{"title":"Dulcimers","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"lynn-mcspadden-model-fm12cr-appalachian-dulcimer-2001-6246","title":"Lynn McSpadden Model FM12CR Appalachian Dulcimer (2001)","description":"Lynn McSpadden Model FM12CR Model Appalachian Dulcimer (2001), made in Mountain View, Arkansas, natural finish, cherrywood body with spruce top, original black hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 35 5\/8 in. (90.5 cm.), 6 3\/4 in. (17.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3\/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 28 1\/2 in. (724 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3\/8 in. (35 mm.). Nearly new condition; a very nice modern Dulcimer outfitted with a good-sounding internal pickup system. Ready to play complete with a fitted HSC. Near Mint Condition.","brand":"Lynn McSpadden","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46852993187980,"sku":"6246","price":350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_0646c8d3-78c0-454f-8f8e-3b0626cb76a7.jpg?v=1774329793"},{"product_id":"homer-ledford-8-string-appalachian-dulcimer-1961-5209","title":"Homer Ledford 8 string Appalachian Dulcimer (1961)","description":"Homer Ledford 8 string Model Appalachian Dulcimer (1961), made in Winchester, KY, natural finish, butternut (white walnut) top, figured walnut back and sides. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSigned and dated by the maker-an extremely rare and interesting American folk instrument, in a distinct style particular to Ledford.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 38 in. (96.5 cm.), 11 3\/4 in. (29.8 cm.) width, and 3 in. (7.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 22 in. (559 mm.). Width of nut is 3 1\/2 in. (89 mm.). Generally Excellent Condition.","brand":"Homer Ledford","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853308153996,"sku":"5209","price":3500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_ea8e4325-c428-46b9-8b44-5558a7225054.jpg?v=1774334041"},{"product_id":"unlabelled-3-string-appalachian-dulcimer-1960s-5207","title":"unlabelled 3-String Appalachian Dulcimer (1960's)","description":"3-String Model Appalachian Dulcimer (unlabelled), c. 1960's, origin unknown, mahogany stain finish, walnut body. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 37 in. (94 cm.), 6 in. (15.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 7\/8 in. (4.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 28 1\/4 in. (718 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3\/8 in. (35 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA nice older handmade 3-string dulcimer, higher quality than the average kit instruments we often see. No stamps or label but neatly marked \"SamS\", hand etched into underside of headstock. Some play wear, but no damage or repair. Overall Excellent Condition.","brand":"unlabelled","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853487296652,"sku":"5207","price":375.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_a66e2f96-41d5-46a7-b7af-bee4476bc42b.jpg?v=1774339967"},{"product_id":"leonard-glenn-3-string-appalachian-dulcimer-1984-13484","title":"Leonard Glenn 3-String Appalachian Dulcimer (1984)","description":"Leonard Glenn 3-String Model Appalachian Dulcimer (1984), made in Sugar Grove, North Carolina, Cherry, handmade gig bag case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis Dulcimer is a companion piece to Item # 13427 Leonard Glenn 5-String Mountain Banjo having been made around the same time and likely sold together. If you are interested in acquiring the pair, we request you call our shop and speak with a salesperson if both are still available.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs a renewed interest in traditional folk music swelled in the nation in the 1950s following WWII, Leonard Glenn of Watauga County, North Carolina began to largely teach himself the craft of instrument making beginning with a few dulcimers and eventually mountain banjos; he would go on to be accompanied in his endeavors by his son, Clifford Glenn. Crucially, the Glenns are widely known to have built many historically significant Appalachian folk instruments for their neighbor, Frank Proffitt Sr. Proffitt is not only renowned as a builder, but as a folk performer who made a major contribution to American musical history including being featured in Alan Lomax's essential \"Folk Songs of North America.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a pretty straightforward, but nicely constructed example of a classic 3-string Appalachian dulcimer made entirely of handsomely grained cherry wood with friction tuners and a wooden tailpiece over stainless steel frets. It has a traditional hourglass shaped body and the ever-charming heart shaped soundholes.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eLength is 35 in. (88.9 cm.), 6 5\/8 in. (16.8 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 in. (7.6 cm.) in depth at deepest point. Scale length is 28 in. (711 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3\/8 in. (35 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is an excellently preserved example of a higher quality genuine handmade dulcimer. The cherry appears unscuffed and hardly touched all around with minimal signs of use overall and no evidence of any repair. Compared to common kit-made Dulcimers Glenn's superior buildsmanship is evident in the professional fitting and finishing work, the little ornamental details and of course the crystal clear and rather loud sound it produces. The handwritten Leonard Glenn label is intact inside and the whole unit held close emits a faint, beautifully sweet, woody aroma. It would almost certainly have not left the shop in an original bag or case, but it now resides in an absolutely precious handmade dulcimer bag that very well could have been made for the original owner judging by its age. Excellent Condition.","brand":"Leonard Glenn","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853697470604,"sku":"13484","price":750.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_560282fd-3361-4a55-b351-15a227192eaa.jpg?v=1774343399"},{"product_id":"clifford-glenn-4-string-appalachian-dulcimer-1980-13486","title":"Clifford Glenn 4-String Appalachian Dulcimer (1980)","description":"Clifford Glenn 4-String Model Appalachian Dulcimer (1980), made in Sugar Grove, North Carolina, natural finish, Wormy Chestnut top and back, cherry sides, handmade gig bag case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWatauga County, North Carolina was a cradle of culture as a renewed interest in traditional folk music swelled in the nation as the 1950s followed WWII. Clifford Glenn was the son of largely self-taught luthier Leonard Glenn and learned the art of making folk instruments from his father. The Glenns as well as several other notable dulcimer makers were descended from Eli Presnell who created a dulcimer pattern from what was thought to be the original classic hourglass Appalachian dulcimer. Clifford and his father's instruments came to be in fairly high demand in the area and with traditional musicians all around Appalachia. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a pretty straightforward but very well-constructed example of a 4-string Appalachian dulcimer; Clifford usually made 3-string dulcimers, but \"coupled-string\" dulcimers were available upon request. While the sides and details are made from what appears to be cherry, the top and back are made from wormy chestnut which is quite literally chestnut that gets its distinct cavities from worm trails! It has a narrow headstock with larger friction tuners, stainless steel frets, and the family tradition hourglass body with those ever-charming heart shaped soundholes. The nut and bridge are pre-cut to allow several different stringing options. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCrucially, the Glenns are widely known to have built many historically significant Appalachian folk instruments for their neighbor, Frank Proffitt Sr. Proffitt is not only renowned as a builder, but as a folk performer who made a major contribution to American musical history including being featured in Alan Lomax's essential \"Folk Songs of North America.\" Clifford and his \"made to be played\" instruments remained a constant in the community until his passing in 2015. This is a beautiful traditional instrument, finely built with exacting attention to detail delicate touches particular to this family's instruments.