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Hammered Dulcimers, Mountain Dulcimers and Santoors

Dulcimers. Page 1 of 2. Dulcimers may have originated in the Middle East, probably during the first millennium A.D. If so, the instrument could have been brought to Europe from the Middle East during the Crusades or into Spain with the Moors, or both. Other research puts the origin near the end of the Middle Ages, in Europe, holding that the earlier medieval paintings and statues probably depict psalteries or dulcimer-like instruments without a central bridge.

The name "dulcimer" is derived from Latin, meaning "sweet sound". Hammered dulcimers were popular in England during the reign of James I, when the Bible was translated into English as the King James Bible.

Mountain dulcimers, also known as "Appalachian ", "lap" or "fretted" dulcimers are a more modern instrument born in the Appalachian mountains. They appear to have ancestral ties to earlier German and Scandinavian instruments, and to the French epinette de Vosges. The most likely explanation for the application of the name "dulcimer" to the mountain dulcimer is that the name for the mountain instrument was taken from the Biblical reference to the hammered dulcimer in Daniel 3:5, King James Version.

Dulcimer makers often indicate the size and range of their dulcimers by the number of "courses" or string groups found on each bridge. The first number is usually for the treble (center) bridge, the second for the bass (right side) bridge; and if a third number is given it means there is a third bridge on the far left of the instrument. As a general rule, the following is true: 9/8 = two octave, 12/11 = two 1/2 octave, and 15/14 = three octave range.

Please see our Dulcimer Instruction Books, CDs and DVDs and Dulcimer Accessories for help with your dulcimer skills.

SPECIAL NOTE - No Warranty on Strings: Whether you purchase an instrument on-line or in a neighborhood store, manufacturers recommend that you change the strings on your instrument as soon as you receive it. Your instrument has completed a long journey to your home. During this time the strings WILL oxidize and this may shorten their life expectancy and may reduce their sound quality. On occasion instruments may arrive with a broken string, therefore, it is recommended that you purchase a replacement set of strings and consider changing your strings as soon as it arrives. Learning to change strings should be the first lesson learned when embarking on the journey of playing a new instrument.

( DME5 ) European Mountain Dulcimer This European Mountain Dulcimer has 5 strings, a rosewood frame, a birch soundboard, cutouts in soundboard and one on the back. This folksy musical instrument is in the zither family and is known as a Scheitholt. The instrument measures 34" long x 5" wide and 2" high (863.6 x 127 x 50.8 mm). It includes a pick and noter. Made in Pakistan.

Only: $225.00

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( DMHRH5 ) Mountain Dulcimer, 5 String, Hearts This mountain dulcimer is crafted with the classic hourglass shape. The sides, back, peg box, and fretboard are solid rosewood. The European spruce soundboard has attractive heart shaped sound holes. There are 18 frets (yes it does have the 6 1/2 and the 13 1/2 frets) and 5 steel strings with mechanical gear tuners that have a 1:14 ratio. A pick and noter are included. Made in Pakistan.

Only: $180.00

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( DH10-9R ) Hammered Dulcimer, 10/9 Rosewood This particular hammered dulcimer is a 10/9 which means there are 10 strings crossing the treble bridge on the left, and 9 strings crossing the bass bridge on the right. The recommended tuning is Traditional Fifth Interval Tuning. Made in Pakistan.

Only: $435.00

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( DMWL ) Wildwood Dulcimer, Lacewood Fun, lightweight, and easy to play, our Wildwood Dulcimer has the rich sound of a mountain dulcimer with just a little bit of banjo twang. The body style of the Wildwood allows it to be played like a guitar instead of the traditional "flat in the lap" position of the mountain dulcimer. The teardrop spruce soundboard with three rosettes stands out in contrast to the long, thin rosewood fingerboard. Creamy lacewood back. Made in Pakistan.

Only: $200.00

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( DMWR ) Wildwood Dulcimer, Rosewood Fun, lightweight, and easy to play, our Wildwood Dulcimer has the rich sound of a mountain dulcimer with just a little bit of banjo twang. The body style of the Wildwood allows it to be played like a guitar instead of the traditional "flat in the lap" position of the mountain dulcimer. The teardrop spruce soundboard with three rosettes stands out in contrast to the long, thin rosewood fingerboard. Dark rosewood back. Made in Pakistan. (Out of Stock)

Only: $200.00

Qty:

( DMHRH5 ) Mountain Dulcimer, 5 String, Hearts Mountain Dulcimer, 5 string, Hearts. Rosewood frame, heart shaped cutouts in the spruce soadboard and hour-glass shape. Includes nylon case, pick and slide. Made in Pakistan.

Only: $180.00

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( DMHRH4 ) Mountain Dulcimer, 4 String, Hearts Constructed of a solid Rosewood sides, back, peg box, and fret board in the classic hour-glass shape. Over all dimensions: L 33 x W 7.5 x H (including bridge) 3.25 inches, the depth of the body without the bridge is 2 inches. Made in Pakistan.

Only: $165.00

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( DMHRK4 ) Mountain Dulcimer, 4 String, Knotwork Constructed of a solid Rosewood sides, back, peg box, and fret board in the classic hour-glass shape. Over all dimensions: L 33 x W 7.5 x H (including bridge) 3.25 inches, the depth of the body without the bridge is 2 inches. Made in Pakistan. (Out of Stock)

Only: $165.00

Qty:

Ethnic Musical Instruments