Appalachian Dulcimer & Appalachian Dulcimer Kit

[more about the Appalachian Dulcimer]

Appalachian Dulcimer

En: Appalachian Dulcimer, Mountain Dulcimer, Kentucky Dulcimer, Lap Dulcimer, American dulcimer



	Finished and Kit 5 string Appalachian Dulcimer

The Appalachian dulcimer is a variety of the Celtic zithers and has been a folk instrument of the southern Appalachian mountains since the first pioneers settled there and now enjoying a well deserved increase in popularity. In Québec it is also named "Table Dulcimer".

The origin of this instrument is in fact a real puzzle. Its origins date from between the XIIth and the XIIIth centuries AD. It was derived from the family of the épinettes des Vosges or German scheithot.

The name ''dulcimer'' seems to be from the french 'doulce mel' (it was named Doulce-de-mer (softness of the sea, in French) and then doulcemelle, but we can found related instruments in various European countries.

In the seventies, the dulcimer made a came on appearance in Bluegrass music and in more recent times is gaining acceptance in the traditional music circles of Western Europe.

There are as many shapes and styles of dulcimers as there are players and mountain craftsmen.

It is an instrument which is often strummed or plucked as an accompaniment to the human voice. In recent years it has evolved into a solo instrument, usually using the fingers, but sometimes bowed.

Its popularity lays in its simplicity in playing and its versatility in tuning to different modes.

RWC Appalachian Dulcimer


	Finished and Kit 5 string Appalachian Dulcimer

Our Appalachian Dulcimers are more refined than some of the primitive mountain dulcimers and are available in two qualities.

The 5 string hourglass Appalachian Dulcimer is a traditional hourglass shape instrument with 5 strings tuned as two pairs and a single. We use solid figured English sycamore for the back and ribs, solid Swiss pine for the soundboard and plain sycamore for the fingerboard which is fretted by CNC machine for accuracy.

Suggested dulcimer tuning (can be tuned to a variety of different tunings): D AA dd.

The 4 string hourglass Appalachian Dulcimer belongs to a series of instruments which have been designed for practicality and economy. The materials are chosen for their tonal qualities (English sycamore, beech or laminated birch).
This 4 string Dulcimer is tuned as a pair and two single courses.

Each instrument is entirely hand built by 'in-house' experienced craftsmen to special order in our own workshops in Toledo (Spain) to the highest standard of craftsmanship. They come with 12 months warranty and 12 months free access to our 'helpline' for advice on setting up, playing and maintenance.

A soft padded bag or fitted hard case are available as optional extras if required.

Appalachian Dulcimer Kit


	Finished and Kit 5 string Appalachian Dulcimer

The same range of Appalachian Dulcimers are offered in kit form for home assembly.

The price includes the license to build one instrument for private use and 12 months free access to our 'helpline' for advice on construction, setting up, playing and maintenance.

To ensure success, even for the first time builder, each kit includes:
A fully dimensioned life-size drawing and working template,
A manual with clear and concise step-by-step full assembly instructions.
A set of photographs illustrating further each stage.

Our 5 string Appalachian Dulcimer kit comes with the ribs pre-formed around a MDF mould so that assembly can begin immediately. Swiss pine for the soundboard and top quality English sycamore for the back are sanded to thickness to ensure a full tone from the finished instrument. The fingerboard is accurately slotted ready to accept the frets. All the hardware necessary to complete a quality instrument are supplied including machine pegs and a set of strings.

The 4 string Appalachian Dulcimer belongs to a series of kits which have been designed for ease of assembly, practicality and economy. Most importantly they are enjoyable to build and can be finished, as the name implies, in a weekend or two. The parts supplied are made from the best quality materials chosen for their ease of use and tonal qualities.

The 'Weekender' Appalachian Dulcimer kit builds into a 4 string instrument tuned as a pair and two single courses. All the parts supplied are cut to size from English sycamore, beech or laminated birch, ready for final assembly.

The kits contain every part you need plus a concise 'step by step' guide to construction.

Appalachian Dulcimer Technical Plan


	Finished and Kit 5 string Appalachian Dulcimer

You can make the same Appalachian Dulcimer from scratch, following detailed step-by-step instructions through the construction process in a clear and concise manner.

A fully dimensioned life-size drawing with templates and a set of photographs illustrate each stage.

The price includes the license to build one instrument for private use and 12 months free access to our 'helpline' for advice on construction, setting up, playing and maintenance.

This icon indicates that you can choose between the hard copy of the documents sent by postal mail, or the downloadable electronic files, in pdf format to your computer. In order to view and print the pdf files, you need the free 'Acrobat Reader' program installed in your computer. Life-size drawings require large printers. Electronic documents have a reduced price, don't have shipping costs, but are non-refundable.

Appalachian Dulcimer Accessories and Spare Parts

Appalachian Dulcimer Availability and delivery time

Not all of the items listed on our site are available immediately. Products without a reference nor a price are rarely available for quick dispatch. If you are interested in them, please contact us.

We publish standard availability, which means that this product usually ships in that time since it has been ordered. But at the specific time of your order, that interval can be longer or smaller depending on many production factors. In addition, you still will have to wait for your product to arrive (delivery time). [More info about availability & delivery dates]

	Finished Instrument		Three months
	Kit		Three weeks
	Drawing		Three days