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eLength is 36 in. (91.4 cm.), 6 1\/2 in. (16.5 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 in. (7.6 cm.) in depth at deepest point. Scale length is 28 in. (711 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5\/16 in. (33 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is an elegant example of a visibly higher quality genuine handmade dulcimer. The wormy chestnut appears unscuffed and hardly touched with minimal signs of use overall and no evidence of any repair; a scattering of (intentional!) worm holes dot the top. Clifford learned well from his father, and the superior buildsmanship shines through not only in the svelte design of the dulcimer but in the smaller decorative details. There's a bit of delicate carved details around the top and back edges that are a nice touch, and the tuners and headstock scroll are tactfully swirled out of cherry wood. The handwritten Leonard Glenn label is a touch faded over the years but still completely in tact and legible inside the lower treble side bout soundhole. It would almost certainly have not left the shop in an original bag or case, but it now cozily resides in an specially ordered Amish-made dulcimer bag. Excellent Condition.","brand":"Clifford Glenn","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853697732748,"sku":"13486","price":750.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_45745a68-d103-47e7-910e-3e26c734c97d.jpg?v=1774343417"},{"product_id":"stanley-hicks-4-string-appalachian-dulcimer-1970s-13490","title":"Stanley Hicks 4-String Appalachian Dulcimer (1970s)","description":"Stanley Hicks 4-String Model Appalachian Dulcimer, c. 1970s, made in Vilas, North Carolina, natural finish, Wormy Chestnut top, back, and sides, handmade gig bag case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"740\" height=\"555\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/swGncojYqZo\" title=\"Stanley \u0026amp; Ray Hicks: Roving Gambler (1982)\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWatauga County, North Carolina was home to many of the torchbearers of American traditional music and Appalachian storytelling, but Stanley Hicks in particular was a master of his many crafts including storytelling, flatfooting, and of course instrument making. From humble beginnings as the child of English immigrants, Hicks taught himself how to build banjos and dulcimers like his father and grandfather before him. Like other resourceful mountain instrument builders, Hicks made use of the easily attainable tone woods on his property and likely used the skins of whatever critter was available that week. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a nicely constructed example of a classic 4-string Appalachian dulcimer made with a particularly \"figured\" wormy chestnut top, back, and side; the whole of the dulcimer seems to be build of the same wormy chestnut save what appear to be cherry hand-carved friction tuners. Wormy chestnut is a bright and beautiful tonewood with a macabre story straight out of a Flannery O'Connor southern gothic: in the early 1900's, a blight struck the American chestnut and led to a near complete wiping out of the species save a handful of living (but infertile) remaining trees. Citizens were encouraged to use the wood of dead or felled chestnut trees, though often the wood sat dormant long enough to become host to the worms that characterize this still sturdy choice tonewood. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a four-stringed dulcimer, with the highest melody string doubled for an even chimier sound. The strings pass over original, minimally worn frets over the bridge and through a thick chestnut tailpiece with four holes. It has a traditional hourglass shaped body and some particularly folkloric and charming heart shaped soundholes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHicks was a vital part of the region's folk music community writ large and an avid storyteller, a tradition that holds a lot of weight in Appalachia and earned him several regional and national accolades. He went on to be recorded by the likes of Alan Lomax and was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow in 1983, the highest national honor for folk art. He passed away in 1989 only a few years after the construction of this banjo, building instruments and making music until the end of his life. Today his instruments are considered among the higher quality examples of the mountain banjo and Dulcimer tradition, and among the more sought after of this style of instrument. This one is particularly light and resonant; perhaps the many picturesque tiny extra holes in the wood contribute to that!\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eLength is 34 1\/2 in. (87.6 cm.), 6 3\/8 in. (16.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 in. (7.6 cm.) in depth at deepest point. Scale length is 27 in. (686 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1\/4 in. (32 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is an excellently preserved example of a higher quality genuine handmade Appalachian dulcimer. The wormy chestnut has a particularly large smattering of worm holes all over but very little by way of cosmetic wear; there is a well-sealed and basically invisible crack on the lower righthand side. Hicks offered superior buildmanship and a tone that is much more robust and pleasant than many of the common kit-made dulcimers at the time, though there remains a charming \"folksiness\" to the work after decades of autodidactic lutherie.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThere are a couple scuffs and dings on the back from where it has rested in laps and on tables over the years; the cherry tuning pegs and thin scroll headstock are well-maintained and the frets show only small traces of wear with plenty of life left in them. There is in fact no label or etching on this instrument as it may have been a special order for a friend or family member; Hick's workmanship is apparent in other measures such as the faint ornate etching on the outer borders on the scroll that is a common aesthetic mark of his other dulcimers or banjos. It would almost certainly have not left the shop in an original bag or case, but it now cozily resides in an specially ordered Amish-made dulcimer bag. Overall Very Good + Condition.","brand":"Stanley Hicks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853701763212,"sku":"13490","price":700.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_841a44bc-274e-44a6-bce4-58ca6ff9312e.jpg?v=1774343613"},{"product_id":"leonard-glenn-4-string-appalachian-dulcimer-1973-13482","title":"Leonard Glenn 4-String Appalachian Dulcimer (1973)","description":"Leonard Glenn 4-String Appalachian Model Dulcimer (1973), made in Sugar Grove, North Carolina, cherry, handmade gig bag case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs a renewed interest in traditional folk music swelled in the nation in the 1950s following WWII, Leonard Glenn of Watauga County, North Carolina began to largely teach himself the craft of instrument making beginning with a few dulcimers and eventually mountain banjos; he would go on to be accompanied in his endeavors by his son, Clifford Glenn. Crucially, the Glenns are widely known to have built many historically significant Appalachian folk instruments for their neighbor, Frank Proffitt Sr. Proffitt is not only renowned as a builder, but as a folk performer who made a major contribution to American musical history including being featured in Alan Lomax's essential \"Folk Songs of North America.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a pretty straightforward, but nicely constructed example of a classic 4-string Appalachian dulcimer made entirely of handsomely grained cherry wood with friction tuners and a wooden tailpiece over stainless steel frets. It has a traditional hourglass shaped body and the ever-charming heart shaped soundholes. The string spacing is interesting on this very comfortable playing dulcimer; rather than one course of two closely parallel strings, the center two strings are close enough to be fretted together but still far enough apart to be played as individual strings.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 35 1\/2 in. (90.2 cm.), 6 5\/8 in. (16.8 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 3\/4 in. (7 cm.) in depth at deepest point. