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.
 "Langeleik" SDD 0046My second custom "non-dulcimer." A woman from Colorado contacted me about building a "Langeleik" for her. These instruments are believed to be one of the older Norwegian influences that contributed to the design of the Mountain Dulcimer. It is basically a rectangular box strung with eight strings. Only one string is fretted while the other seven are played as "drone" strings. There are also included some small "movable" frets that can change the tuning of the drone strings like a capo. |  Hourglass SDD 0014Aromatic cedar soundboard. Hard maple fingerboard. Scroll peghead. Orthodox cross soundholes. |  Back View of Sdd 0014Hard maple back. Laminated peghead. |  Hourglass SDD 0015Hourglass shape, hard maple fingerboard, aromatic cedar soundboard with "f" soundholes. Scroll peghead |  Hourglass SDD 0016Aromatic cedar soundboard. Hickory fingerboard. Four different soundholes as selected by buyer. Custom carved peghead (whale tail fluke). |  TEARDROP SDD 0018Teardrop shape, Sitka Spruce soundboard and Purpleheart fingerboard. Tapered scroll peghead. "f" soundholes. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 HOURGLASS SDD 0019Western Red Cedar soundboard on hourglass shaped body. Scroll peghead with down swept arch. Evergreen tree soundholes. Black walnut fingerboard with maple inlay dots. |  Hourglass, SDD 0020Aromatic cedar soundboard, hickory fingerboard. Horsehead and geometric dot soundholes. Tapered scroll and upswept arch peghead. |  Stand at first BazaarThe Spring Bazaar at the Evergreen fairgrounds in Monroe, our first event in 2015. |  SDD 0022Aromatic cedar soundboard with Penguin soundholes. Laminated peghead. Gold tuning machines with black knobs. Special order Ebony fingerboard. |  Hourglass, SDD 0025A couple of things to point out here. First notice the "Cannarywood" side on the body. This imported exotic hardwood has some beautiful grain patterns with colors ranging from browns to reds and oranges. Also the peghead has a different design. I was just experimenting while building it and ended up with something that reminded me of a turret on a castle. |  Hourglass, SDD 0024Classic "hourglass" shape with leaf soundholes. Western Red Cedar soundboard and scroll type peghead. |
 Hourglass, SDD 0027Sides are one of my favorite exotic woods called Canarywood. Usually has multiple colored grain streaks ranging from very light to deep reds and even purples. Standard hourglass shape with Aromatic Cedar soundboard. "Bubble" soundholes. |  Teardrop, SDD 0028Teardrop shape, stylish heart soundholes with dots above and below. Aromatic Cedar soundboard, |  Diamond, SDD 0034Diamond body with matching soundholes. A tribute to some of the very early designs primarily from the Melton's of Virginia. Western Red Cedar soundboard, nicely grained Cherry back and sides. |  Hourglass, SDD 0035Western Red Cedar on Hourglass shaped body. Padauk sides and back. Eight notes on upper "bout" and hearts on lower. |  Rectangle, SDD 0037Rectangular body with rectangular soundholes produces a nice, clear sound. Built with contrasting colors to produce a light/dark theme. Soundboard is light colored Poplar. Sides are a dark Walnut and back is a bright Eastern Maple. |  Hourglass, SDD 0039Fleur de Lis and Butterfly soundholes. Western Red Cedar sound board, Cherry back and Red Oak Sides. |
 Ellipse, SDD 0040Ellipse shaped, "f hole" soundholes. Soundboard is Red Alder, Backm is Black Walnut and sides are Cherry. |  Hourglass, SDD 0043Four different soundholes on an hourglass shaped body. |  Ellipse, SDD 0045Ellipise shape. |  Hourglass, SDD 0047Hourglass. |  0051Certainly one of my top five favorite instruments. I found a piece of poplar that was "marred" by a dark stripe within the grain of the wood. After some creative book-matching and milling I ended up with a unique looking soundboard for this elliptical dulcimer. |  Rectangle, SDD 0052Tribute to early builders that used whatever they could find for building materials. Sometimes they would use cigar boxes to construcg the body, creating an instrument with a rectangular shape like this one. |
 Ellipse, SDD 0053Eliptical shape with standing bear and howling wolf soundholes. |  "Very Custom" SDD 0054Ordered by customer in Vermont. |  Diamond, SDD 0055A little different view of a lesser used shape - diamond. |  "Trumpet" Shape SDD 0061A bit of a different design that I tried out in an attempt to come up with a less expensive dulcimer. It was not a lot less to build but did evolve into another "Economy" model that I am now building. |  Elliptical, SDD 0065Custom order instrument. Notice the laminated woods in the peg head. I enjoy doing this little extra touch and feel that it adds to the uniqueness of each instrument. |  Teardrop, SDD 0067This soundboard is Aromatic Cedar, also known as Tennessee Cedar. While it has been a popular option with many of my customers, I am finding that good quality lumber of this species is getting hard to get. |
 Rectangle, SDD 0076Basic model with some upgrades. Soundboard is Western Red Cedar. |  Hourglass, SDD 0077Hourglass shape, Crescent moon soundholes. |  Teardrop SDD 0083 |  Another commissioned Langeliek for a customer in North Dakota. SDD 0087 This is considered one of |  SDD 0088, Hickory bookmatched back with laminated racing stripe adds a distinctive personal touch. |  Peghear detail for SDD 0090. Laser edched initials or other items can also be added onto scroll typ |
INSTRUMENTS
FOR SALE
This Page Updated: January, 2024
Prices shown do NOT include:
state sales tax or shipping charges.
