The Mountain (or Appalachian, or Lap) Dulcimer is a unique instrument, invented around 150 to 200 years ago by the Scotch-Irish immigrants who settled here in the Appalachian Mountains. It may be the only distinctly American musical instrument. (Some people also make that claim for the Banjo.)

We don't make any of our own Mountain Dulcimers, but we carry them from other makers, whose workmanship we trust.

McSpadden
Most of our Mountain Dulcimers are McSpadden instruments, which come from The Dulcimer Shop in Mountain View, Arkansas. Lots of players tell us that McSpadden dulcimers are some of the best instruments around for the money. They have a double melody string, but the four strings can also be equally spaced for finger-picking or playing four-note chords. They all have the additional 6 1/2 fret and the 13 1/2, which is an octave higher. 

Standard models are available in either of two traditional shapes: the hourglass shape with heart shaped soundholes, or the teardrop shape with "f" holes. 

 They come with either a traditional scrolled head with 4 to 1 ratio geared tuners, or a flat (guitar style) head with more precise 16 to 1 ratio tuners, which makes retuning quicker for most players. There are also several wood choices.

Prices begin at $340.00. For that price, you could get either the teardrop or the hourglass shape, in either Walnut or Cherry, with a flat head and a standard padded nylon case. Other options add to the price as follows:
A scrolled head is an additional $25.00.
A Spruce soundboard is $10.00.
A Redwood soundboard is $15.00.
Deluxe cases are available upon request.

The Ginger model is a shorter (3/4 sized) hourglass shaped dulcimer, also with a flat head. It's only about 29 inches long over all, with a 23 1/4 inch fretboard, so it makes a great travel dulcimer. It's available in the same wood choices, and for the same prices as the full sized instruments.

The deluxe Schnaufer model (named after one of the best known dulcimer players around) is hourglass shaped with a flat head, Cherry body, and a Redwood soundboard. It has additional features , including black tuning gears, an Ebony fretboard, and a pick guard. It sells for $680.00.

The Dulcimer Shop also makes a Baritone dulcimer, which is tuned to a lower A-E-A. It's hourglass shaped, with a flat head. It's made of Walnut with a Redwood soundboard, and sells for $390.00.

Walnut Creek

We also carry Walnut Creek dulcimers from T.K. O'Brien. They are somewhat less expensive than the McSpadden instruments, but the craftsmanship seems to still be very good, and the sound is quite nice. There are different models, but the most popular seems to be the DU-46 with the Hummingbird & Vines design, shown here. This design is available in several woods. The ones shown are (left to right) Cherry, Walnut, and Sassafras. 

The DU-46 comes with a case and a beginner book, and is priced at $275.00.

If you'd like to order a Mountain Dulcimer, it's probably best to call or E-mail us and see what's currently available, due to the large number of possibilities. We carry less expensive Mountain Dulcimers from other makers too, but you'll need to check with us about availability.

Kits

We also carry kits for the do-it-yourselfer. They come from The Dulcimer Shop, so they're very similar to the other McSpadden dulcimers in construction. 

You don't have to be a woodworker to put one together. In fact, they're designed for someone with very limited experience and just a few tools to be able to complete them fairly easily. All the parts are cut and shaped. All you have to do is glue it together, sand it lightly, apply the finish, and string it up. Most people can complete it in around 15 hours or so; and it turns out to be a good, playable instrument, with a surprisingly good sound. We've sold lots of these, to all kinds of people, and only a couple of people have had any problems at all - and those were very minor.

The kits come in two wood choices: either all Walnut, which is a dark, chocolate brown all over, or with a Birch top, which gives it a two-tone appearance, because the Birch top is light in color, while the sides, back, fretboard, and headstock are still Walnut.

Mountain Dulcimer Kit
(Please specify Birch top or all Walnut)  
Price: $105.00    
To Order

If you have questions, need more information, 
or would like to place an order, please . . .
 E-mail us at: INFO@SONGOFTHEWOOD.COM
Call or fax us at: 828-669-7675
Visit or write us at: Song of the Wood
203 West State Street
Black Mountain, NC  28711
 Or fill out the form on our Order Page.