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is an excellently preserved example of a higher quality genuine handmade dulcimer. The cherry appears unscuffed and hardly touched all around with minimal signs of use overall and no evidence of any major repair; it does seem like a small dab of glue was pumped into the back seam towards the headstock which may have separated slightly but never cracked or fully come apart. Compared to common kit-made Dulcimers Glenn's superior buildsmanship is evident in the professional fitting and finishing work, the little ornamental details and of course the crystal clear and rather loud sound it produces. The handwritten Leonard Glenn label is intact inside and the whole unit held close emits a faint, woody aroma when held close. It would almost certainly have not left the shop in an original bag or case, but it now resides in an absolutely precious handmade dulcimer bag that very well could have been made for the original owner judging by its age. Excellent Condition.","brand":"Leonard Glenn","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853705924748,"sku":"13482","price":700.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_6191a0ab-96a1-46fb-aaa5-d69cbadadf58.jpg?v=1774343820"},{"product_id":"stanley-hicks-4-string-appalachian-dulcimer-1980s-13497","title":"Stanley Hicks 4-String Appalachian Dulcimer (1980s)","description":"Stanley Hicks 4-String Model Appalachian Dulcimer, c. 1980s, made in Vilas, North Carolina, natural finish, Walnut top and sides, maple back, handmade gig bag case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"740\" height=\"555\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/swGncojYqZo\" title=\"Stanley \u0026amp; Ray Hicks: Roving Gambler (1982)\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis Dulcimer is a companion piece to Item # 13424 Stanley Hicks 5-String Fretted Mountain Banjo having been made around the same time as special orders for Hicks' family members. If you are interested in acquiring the pair, we request that you call our shop and speak with a salesperson if both are still available.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWatauga County, North Carolina was home to many of the torchbearers of American traditional music and Appalachian storytelling, but Stanley Hicks in particular was a master of his many crafts including storytelling, flatfooting, and of course instrument making. From humble beginnings as the child of English immigrants, Hicks taught himself how to build banjos and dulcimers like his father and grandfather before him. Like other resourceful mountain instrument builders, Hicks made use of the easily attainable tone woods on his property and likely used the skins of whatever critter was for dinner that week. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a pretty straightforward but nicely constructed example of a classic 4-string Appalachian dulcimer made with a walnut top, sides, and a delicately flamed maple back. Matching hand carved tuners are nestled into what appears to be a cherry headstock, another commonly used choice of wood used by Hicks and his like. This is a four-stringed dulcimer, with the highest melody string doubled for an even chimier sound. The strings pass over original, minimally worn frets through the walnut bridge to a single metal nail endpin. It has a traditional hourglass shaped body and the ever-charming heart shaped soundholes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHicks was a vital part of the region's folk music community writ large and an avid storyteller, a tradition that holds a lot of weight in Appalachia and earned him several regional and national accolades. He went on to be recorded by the likes of Alan Lomax and was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow in 1983, the highest national honor for folk art. He passed away in 1989 only a few years after the construction of this banjo, building instruments and making music until the end of his life. Today his instruments are considered among the higher quality examples of the mountain banjo and Dulcimer tradition, and among the more sought after of this style of instrument.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eLength is 35 1\/2 in. (90.2 cm.), 6 1\/4 in. (15.9 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 3\/8 in. (6 cm.) in depth at deepest point. Scale length is 27 in. (686 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5\/16 in. (33 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is an excellently preserved example of a higher quality genuine handmade dulcimer. The cleanly figured walnut top appears minimally scuffed with only small evidence of play and thoughtful care through the years and the whole unit held close emits a faint, beautifully sweet, woody aroma. Hicks offered superior buildmanship and a tone much more robust and pleasant than many of the common kit-made dulcimers at the time though there remains a charming \"folksiness\" to the work after decades of autodidactic lutherie.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe flamed maple back is clean as well, as are the matching flamed maple tuners (each faintly inscribed 1, 2, 3, and 4 on the end) and the frets show only small traces of wear with plenty of life left in them. There is in fact no label or etching on this instrument as is typical for other Stanley Hicks instruments as it was a special order made for his relative Larry Hicks. It would almost certainly have not left the shop in an original bag or case, but it now cozily resides in an specially ordered Amish-made dulcimer bag. Excellent Condition.","brand":"Stanley Hicks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853706186892,"sku":"13497","price":850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_71b7c719-7bdb-4a7e-b05b-d8f99e9a3e2e.jpg?v=1774343832"},{"product_id":"clifford-glenn-3-string-appalachian-dulcimer-1994-13485","title":"Clifford Glenn 3-String Appalachian Dulcimer (1994)","description":"Clifford Glenn 3-String Model Appalachian Dulcimer (1994), made in Sugar Grove, North Carolina, natural varnish finish, Cherry, handmade gig bag case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWatauga County, North Carolina was a cradle of culture as a renewed interest in traditional folk music swelled in the nation as the 1950s followed WWII. Clifford Glenn was the son of largely self-taught luthier Leonard Glenn and learned the art of making folk instruments directly from his father. The Glenns as well as several other notable dulcimer makers were descended from Eli Presnell who created a standard dulcimer pattern from what was thought to be the original classic hourglass Appalachian dulcimer. Clifford and his father's instruments came to be in fairly high demand in the area and with traditional musicians all around Appalachia.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis well-constructed and somewhat modernized example of a classic 3-string Appalachian dulcimer is made from cherry. This was a tonewood indigenous to the area, easily and readily available in the woods surrounding the Glenn workshop. The entire instrument is made of cherry save the rosewood nut and bridge, the three screw endpins, the stainless steel frets, and the addition of Japanese-made chrome plated machine tuners rather than the traditional friction pegs in the narrow lump-scroll headstock. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis instrument is clearly marked with a stamp on the back of the headstock \"Clifford Glenn Sugar Grove NC\" and the date of February 25, 1994. The geared tuners, dot markers on the fingerboard (possibly added, as these are unusual on a Dulcimer) and general buildsmanship mark this as a later-career effort from Glenn. It still bears the family tradition hourglass body with those ever-charming heart shaped soundholes, the top and back have elegant scribed lines all around the outer edges.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCrucially, the Glenns are widely known to have built many historically significant Appalachian folk instruments for their neighbor, Frank Proffitt Sr. Proffitt is not only renowned as a builder, but as a folk performer who made a major contribution to American musical history including being featured in Alan Lomax's essential \"Folk Songs of North America.\" Clifford and his \"made to be played\" instruments remained a constant in the community until his passing in 2015. This is a beautiful traditional instrument, finely built with exacting attention to detail delicate touches particular to this family's instruments.