dulcimers. This has an Indian rosewood body with extra binding, a lovely custom hummingbird inlay and that classic, open West Coast sound. These are selling for over $1000 on the US pre-owned market.
2.296 1983 Blue Lion Teardrop #[?? Label missing] £325 + £20 shell case
A rare example of a lower cost instrument from one of the USA’s premier dulcimer lutheries. Blue Lion have been making top end, ornate dulcimers in California for over 40 years, but early on they also made simpler, plainer dulcimers – still to the same exacting standards.
2.295 2003 Modern Mountain Dulcimer 3 String Hourglass (non-resonator) £Reduced to £495 £550 inc. branded soft case
A very impressive dulcimer – good-looking, easy to play, plenty of tone and volume – and it’s not even one of the classic resonator back models! This is a moderately low cost way of entering the world of professional-class dulcimers.
2.285 198? FolkRoots D300-S #201 4 String 3 Course Hourglass £365 + £25 original shell case in good condition
A less common model from this iconic Californian dulcimer range, it’s an all-cherry body with a spruce top. You can read about FolkRoots in the detailed description page (just scroll down). These typically have a big, balanced sound and great tone, aided by their long scale length. By the same token, they’re not for those with small hands….! Particularly suitable for conversion to a BARITONE dulcimer, as another option.
2.271 Modern Mountain (Non-Resonator) #1411 2009 (?) Possibly a Prototype? £375 inc. soft case
An unusual, possibly unique dulcimer from the formidable Modern Mountain concern. This looks like a prototype lower cost dulcimer, but still with similar playability and projection to its elder sibling. It certainly has attack…
2.241 1975 Capritaurus Model 200 4 String 3 or 4 Course £425 + NEW robust padded case £25
A beautiful full-bodied dulcimer from the top end of the FolkRoots range. Made by Michael Rugg just before the name was sold to others and FolkRoots started making high end dulcimers under their own name. This exhibits high levels of craftsmanship and has a stunning Californian walnut bookmatched back. Most importantly, it plays well and has a lovely tone. In 1972, these sold for twice the price of the basic Capritaurus models.
2.224 2011 Sweet Woods 4 String 3 Course Hourglass £325 + original padded soft case £15
Neat, modern hourglass from an established luthier which has an unusual wormy butternut top. Quality construction at an affordable price – and as a bonus, something that stands out from the crowd.
2.217 2000 ‘Joe’ Brown 4 String 3 Course Hourglass £325 + £20 shell case
A rare modern dulcimer in an old style. Pretty, N Carolina style body made from solid walnut with a tiger maple top. Consummate construction and a decent action/sound. Would work particularly well in 1:5:5 (DAA or CGG) tuning, as well as standard DAD. Star U.S dulcimer player Erin Mae is particularly fond of her Joe Brown dulcimer and she used it in her UK classes on a recent visit.
2.203 Furman Thornton/Cripple Creek 4 String 3 Course Hourglass £295 + £25 NEW padded bag/case
This is the third dulcimer I’ve had from this lesser known but very accomplished Georgia maker. These are largish, imposing instruments but each built to a different design. This is early and a little unsubtle but great fun!
Previously Sold Instruments
4.43 Brand New 2022 New Harmony ‘Command Performance’ 3 String Hourglass #22043 £Sold inc. original soft branded case
These are truly the best of the best at the moment. New Harmony are unable to keep up with demand for this top-of-the-range model, which features a bigger body, gloss finish, very precise tuners, fully adjustable bridge for optimal intonation – and most importantly, a sound with real richness and heft.
4.41 NEW 2022 Ewing Aorell Baritone 3 String #D1080 £Sold
A beguiling shape for a lovely baritone instrument. Classic dulcimer woods (cedar and walnut) give it a softer, warmer sound than 4.40 below. Easy action; in AEA gives you a range from a Fifth below the standard DAD dulcimer to an octave above the open DAD melody string. A lovely mellow sound….
4.40 NEW 2022 Ewing Teardrop Baritone 3 String #D1079 £SOLD
One of Ron Ewing’s classic baritones, a great-sounding teardrop with a stunning lacewood top. Easy to fret, tuned AEA (like DAD but a Fifth lower), but can also be tuned ADA to work alongside a conventional DAD dulcimer. Such an easy-going sound….!
4.39 NEW 2022 Ewing Hourglass 4 String #D1071 £Sold
This is a rare offer – a custom-level Ewing sold as a ‘Second’. Some minor dents on the edge of the fingerboard, so Ron reduced it. But it plays so well, has such a seductive sound and it looks so pretty, you could forgive it anything!
4.38 2022 Ewing Teardrop Baritone 4 string #D1070 £Sold
A really high quality, true baritone dulcimer at a very affordable price. This has a pretty warm-sounding walnut body matched with a stunning orangey-brown lacewood top to give it some extra bite. One of the best I’ve tried….
