2018 Modern Mountain Dulcimer Appalachian Dulcimer

Overview: This is a fascinating take on a traditional mountain dulcimer design. It has a body with a false ("resonator") back -- sort-of like on a resonator banjo -- and a "true" back above it that acts as a secondary soundboard, in a sense, as it's not damped by having its surface make contact with the lap when playing. In addition, the saddle area of the fretboard/center block has cut-outs under it which allows more energy to be concentrated into the top under it and thus make the top work more efficiently. These changes make a louder, fuller-sounding dulcimer that still has many of the tonal qualities of a traditional one.

Interesting features: It uses solid cherry throughout the build, though the "actual back" is spruce or some other softwood. It has a 3-string design rather than the traditional 2-1-1 pattern and that makes each string more balanced volume/tonewise, though the slight "quiver" or "wet" sound of the paired strings is lost. As noted, its design format is curious and yields a bigger-sounding instrument.

Repairs included: I compensated the saddle a bit and did a light setup. Otherwise it was ready to go and it's playing spot-on.

• Weight: 3 lbs 6 oz
• Scale length: 26 7/8"
• Nut width: 1 1/2"
• String spacing at nut: 1 3/16"
• Soundbox length: 31 1/8"
• Body width: 9 3/8"
• Body depth: 3"
• Top wood: solid cherry
• Back & sides wood: solid cherry sides, spruce? back
• Action height at 12th fret: ~1/16"
• String gauges: 26w-12 or close to it
• Fret style: medium-narrow

Condition notes: There are some small nicks, dings, and scratches here and there but overall it's in great shape and pretty dang clean.

It comes with: It has a gigbag.

Consignor tag: LYJO