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eLength is 35 in. (88.9 cm.), 6 1\/2 in. (16.5 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1\/4 in. (8.3 cm.) in depth at deepest point. Scale length is 28 1\/8 in. (714 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3\/8 in. (35 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is another visibly higher quality and somewhat more modern handmade instrument from the long line of Glenn dulcimer makers. The cherry body is well-kept with only a few little camouflaged scratches and no major scratches or dings. There are a smattering of small grain cracks along the bottom edge of the sides on both sides, all of which are visible in hand but expertly sealed and unproblematic.. The narrow 3-string peghead is clean as a whistle outfitted with three machine tuners rather than traditional friction pegs; the original rosewood nut and bridge as well as the stainless frets are healthy and little worn. One of the pearl sticker fret markers has peeled off and left a slight silhouette behind.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eClifford learned well from his father, and the superior craftsmanship shines through in the smaller decorative details such as the classic heart soundholes, the subtle taper of the fingerboard beyond the frets, and the subtle decorative etching around the top and back. Clifford's signature is indelibly stamped into the back of the headstock rather than on a label inside. It would almost certainly have not left the shop in an original bag or case, but it now cozily resides in an specially ordered Amish-made dulcimer bag. Very Good + Condition.","brand":"Clifford Glenn","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853708447884,"sku":"13485","price":650.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_c0df8cf8-402e-4671-9d6e-4160655e9ba0.jpg?v=1774344029"},{"product_id":"clifford-glenn-3-string-appalachian-dulcimer-1975-13487","title":"Clifford Glenn 3-String Appalachian Dulcimer (1975)","description":"Clifford Glenn 3-String Model Appalachian Dulcimer (1975), made in Sugar Grove, North Carolina, Mahogany, handmade gig bag case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWatauga County, North Carolina was a cradle of culture as a renewed interest in traditional folk music swelled in the nation as the 1950s followed WWII. Clifford Glenn was the son of largely self-taught luthier Leonard Glenn and learned the art of making folk instruments directly from his father. The Glenns as well as several other notable dulcimer makers were descended from Eli Presnell who created a standard dulcimer pattern from what was thought to be the original classic hourglass Appalachian dulcimer. Clifford and his father's instruments came to be in fairly high demand in the area and with traditional musicians all around Appalachia.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a well-constructed example of a classic 3-string dulcimers made from what appears to be mahogany. Builders in the region were usually left to the tonewoods that were indigenous to the area, easily and readily available for no money in the woods surrounding their workshops. Mahogany is not a common or abundant wood in central Appalachia implying that this wood might have been a special order or at the very least a less common material for Clifford. The entirety of the dulcimer and all the finer details are mahogany including the friction pegs, bridge, and nut; the loop end strings are anchored to the tailpiece by a single flathead screw. It has a narrow headstock with larger friction tuners, stainless steel frets, and the family tradition hourglass body with those ever-charming heart shaped soundholes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCrucially, the Glenns are widely known to have built many historically significant Appalachian folk instruments for their neighbor, Frank Proffitt Sr. Proffitt is not only renowned as a builder, but as a folk performer who made a major contribution to American musical history including being featured in Alan Lomax's essential \"Folk Songs of North America.\" Clifford and his \"made to be played\" instruments remained a constant in the community until his passing in 2015. This is a beautiful traditional instrument, finely built with exacting attention to detail delicate touches particular to this family's instruments.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eLength is 35 in. (88.9 cm.), 6 1\/2 in. (16.5 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 1\/2 in. (6.4 cm.) in depth at deepest point. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHere is another visibly higher quality genuine handmade dulcimer from the long line of Glenn dulcimer makers. The mahogany, which would have been a rarer and more deluxe wood than was common practice for Appalachian mountain instrument builders, is well-kept with only a few little camouflaged scratches and one tiny cosmetic chip on the lower bout. The narrow 3-string peghead has a few little scuffs on the very head but is in perfect working order with the three original handcarved tuning pegs; the original frets are in good shape with next to no show of wear. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eClifford learned well from his father, and the superior buildsmanship shines through in the smaller decorative details such as the classic heart soundholes and the subtle taper of the fingerboard beyond the frets. The handwritten and dated Clifford Glenn label is a touch faded over the years but still completely intact and legible inside the lower treble side bout soundhole. It would almost certainly have not left the shop in an original bag or case, but it now cozily resides in an specially ordered Amish-made dulcimer bag. Excellent - Condition.","brand":"Clifford Glenn","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853709365388,"sku":"13487","price":750.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_74fca34b-4793-4601-861f-532646f2a7ca.jpg?v=1774344128"},{"product_id":"edd-presnell-3-string-appalachian-dulcimer-1960s-13495","title":"Edd Presnell 3-String Appalachian Dulcimer (1960s)","description":"Edd Presnell 3-String Model Appalachian Dulcimer, c. 1960s, made in Banner Elk, North Carolina, natural finish, cherry top, walnut back and sides, handmade gig bag case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"850\" height=\"567\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TcElzej61aI\" title=\"Ed Pressnell: Dulcimer Maker\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn Appalachian North Carolina, Watauga County to be exact, dulcimer building and homegrown lutherie often ran in the family with a handful of recognizable surnames popping up regularly on labels as the craft was passed from generation to generation. Among those surnames was Presnell, beginning with Eli Presnell who is said to have circulated the design of the traditional hourglass body dulcimer around the area after learning its design from a Westward stranger. Edd Presnell was born in 1914 in Banner Elk, North Carolina. Also a maker of toys and other small wooden goods, Edd is said to have made over 1,000 instruments in his life alongside his wife Nettie, a dulcimer player and builder who herself came from the \"Hicks\" family of Dulcimer builders.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a pretty straightforward but nicely constructed example of a classic 3-string Appalachian dulcimer made with a cherry top with walnut back and sides. Matching hand carved tuners are nestled into a cherry scroll headstock; the darker wood friction pegs and nut appear to be rosewood, which would be uncommon but very special. Presnell may have kept a small amount of this exotic wood around to give his dulcimers a little something special in the details or for more deluxe special orders, but it is also possible that these were replaced at some point and upgraded from what would have presumably been cherry pegs. The strings pass over original, minimally worn frets and a possibly non-original rosewood bridge to a single metal nail endpin. It has a traditional hourglass shaped body and the ever-charming heart shaped soundholes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe hardworking Edd was, like so many of the other dulcimer makers in his community, also a ballad singer and folklorist; he and Nettie were awarded the Brown-Hudson Folklore Award in 1974 for dulcimer making and woodcarving. He stopped making dulcimers in the latter years of his life and passed away in 1994 shortly followed by his lifelong partner Nettie in 1997. Yet a bit of Edd lives on; all photographic and video evidence of him features a wild and bushy beard, and he is said to have glued a strand of his beard hair in every instrument. We cannot confirm whether or not this dulcimer has any beard hair inside, but it is still a gem from Edd's bench.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eLength is 34 3\/4 in. (88.3 cm.), 6 1\/4 in. (15.9 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1\/4 in. (8.3 cm.) in depth at deepest point. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a well-preserved example of a higher quality genuine handmade dulcimer. The wood has a few scratches and dings here and there from use over the years, but no major flaws and no visible history of repairs. There are minimal signs of use and an absence of any even factory tooling marks, and the finer details display Presnell's growing craftsmanship. The whole unit held close emits a faintly sweet woody aroma and plays very well.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe hand-carved tuners are carved from some slightly darker stained wood that still appears to be cherry, and as noted the bridge (which may not be original) is a small sliver of rosewood. The original quite large frets show small traces of wear with plenty of life left in them. There is a large and verbose label inside the lower treble side soundhole; it is still legibly from Mr. and Mrs. Edd Presnell, but it is otherwise quite worn and not the easiest to read and no exact date is visible. It would almost certainly have not left the shop in an original bag or case, but it now cozily resides in an specially ordered Amish-made dulcimer bag. A copy of a Presnell genealogy writeup is included, though Edd is not on it. Excellent Condition.","brand":"Edd Presnell","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853714149516,"sku":"13495","price":650.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_6dc20bd6-fcbe-4c4a-a359-e370ac2064ac.jpg?v=1774344353"},{"product_id":"stanley-hicks-4-string-appalachian-dulcimer-1985-13493","title":"Stanley Hicks 4-String Appalachian Dulcimer (1985)","description":"Stanley Hicks 4-String Model Appalachian Dulcimer (1985), made in Vilas, North Carolina, natural finish, Cherry top, back, and sides. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"740\" height=\"555\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/swGncojYqZo\" title=\"Stanley \u0026amp; Ray Hicks: Roving Gambler (1982)\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWatauga County, North Carolina was home to many of the torchbearers of American traditional music and Appalachian storytelling, but Stanley Hicks in particular was a master of his many crafts including storytelling, flatfooting, and of course instrument making. From humble beginnings as the child of English immigrants, Hicks taught himself how to build banjos and dulcimers like his father and grandfather before him. Like other resourceful mountain instrument builders, Hicks made use of the easily attainable tone woods on his property and likely used the skins of whatever critter was available that week.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a pretty straightforward but nicely constructed example of a classic 4-string Appalachian dulcimer made with cherry all the way down. Matching hand carved tuners are nestled into a lump-scroll cherry headstock, a common choice of wood used by Hicks and his like due to its beauty and native abundance. This is a four-stringed dulcimer, with the highest melody string doubled for an even chimier sound. This was a later in life example from Hicks and it is refined in many ways, but there is yet a bit of folky experimentation at the tailpiece. He employs a mixture of thin steel nails for loop end strings and one single flathead screw guiding the center string. It has a traditional hourglass shaped body and the ever-charming heart shaped soundholes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHicks was a vital part of the region's folk music community writ large and an avid storyteller, a tradition that holds a lot of weight in Appalachia and earned him several regional and national accolades. He went on to be recorded by the likes of Alan Lomax and was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow in 1983, the highest national honor for folk art. He passed away in 1989 only a few years after the construction of this dulcimer, building instruments and making music until the end of his life. Today his instruments are considered among the higher quality examples of the mountain banjo and Dulcimer tradition, and among the more sought after of this style of instrument.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eLength is 35 1\/2 in. (90.2 cm.), 6 1\/4 in. (15.9 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 3\/8 in. (6 cm.) in depth at deepest point. Scale length is 27 in. (686 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5\/16 in. (33 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is an excellently preserved example of a higher quality genuine handmade Appalachian dulcimer. The cherry is in well-kept condition free from any cracks or visible repairs with only a handful of small scratches and scuffs here and there from some honest wear, but this dulcimer has mostly fared well through the last 40 years. The cherry tuning pegs and thin scroll headstock are well-maintained and the frets show only small traces of wear with plenty of life left in them. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHicks offered superior buildmanship and a tone that is much more robust and pleasant than many of the common kit-made dulcimers at the time, though there remains a charming \"folksiness\" to the work after decades of autodidactic lutherie. This dulcimer in particular is excellent sounding, sweet and smooth, and emits an equally sweet faint woody aroma when held close. The markings of the Hicks shop are on display here with the label inside one of the heart-holes, and his initials along with the date are stamped into the back of the headstock as well. It does not have a case and very likely would not have left the shop with one in 1985. Overall Excellent Condition.","brand":"Stanley Hicks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853714968716,"sku":"13493","price":800.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_d76f96b0-0e26-4cda-9972-30b0554a75cf.jpg?v=1774344387"},{"product_id":"stanley-hicks-3-string-appalachian-dulcimer-1984-13492","title":"Stanley Hicks 3-String Appalachian Dulcimer (1984)","description":"Stanley Hicks 3-String Model Appalachian Dulcimer (1984), made in Vilas, North Carolina, natural finish, oak top and back, cherry sides, handmade gig bag case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"740\" height=\"555\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/swGncojYqZo\" title=\"Stanley \u0026amp; Ray Hicks: Roving Gambler (1982)\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWatauga County, North Carolina was home to many of the torchbearers of American traditional music and Appalachian storytelling, but Stanley Hicks in particular was a master of his many crafts including storytelling, flatfooting, and of course instrument making. From humble beginnings as the child of English immigrants, Hicks taught himself how to build banjos and dulcimers like his father and grandfather before him. Like other resourceful mountain instrument builders, Hicks made use of the easily attainable tone woods on his property and likely used the skins of whatever critter was for dinner that week. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a pretty straightforward but very nicely constructed example of a classic 3-string Appalachian dulcimer made with a lovely figured oak top and back with what appears to be cherry sides and accents. Matching hand carved tuners are nestled into what appears to be a cherry headstock with each individual tuner numbered. The strings pass over original, minimally worn frets through the relatively thick bridge to a single metal nail endpin. It has a traditional hourglass shaped body and the ever-charming heart shaped soundholes. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHicks was a vital part of the region's folk music community writ large and an avid storyteller, a tradition that holds a lot of weight in Appalachia and earned him several regional and national accolades. He went on to be recorded by the likes of Alan Lomax and was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow in 1983, the highest national honor for folk art. He passed away in 1989 only a few years after the construction of this banjo, building instruments and making music until the end of his life. Today his instruments are considered among the higher quality examples of the mountain banjo and Dulcimer tradition, and among the more sought after of this style of instrument.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eLength is 35 in. (88.9 cm.), 6 3\/8 in. (16.