The Traditional Dulcimer Collection

The Dutch Hearts

Any mountain dulcimer can be made with either an air-dried, hand selected Cherry, Mahogany or Pennsylvania Black Walnut body. Either Sitka Spruce, Butternut or Western Red Cedar can be used for the soundboard of the dulcimer with equal beauty in tone
and response. Red Cedar has more "character" and grain design. Spruce is a lighter color and the grain is more clear.

The musical instrument shown on the left was built in 1989 and is made with a light Western Red Cedar soundboard and Black Walnut back, sides, fretboard, and peghead. It is owned by Leta Doyle of Livingston, Texas.

The mountain dulcimer on the right is made with a Butternut soundboard and a Pennsylvania Black Walnut body. Butternut is currently out of stock.

The detail of the painting around the heart can be done with any colors of your choice. When I get the first coat of finish on a dulcimer, I can "see" colors in the woods I have used and I like to work with those colors to accent the hues in the wood. If you have a main color that you like, I can use a shade or hue of that color and then I will choose two other colors that will compliment your main color and bring out the other colors of the wood in the instrument.

The Hog Fiddle

This instrument is made out of Maple as per the customer's request. Maple is a very pretty wood
and most fiddles are made out of Maple, but the tone
of this instrument was very bright. I prefer not to use Maple for that reason, but if you are looking for an instrument with a brighter sound, then Maple is what
I would recommend.

You will definitely have a unique piece of art and a
truly beautiful sounding custom instrument.

The designs on the soundholes can be hand painted
if you prefer and a variety of colors can be used. You
can choose a color scheme and I will work it in, matching the tones and hues to the colors in the wood that I hand-pick.