Here are photos and descriptions of some of the instruments I have built. Many of these were designed by the buyers, while others were built to my specs
to sell "off the shelf".
Please see "Instruments For Sale" tab in the bar above for more information on available instruments.
CUSTOMER CORRESPONDENCE
Whenever possible, I prefer to deliver my custom instruments in person. This gives me the pleasure of seeing the excitement of the customer upon first holding their instrument. Below are comments I have recieved when I could not have this option or sometimes even after the fact...
E-mail from K.L. in Colorado. She had seen my website and commissioned me to build her a “Langeleik”. (an old Norwegian folk instrument that is believed to have had a strong influence in the design of the Mountain Dulcimer) It was my first try at this instrument and I had little tech info other than a few photos from the internet.
MAY 11, 2018
The package just arrived in perfect condition, and I regret that I was not able to shoot a video of opening the box, since my husband is working in Denver until tomorrow, and I am here alone until then. I would have had him try to shoot a video, only I could not wait another minute to see my new instrument. So, sorry about that!
I want you to know that the langeleik so far surpassed any expectations I may have had that I actually got a little choked up opening it. It just took my breath away. This langeleik is an absolute work of art, totally original, and unlike any instrument I have ever seen online. The way you combined the light and dark wood, especially the striped peg head, is just spectacular and makes it really a one-of-a kind! All the details on the langeleik are just beautiful.
I honestly don't think I have adequate words to express how thrilled I am upon receiving this instrument. I am saying sincerely that I could not possibly be happier or more impressed with the care and workmanship that obviously went into creating this special langeleik for me. It truly will become a family heirloom, and I only wish my Norwegian grandparents were still alive to hear it played.
I appreciate the info and extras you included too. I can't wait to tune it, to read all the materials you sent, and to hear it in tune for the first time. I plan to take the entire evening becoming acquainted with the instrument. Until I have a chance to do that, I will just stare at it in awe!
Thank you so very much for this entire adventure from start to finish. I hope our paths do cross some time in the future. If you ever pass through this part of Colorado, please do give me a call! I would love to meet both of you in person. This has been so fun, educational, and what an end result. You really are a master of your craft, John.
Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sincerely, K. L.
20 minutes later:
..addendum to the last email:
So, it was easy to tune and sounds so much warmer than any langeleik I have heard on videos online. What a great tone! I can't wait to show it to my husband tomorrow. I know I will be obsessed with trying to learn to play it. I love the sound!
Thank you again. K. L.
the next day:
Check is in the mail. I so appreciate you making this langeleik affordable for me. I will enjoy it that much more. I have been playing it off and on all day, and watching videos on YouTube. I imagine it will be some time until I am reasonably proficient playing it, but what a lot of fun learning!
Thank you again, and I will stay in touch. Best to you and Teresa. This whole experience has been really special to me.
K. L.
This is K. L.'s "Langeleik":
Made with Eastern Maple and Black Walnut.
Body is rectangular with slight taper towardpeg head end.
Only one string is fretted, remaning seven strings are "drones".
Soundholes are Norwegian Lyres with a traditional heart
below. Peghead is a lamination of the two woods producing
a striped pattern. Tuning machines are Grover Ukelele
tuners in nickel with white knobs.
From C.S. in North Dakota
5/28/15
Thanks so much John. I wrapped the dulcimer in bubble wrap and it made it home just fine. I must say that I got some strange looks, but it made it home just fine.
I have learned one song but had to set it a side for a week or so. I have a craft business and I have a big show this weekend that I have been getting ready for. When I get a bit better I will send you a video.
Thanks again for everything, I love my dulcimer!!!!!
You are welcome anytime you are passing through. Take care!
C. S.
From D.F. in Spokane, WA (Purchased a 3/4 size dulcimer he had seen on
my website as a birthday gift for his wife.)
6/4/2018
It's here, and she's LOVING it!
D.F.
(Note, after having the instrument for a few weeks his wife decided it wasn't
really something she wanted. I refunded their entire purchase price and felt it was
only fair that they pay for the return shipping.)
From: Greg in Wisconsin
5/14/2020
We received our dulcimer and are really impressed with the quality of the build.