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1\/4 in. (8.3 cm.) in depth at deepest point. Scale length is 27 in. (686 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1\/4 in. (32 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a particularly excellent playing, sounding, and looking example of a higher quality genuine handmade dulcimer. The oak top appears minimally scuffed with only small evidence of play and thoughtful care through the years and the whole unit held close emits a faint, beautifully sweet, woody aroma. Hicks offered superior buildmanship and a tone much more robust and pleasant than many of the common kit-made dulcimers at the time though there remains a charming \"folksiness\" to the work after decades of autodidactic lutherie. This one was made later in his life and is even more refined than other dulcimers we have played from his workshop.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe oak back is clean as well, as are the matching flamed maple tuners (each faintly inscribed 1, 2, 3, and 4 on the end) and the frets show only small traces of wear with plenty of life left in them; there are a couple small scuffs on the edge of the cherry fingerboard. There is absolutely no mistaking the identity of this dulcimer as Stanley Hicks marked it not twice but thrice: his name and the date are found on a label in a lower soundhole, written in pencil in the upper soundholes, and carved as he customarily did on the back of the headstock. It would almost certainly have not left the shop in an original bag or case, but it now cozily resides in an specially ordered Amish-made dulcimer bag. Excellent Condition.","brand":"Stanley Hicks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853715132556,"sku":"13492","price":850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_a34188f7-4d6f-458b-914c-5c0706d1ab7b.jpg?v=1774344396"},{"product_id":"unknown-appalachian-dulcimer-1938-1127","title":"unknown Appalachian Dulcimer (1938)","description":"Appalachian Dulcimer (maker unknown), c. 1938, made in Tennessee, cherry stain varnish finish, chestnut and pine. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTrapezoid-shaped body, violin scroll head. Top and back of chestnut, sides and fretboard of pine. Five strings, thirteen frets; two diamond-shaped soundholes and one circular. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFolk hand-carved decorations showing Union flag-in-shield motif, Masonic compass and square, and vine on top. Back has lion shield, harp, bird (possibly Bald eagle), wolf, and vine carving. Glue, screw, and nail construction. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLarge paper inside has a hand written biblical quote which ends, \"�from the English version of the Holy Scriptures of 1611 A. D. Kingsport, Tennessee RT. 2.\" \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTop had f-holes originally but they were filled in before finishing.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 34 3\/4 in. (88.3 cm.), 11 1\/8 in. (28.2 cm.) wide, and 4 in. (10.2 cm.) in depth at deepest point. Scale length is 25 1\/2 in. (648 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA spectactular example of American folk art. Very well-preserved and original. Overall Original Artifact. Unrestored Condition.","brand":"unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853715198092,"sku":"1127","price":2850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_1ddf25f5-b426-4c8f-94ac-e22f0414fcf3.jpg?v=1774344399"},{"product_id":"stanley-hicks-4-string-appalachian-dulcimer-1983-13491","title":"Stanley Hicks 4-String Appalachian Dulcimer (1983)","description":"Stanley Hicks 4-String Model Appalachian Dulcimer (1983), made in Vilas, North Carolina, serial # 1183, natural finish, Chestnut, handmade gig bag case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"740\" height=\"555\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/swGncojYqZo\" title=\"Stanley \u0026amp; Ray Hicks: Roving Gambler (1982)\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWatauga County, North Carolina was home to many of the torchbearers of American traditional music and Appalachian storytelling, but Stanley Hicks in particular was a master of his many crafts including storytelling, flatfooting, and of course instrument making. From humble beginnings as the child of English immigrants, Hicks taught himself how to build banjos and dulcimers like his father and grandfather before him. Like other resourceful mountain instrument builders, Hicks made use of the easily attainable tone woods on his property and likely used the skins of whatever critter was available that week. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a particularly elegant example of a classic 4-string Appalachian dulcimer made with a nicely un-wormy chestnut top, back, and sides: the whole of the dulcimer down to the hand-carved friction tuners. This is a four-stringed dulcimer, with the highest melody string doubled for an even chimier sound. The strings pass over original, minimally worn frets over the bridge and through a thick chestnut tailpiece with four holes. It has a traditional hourglass shaped body and some particularly folkloric and charming heart shaped soundholes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHicks was a vital part of the region's folk music community writ large and an avid storyteller, a tradition that holds a lot of weight in Appalachia and earned him several regional and national accolades. He went on to be recorded by the likes of Alan Lomax and was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow in 1983, the highest national honor for folk art. He passed away in 1989 only a few years after the construction of this banjo, building instruments and making music until the end of his life. Today his instruments are considered among the higher quality examples of the mountain banjo and Dulcimer tradition, and among the more sought after of this style of instrument. This one is particularly light and resonant; perhaps the many picturesque tiny extra holes in the wood contribute to that!\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eLength is 35 1\/4 in. (89.5 cm.), 6 1\/2 in. (16.5 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1\/4 in. (8.3 cm.) in depth at deepest point. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a well-preserved example of a higher quality genuine handmade Appalachian dulcimer. The richly dark-stained chestnut body is in largely great shape with just a few scrapes and scuffs here and there (primarily on the back). Hicks offered superior buildmanship and a tone that is much more robust and pleasant than many of the common kit-made dulcimers at the time, though there remains a charming \"folksiness\" to the work after decades of autodidactic lutherie.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThere are a couple scuffs and dings on the back from where it has rested in laps and on tables over the years; the chestnut tuning pegs and thin scroll headstock are well-maintained and the frets show only small traces of wear with plenty of life left in them. This instrument is authenticated as being from the Hicks workshop twice over both with a label inside the soundhole and the customary etching behind the headstock bearing his initials and the date of manufacture. It would almost certainly have not left the shop in an original bag or case, but it now cozily resides in an specially ordered Amish-made dulcimer bag. Excellent Condition.","brand":"Stanley Hicks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47674128531596,"sku":"13491","price":850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_8619e5b0-4e85-4829-a067-c3bdbdf4ede7.jpg?v=1776533583"},{"product_id":"goose-acres-model-h-3-4-string-left-handed-appalachian-dulcimer-1990s-13489","title":"Goose Acres Model H-3 4-String LEFT HANDED Appalachian Dulcimer (1990s)","description":"Goose Acres Model H-3 4-String LEFT HANDED Model Appalachian Dulcimer, c. 1990s, made in Cleveland, Ohio, serial # 548, natural finish, spruce top, walnut back and sides, original black soft shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGoose Acres was the family business of Bob Smakula and his father Peter, two names often spoken with a distinct reverence within the world of banjo lovers. After humble beginnings building dulcimers in the 1970's, a teenage Bob enlisted the aid of his father Peter, a German immigrant and all-around steward of American folk music. The pair grew a small repair operation and their \"Thumb Piano Factory \u0026amp; Dulcimer Works\" into the Goose Acres Folk Music Center. More than just a store to share the fruits of their own lutherie, it was a repair shop and a vital meeting ground that served all manner of local pickers and folkies all the way up to the likes of Norman Blake and Doc Watson. While Bob continues to this day to build and preserve fine folk instruments under the Smakula banner, Goose Acres ceased operations in 2006 and Peter passed shortly after in 2008.