We often have specials available!
Call or E-mail for current prices.
BASIC INSTRUMENT
PHOTO SHOWN FOR EXAMPLE ONLY. THIS SPECIFIC INSTRUMENT IS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE.
This is our Basic Instrument with some changes to the wood types. It is made in the traditional "Cigar Box" shape. Materials are Western Red Cedar sound board, Red Alder back, Cherry sides, Mahogany fret board with Red Oak fingerboard overlay. Peg head is Mahogany - "flat guitar style" with open geared , right angle, nickel plated tuning machines.
(Even the basic model has some room for personalization. You can choose one of six soundhole patterns, color of tuning knobs, and you have six choices in the shape of the guitar style peg head. Normally I build my instruments with a vibrating string length (V.S.L.) of 27 inches. This could also be different if you want.)
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE INSTRUMENTS :
SDD 0094 $ 282.00
An upgraded "basic model", this instrument features an Africxan Mahogany sound board, Poplar bottom and Big Leaf Maple sides. The peghead is a scroll type made out of some very unique Spalted Cherry with beautiful grain patterns.
Imported Canarywood fingerboard, Grover "Sta-tite" 14:1 geared tuning machines are nickle plated with white knobs. Rectangular soundholes enhance the rectangular body shape.
SDD 0113 $ 340.00
The eliptical shape of this instrument contributes to a richer, fuller sound than what I like to call the traditional "mountain sound" of the narrower instruments.
Soundboatrd is Big Leaf Maple, sides and back are California Black Oak with beautiful grain patterns. Peg head is Walnut in a Traditional Guitar style. Finger board is Hawaiian Koa. Sound holes are Ivy Vines and Leaves.
SDD 0114 $ 343.00
Rich, dark woods combine to make this Teardrop shaped instrument a luxurious looking instrument. The soundboard is a darker selection of Western Red Cedar while the sides and back carry on the dark theme with Black Walnut. The peg head finishes off the instrument with a little contrast by using Red Oak with Nickel tuning machines and nickle knobs. Trestle style Alaskan Yellow Cedar Fretboard with a Hawaiian Koa fingerboard. Shamrock soundholes.
SDD 0115 $ 347.00
The hourglass shape has a slightly larger "waist" for a little different look. Western Red Cedar soundboard with Arched Bubbles for soundholes. Figured Maple bottom provides a bright contrast to the top and sides. Sides are Catalpa, a beautifully grained wood that was native to northeastern U.S. but is now found throughout most of North America. Scroll peghead and fretboard are Alaskan Yellow Cedar and fingerboard is Purpleheart. Gold Tuners with White Knobs.
SDD 0116 $ 330.00
A bright crisp looking Teardrop dulcimer. Big Leaf Maple soundboard with traditional heart shaped soundholes. The back is Dominican Republic Mahogany and sides are Figured Big Leaf Maple. Peg head is Spalted Cherry in a scroll shape. . Fingerboard is Quilted Eastern Maple on a Black Walnut Fretboard. 26 inch V.S.L. is great for people with smaller hands.
