Jerry Read Smith "signature"
Custom Handcrafted Hammer Dulcimers.
Jerry's wait list is currently 12 to 18 months. I deeply regret the inconvenience and am working diligently to "get some help". Thank you for your patience!
(Click on the names to see tuning charts of Concertmaster and Grande Concertmaster.)
These are his primary models at the present time!
 | Grande Concert Asymmetrical (3 1/2 Octave Diatonic with capability to be upgraded to a Concertmaster at a later date) This is a 19/18 diatonic tuning scheme ... starts at $1895.00 |
| Concertmaster (4 Octave Chromatic) Adds the "missing notes" as well as some super bass notes ... lower than the normal range of a 3 1/2 octave ... starts at: $2595.00 (Tuning Chart) |
| Grande Concertmaster ( 5 Octave Chromatic) Extends the lower end of the Concertmaster and increases the "voicing" ... starts at: $3995.00 Damper System ... $995.00. (Tuning Chart) |
Jerry's dulcimers are unique when compared to most others for several reasons:
These instruments are
individually handcrafted, dated and signed by Jerry and are subject to a very limited availability.
He designs and builds completely
"from scratch" with careful attention paid to improving
structure,
craftsmanship and tonality with each new instrument he makes! 
Jerry hand selects each board from the sawmill and works it all the way through it's first few melodies months later.
The temptation to automate the building process
has been, thankfully, reduced by other makers who have focused on reaching more of
a mass audience. Jerry spends (once quoted by another builder) ...
"way too much time on his instruments." True, perhaps, but he doesn't like
golf enough to get him out of that darn workshop.
Please check out our recommendations for 2 1/2
octaves, three octaves, and chromatics
from other makers, to suit all levels of
players.
Some of the features
of Jerry's hammer dulcimers include:
|
Double-Spline Finger Joint
Frame Construction |
|
Quarter-Sawn Spruce, Genuine
Mahogany or |
|
Double-Rosette Soundhole Design |
|
Solid Exotic Hardwood (coved, scalloped & tapered) Bridges with Maple & Purpleheart Inlaid Position Markers |
|
Solid Hardwood Backs |
|
Hand-Cut Laminated Corner Scrolls
|
|
Hand-Laminated Edge Binding |
|
Hand-Rubbed and Polished Lacquer Finish |
|
Right & Left Hand Accessible Super Bass Bridges on Chromatic Models (New designs extend range with a larger RH accessible Super Bass Bridge only. |
|
Individually Voiced Upon Completion |
|
Options include: Internal Microphone System, Custom Stained Soundboards, Custom Rosette designs & Exotic End Rail Laminations! |
|
Way too much time, a few assorted slivers ... and an occasional tear |
(A personal design he came up with at least 25 years ago based on
the letter "S"!
These instruments are truly handcrafted by me in my workshop here in the mountains. It takes time! The very best way to find out exactly what's up with my building schedule is to E-mail or call. This web site is going to be fun in helping me to stay in touch with "you" better and letting you see my latest work. Please feel free to E-mail us with suggestions of how we might be of better service to you. We will do our best to grow as demand suggests, without compromising the integrity of my work. Blessings to you.
Jerry Read Smith
Please ...
Call: 1-828-669-7675 or
E-mail:
HERE.
for more details, answers to your questions or ... ORDERING!