4.36 2021 New Harmony ‘Private Reserve’ 3 String Hourglass £Sold
The second New Harmony expressly built for Revels Music from the revised 2021 range. This is the flagship ‘Private Reserve’ model, using only the most select timber and featuring an internal pickup. Excellent tonal balance, effortless action, plenty of volume – and so pretty!
4.35 2021 New Harmony 3 String Hourglass £SOLD
A brand new dulcimer, commissioned expressly for Revels Music, from the revised 2021 range. This is the standard model, but executed to a very high level with excellent construction, spot-on intonation and a great sound.
4.33 NEW Ewing Aorell D 1028. £Sold
A striking new dulcimer from Ron Ewing’s Ohio workshop, featuring purpleheart body and fingerboard overlay, gold trim and a great sound.
4.32 NEW DHR4 Standard Ewing 4 String Hourglass D1012 £Sold
A NEW Ron Ewing standard dulcimer with a far from standard look – and an excellent, clear sound. This light/dark combination of mahogany and redwood is attractive and vibrant. The added 1+ fret makes this a very versatile instrument.
4.31 NEW 2021 D-AO4 Ewing Aorell #D1055 26″ VSL : £Sold
A spectacular NEW dulcimer from Ron Ewing’s Ohio workshop, with a breathtaking koa top and a body made of alternating darker walnut and lighter cherry to create a unique ‘Harlequin’ design. …AND it works superbly too, with a mellow, clear sound, an easy action and a shorter 26″ scale length.
SALE 4.23 New Capritaurus Wally #012 4 String 3 Course Hourglass £Sold
A short-scale dulcimer from master luthier Howard Rugg of Rugg and Jackel fame. This one has a spruce top and f heart soundholes.
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).
3.100 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.
2.311 Blue Lion Model 1C #960 (August 1988) 4 String Hourglass £Sold
This is the plainer, lower end of Blue Lion’s flagship hourglass range, but it shares the same good-sized body, careful choice of woods and design excellence that characterize its more illustrious siblings. This sounds balanced with an easy action, but can be more insistent if pressed.
2.304 2022 Ron Ewing Teardrop Baritone 4 string #D1070 £Sold
A rare opportunity to own a top end baritone dulcimer which is only a year old and in excellent condition. Not only that, but it’s one of the prettiest and best-sounding I’ve had the pleasure of selling. This is Ron’s favoured shape and (longer) scale length for a great-sounding baritone.
2.303 May 1995 McSpadden M-12W £Sold
The design that everyone remembers – a scroll-head hourglass McSpadden from a golden period of stability in the workshop. Solid wood top and sides, matched to a light laminate back which the founder championed for nearly 40 years.
2.302 May 1996 McSpadden FM12W £Sold
Classic flat-head McSpadden from a period when the workshop comprised a number of very able, long-serving luthiers. Little used, this is neat, tight and sounds good.
2.301 1987 FolkRoots D400STs #115 £Sold
A really unusual custom 1980s dulcimer from the renowned FolkRoots concern. First, it’s a teardrop, second it’s much shorter-scale than usual – and above all it sounds really good with its big body and quality materials. Scroll down the detailed FolkRoots page (links below) to find out more.
2.298 January 2022 FolkRoots H Series 4 String Hourglass £Sold
An almost new and immaculate dulcimer from one of the two big US dulcimer makers. This is the up-market H series instrument, with under-saddle L R Biggs pickup and ebony fingerboard overlay. It has a very handsome curly walnut bookmatched back. Would cost you around $1000 currently + shipping and import duty.
2.292 Laurel Mountain 4 String 3 Course Hourglass £Sold
An unusual and attractive dulcimer from an ex-Folkcraft luthier, using years of experience, some new design ideas and some lovely woods.
2.278 July 2021 McSpadden 4FHCR Hourglass #63600 £Sold
A near-pristine example of a very recent McSpadden – still the standard by which all other dulcimers are judged.. The cherry body with redwood top is a favourite combination of punch and warmth.
2.272 2011 McSpadden 4FHCC 4 String Flat Head Hourglass #55874 £Sold
A lively McSpadden with a distinctive figured cherry back, put together by one of the longest serving luthiers in the workshop. This works really well, if you like the forwardness and bite of cherry (if you’ll forgive the pun).
2.242 2013 McSpadden 4FHCC #58362 £Sold
Immaculate and attractive full-size McSpadden at far less than the new, imported price. This has a bright, all-cherry body, an easy action and a full sound.
2.192 NEW and UNSOLD (2017) 45th Anniversary Musical Traditions Dulcimer by June Apple. £Sold
A really interesting concept – an updated and improved Anniversary edition of one of my favourite small-bodied dulcimers. Built by the team behind the respected June Apple range, this takes the elegant outline of the 70s and 80s Musical Traditions hourglass and updates it for the C20th.
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.
