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If you have never played a musical instrument in your life but have always wanted to, you are in the right place! The mountain dulcimer is one of the easiest musical instruments to learn and is also the most economical. No lessons required!!!
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It is a musical instrument that you may have heard called by a different name, like the lap dulcimer, the mountain dulcimer, Appalachian dulcimer, fretted dulcimer, or American dulcimer. But, no matter what you call it, the dulcimer can sing whatever music your heart desires whether it is pop, rock and roll, old-time, folk, jazz, blues, bluegrass, country or classical. It is great for making backyard music! Recently, more and more CDs and music books and tapes are including the dulcimer because it has been recognized recently for a unique sound that is unmatched in any other musical instrument.
I have been building dulcimers since 1988. All of my dulcimers are made of solid hardwoods. No veneers or plywoods are used. They are very light in weight and respond with a balance and clarity that is hard to match in a custom instrument. All are unique - no two are built exactly alike. The nut and bridge on all my dulcimers are designed for either the traditional string spacing (three course) or the new equidistant string spacing (four course). That means no matter what dulcimer you order, you can play arrangements for either the 3-course or 4-course dulcimer. I use the standard 27" fretboard pattern for my dulcimers.
Every dulcimer I build is equipped with guitar-style tuning machines. My dulcimers combine a high quality cedar or spruce top with your choice of select, book-matched, quarter-sawn hardwood bodies to produce a warm tone quality and good response. The easy action makes fast finger-picking possible with the greatest comfort and also ensures a true 2 1/2 octave scale that is finely intonated. The hand rubbed satin lacquer finish tops off the superior craftsmanship and protects your dulcimer for years of playing without losing the quality of tone and performance.
Custom orders for instruments, custom sound holes, or left-handed instruments are welcome. Orders can be placed and questions submitted using the e-mail address, snail-mail address or phone number at the end of this page.
| The Dragon Model  Click on photo. |
This new offering was inspired by John Alden Morgan in Florida, who suggested the dragon design on the dulcimer head. I have decided to offer it to the public since it turned out to be so handsome! |
The Equus Model  Click on photo. |
This instrument was inspired by my love of horses and the west. I have decided to offer it as a standard model since all the cowboys and cowgirls want one! |
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Collection  Click on photo. |
These instruments were inspired by my love of the indian petroglyphs of the Southwest. The soundholes represent southwest indian art from indian tribes past and present. I have decided to offer them as standard models since they have become so popular! |
The Traditional Collection  Click on photo. |
This collection is a must for the mountain dulcimer "purist" who wants a traditional looking dulcimer. They reflect the mood of the Blueridge Mountains and are reminisent of the backyard music that was played by the people of that area for years. As a dulcimer maker who loves history, I have decided to offer them as standard models since I get so many calls for them! |
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Model  Click on photo. |
This model is for the person on a low budget. It is a "no-frills", down-to-business instrument that has the same high quality construction and ease of action as the custom models. It is a lower priced musical instrument simply because of its stream-lined, simple and clean design which cuts down on construction time. |
I invite you to explore  |
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(Tops)  Click on photo. |
You have your choice
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CUSTOM |
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(Body)  Click on photo. |
The shape of the dulcimer affects sound. So does the shape and size of the sound holes, the length of the grain lines, the thickness of the woods, and the thickness of the finish and the type of finish. The difference in the sound of different (well-built) dulcimers is so slight that only a trained ear can tell. You just need to choose the type of dulcimer you want, and I will make sure it sounds beautiful and sings a pretty song!!! If you are looking for a more historical instrument, the square dulcimers were the first dulcimers (pre-1800), then came the single-bout (c. 1800). |
| If you find computer midi files irritating, you can turn the sound off by clicking the pause button on the controller. |
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 Click on photo. History of the Mountain Dulcimer |
Gila Mountain Dulcimers The Dulcimer Shop P.O. Box 1005 Capitan, New Mexico 88316 505/354-2086 E-Mail:KerryKaye@DulcimerShop.com |
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