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is an exemplary little Appalachian hourglass dulcimer, beautifully made and generally straightforward but which breaks slightly from tradition. This 4-string dulcimer had a doubled melody string, and the instrument is correctly oriented for a Left Handed player with the bass string closest to the player when held in the standard right handed manner. As dulcimer technique is overhanded, it is actually playable either way but this actually the first commercially made (not kit) dulcimer we have had oriented this way. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis instrument is built with a tightly grained spruce top dotted with circular and f-hole soundholes, and walnut back and sides. What appears to be a cherry scroll headstock is fitted with a unique modern luxury in this traditional instrument: plastic machine tuners fashioned to look like friction pegs while avoiding the constant struggle of violin pegs. The strings pass over a rosewood nut, fingerboard, and bridge to the tailpiece; rosewood is a luxury not always found on older folksier dulcimers, but which would likely have been well in-stock in the renowned Goose Acres workshop. The general workmanship, including the elegant beveling of the fingerboard on the strumming end, is further proof that this is no mere folksy dulcimer but the product of decades of dulcimer lutherie.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eLength is 34 1\/4 in. (87 cm.), 7 3\/8 in. (18.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 in. (7.6 cm.) in depth at deepest point. Scale length is 26 1\/4 in. (667 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3\/16 in. (30 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a well-preserved example of a high quality genuine handmade dulcimer from the Goose Acres shop. There are virtually no signs of use at all, pretty surprising given an audibly superior tone and great playability on display here. The wood is unmarred (well, save what appear to be a few tooling burns from the sawing of the wood). The original frets are full of life and play like a dream, and the modernized faux-friction machine tuners are a welcome touch. The label inside is well in-tact. Overall an excellent instrument, one of the finer dulcimers we've had and the ONLY left-handed one. Comes in the black softshell case it likely left Goose Acres with. Excellent + Condition.","brand":"Goose Acres","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49916184526988,"sku":"13489","price":450.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_26e40b93-73a3-4871-a42e-c95a138274eb.jpg?v=1778875978"},{"product_id":"edd-presnell-3-string-appalachian-dulcimer-1968-13496","title":"Edd Presnell 3-String Appalachian Dulcimer (1968)","description":"Edd Presnell 3-String Model Appalachian Dulcimer (1968), made in Banner Elk, North Carolina, serial # 597, natural finish, Cherrywood body and fingerboard, handmade gig bag case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"850\" height=\"567\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TcElzej61aI\" title=\"Ed Pressnell: Dulcimer Maker\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn Appalachian North Carolina, Watauga County to be exact, dulcimer building and homegrown lutherie often ran in the family with a handful of recognizable surnames popping up regularly on labels as the craft was passed from generation to generation. Among those surnames was Presnell, beginning with Eli Presnell who is said to have circulated the design of the traditional hourglass body dulcimer around the area after learning its design from a Westward stranger. Edd Presnell was born in 1914 in Banner Elk, North Carolina. Also a maker of toys and other small wooden goods, Edd is said to have made over 1,000 instruments in his life alongside his wife Nettie, a dulcimer player and builder who herself came from the \"Hicks\" family of Dulcimer builders.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a pretty straightforward but nicely constructed example of a classic 3-string Appalachian dulcimer made with a cherry top, back, and sides. Matching hand carved tuners are nestled into a cherry scroll headstock; the darker wood friction pegs and nut appear to be rosewood, which would be uncommon but very special. Presnell may have kept a small amount of this exotic wood around to give his dulcimers a little something special in the details or for more deluxe special orders, but it is also possible that these were replaced at some point and upgraded from what would have presumably been cherry pegs. The strings pass over original, minimally worn frets and a seemingly replaced rosewood bridge to a single metal nail endpin. It has a traditional hourglass shaped body and the ever-charming heart shaped soundholes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe hardworking Edd was, like so many of the other dulcimer makers in his community, also a ballad singer and folklorist; he and Nettie were awarded the Brown-Hudson Folklore Award in 1974 for dulcimer making and woodcarving. He stopped making dulcimers in the latter years of his life and passed away in 1994 shortly followed by his lifelong partner Nettie in 1997. Yet a bit of Edd lives on; all photographic and video evidence of him features a wild and bushy beard, and he is said to have glued a strand of his beard hair in every instrument. We cannot confirm, but it sure does look like a strand of hair is visible with a bit of glue residue through the upper treble side bout!\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eLength is 34 1\/4 in. (87 cm.), 6 1\/8 in. (15.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1\/4 in. (8.3 cm.) in depth at deepest point. Scale length is 29 in. (737 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5\/16 in. (33 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a well-preserved example of a higher quality genuine handmade dulcimer. The natural very wide-grained cherry has a few scratches and dings here and there from use over the years, but no major flaws and no visible history of repairs. There are a couple marks here and there on the dulcimer, for example the tailpiece, that almost appear to be more tooling marks, things left behind by Edd while he was building this beautiful but homespun instrument. The whole unit held close emits a faint woody aroma and plays very well.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe hand-carved tuners are carved from some darker wood, perhaps a stained walnut, rather resembling rosewood. The original frets show small traces of wear with plenty of life left in them. There is a large and verbose label inside the lower treble side soundhole hand-numbered No. 597 and dated October 1968 with his builders Guild's seal and salutations from the family. It would almost certainly have not left the shop in an original bag or case, but it now cozily resides in an specially ordered Amish-made dulcimer bag. A copy of a Presnell genealogy writeup is included. Excellent - Condition.","brand":"Edd Presnell","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49917099933836,"sku":"13496","price":550.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_c3dc6a0a-2d5e-4f6e-914d-0564076709b5.jpg?v=1778876955"},{"product_id":"leonard-glenn-4-string-appalachian-dulcimer-1981-13483","title":"Leonard Glenn 4-String Appalachian Dulcimer (1981)","description":"Leonard Glenn 4-String Model Appalachian Dulcimer (1981), Sugar Grove, North Carolina. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs a renewed interest in traditional folk music swelled in the nation in the 1950s following WWII, Leonard Glenn of Watauga County, North Carolina began to largely teach himself the craft of instrument making beginning with a few dulcimers and eventually mountain banjos; he would go on to be accompanied in his endeavors by his son, Clifford Glenn. Crucially, the Glenns are widely known to have built many historically significant Appalachian folk instruments for their neighbor, Frank Proffitt Sr. Proffitt is not only renowned as a builder, but as a folk performer who made a major contribution to American musical history including being featured in Alan Lomax's essential \"Folk Songs of North America.