The one thing that sets you apart from other craftsmen is your special gift to work with and understand the needs of your clients. The other is your great customer service. It takes a special person to do what you do the way you do it. Thank you
Greg from Wisconsin.
From: Mike Lewellen, Skagit County, WA
December, 2021
My name is Mike Lewellen. I am a resident of Skagit County, WA. I would consider myself more of a music enthusiast than any kind of musician. I was at the county fair in the summer of 2021 and happened to walk by a vendor booth that had these funny looking stringed instrumentts that I had never seen before. I stopped to have a look, and that's when I met John and his wife, Teresa. Wonderfully pleasant folks!! I was able to play around with one of these fascinating instruments that I had not been familiar with, and knowing nothing about a dulcimer, I was pleasantly surprisde at the beautiful noise they make. I just had to have one! John owns and operates Sunny Day Dulcimers, and set up a date where we could custom design my piece. I was surprised at the amount of options I had to choose from to really make a one-of-a-kind completely hand made instrument of my very own! John was very professional with how he took my order, explained the options to me in a simple manner that anyone could understand. John and his wife kept me updated on the progress of the build regularly as my excitement gfrew. Then the day finally came to meet with John abd Teresa to pick up my new dulcimer! When I unwrapped it out of the hand made cloth case Teresa made for it (which I wasn't expecting...) I could have not have been more pleased! I would recommend Sunny Day Dulcimers to anyone looking for an authentic, hand made American mountain musical instrument. Thank you John and Teresa Ellis.
FROM: Selmer, Minot ND
Original purchase in Feb. 2022.
These comments received in Fall, 2023
Hello John, I hope all is well with you, as it is here in North Dakota. Our fallweather has been most enjoyable.
I wanted to tell you that yesterday and today I had the opportunity to share something of the instrument with some 4th graders here in Minot. There's a big Scandinavian festival here this week. One of the events is to have Festival performers play and talk to grade school kids about their instruments. I'm not performing but a couple of the perfromers I knlow invided me to join them to demonstrate the langeleik. It was a great success and a lot of fun.
So thank you for building the instrument. I have to confess I haven't played it as much as I should have, but this experience will change that.
Best,
Selmer
Note: This is the second "Langeleik" I have been commissioned to
build. The langeleik is beleived to be a source of some of the
design elements in the Mountain Dulcimers.
John
FROM: Dwight Holmes, La Conner, Wa
Two months ago I did not even know what a Mountain Dulcimer was. A lady in our ukulele group showed me both of her dulcimers that John Ellis – Sunny Day Dulcimers – had made. She let me attempt to play them both and I actually was able to play a song or two. I contacted John and he showed me several he already had made and let me try them out. There was one especially that I liked the sound and the woods used in its construction but I decided to have John make a custom one for me with a little different design/style. John and I chose the style, the different woods used, the sound holes style and an upgraded scroll peg head and golden tuners. John is very organized and typed up a details agreement listing all of the choices I had made. Different shapes of the instrument and the different available woods used can affect the sound of the instrument when all assembled/done. The price we agreed on seemed quite reasonable considering this is a custom made to spec instrument. John does not make his instruments to “make money”. John has been woodworking for many years and building Mountain Dulcimers about 8 yrs because he deeply desires to make a quality instrument for a reasonable price and to preserve the history of this unique instrument for future generations. John, having some Irish and Scottish genes wants to preserve this aspect of it also since aspects of the Mountain Dulcimer have Scottish and Irish background though the Mountain Dulcimer was actually invented in the US. I too have Irish genes so my choice of Shamrock and Cross sound holes personalized my instrument for me. Last week I took possession on my instrument. It is beautiful, made to my specs and sounds like I had hoped it would. Now to learn to play. On deliver of the instrument John provides a very detailed and organized book of information that he has organized. Wow, this booklet is about 30 pages of information on my specific instrument, care of your dulcimer, tuning, history of the Mountain Dulcimer and many links to more information on your instrument and how to play it etc etc.. If you order a custom dulcimer, which you should, there will be a little waiting time as good craftsmanship does not necessarily mean quick. It was worth the month or more wait. When I am not learning to play this Dulcimer I am looking across my office as it is displayed on a floor stand to show of its beauty. I am happy with my purchase – could you tell? He even provided a soft bag made especially for my dulcimer – nice.
