Mountain Dulcimer, New, Made in West Virginia

Description

This is 4 string with Grover tuners and a dip cut behind bridge to accommodate wittner micro tuners that I can add for additional fee. The nut to bridge length is 25 1/2 inches. I used medium height nickel fretwire that is filed and smoothed at each end. The carved gargoyle head is walnut the fretboard is slippery elm which is kiln dried and unusual wood for a fretboard, the top is butternut which is a rare relative of walnut and the back is sassafras. I used a centuries old French polish method for European instruments meaning I spent a week painting with egg whites then wet sanding to fill the grain then many layers of shellac before achieving a mirror reflective layer but not too thick as to interfere with tone. This has a very good sound and is 8” wide at its widest point and 36” long total. I used supports underneath like on guitars. The soundholes I drew to imitate a very old dulcimer but it wasn’t letting out that vibrant tone so I drilled the extra holes that you see and it’s a wonderful sounding instrument. If you like a lower action this is the one you need and there is no fret buzzing. This is all local West Virginia wood and unique. I spent a lot of hours making this and carving the head. I don’t see many makers today carving their heads out like violins they like to take shortcuts of which I didn’t do here. I use traditional hand tools so I can’t really produce the volume of instruments others do but I been making them since the 1990s and have never had an unhappy customer or had to give a refund. The money from this sale is going into the account for a special needs cat I adopted after finding him in the yard abandoned. He will need to be on a special prescription urinary cat food for the rest of his life to keep his narrow bladder from shutting down. He’s 11 months old now and has been with me inside for 10 of those months. He’s brought a lot of happiness into my life so inside the soundhole you will see “Happy Kitten Dulcimers” with my name and date & year. I just got done with it and ready for it’s owner. I grew up here in WV and my family has lived here for centuries. One of my ancestors was a guide for General Washington and another was in the House of Representatives who voted to ratify our constitution & bill of rights at the Virginia assembly. Well enough of my rambling, I hope you have a good day.