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a pretty straightforward, but nicely constructed example of a classic 4-string Appalachian dulcimer made; it bears a wormy chestnut body with what appears to be a cherry headstock, friction tuners, fingerboard and tailpiece with stainless steel frets. It has a traditional hourglass shaped body and the ever-charming heart shaped soundholes. Wormy chestnut is a bright and beautiful tonewood with a macabre story straight out of a Flannery O'Connor southern gothic: in the early 1900's, a blight struck the American chestnut and led to a near complete wiping out of the species save a handful of living (but infertile) remaining trees. Citizens were encouraged to use the wood of dead or felled chestnut trees, though often the wood sat dormant long enough to become host to the worms that characterize this still sturdy choice tonewood.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eLength is 36 in. (91.4 cm.), 6 5\/8 in. (16.8 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 in. (7.6 cm.) in depth at deepest point \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is an excellently preserved example of a higher quality genuine handmade dulcimer. The wood appears largely unscuffed all around with minimal signs of use overall except for one visible spot on the lower bass side bout. It seems likely that this corner took a fall and was reglued and smoothed to a stable, sealed bevel. Compared to common kit-made Dulcimers Glenn's superior buildsmanship is evident in the professional fitting and finishing work, the little ornamental details and of course the crystal clear and rather loud sound it produces. The handwritten Leonard Glenn label is intact inside. It would almost certainly have not left the shop in an original bag or case, but it now resides in an absolutely precious handmade dulcimer bag that very well could have been made for the original owner judging by its age. Very Good + Condition.","brand":"Leonard Glenn","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50198974955660,"sku":"13483","price":750.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_845bf8a0-b088-41a5-a9f0-b1df004f64f0.jpg?v=1779731858"},{"product_id":"stanley-hicks-3-string-appalachian-dulcimer-1970s-13503","title":"Stanley Hicks 3-String Appalachian Dulcimer (1970s)","description":"3-String Model Appalachian Dulcimer, most likely made by Stanley Hicks, c. 1970s, made in Southern Appalachia, natural finish, Walnut. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a fairly standard but obviously competently built 3-string fretted Appalachian dulcimer from the Watauga County area. The slim-waisted body appears to be made of a darkly-stained walnut with all appointments of the same wood save a newly-made rosewood nut to replace the worn-down original. It bears thin wire frets and the strings are held by large hand-cut tuning pegs and at the back by a single Philips-head screw tailpiece.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhile we cannot absolutely attribute this instrument to one specific luthier, it is likely that this one was built by the historically notable Stanley Hicks. The overall buildsmanship points to an experienced craftsman making this dulcimer, but traces of Hicks' signature style are visible here; the slightly folky hand carve of the heart-shaped soundholes and friction tuners, but critically the 3-piece scroll headstock and neck joint are most similar to Hicks' work than other notable local builders of this time and region. Most likely, this was made by Hicks (or whoever) either as a personal instrument or as a gift for a friend or family member.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eLength is 35 1\/4 in. (89.5 cm.), 6 in. (15.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 3\/4 in. (7 cm.) in depth at deepest point. Scale length is 28 in. (711 mm.). Width of nut is 1 9\/32 in. (33 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDespite the lack of direct provenance, this dulcimer has obviously come from a bench of higher quality and was kept well through the years (and played). The wood has a few scratches and dings here and there from use over the years, but no major flaws and no visible history of repairs, and the stainless steel frets show minimal wear as well. The only notable change to the instrument is our addition of a new rosewood nut to replace a damaged original nut. The whole unit held close emits a faintly sweet woody aroma and plays very well. It does not come with a bag and almost certainly would not have when it was first made and sold. Overall this is a wonderful relic of this era of American folk lutherie. Excellent - Condition.","brand":"Stanley Hicks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50538534666380,"sku":"13503","price":500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_7670e860-183b-4410-92b9-af98db75fb69.jpg?v=1781039092"},{"product_id":"robert-mize-5-string-appalachian-dulcimer-1974-13500","title":"Robert Mize 5-String Appalachian Dulcimer (1974)","description":"Robert Mize 5-String Model Appalachian Dulcimer (1974), made in Blountville, Tennessee, serial # 677, natural finish, Cherry top, back, and sides, brown canvas gig bag case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRobert \"Bob\" Mize was a lifelong dulcimer maker hailing from the mountains of Tennessee where he lived all his life, He began building in the 1960s and over the span of his life crafted nearly 4,000 dulcimers. His instruments were played by Appalachian legends like Maybelle Carter and several examples were enshrined in Appalachian mountain music history in seminal Foxfire books. He even served as an ambassador of sorts for the region, being called upon by the governor's office to build dulcimers as state gifts that could showcase Tennessee's rich musical culture. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMize's business differed from some of the homegrown workshops of his contemporaries in that he invested in and offered a wider range of deluxe woods for custom order (including rosewood details and exotic tonewoods like koa) in addition to regionally abundant options such as cherry or wormy chestnut. The workmanship and finishing still bear the human touch of Appalachian lutherie but with certain finer materials and techniques that place them a cut above the norm.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a wonderfully constructed Appalachian mountain dulcimer, bearing a rosewood nut and bridge slotted to accommodate a variety of stringing configurations; currently, it is strung with the lowest and highest string doubled and all five rosewood tuning pegs in use. The cherry is professionally finished and polished to an elegant sheen and the strings pass over original, minimally worn frets through the relatively thick bridge to the endpin. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMany details from the f-holes to the little wooden bumpers on the bottom to allow it to rest on a table or wall more comfortably are marks of this dulcimer's quality coming from an advanced builder. While most Appalachian dulcimers carry no external branding, this one has \"Mize\" hot-stamped on the fingerboard between the first fret and the nut, a mark of the maker's pride in his work.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eLength is 35 in. (88.9 cm.), 6 1\/2 in. (16.5 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1\/8 in. (7.9 cm.) in depth at deepest point. Scale length is 26 1\/2 in. (673 mm.). Width of nut is 1 17\/32 in. (39 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis beautiful dulcimer is remains in exceptional shape with minimal signs of wear overall; the richly finished wood is free from any notable scuffs or chips. There are some visible grain flaws in the cherry that are finished over; these are part of the wood's original character not later damage. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe rosewood tuners are intact and working as they should, and the stainless steel frets show very little wear. The sound is sweet and slightly subdued, more sophisticated than many mountain dulcimers and a good match to the subtle aroma of the cherry wood when held close. This is a perfect example of a very high-quality luthier-made dulcimer from the bench of an experienced builder and resides in a non-original (it probably would not have had an original) but very nice brown canvas dulcimer bag complete with a Hal Leonard Dulcimer Method book inside. Excellent Condition.","brand":"Robert Mize","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50628358471820,"sku":"13500","price":850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_b9136f7b-ae53-432d-9512-d9ea02f4012e.jpg?v=1781129238"}],"url":"https:\/\/retrofret.com\/collections\/dulcimers.oembed?page=2","provider":"RetroFret","version":"1.0","type":"link"}